Page 94 of Morally Corrupt

"Before I became your partner," I say, and he nods. "And why would anyone be looking for Chimeranow?"

"That was my question, as well. It's clear that whoever is looking for Chimera has some insider information; otherwise, they wouldn't tie Chimera to Berserker or Artemis."

"Do you think it's someone out for revenge? You said Chimera was used to send messages. That means that the people who got the messages were left alive. At least I'm assuming."

"Not necessarily. But I did think of that as well."

"And?"

"It gets worse." He takes another file, and I seeCONFIDENTIALwritten on it. I open it to see a report from what looks to be the FBI. It details a few gruesome murders in the Tri-state area. I'm about to ask Vlad what I'm looking at when I turn the page, and I suddenly understand.

Teeth.

The mark of the Chimera.

"Look at the date." There are a total of four murders, stretching from two years ago to last month. My eyes snap back to Vlad's.

"I kept thinking about it. It couldn't be coincidental that they were looking into Chimera after so much time. I asked some questions here and there, and my sources came back with this."

"So, Chimera is back?"

"No. Chimera is not back. That." He points at the FBI file and then at the previous folder. "is not Chimera. It's a copycat."

"How do you know? Maybe Chimera suddenly decided to make a reappearance."

Vlad lifts his eyebrow. "I know Chimera. He's out of commission."

I frown. This doesn't make sense at all.

"But who would know about Chimera's work after all this time?"

"That is my question, as well. But I wanted you to know the details too. Chances are, if they tried once, they would keep on trying to get to you. Better be on guard at all times."

"Can't you get in touch with the real Chimera?"

"No. At least not yet. Chimera is…" Vlad shakes his head. "He isn't like us, not really."

"Like us?"

"He felt. Too deeply, one might say. In our line of work, no one is truly sane. To do what Chimera did, however…" He trails off.

"You'd have to be really deranged."

"Exactly. And Chimera's feelings were his downfall. He went off the rails." Vlad shakes his head. "I really don't know what would happen if I brought any of this up."

"Do you need my help?"

"For now, no. I just need you to be on guard. You already have too much on your plate."

"Tell me about it," I mumble and Vlad takes the files away from me.

"Which brings me to my second point. The Italians."

"So you heard? How am I not surprised." I roll my eyes.

"What can I say, I have ears everywhere. Your father is an idiot if you ask me."

"Tell me something new…"