“Don’t you tell me that this is another Julia Han and Countess Whatever-Her-Name-Is kind of case.”

“We hope not.” Chief Ahn nodded solemnly at Heechul. “But we can’t just ignore the fact that it’s possible.”

The shaman let out a groan as he sank into the nearest unoccupied chair. “What’s with people these days and turning devils into role models?”

Kris frowned. “What do we know about the original series murders?”

“They happened thirty years ago.” Even if the files right before him, Siwon didn’t bother looking at them anymore. He’d lost sleep trying to analyze and study every page. “It’s the exact same thing. The serial killer from thirty years back murdered ual offenders, like the one we have now has.”

“So the killer we have at present is copying the methods of the original killer down to a T.” Kyuhyun ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Maybe it’s the same person.”

“I doubt it.” Siwon and Yunho said in unison and when Kyuhyun arched an eyebrow in a silent request for them to elaborate, Siwon gestured for the older man to explain his side.

Yunho fell silent for a while, organizing his thoughts in his head before he spoke once more. “It’s been thirty years. The killer from the original set of murders was young and able enough to commit those crimes. But in thirty years, he must’ve aged a lot and can probably even be dead already. I’m not saying an old man can’t commit murder but considering the victims we have now are probably younger and more agile than he is, if he’s the same guy, he wouldn’t be able to do all of these with such finesse and extreme care.”

“I agree.” Siwon sighed. “So, yeah, we potentially have another Julia Han in our hands.”

“But why? Why now?” Yoona asked no one in particular. “Why thirty years after the original murders?”

“Those are questions whose answers we unfortunately do not have. But I still believe that the motive is personal. In both cases.” Chief Ahn crossed his arms wearily over his chest. “Maybe they share the same motive. Maybe they don’t. It’s our job to find that out – and find the killer.”

Changmin exchanged a look with his twin brother. “What do you want us to do, Chief?”

“We need to split up.” Chief Ahn decided then. “Amber, Sooyoung, Yoona, Kyuhyun, and Siwon, I want you to stay right here tomorrow and find what you can about the immediate family of the ually abused victims. Both present and from thirty years back. The rest of you are coming with me first thing tomorrow as well.”

“To where?” Jessica asked.

“One thing that the police force didn’t have thirty years ago was a paranormal investigating team that can assist them.” Chief Ahn smiled slightly. “Maybe there’s still a spirit or two lurking around.”

Heechul grinned. “Sounds like a great plan.”

Chief Ahn glanced at the nearby wall clock and winced when he saw the time. “Looks like I’ve kept you longer than I should’ve. My apologies. We meet up here at the station tomorrow at seven sharp.”

When everyone nodded their agreement, the Chief thanked them and allowed them to leave, sinking back in his seat as he watched the rest of the team shuffle out of the room one after the other. Still, he wasn’t surprised when Siwon chose to stay behind and wait even everyone else had gone.

“Do you think we’re on the right track now, sir?”

“I don’t know. But I feel that we’re on to something.” Chief Ahn sighed. “I’m worried.”

A questioning look crossed the younger policeman’s face. “About what exactly, Chief?”

“What if we end up like them?” At the blank look on Siwon’s face, he elaborated. “Like the team from thirty years ago who handled the original murders… the team who hadn’t been able to solve the case.”

“It’s a possibility.” Siwon acknowledged. “But, sir, don’t forget that we have an ace in the card.”

Kangta nodded at that and was about to say something when a soft and polite knock on the door cut him off. “I’m sorry to interrupt, sir.” The janitor smiled apologetically. “But if I may receive permission to begin cleaning this room?”

“Ah, yes.” Chief Ahn was on his feet in an instant, an impressed look on his face as he regarded the middle-aged janitor. “But it’s already late at night. Aren’t you going to home?”

He shook his head and smiled slightly. “I’m on night shift, sir.”

“Ah, right.” His eyes trailed down until he found the name plate. “Taejun?”

The janitor straightened. “Yes, sir?”

“Thank you for your hard work.” Chief Ahn clapped him on the shoulder once before he and Siwon left the room and the janitor to his work.

~*~*~*~*~*~

“I honestly don’t know how we’re going to do this.” Yoona stared wide-eyed at the stacks of folders and files that covered the conference table the next day. “This is seriously a mountain of work.”

“That’s what happens when there’s thirty years between two sets of murders.” Siwon commented wryly. “Don’t worry, we’ll get it done.”

With her laptop already out and ready to use, Amber surveyed the pile before her. “How do you want to split this up?”

“How about we do it this way? Sooyoung and Amber…” Kyuhyun pursed his lips together in thought. “Sooyoung and Amber, you two work on one set while Yoona and I do another. We can flash an excel file on the screen and put all the needed information there for all to see. Siwon, you can use those information to coo