Read Modeus Operandi :: A New Day Dawns

Calleigh looked around for a moment or two then her eyes fell on an article that was in the paper in front of Mode. It read "A 3rd Murder in the River District Are They Related!? She reached over and pointed at the article. "If you used to hunt your own kind then maybe you could help give some insight into the rash of murders in the river district. So far there are no leads and if I could get a reliable source as well as some evidence it may be my chance to redeem myself." Mode's eyebrows pursed together. I can't say that I have a lot of knowledge about these particular attacks, you know. All I have are what's been written in the papers. I would need to know more about them or get a good look at the bodies in order to give you much more information on them. Calleigh got really quiet, as a look of concentration crossed her face as she scrunched her eyes and rubbed her forehead with her right hand. Then a thought hit her,“OH! What if I could get you copies of the crime scene photos!? Officer Bradford has let me look at them before as this case has become an all hands on board case.” Mode mused for a moment, “That would work.” “Then I’ll bring them tomorrow when my shift is done!” Calleigh exclaimed happily and stood in excitement.

Mode held up a hand, “What time does your shift end Red? It would become awfully strange to suddenly start having the bookstore look occupied of an evening and to have you coming here at odd hours of the night.” Calleigh paused, “Oh you know I hadn’t thought of that.” Her face took on a serious thoughtful look once more, “What if we had a meeting place or a few different ones.” “That sounds more feasible,” Mode pulled a blank piece of paper over and quickly wrote down an address just a short distance from the book store. “This is my address. For starters let's meet here first because I’m sure the tavern is the last place those pictures need to end up and I detest going into town unless absolutely necessary.” Calleigh’s brows furrowed, “You’re not going to do anything…weird…are you?” Mode gave a slight smile and shook his head, “once again officer if I were going to do anything I have the perfect opportunity right here. I don’t plan on doing anything other than repaying my debt to you for keeping my secret.”

Officer Calleigh, satisfied with Mode’s words nodded and sat the empty teacup back down on the desk, “Alright then I’ll make sure to bring those over tomorrow after my shift which will only be a little after 8:30 just as night starts to fall.” Mode nodded, “I’ll see you then.” “Yes,” Calleigh replied briskly, “then I’ll be on my way good night Mr. Operandi." "Good night Calleigh,” and with that he walked her to the door firmly closing it behind her and latching it shut. He knew, at this point, that tonight he would not be able to rest at home and made his way back to burn the midnight oil and work to keep his mind off of everything that had occurred.

As Calleigh arrived home she made sure to shut the door firmly behind her and double checked it making sure it was locked. She was still extremely shaken by her experience that evening. Who could have guessed that the reserved and handsome bookstore owner had such a dark secret. And the fact that it had been happening right under all of their noses was highly disturbing to her. She continued musing over her discovery until she drifted off to sleep from exhaustion.

The next morning as the sun began to peak through the steamy fog and around the cracks between buildings to the sounds of horse drawn carriages starting their day on the streets. Calleigh began to stir as one of these sunbeams shone just through the slit between her curtains hitting her squarely in the eyes. Calleigh groaned, letting out a muffled, "noooooooooooo…" trying to bury her face in the pillow as her spring powered alarm clock began to chime. Calleigh sat up and stretched, still tired from the previous night's encounter. Even though she didn't go into work until later in that afternoon there was plenty that she had to do around her small apartment. As Calleigh was still waking up she heard a gentle rapping in her bedroom window. It surprised Calleigh as she lived on the 3rd floor of an apartment building overlooking the rooftops of some shorter buildings just behind the main street of town. Cautiously getting up Calleigh walked over and peered through the curtains to see what the sound could possibly be at her window.