“When does one know when something becomes something else? When ice becomes water. When day becomes night. When life becomes less than living. In that moment, can you tell time?”

The worst had blown over now. The crew was in the clear. Only the bodies to move now.

Men in blue are busy filing reports, shuttling evidence carts, and gawking at the weather girl on channel 4. Smoke, urine, vomit, and blood thicken the humid air. The rookies drool at the sight of the girl’s motions, the veterans are appalled by the weather report; hot and hotter, humid and more so for the next week at least.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” one exclaimed. “My cruiser’s AC broke last week.”

A bearded man smacks the round man. “Stan, at least you don’t have to share a car with mister never-heard-of-water. Can’t wait 'til the ladies in blue come.”

The room is silent. The rookie near the TV set mutes it. All eyes were on the lieutenant.

“What? You doofuses gawk at a 5 on the nice-ass scale and didn’t even hear about the new bods heading our way?”

A rookie spoke up, “Rob, you mean 7’s are heading our way? Coke bottles and all?” He motions the curvy soda.

Rob scans the room. “Don’t yall get any ideas. I know yall are horny hicks, but my god. If you lay a finger on these ladies, you’ll lose it and more.” He crosses his arms and shrugs. “Knowing yall, we have ice bags for severed fingers and castration too. But if that doesn’t stop you, the department has a no fraternization policy.”

Groans and sighs ensue.

“These again are not your average team of blue. They are detectives from the Haritama Incidents. They’ve come east to our side of town where the sun rises to meet the squalor rather than hides it.” Clicks and clacks are heard from the main hallway. “It appears they’re here. Give a warm and horny--I mean--humid welcome to our detectives.”

The five were diverse, to say the least. Different in shape, size, color, and outfit. One taller than all the men in the department, one nearly as round as Stan, another closer to a skeleton than human, one military no-nonsense lady, and the last looked like she ought to head to church rather than the morgue.

“Go ahead and introduce yourselves detectives!” Rob shouted.

“Let’s hear it for them boys! Give them a round,” Rob proclaimed. “Now get back to work ladies. Team lead green, red, and blue meet me in my office.”

The office was overflowing with paperwork, mugs, photos of family intermingled with crime scenes and corpses. “Sorry for the mess ladies; wish I had more time to clean up.” Rob gestures for them to sit. Rob’s tone changed as his eyes turned from welcoming to a frozen stare. “We’ve got a problem. A problem you West-siders let bleed over here.” He points to the stack of photo evidence a few phonebooks high. “How many kids need to die before we see the end of this? How many fucking times did the perp slip away?! You guys are the best they have to offer and you couldn’t do it. What the fuck are we supposed to do?! Huh?” Rob turned to stare each woman in the eyes, then turned away to face his family photo on the wall. “We haven’t even reported the old, the homeless, the forgotten, and the vagabonds who have littered our streets.” He sighs. “It’s no longer a West or East problem… We need to save this town. No more dead grannies, bums, and kids.”

The skeleton speaks up,”With all due respect, the only reason why we could catch the--” She motioned with quotes, “‘The perp’ was that there was more than two. We couldn’t have expected that especially with the MO.” Rob’s face began to redden. “Blue blood was spilt on our side to catch them too you know.”

Rob began to gnash his teeth but was stopped by the giant. “With all due respect, like the LT says, we are a team. Blood has been spilt on both sides. We need to get them and end this once and for all. Especially for Chief Sado’s sake.”

Tears well up in Rob’s eyes. “Sir, do you need--,” spoke green leader.

“No. Thanks, George. She was a cool cat. What an obsessive cat lady. Ha.” Rob wiped his tears and collects himself. “We need to plan how to get them. Richard, your team is with Amberly and Ester. Blake, you’re with Emily and Liz. George’s with me and Natalie.” Rob snaps to the wall clock. Its arm twitches back and forth from midnight. “Would you look at the time? Well, stop looking and move out. Everyone has their assignments. Stay in contact and remember to keep sharp on the time.”