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Downtown South (Part 2)

“Oh, I didn’t pick that up at all.” Bryce said.

“Well, you’ve put together a lot of data for me. It seems that perhaps you were so focused on the details that you didn’t get to see the big picture. Don’t feel too bad, though. I do this for a living. Right?”

“Do you think you can catch him?” Veronica asked.

“Oh, I’m gonna get him.” The detective laughed. “Up until now, he’s just been a random nuisance. He was pushing the limits when he started tossing milk at people last year, but he finished up before they could determine where he’d strike next.”

“Were you on his case last year?” Bryce asked.

“No, he started tossing milk at people in Mount Faith so somebody up in the 56th picked up the case. If I had the case, I’d have gotten him. I don’t go for that. Let me just put that right out there. I don’t approve of animal cruelty. I don’t approve of criminal mischief and vandalism. I definitely don’t approve of simple assault. Attempted homicide? He’s gone entirely too far this time. He’s started drama in my precinct this time and I can tell you one thing for certain. Krampus is going down.”

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Veronica asked.

“You already have.” Detective Masi said. “That map is incredibly useful. I really appreciate you bringing that in for me. If you can send me that soft copy, that will be absolutely huge.”

“Officer Littman said you wanted to see us even before I showed you the map. Is there something else we can answer for you?” Bryce asked.

“Actually, I just wanted to let you know that we are taking an active interest in this case. Given your close call, Ms. Montes, we’re very invested in bringing this guy down.”

“So, you think it’s a guy for sure.” Bryce said.

“I wouldn’t want to meet the lady who can toss a two hundred pound bag of coal around.” Detective Masi laughed. “I’m no stranger to the weight room but I can’t see myself lugging that bag up ten storeys, much less dropping it off without going right over with it. He’s got to be huge.”

“Why’s that?” Veronica asked.

“We got some really good boot impressions up on that roof and no drag marks or lost fibers from that bag.”

“Lost fibers?” Veronica asked.

“If he had been dragging that bag across the roof, the fibers from that velvet bag would have gotten snagged on the rough surface of the rooftop. Also, with the light coating of snow up there, it would have left a drag trail with scrapes from the chunks of coal in the bottom of the bag.” The detective said. “Looks like he just hoisted that thing on his back like Santa and carried it right to the ledge.”

“It landed vertically.” Bryce said. “If he’d have pushed it off the ledge, it might have landed on its side or upside down. It seems like he had to have held it out at arm’s length and dropped it like a water balloon.”

“That’s what we were thinking. That’s what worries me.”

“What?” Veronica asked.

“This guy is huge, unpredictable and seems to have gone past the point of no return. Attempted murder is a new trick for him and he seems to be as casual about it as he was dumping milk on people and burning Olympic flags.”

“Do you think he’ll try for me again?” Veronica seemed more worried than before.

“If he sticks to his M.O., his next move will probably be way uptown or even in Kanarsy or Conyngham. Depending on what pattern he’s drawing this year, he might even wind up on States Island.” The detective said. “I don’t think lightning will strike twice in the same place.”

“Well, I’m staying with my cousin in Sunnyvale.” Veronica said nervously.

“That’s a concern, but is there anything there that just screams ‘dancer’? He seems to pick his spots based on his theme of the year.”

“There are quite a few dance studios nearby. Tommen is a pretty big name in dance. That could be a target he’d be drawn to.” Veronica said. “I haven’t really been to any of the places in Kanarsy yet. All of my auditions have been here in Plattsbowyn, so far.”

“I think if you stay away from those places, he probably won’t come after you again. I don’t think that what he does is personal. I don’t expect him to try coming back to finish the job.”

“That’s good news, Veronica.” Bryce said. “Don’t you think?”

“Let us know if you’re getting close. This is really personal for me.” Veronica said.

“I’ll definitely let you know when we bag him. The sooner you get that file to me, Mr. Wescott…”

“Yes, actually, I’ll head straight home and send it over. The sooner this guy is off the streets, the better off we’ll all be.” Bryce said. He took Veronica’s hand. “Let’s head back and we can send that file to the detective here before we grab some lunch.”

Detective Masi stood up to escort them out. “Thank you so much for stopping in. You’ve been very helpful. I’ll look forward to that file if you can get that to me.”

“Absolutely, Detective. I’ll get it right to you. It was a pleasure meeting you.” Bryce said, putting his arm around Veronica’s waist.

“Ms. Montes, I don’t think you need to worry. Go about your regular activities and leave the monster hunting to us.”

Bryce and Veronica were soon back to his building.

“Coming up?”

“To your Lair?”

“To the World’s Smallest Bachelor Pad.” He said, leading her to the elevator.

“What do you have in mind for lunch?” She asked as the elevator doors closed.

“We can take a look at places after we send that file to Detective Masi. It will take a couple of minutes to make the changes.”

“I don’t know if I can even eat.” She said.