The wooded area buzzed with controlled chaos as multiple agencies worked with the kind of systematic precision that came from experience managing situations that existed at the intersection of ordinary crime and extraordinary circumstances. Crime scene photographers documented evidence from multiple angles while forensics specialists collected samples that would probably require analysis by laboratories equipped for supernatural investigation.
At the center of the activity, Sheriff Donovan Galpin crouched beside what remained of the victim with the grim professionalism of someone who had seen too much violence in what should have been a quiet Vermont town. His weathered features carried the kind of weary determination that came from years of protecting civilians from things that most people preferred to believe didn't exist.
"Jesus Christ," he muttered under his breath, studying the precise nature of the wounds with growing unease. "This is getting worse."
Beside him, Deputy Ritchie Santiago took detailed notes with methodical thoroughness, her sharp eyes missing nothing as she catalogued evidence that painted a disturbing picture of predatory intelligence combined with supernatural capability.
"Wounds are too precise for a wild animal," she observed, her voice carrying the clinical detachment that made her invaluable for investigating cases that would have sent most investigators running for psychiatric evaluation. "Look at these incision patterns, Sheriff. Too organized. Too... strategic. Whatever did this has surgical knowledge."
Galpin nodded grimly, his experienced eyes studying injury patterns that told a story no ordinary forensics training had prepared him to read. "Whatever did this knows human anatomy better than most doctors. Knows exactly where to strike for maximum damage while keeping the victim conscious as long as possible. This wasn't random violence—it was execution with a side of torture."
He stood slowly, his joints protesting the movement in a way that reminded him he wasn't as young as he'd been when he'd first taken this job and discovered that small-town law enforcement occasionally involved protecting citizens from creatures that existed only in nightmares.
"Third incident in two months," he continued with the kind of frustrated authority that suggested these cases were taking a personal toll. "Same pattern. Same precision. Same complete lack of conventional evidence that would hold up in any court that doesn't specialize in supernatural jurisprudence."
"Except for the supernatural residue," Santiago added quietly, glancing around to ensure their conversation remained private. "The energy signatures are getting stronger with each incident. Whatever's doing this, it's not trying to hide what it is anymore. It's just making sure we can't prove it to anyone who matters."
"Or it's getting more confident," Galpin replied with the kind of professional anger that came from being systematically outmaneuvered by something that treated law enforcement as an amusing inconvenience rather than a serious obstacle. "More brazen. That usually means—"
"Sheriff Galpin!" The interruption came with such explosive enthusiasm that both officers instinctively reached for their weapons before recognizing the distinctive voice. "My dear, perpetually vigilant guardian of municipal order!"
Their investigation was interrupted by the approach of a figure that made both officers stiffen with recognition and what might have been carefully controlled hostility. Gomez Addams approached with confident strides, his dramatic bearing suggesting he found ordinary social interaction tediously mundane—all flowing dark hair, expensive clothing, and the sort of magnetic presence that made people either immediately fascinated or immediately nervous.
"How absolutely delightfully familiar to see you again!" Gomez continued with unshakeable good humor, his accent carrying undertones of old money and older traditions. "Still protecting Jericho from the forces of chaos and creative destruction, I see! Though I must say, the creative destruction seems to be winning this particular engagement!"
Galpin's jaw tightened with the kind of controlled tension that suggested extensive history and unresolved conflicts. "Gomez Addams. I should have known. Whenever something unusual happens in this area, your family seems to materialize like a bad omen wrapped in expensive fabric."
"Bad omens are quite beautiful when properly appreciated," Gomez replied with the kind of philosophical satisfaction that suggested he found conflict invigorating rather than unpleasant. "Rather like storm clouds or volcanic eruptions—magnificent displays of natural power that most people fail to appreciate for their artistic merit!"
His dark eyes swept across the crime scene with obvious interest and what appeared to be professional appreciation for the organized efficiency of the official response.
"Though I must say, your investigative techniques have improved considerably since our last encounter," he added with genuine admiration. "Much more... comprehensive. Much more willing to acknowledge the supernatural elements instead of pretending they're elaborate hoaxes perpetrated by disgruntled teenagers with too much time and too little supervision!"
"What are you doing here, Addams?" Santiago interjected with the kind of direct questioning that suggested she preferred confronting problems rather than dancing around them diplomatically. "Because if you're here for sightseeing, this isn't exactly tourist-friendly territory at the moment."
"Educational transportation!" Gomez explained with explosive enthusiasm that made both officers take involuntary steps backward. "Delivering a magnificent collection of remarkable young minds to Nevermore Academy for the commencement of their academic adventures! Eight brilliant examples of youthful creativity and beautiful, chaotic potential!"
He gestured dramatically toward the RV, which had attracted considerable attention from both law enforcement personnel and curious townspeople who recognized expensive magical transportation when they saw it.
"Your... collection of remarkable young minds," Galpin repeated with the kind of careful emphasis that suggested he was already calculating potential complications to municipal peace and order. "How many remarkable young minds are we talking about exactly? Because my definition of 'remarkable' when it comes to teenagers usually involves property damage and expensive insurance claims."
"Eight!" Gomez declared with the pride of someone announcing a personal triumph. "Eight magnificent examples of youthful brilliance and creative problem-solving capability! Each one a unique genius in their own specialized area of expertise! Each one capable of... well, let's say each one capable of making life infinitely more interesting for educational administrators!"
Santiago and Galpin exchanged the kind of meaningful look that passed between law enforcement professionals when they realized their jurisdiction was about to become significantly more complicated.
"Specialized areas of expertise," Santiago repeated with growing concern and the tone of someone who had learned to be suspicious of euphemisms. "What kind of specializations are we talking about? Please tell me we're not dealing with eight teenage supernatural prodigies with authority issues."
Before Gomez could launch into detailed descriptions of his young charges' various talents and tendencies toward creative chaos, they were joined by additional figures from the RV who approached with the kind of purposeful stride that suggested they had been monitoring the conversation and decided intervention was necessary.
Sirius Black moved with predatory grace, his steel-grey eyes immediately cataloging the crime scene with the trained assessment of someone who had extensive experience with violent supernatural incidents. His weathered leather jacket and confident bearing marked him as someone who had dealt with considerably more dangerous situations than small-town crime scenes.
Remus Lupin followed with scholarly precision, his amber gaze taking in details that would escape ordinary observation while his enhanced senses provided information about the scene that couldn't be gathered through conventional investigation. His understated elegance and careful movements suggested someone who understood the value of restraint when dealing with official authority.
"Gentlemen," Sirius said with the kind of smooth courtesy that somehow managed to sound dangerous rather than diplomatic, his voice carrying the authority of someone accustomed to command situations. "Sirius Black. I couldn't help but notice you're dealing with what appears to be a supernatural predation incident in the vicinity of where our children will be attending school."
His tone was perfectly polite, but something in his bearing made it clear that if this threat posed any danger to his family, diplomatic solutions would rapidly give way to considerably more direct approaches to problem resolution.
"Supernatural predation," Galpin repeated with the weary acknowledgment of someone who had learned that denying obvious supernatural elements usually made investigations more complicated rather than simpler. "You gentlemen have experience with this sort of thing? Because I'm getting tired of pretending that normal police training covers whatever the hell is ripping people apart with surgical precision."
"Extensive experience," Remus confirmed quietly, his scholarly manner somehow making the claim sound like academic credential rather than boastful threat. "Both personally and professionally. We've dealt with situations involving lycanthropes, vampires, various hybrid predators, and occasionally things that don't fit any established classification system."
He moved closer to the crime scene perimeter, his enhanced senses providing analysis that complemented rather than interfered with the official investigation. His nostrils flared slightly as he processed scent information invisible to ordinary investigation.
"The scent patterns suggest something that hunts with deliberate intelligence rather than animal instinct," he continued with academic precision. "Strategic thinking. Planned approach. Careful target selection based on specific criteria rather than opportunistic feeding."
Santiago looked up from her notes with sharp interest. "You can determine all that from scent? Because our forensics team has been here for six hours and they're still trying to figure out what kind of weapon could make cuts this clean."
"Enhanced sensory capabilities," Remus explained with the kind of matter-of-fact precision that suggested such abilities were useful professional tools rather than supernatural advantages. "Occupational development from years of managing... similar situations. The scent signature indicates a predator that selected this particular victim for reasons beyond simple hunger or territorial behavior."
"Meaning what exactly?" Galpin asked with the kind of professional attention that came from recognizing expertise when he encountered it.
"Meaning this was personal," Sirius interjected with cold authority. "Someone with a grudge, a message to send, or a point to prove. This wasn't random violence—this was communication through murder."
From the edge of the group came a voice that carried the distinctive authority of American law enforcement combined with genuine curiosity about practical applications of supernatural investigation techniques.
"Communication through murder?" The new arrival's sheriff's uniform and confident bearing marked him as someone accustomed to dealing with unusual circumstances. "Because if you gentlemen have practical experience with interpreting that kind of message, I'd appreciate any insights you might be willing to share."
He extended his hand with professional courtesy. "Sheriff Mike Tyler, State Supernatural Crimes Division. We've been tracking a pattern of incidents across three counties, all with characteristics matching what we've found here."
Sirius accepted the handshake with the kind of respect due to a professional colleague who understood that supernatural crime required specialized approaches rather than conventional law enforcement procedures.
"State Supernatural Crimes Division," he repeated with obvious approval. "That's refreshingly practical. Most jurisdictions prefer to pretend supernatural crime doesn't exist until they're completely overwhelmed by it and the body count starts attracting federal attention."
"Vermont learned that lesson the hard way," Tyler replied with grim humor. "After the third incident involving what the official reports described as 'animal attack by unknown species,' the state decided specialized knowledge might be more useful than creative paperwork and insurance fraud investigations."
He gestured toward the crime scene with professional precision. "What we've got is something that hunts humans specifically, selects victims based on criteria we haven't identified, kills with surgical precision that suggests medical training, and leaves no conventional evidence. But it does leave supernatural residue that suggests intelligence, planning, and possible ritualistic elements."
"Ritualistic elements," Remus repeated with scholarly attention, his analytical mind immediately processing the implications. "That suggests either a supernatural creature operating according to specific behavioral patterns, or human practitioner using supernatural methods for personal purposes."
"Human practitioner meaning what exactly?" Galpin asked with the kind of careful precision that suggested he was prepared to consider possibilities he'd rather not have to investigate. "Because I'm already dealing with one family of supernatural enthusiasts in my jurisdiction, and I'm not sure the local infrastructure can handle additional complications."
"Someone using supernatural abilities for hunting other humans," Sirius replied with cold authority that made it clear he had encountered such individuals before and dealt with them appropriately. "Not common, but not unprecedented. Usually involves someone who's acquired supernatural capabilities and decided ordinary social restrictions no longer apply to them."
"Or someone who was born with supernatural capabilities and never learned that social restrictions apply to anyone," added a new voice from the direction of the RV.
The conversation was interrupted by the approach of several figures who moved with the kind of confident navigation that suggested they had decided official consultation was in order.
Wednesday Addams walked with precise steps, her dark eyes cataloging details of the crime scene with analytical interest that would have been disturbing in anyone else but seemed perfectly natural for someone whose recreational reading included forensic pathology textbooks and medieval torture manuals. Her black dress and pale complexion created a stark contrast against the morning sunlight, and her expression carried the kind of focused attention usually reserved for particularly fascinating dissections.
Beside her, Hercules moved with fluid grace, his enhanced senses clearly providing comprehensive analysis of information that wasn't available to ordinary investigation. Even with sunglasses hiding his serpentine eyes, there was something distinctly predatory about his focused attention to the scene. His tall frame and controlled movements suggested someone who could be extremely dangerous when circumstances required it, though his current demeanor was one of professional curiosity rather than threat assessment.
In his other hand, he carried a cage containing Hedwig, who observed the proceedings with the kind of intelligent attention that suggested she understood considerably more about the situation than most people would expect from an owl.
"Fascinating," Wednesday observed with clinical precision as she studied the evidence from the perimeter of the official investigation, her voice carrying the kind of detached interest most people reserved for mildly entertaining television programs. "The attack occurred approximately eighteen hours ago, based on decomposition patterns and insect activity. The victim was specifically targeted rather than randomly selected—note the positioning of the body in relation to the walking path. Someone waited for this particular individual."
She paused, tilting her head as though listening to information only she could access, her dark eyes studying details that escaped ordinary observation.
"Also, the positioning of the remains suggests ritualistic elements designed to send a message rather than simply eliminating a threat," she continued with characteristic certainty. "The killer wanted this discovered, wanted it investigated, and wanted the investigation to reach specific conclusions."
"Message meaning what?" Tyler asked with professional interest in her analytical capabilities and the kind of respectful attention reserved for expert consultation.
"Warning," Wednesday replied with absolute certainty, her tone suggesting she found the concept professionally satisfying rather than personally disturbing. "To someone who would understand the specific symbolism. The placement of the wounds, the orientation of the body, the selection of location—this wasn't random violence or even personal revenge. This was communication with someone who possesses specialized knowledge of supernatural predation techniques."
Hercules removed his sunglasses for a moment, allowing his serpentine eyes to catalog details that escaped normal observation. When he spoke, his voice carried the kind of British authority that had been refined through centuries of aristocratic breeding and professional confidence.
"The killer is an Outcast," he said with absolute certainty, using the American term for supernatural individuals with the fluency of someone who had quickly adapted to local terminology. "Someone with significant physical enhancement and predatory instincts. But more importantly—and I cannot stress this enough—they're not finished. This was the opening statement of a conversation, not the conclusion of a disagreement."
His accent carried the kind of crisp pronunciation that made every word sound like a considered judgment, and his analytical assessment carried the weight of someone whose enhanced senses provided information unavailable to ordinary investigation.
"How can you be so certain?" Santiago asked with professional curiosity.
"Because," Hercules replied with the kind of patient precision usually reserved for explaining obvious facts to particularly slow students, "the scent signature indicates someone who spent considerable time at this location both before and after the killing. They weren't simply eliminating a target—they were staging a presentation. Rather like leaving a calling card, except considerably more dramatic and infinitely more messy."
He gestured elegantly toward the crime scene with one hand while adjusting Hedwig's cage with the other. "Also, the supernatural residue patterns suggest someone who wanted their capabilities to be obvious to anyone with the training to recognize them. They're not hiding their nature—they're advertising it."
The assembled law enforcement officials exchanged glances that carried the weight of professional colleagues who had just received information that would significantly complicate their investigation while simultaneously providing crucial insight into the nature of the threat they were facing.
"An Outcast with a message and advertising budget," Tyler said thoughtfully. "Any theories about what kind of message requires multiple murders to communicate effectively?"
"Territory," Sirius suggested with the kind of grim understanding that came from years of dealing with predators who viewed humans as resources rather than fellow beings. "Someone establishing dominance over a specific area. Marking boundaries. Warning potential rivals or threats that this hunting ground is claimed."
"Or recruitment," Remus added quietly, his scholarly perspective providing alternative interpretation. "Some supernatural predators use displays of capability to attract followers or identify individuals with compatible ethical frameworks."
"Ethical frameworks meaning other people willing to hunt humans for recreational purposes?" Santiago asked with professional disgust.
"Unfortunately, yes," Remus confirmed with the kind of sad certainty that suggested he had encountered such individuals before and found the experience profoundly disturbing. "Though in this case, the ritualistic elements suggest something more complex than simple recruitment. This feels more like... a formal challenge."
"Challenge to whom?" Galpin demanded with the kind of frustrated authority that suggested he was tired of cryptic explanations and ready for concrete answers.
Before anyone could respond, the conversation was interrupted by additional voices from the direction of the RV, where the remaining members of their traveling party had apparently decided that consultation was required.
"Oh, for crying out loud," came a distinctly exasperated voice with a refined British accent, "are we seriously going to stand around analyzing crime scenes when there are clearly more important questions to be addressed?"
Hermione Granger approached with the kind of purposeful stride that suggested she had been monitoring the situation and reached conclusions that required immediate discussion. Her bushy hair and intense expression marked her as someone who approached problems through comprehensive research and logical analysis.
"Such as what, exactly, Hermione?" Ron Weasley asked as he followed behind her, his freckled face carrying the kind of bemused expression that suggested he was accustomed to his friend's tendency toward practical problem-solving in inappropriate circumstances.
"Such as whether the academy has appropriate security protocols in place to protect students from whatever is conducting elaborate murder presentations in the immediate vicinity," Hermione replied with the kind of logical precision that made arguing with her a futile exercise. "And whether anyone has bothered to consider that this might not be coincidental timing."
"Meaning what?" Tyler asked with professional interest.
"Meaning," Hermione continued with academic authority, "that someone might be specifically targeting the area because they know students will be arriving soon. This could be preparation for a larger incident rather than simply territorial marking behavior."
"Blimey," Ron said with growing unease, "you think someone's planning to go after the school?"
"I think," Hermione replied with characteristic precision, "that we should consider all possibilities instead of assuming this is random criminal behavior that happens to coincide with our arrival."
Their discussion was interrupted by the approach of Fred and George Weasley, who moved with the kind of coordinated precision that suggested years of collaborative mischief-making and shared consciousness.
"Well, this is certainly more exciting than expected," Fred observed with the kind of cheerful irreverence that treated serious situations as opportunities for entertainment.
"Much more dramatic than the usual 'first day of school' experience," George added with identical enthusiasm. "Though I have to say, the local law enforcement response is impressively organized."
"Impressively organized for a multiple homicide investigation with supernatural characteristics," Fred corrected with academic precision. "Most places would still be pretending it was a particularly aggressive bear."
"Or blaming it on teenagers with too much imagination and access to special effects equipment," George concluded with the kind of shared understanding that came from finishing each other's thoughts.
Sheriff Tyler looked between the twins with growing curiosity. "You boys have experience with this kind of investigation?"
"Family business," they replied in unison with identical grins that suggested considerably more experience with dangerous situations than their apparent age would indicate.
"Family business meaning what exactly?" Santiago asked with the kind of professional attention that recognized potential resources when she encountered them.
"Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes," Fred explained with pride. "Specialized products for... unique situations."
"Including supernatural threat assessment and creative problem-solving applications," George added with identical enthusiasm.
"Though most of our products are designed for considerably more entertaining purposes than murder investigation," Fred clarified with the kind of ethical precision that suggested they drew clear lines between acceptable and unacceptable applications of their capabilities.
From the edge of the group came a voice that carried the distinctive combination of youthful determination and fierce protective instincts.
"More entertaining purposes like what?" Ginny Weasley asked as she approached with the kind of confident stride that suggested she was accustomed to being included in serious discussions despite her apparent age. Her red hair and intense expression marked her as someone who inherited both the Weasley family tendency toward courage and their disinclination to be excluded from dangerous situations.
"Like making sure anyone who threatens our friends regrets their life choices," she added with the kind of matter-of-fact intensity that made it clear she was not speaking hypothetically.
"Ginny," Ron said with fraternal exasperation, "maybe we should let the professional law enforcement officers handle the threat assessment instead of immediately jumping to vigilante solutions."
"Professional law enforcement officers who are dealing with their third supernatural murder in two months," Ginny pointed out with logical precision that would have made Hermione proud. "I'm just saying that maybe additional resources might be useful."
Their discussion was joined by Susan Bones, who approached with the kind of careful precision that suggested she was balancing family connections with personal curiosity about practical applications of magical law enforcement.
"Additional resources meaning teenage vigilantes with explosive devices?" she asked with the kind of diplomatic skepticism that came from extensive experience with Weasley family problem-solving techniques.
"Additional resources meaning people with specialized knowledge and the motivation to ensure this threat is eliminated before it can target students," Ginny corrected with characteristic determination.
"Students like us, you mean," Susan replied with growing understanding and the kind of practical concern that suggested she was beginning to appreciate the personal implications of the situation.
From behind them came a voice that carried the distinctive dreaminess that marked someone whose thought processes operated according to different logical principles than most people.
"The wrackspurts are particularly agitated in this area," Luna Lovegood observed as she approached with the kind of serene attention that suggested she found crime scenes mildly interesting rather than disturbing. Her blonde hair and ethereal demeanor created an interesting contrast with the grim professionalism of the official investigation.
"Which suggests that whatever happened here involved considerable emotional trauma and supernatural energy disruption," she continued with the kind of matter-of-fact precision that made her observations sound like academic analysis rather than mystical speculation.
"Wrackspurts," Tyler repeated with the kind of careful attention that law enforcement professionals reserved for potentially useful information from unconventional sources.
"Invisible creatures that float in through your ears and make your brain go fuzzy," Luna explained with characteristic clarity. "They're attracted to areas where people have experienced sudden, violent death—particularly when supernatural forces are involved."
"And they're telling you what, exactly?" Hercules asked with the kind of respectful interest that suggested he had learned to appreciate alternative sources of information.
"That whoever did this wasn't acting alone," Luna replied with certainty that carried more weight than her dreamy delivery might suggest. "And that they're planning something considerably more dramatic for their next performance."
The assembled officials and family members processed this information with varying degrees of skepticism and professional interest, but before anyone could respond, they were joined by an additional voice from the direction of the RV.
"If we're done with the mystical creature consultation," came a young voice with distinctive Addams family confidence, "maybe someone could explain why we're spending so much time analyzing crime scenes when we could be asking more direct questions."
Pugsley Addams approached with the kind of purposeful stride that suggested he had been observing the situation and reached conclusions that required immediate attention. His stocky build and serious expression marked him as someone who approached problems with methodical precision rather than dramatic flair.
"Direct questions like what?" Wednesday asked with the kind of sibling attention that suggested genuine curiosity about his analytical process.
"Like whether anyone has bothered to determine if the academy administration knows about these murders," Pugsley replied with logical precision. "And whether they have security protocols in place to protect students, or if they're expecting us to handle our own protection against supernatural predators."
"That's actually an excellent point," Amelia Bones said as she approached with the kind of professional authority that immediately commanded attention from both law enforcement and family members. Her commanding presence and expensive clothing marked her as someone accustomed to managing complex international situations.
"Director Amelia Bones, ICW Task Force on International Magical Law," she introduced herself with crisp efficiency. "If there's an organized supernatural threat operating in the area where eight international students will be attending school, I need comprehensive briefings on investigation status, security protocols, and coordination procedures between local, state, and federal agencies."
Her tone made it clear that this was a requirement rather than a request, and that failure to provide appropriate cooperation would result in consequences that extended far beyond local jurisdictional complications.
"ICW meaning International Confederation of Wizards?" Tyler asked with the kind of professional recognition that came from dealing with supernatural crimes that crossed jurisdictional boundaries.
"Correct," Amelia confirmed with approval for his knowledge of relevant authority structures. "We maintain oversight responsibilities for international students in supernatural educational institutions, particularly when local threat assessments indicate elevated risk levels."
Before anyone could respond to this development, they were joined by additional figures from the RV who approached with varying degrees of enthusiasm and concern.
Arthur Weasley moved with the kind of excited curiosity that suggested he found crime scene investigation fascinating from a technical perspective, his balding head and friendly demeanor creating an interesting contrast with the grim professionalism surrounding them.
"Remarkable organizational efficiency," he observed with genuine admiration as he surveyed the official response. "Much more comprehensive than most magical law enforcement crime scene management. I don't suppose anyone would mind explaining the forensic collection procedures? For educational purposes, of course."
"Arthur," Molly Weasley said with fond exasperation as she followed behind him, her maternal authority immediately assessing the situation for potential threats to family safety, "perhaps we should focus on ensuring the children's safety before indulging your curiosity about investigative techniques."
"The children's safety being precisely why I want to understand the investigative techniques," Arthur replied with the kind of logical precision that made it clear his curiosity served practical purposes. "If we're going to be in an area with active supernatural predators, I'd prefer to understand how local law enforcement handles such situations."
"Local law enforcement handles such situations by calling in specialists and hoping they know what they're talking about," Galpin replied with professional honesty. "Which is why I'm grateful for expert consultation from people with actual experience."
"Expert consultation from people with actual experience fighting things that hunt humans for recreational purposes," Molly corrected with the kind of maternal precision that suggested she was rapidly calculating threat assessment and family safety protocols.
Their discussion was joined by Xenophilius Lovegood, who approached with the kind of dreamy attention that suggested he was following thought processes considerably more complex than his casual demeanor might indicate.
"Luna mentioned wrackspurts," he said by way of introduction, his distinctive appearance and ethereal manner marking him as someone who operated according to different logical principles than conventional investigation. "Which suggests this situation involves considerably more supernatural complexity than standard predator behavior."
"Standard predator behavior meaning what exactly?" Martinez asked as he approached with the confident stride of someone accustomed to taking control of complex situations.
The lead federal agent's arrival had been preceded by additional vehicles—official cars with government license plates and the kind of unmarked efficiency that suggested federal involvement in what had started as local law enforcement.
"Agent Martinez, ORB," he introduced himself with professional courtesy that carried undertones of someone rapidly recalculating the political implications of his investigation as he processed both Amelia's credentials and the implications of international oversight involvement.
"ORB meaning Outcast Relations Bureau?" Sirius asked with the kind of respectful attention due to professional colleagues who understood that supernatural crimes required specialized approaches.
"Correct," Martinez confirmed with approval for accurate recognition of federal jurisdiction. "We take over any case involving supernatural crimes that cross state lines or demonstrate patterns suggesting organized supernatural criminal activity."
"And this case qualifies how?" Remus asked with scholarly precision.
"Three similar incidents across three counties, all involving victims with specific characteristics and all demonstrating identical supernatural residue patterns," Martinez replied with professional efficiency. "Plus intelligence suggesting this is preparation for something larger rather than simply random predation."
"Intelligence from what sources?" Amelia asked with the kind of authoritative precision that came from extensive experience with international law enforcement coordination.
"Sources that prefer to remain confidential," Martinez replied with the kind of diplomatic precision that suggested he was balancing multiple jurisdictional complications.
"Confidential sources who are providing information about supernatural threats to international students?" Amelia continued with growing authority. "Because confidentiality becomes considerably less important when student safety is at stake."
Before Martinez could respond, their discussion was interrupted by a distinctive *tap tap tap* from the direction of the RV, where Thing was apparently attempting to get everyone's attention from his position near the vehicle.
"What is it, Thing?" Wednesday asked with the kind of respectful attention she reserved for family members whose opinions she valued.
Thing's rapid gesticulation clearly conveyed urgent information, though only the Addams family members could interpret his precise meaning.
"Thing says there are additional scent signatures in the area that weren't present during the initial attack," Wednesday translated with clinical precision. "Someone has been here since the murder occurred—multiple someones, based on the complexity of the trail signatures."
"Multiple someones meaning what?" Tyler asked with growing professional concern.
"Meaning," Hercules said as he processed the implications with analytical precision, "that our killer has returned to the scene with companions. Either to assess the investigation response, or to prepare for their next presentation."
He raised his head slightly, his enhanced senses cataloging information invisible to ordinary observation. "Thing is quite right—there are at least three additional scent signatures, all supernatural, all recent."
"Recent meaning how recent?" Santiago asked with the kind of urgent attention that came from recognizing immediate threat assessment requirements.
"Recent meaning they were here within the last two hours," Hercules replied with aristocratic precision that somehow made the information sound like a polite observation rather than an urgent threat warning. "Which suggests they've been monitoring our arrival and investigation response."
"Monitoring our investigation response for what purpose?" Galpin demanded with the kind of frustrated authority that came from dealing with threat escalation beyond his normal jurisdictional parameters.
"For target assessment," Wednesday replied with characteristic certainty and the kind of analytical satisfaction that suggested she found the strategic implications professionally interesting. "They're not just hunting randomly—they're hunting specifically. And now they know exactly who they're dealing with."
As she spoke, none of the assembled officials, family members, or students noticed the subtle movement at the edge of the forest—shadows that shifted with predatory intelligence and studied the gathering with calculating attention that assessed threat levels, identified potential targets, and planned tactical approaches with the cold precision of apex predators who had found their next hunting ground.
The academic year at Nevermore Academy was about to begin with considerably more danger than anyone had anticipated, and the predators were already planning their welcome party.
—
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