Agent Ash Kane's POV
( Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pendleton, OR.)

On Monday as promised, I made myself available. Sitting at my desk with my laptop open, I studied the file on the Homestead, Florida killing. Just like the others, the body of a man, one Henry Jacobs was laid out in front of City Hall on a blue tarp. The tarp was of a common brand made available throughout the US. Again, no fingerprints, not even latent, on the body and tarp. Damnit. Chemical analysis of the blood revealed the drug Vecuronium to paralyze the victim and keep him awake to be witness to his own death.

Just out of curiosity, I started checking up on the status of police and sheriff departments for any incidents within a fifty-mile radius. For that time in the morning, but before the body was found at 7:35 am.

Just as I was downloading the information, Agent Jolly Baker shows up startling Dottie as she just passed her by, and knocks once on my open office door before entering. "You ready for today?" Jolly walked in with a smile, surprising me by wearing a pair of torn jeans and a blouse.

As usual, she walked with the same sway to her hips that used to turn me on, but now...too much time has passed, and yet...damn. Straightening my throat, I raised a hand to move my tie a bit. "Yeah, take a seat, and let's get started comparing notes." I glance down at my laptop for a second and read and re-read the information there. "It looks like our boy was busy in Florida that night." Jolly finally takes a seat and sits on the edge of the leather.

Her brow furrows at my wording. "If you mean that he was busy making sure to leave us no clues, then yes, I agree." Grinning I turned my laptop around so she could read it.

Her eyes went wide as she read and then looked back at me. "You really think CheX killed this man in Princeton just 19 miles away, before the body was found in Homestead? How so?"

Grinning I showed her the second page of the report. "A different knife was used. Large, a Bowie with a serrated edge, to cut the man's throat which was found at the scene." She shrugged and looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

"Our CheX leaves nothing behind. Yet this knife has not a single print on it, only the same kind of powder residue found in the type of latex gloves that CheX uses. We need further analysis done. I believe that the dead man found in Princeton was supposed to be the actual victim." I paused for the words to sink in. "I think something happened, where CheX got caught or something, and he had to use the man's own knife to kill him or silence him. Then I believe CheX caught a new victim real fast then went to the nearest small town, and the rest is history. I'll bet you he has a residence right there in Princeton, why else drive a rental car that would be taken note of or seen?" Jolly's jaw just about hit my desk, it was beautiful. I could almost see the wheels and cogs turning in her mind as she went over the information with a fine-tooth comb. She always was extremely sharp.

Sliding her cell phone out from her back pocket, Jolly speed-dialed Director Keith Connor at HQ. "Agent Baker here. I need to report a break in the Serial cheX case... Yeah, I'll hold for him." She grins at me but then her attention is back on the phone.

"Yes Sir... We need an Evidence Response Team and an Operational Projects Unit...no Sir, not in Homestead, but Princeton Fl instead." She squinted as she read off my laptop screen. "Correct. The victim's name is Terrence Torres... Uh-huh...yeah, he's here too. We believe he was meant to be the original Florida victim of Serial cheX... Look, Sir, there are no fingerprints at the kill in Princeton, and the knife used was left behind... But before that, it is believed they tangled. The man's clothing has to be found and tested for latent prints. It's a small lead Sir, and I'll take it...Alright, thank you."

Shutting off her phone, she sat back in her chair once again, smiling brightly. "Ash, what's wrong? You are looking way too stern right now." Mulling the case over and over in my head, I told her the truth.

"I don't feel right about this. It leads to a possible residence too easily. Like he's playing with us or taunting." Sitting back in my chair I laid my head back and momentarily closed my eyes.

Getting up from her chair, Jolly stood before the desk and placed her hands on either side. "You did great for the first day. Since we can't do much from here, I am going to go do some shopping then celebrate later tonight. You may as well go home to Jenna if she isn't pissed off anymore." Leaning back, she smiled and waved as she walked out the door.

Dottie came walking in shaking her head, her hand holding onto a few letters. "I brought in the mail for you, Ash. Oh, and would you care for more coffee?" Accepting the mail from her, I smiled and nodded as I looked up at her.

"Thank you, Dottie, and more coffee soun--" A slim piece of what looked like rice paper fell from between the envelopes and into my lap. Dottie saw it too. I looked up to her, "I need gloves and an evidence bag just in case it is something." Dottie scurried out of the room and came back in a matter of seconds placing the items on my desk while she moved the laptop. Sticking my hands into the gloves I carefully opened up the evidence collection bag. Taking the rough-edged paper from my lap, I opened it and slid it into the evidence bag, and zipped it shut. Taking my gloves off I held it up and began to read:

Ash Kane

So nice to have you back on the case again.
I'm sure that little bitch in heat will keep you busy.
I also knew she wouldn't let me down in bringing you back.
All of you make for such a lovely audience.
Better let you go now, Dottie will be back with your coffee soon.
Toodles!

Serial cheX

As I set the paper down I jumped in my chair as Dottie was standing right in front of me with my coffee. "Oh my God, Ash! Are you okay?" She looked at me with concern all over her face.

I straightened myself up in my chair slowly, fixing my tie. "Yeah, thanks. Just got a bit spooked is all." Then I let her read the note and related the deal of her holding the coffee, and we had a great laugh. "I better call this in to Jolly."

Dottie snickered on her way out. "I'd hate to hear her reaction to what she was called in that letter.." She closed the door and I picked up my phone to deal with the devil incarnate.

I pick up my phone and call Jolly on a secure line. "Yeah, hey it's me.." She cuts me off telling me she has no time for off business calls. "JOLLY!!! SHUT THE FUCK UP!" I lower my voice again, "I got a letter from him!"

"This is all cute and fun but I don't have time for games like this right now, Ash."

Laughing out loud I tell her "This is why you don't get ahead on the job. You don't listen to people when they are telling you they have the only piece of real fucking evidence in the case right in front of them! Now get your ass back here!" Hanging up on her never felt so good.