Chapter 6 - Breakthrough In Investigation

It was September 20, another rather gloomy day, full of work. The evening was slowly approaching and Esther was sitting at her desk looking through the files of the last, so far, victim of 'Mad Dog'. It was a 55-year-old woman, mother of three. Yes, it was revealed that she was cheating on her husband with a man some 20 or so years younger, but that by no means excused the murderer. By what right this man punished women, and in such an inhumane way? He not only raped them, cut their faces, gouged out eyes and bit off pieces of flesh, but also had to stab them with a knife at the end. In many cases, victims died long before the last step, so why the hell did he stab dead bodies? Either he couldn't tell if someone was alive or not, or just didn't care. She sighed heavily, resting elbows on the desk top and hiding face in her hands.

- Esther, are you okay?- she heard a familiar voice above her.

- Of course not, Leo.- Esther replied sourly, looking up at her partner, who was standing in the aisle between hers and his desk, two mugs of coffee in his hands.

Leo said nothing, just set one of the mugs on her desk and sat on his chair.

- Nothing's going to be alright until we catch this psycho.- Esther continued, taking the ear of the cup.- And thanks for the coffee.- she added, managing to smile, but it was a very pale smile.

- You're welcome.- Leo replied, then drank some coffee from his mug.- And I know perfectly well that it'll all suck until we catch him.- he admitted with a slight sadness, but also a hint of annoyance. He felt more and more frustrated at the thought that 'Mad Dog' had already murdered nearly 10 people and still enjoyed his freedom. Additionally, Leo hated this killer even more for the fact that this psycho's case had changed Esther, his little sister, so much.

- I wish he could make some kind of mistake soon... Like many serial killers who have been walking free for too long.- Esther said in an almost prayerful tone.

At this exact point, one of the police officers literally burst into their Department's office. Shock and fear showed on the young man's face.

- Detective Moore, detective Evans.- the officer turned to them, gasping for breath, which indicated that he was rushing really fast here.- We just got a call from a woman who claims that the 'Mad Dog' is in her apartment.- he informed them.

Esther and Leo immediately jumped up from their seat, grabbing coats from the hanger in the corner of the room, and they ran out of the office with the young policeman. The emergency team was already gathering by this time, so when Esther and Leo arrived at the police station parking lot, everyone was ready to go. They also got into the police car as quickly as possible, turning on the siren on the roof and typing in the navigation address, which they had received on the way to the parking lot from the young policeman who gave them the information about the call. Three police cars raced through the city - the first was, of course, the one belonging to Esther and Leo, followed by two more with a few officers to help on board.

- Why does this woman thinks it's him in her apartment?- Esther asked through the CB-radio, while Leo was driving a car.

- She said the man had something strange in his mouth. He smiled at her and looked like he had steel teeth or something like that.- a male voice answered.

- It really can be him.- Esther said, looking at her partner.

- May it be him.- Leo corrected, accelerating the car to the limit.

When they reached the apartment building, they left their police car and quickly entered. The woman's apartment was on the third floor, so Esther and Leo rushed up the stairs, the rest of the policemen right behind them. Along the way, each of them prepared a gun, ready to use it whenever necessary. Once on the third floor, they hurried to the door of apartment number 32, where, according to the report, this woman lived. However, they stopped right next to them when a male scream came from behind the door, full of terror and... pain? It sounded like some soul being tortured in the deepest depths of Hell.

- What the hell?- Leo asked.- Wasn't that the woman supposed to be in danger here?- he added, not even hiding his shock.

- Never mind, we need to get in there as soon as possible, even if it's not 'Mad Dog'.- Esther concluded.