Detective Michael strode purposefully across the train tracks, ducking under the caution tape as he approached the crime scene. Flashing police lights illuminated the grim surroundings, their oscillating beams reflecting eerily off the metal rails stretching into darkness in both directions.
As Michael neared the body, he pulled on a pair of latex gloves and lowered himself into a crouch for a closer examination. Even in his years on the force, the gruesome sight gave him pause. The victim, a Caucasian male estimated to be in his forties, lay sprawled on his back, arms twisted at unnatural angles. His shirt and pants were stained dark with blood that had congealed in the cool evening air.
Most disturbingly, the man's face was barely recognizable, beaten beyond recognition. Both eyes were swollen shut, the nose flattened. Scans of his fingerprints would be needed to confirm identity. Despite the injuries, there was something familiar about his features that nagged at Michael. He made a mental note to check missing persons reports.
"Time of death?" Michael called out to the medical examiner crouched on the other side of the body.
"Based on liver temperature, I'd estimate 6 to 8 hours ago," she replied, not looking up from her examination of the numerous wounds.
Michael nodded absently as he studied the rest of the scene. There were no obvious signs of a struggle or defensive wounds on the victim's hands that might suggest he fought back. The positioning of the body in the middle of the tracks indicated he was murdered and left here, not struck by a train post-mortem. But the real Oddity was a sleek silver watch lying in the gravel a few feet from the outstretched hand, its face gleaming innocuously in the dark.
Steeling himself, Michael leaned in closer to the watch. He lifted it gingerly between his forefinger and thumb, turning it over to examine both sides. At first glance, it appeared to be an expensive high-end brand, but upon closer inspection he noticed something peculiar. Etched subtly into the back were symbols that resembled ancient runes. He had never seen anything quite like it before and questioned what it could mean.
Sliding the watch into an evidence bag, Michael stood up and surveyed the scene once more. Judging by the extreme level of violence used against the victim, this was no random attack. It was clearly personal, the killer making an example of their target in this public display. But the watch hinted there was more to the motive than a simple revenge killing. Someone wanted this man silenced, and were sending a disturbing message in doing so.
Michael had his work cut out for him on this perplexing new case. He would need to identify the victim, examine the crime scene thoroughly for additional clues, and carefully question any potential witnesses or persons of interest who knew him. Somewhere in this grim tableau lay answers, and it was up to Michael to piece them together before the brutal killer struck again.