Kate pulled up in her car. One of the officers waved her past the tape line, and she entered the alleyway. Police Chief Donovan and several officers were standing around a collapsed figure, discussing and taking notes. Donovan turned around at the sound of Kate's footsteps.
Donovan spoke first. "I know it's late, but I figured you'd want in on this one."
"Much appreciated, Chief. What do you know so far?"
"Time of death, about 10pm. 1 hour ago. We suspect poison due to blood in the victim's mouth, throat, nose, and eyes, though a full autopsy will be done later. First thing's first though. I know it may be a formality, but could you confirm the identity of the victim quickly for us?"
Kate looked down at the body. The man was laying on his side. A splattered trail of blood led down his chin, shirt, and partially through the alleyway back the direction she had entered. It was clear he had an agonizing death, but his features were intact. It was definitely Daniel Loftset. Kate closed her eyes, either in silent prayer or hushed closure, probably a bit of both.
"Katie, I'm sorry." Dan's voice prompted the younger detective to open her eyes, swinging her gaze behind her, towards the source of the sound. The world looked different. Grainy almost, like memory, but still maintaining the same pungent air of the alley, the same sounds of traffic in the distance. It was like reality, just somehow... Not. The police officers and barriers were gone. Instead, she saw the figure of Dan, limping towards her and coughing up blood every few steps.
"Danny, I can help, what's wrong?" Kate responded, but if the man could hear her, he showed no sign of it.
Dan continued, interrupted frequently by coughing fits, followed by more blood. "I tried to stop this mess, I tried not to get you involved but... you're the only one I can rely on now. Nay, the only one I can trust." Daniel had reached the end of the alley. He fell to his knees as his body was wracked with spasms and a final coughing fit. With the last of the man's energy, he threw what appeared to be a small pocket watch into a nearby storm drain. Not a moment later, a large humanoid shadow fell over Kate and Dan, smothering the streetlight's pale strength. Kate tried to turn around, but then blinked. Chief Donovan was looking at her.
"Seems like an obvious ID", Donovan stated matter-of-factly.
"This is definitely Dan, but..." What was that vision? Had the stress finally gotten to her? Did she just hallucinate her dead friend sending a message from beyond the grave?
"You seem a little shocked by all of this. You've always been good with the rules, so I trust you not to disturb anything. Take your time here and let us know what you find. I need to have a word with the deputy quick.", And with that, Donovan and the remaining officers left the alley.
Kate sat there in shock for a second. She looked at the body again. The blood splatters were all the same. His last resting position was the same. It all seemed too real.
"I must be going insane...", Kate muttered to herself, before standing up and walking to the storm drain. She pulled a flashlight out and peered into the drain. Maybe her eye was tricking her, but she could swear she saw the faint glint of something golden at the bottom.