All the Signs

Detective Arthur Winson leaned over the lifeless body, exhaustion weighing down his Capricorn nature that could withstand days without sleep. The man before him was short and rotund, devoid of any visible injuries. Yet, the black veins streaking up the man's neck and onto his cheek screamed Scorpio poisoning—a telltale sign.

The apartment's air was thick and stagnant, causing Arthur's back to dampen with sweat beneath his suit. His temporary partner, Derek Tomasso, a Gemini who had the peculiar ability to duplicate himself, was already at work. The two Dereks moved around the crime scene in opposite directions.

A lab technician behind Arthur collected blood spatter samples from the wall. It was likely the killer's, given Scorpio poisoning typically left no traces. One Derek examined a gun near the victim's hand.

"He managed to injure the killer," Derek noted. "Aquarians are hard to catch off guard."

"The victim likely saw the assailant coming and tried to defend himself," Arthur replied. "Seeing it coming and stopping it are two different things."

"We've had three Aquarius victims in two weeks," the other Derek chimed in. "We should warn the public."

"Unlikely to get authorization," Arthur countered. "With no apparent connection between the victims—a love psychic, a homeless man, and a financial advisor—why would anyone listen?"

"What did the homeless man specialize in?" Derek asked.

"He didn’t have a specialty. He was mentally ill and an addict," Arthur said, adding that it wasn't uncommon for powerful Aquarius psychics to suffer such fates.

"So, the killer bypasses building security," Derek continued. "Enters the apartment, gets shot at, poisons the victim, and escapes before security arrives."

"Given the killer's Scorpio nature, they might have invisibility skills," Arthur mused. "Surprised the victim didn’t have tighter security."

"Some prefer a simple life," Derek shrugged.

"The chief wants to see us," the other Derek announced, holding up his phone.

"Of course," Arthur sighed, rising. "Let's go."

As they exited, dodging officers and technicians in the hallway, Arthur reflected on the mounting connections between the victims. Their shared psychic abilities hinted that they knew something dangerous—or perhaps that they themselves were dangerous.

At the chief's office, an old, worn space painted in fading shades of brown, Arthur and Derek reported their findings.

"The financial advisor managed seventy-three accounts, including for a restaurant group, two universities, and a hospital," Arthur said.

"Any mafia ties?" the chief perked up.

"Likely," Derek responded. "And the homeless man?"

"He was hospitalized the day before his death," Arthur shared. "He left before they could release him and was found murdered the next day."

"Forensic accounting will check," the chief decided.

"The love psychic's leads are still in progress," Arthur added.

"Use Interrogator Messi. She can join you," the chief ordered.

As Derek left, Arthur stayed behind, engrossed in the financial planner's documents. Hours passed; Arthur's commitment to his work and perhaps his Capricorn stamina kept him going.

Suddenly, Interrogator Messi appeared, surprising Arthur. She pointed out a stain on his shirt, prompting him to freshen up. After a quick change, they headed out.

Their first lead was a wealthy mother concerned about her daughter's new boyfriend. While the woman didn't recognize the other victims, she mentioned a friend, Tracy, who had recently gotten engaged to a doctor named Mike Maddix.

At Tracy's yoga studio, they learned about Mike's connection to Edward Bouchard, the financial advisor, through a hospital expansion fund. When informed of Bouchard's murder, Tracy expressed shock and concern.

The detectives quickly headed to Saint Anne’s Hospital, where Mike worked. In the break room, they found him, a tall man in a white coat.

After introductions and casual conversation, Arthur presented Bouchard’s photo, revealing his murder. Mike's reaction was defensive, evasive.

"Dr. Maddix, did you hire someone to kill Edward Bouchard?" Arthur asked directly.

Maddix’s refusal to answer without a lawyer present signaled trouble. As Arthur moved to handcuff him, excruciating pain surged through him and Messi. Maddix, displaying unnatural abilities, incapacitated them.

Arthur woke in a hospital bed to find Derek and Messi beside him. Messi had successfully apprehended Maddix using her unique powers.

The arrest led to revelations about Maddix's involvement with the Scorpio assassin, contracted through the dark web. The investigation uncovered a conspiracy linking the victims through their psychic abilities and the dangerous knowledge they possessed.

With Messi's invaluable contributions, Arthur's team solved the case, earning her a promotion and a potential new partnership with Arthur. As they were ushered back to their rooms by a concerned nurse, the case served as a reminder of the dangers lurking in the city's shadows, waiting for detectives like Arthur and Messi to uncover.