The Damascus Chronicles by Dominic R. Daniels Page A

Commissioner Hamilton barked.
    “We just got the autopsy report back from the morgue. One of the deceased has been identified as Louis Scarfo, cousin of mob boss Franco Scarfo, and the other is a John Doe; one with gunshot wounds, the other with ice pick and broken bottle wounds to the chest. John Doe’s wallet was missing and the carved symbol was carved into the flesh of his back. Nobody can decipher it. It’s probably a calling card of the killer or killers, but we just don’t know. If this is another mob hit, it’s not a typical one.”
    “That’s great; we’ll have the evidence department do a cross check reference on the symbol to match it to any criminal tattoos or markings in our files. We should come up with something,” said the Commissioner. “Anyway we just got a report from uptown. There were 12 more homicides in a high class apartment, an uptown penthouse owned by one Franco Scarfo and another report of a robbery of half a million dollars from the Las Vegas First National Bank.”
    “Shit!” Frank whistled.
    “Shit is right; whoever killed those twelve was fast and quick, messy but quick. Shards of explosives were found, Uzi Mac 10 shell casings and a whole bunch of dead bodies piled up nicely, not to mention a safe that was cracked open. The thief left a few dollar bills and jewels still laying around.”
    “Any clue as to the perps?”
    “They dusted the bills and jewels for prints, but no luck, just a bit of gasoline residue but not much to go on.”
    “You want us to check it out?” asked Frank.
    “Yes, you might find something,” said the Commissioner.
    Just as the two detectives were preparing to head out, a strange report came on the TV.
    “This is Mike Lee with a bizarre story that might just leave you afraid, very afraid. At the corner of Otis Way and Devonshire, a local pet shop owner faced a horrible discovery at his shop this morning when he found all of his animals dead in the store. Perhaps the oddest part of this story is that the animals all had died in exactly the same way; drained of their blood. Foul play is suspected.”
    “But no one knows for sure,” interjected Frank Watson over the TV.
    “And now our main story; a rise in crime and violence on the streets with a string of grizzly murders has plagued the Otis Way area, each victim drained of large amounts of blood, and drug pushers found murdered in alleyways. Even more disturbing is that the police have not been able to solve these crimes, but sources tell us that police homicide divisions have been working around the clock to find clues. We will have more details on these stories and will bring you any new information that surfaces. This is Mike Lee reporting for Channel 8 News. Back to you in the newsroom, Todd.”
    Upon hearing this, the Commissioner gathered all the men and women in blue to the squad room. “All right everyone, listen up. We’re getting increased reports from our homicide division and narcotics. Both departments will be now be working together to combat the killings and the increase of illegal drugs in the worst parts of town. Now get on it and let’s go nail us some bad guys.”
    After dismissing the officers from the squad room she called over Jack and Frank. “You heard it boys, get down to the Otis Way area and get this case solved. It’s making the department look bad.”
    “You got it, Commissioner baby,” smirked Frank. “Cute. Now go, and don’t come back until you bring some evidence. Go kick ass.”
    Frank and Jack headed out of the station.

Chapter 22: “Clue Connecting”
    Jack and Frank arrived at the Otis Way area in 10 minutes. With forensics on site combing the area for clues, Jack and Frank went to take a look inside the pet shop and Franco Scarfo’s penthouse, as it was close by. The first thing they noticed was skid marks on the sidewalk and alleyway, with indentations in some mud of the tracks. Jack took a shot of the scene with his camera while Frank walked up to