The Cold Moon

untraceable.
    • Clock. See below.
    • Poem. See below.
    • Fingernail markings on deck.
    • No discernible trace, no fingerprints, no footprints, no tire tread marks.
    CRIME SCENE TWO
    Location:
    • Alley off Cedar Street, near Broadway, behind three commercial buildings (back doors closed at 8:30 to 10 P.M. ) and one government administration building (back door closed at 6 P.M. ).
    • Alley is a cul-de-sac. Fifteen feet wide by one hundred and four feet long, surfaced in cobblestones, body was fifteen feet from Cedar Street.
    Victim:
    • Theodore Adams.
    • Lived in Battery Park.
    • Freelance copywriter.
    • No known enemies.
    • No warrants, state or federal.
    • Checking for a connection with buildings around alley. None found.
    Perp:
    • The Watchmaker.
    • Male.
    • No database entries for the Watchmaker.
    M.O.:
    • Dragged from vehicle to alley, where iron bar was suspended over him. Eventually crushed throat.
    • Awaiting medical examiner’s report to confirm.
    • No evidence of sexual activity.
    • Time of death: approximately 10:15 P.M. to 11 P.M. Monday night. Medical examiner to confirm.
    Evidence:
    • Clock.
      • No explosives, chemical- or bioagents.
      • Identical to clock at pier.
      • No fingerprints, minimal trace.
      • Arnold Products, Framingham, MA.
      • Sold by Hallerstein’s Timepieces, Manhattan.
    • Poem left by perp at both scenes.
      • Computer printer, generic paper, HP LaserJet ink.
      • Text:
    The full Cold Moon is in the sky,
    shining on the corpse of earth,
    signifying the hour to die
    and end the journey begun at birth.
    —The Watchmaker
      • Not in any poetry databases; probably his own.
      • Cold Moon is lunar month, the month of death.
    • $60 in pocket, no serial number leads; prints negative.
    • Fine sand used as “obscuring agent.” Sand was generic. Because he’s returning to the scene?
    • Metal bar, 81 pounds, is needle-eye span. Not being used in construction across from the alleyway. No other source found.
    • Duct tape, generic, but cut precisely, unusual. Exactly the same lengths.
    • Thallium sulfate (rodent poison) found in sand.
    • Soil containing fish protein—from perp, not victim.
    • Very little trace found.
    • Brown fibers, probably automotive carpeting.
    Other:
    • Vehicle.
      • Ford Explorer, about three years old. Brown carpet. Tan.
      • Review of license tags of cars in area Tuesday morning reveals no warrants. No tickets issued Monday night.
    • Checking with Vice about prostitutes, re: witness.
    • No leads.
    INTERVIEW WITH HALLERSTEIN
    Perp:
    • EFIT composite picture of the Watchmaker—late forties, early fifties, round face, double chin, thick nose, unusually light blue eyes. Over 6 feet tall, lean, hair black, medium length, no jewelry, dark clothes. No name.
    • Knows great deal about clocks and watches and which timepieces had been sold at recent auctions and were at current horologic exhibits in the city.
    • Threatened dealer to keep quiet.
    • Bought 10 clocks. For 10 victims?
    • Paid cash.
    • Wanted moon face on clock, wanted loud tick.
    Evidence:
    • Source of clocks was Hallerstein’s Timepieces, Flatiron District.
    • No prints on cash paid for clocks, no serial number hits. No trace on money.
    • Called from pay phones.
    CRIME SCENE THREE
    Location:
    • 481 Spring Street.
    Victim:
    • Joanne Harper.
    • No apparent motive.
    • Didn’t know second victim, Adams.
    Perp:
    • Watchmaker.
    • Assistant.
      • Probably man spotted earlier by victim, at her shop.
      • White, heavyset, in sunglasses, cream-colored parka and cap. Was driving the SUV.
    M.O.:
    • Picked locks to get inside.
    • Intended method of attack unknown. Possibly planning to use florist’s wire.
    Evidence:
    • Fish protein came from Joanne’s (orchid fertilizer).
    • Thallium sulfate nearby.
    • Florist’s wire, cut in precise lengths. (To use as murder weapon?)
    • Clock.
      • Same as others. No nitrates.
      • No trace.
    • No note or poem.
    • No footprints, fingerprints, weapons or anything else left behind.
    • Black flakes—roofing tar.
      • Checking ASTER thermal images of New York for possible sources.
        • Results inconclusive.
    Other:
    • Perp was checking out victim earlier than attack. Targeting her for a purpose. What?
    • Have police scanner.