"Murder scenes always seem dreary, don't they?" Red Rock studied the body briefly, then nodded to the attendants to go ahead with their job. The two attendants carefully lifted the body to their gurney without disturbing the scene, then left.

"Doesn't appear to make sense, Red."

"No, it doesn't, Ralph. Odds are that she wasn't molested anymore than the previous two victims. I don't know why they were killed, but this has got to be the strangest string of murders I've ever seen."

"Seems like a quiet neighborhood. Hard to believe that she was just murdered here today while sunning herself in her own back yard."

Red glanced around. "We probably won't find any witnesses this time, either."

"Not with privacy fences around each victim."

"Nothing appears to have been disturbed inside the house."

Red turned to the officer who made that announcement and was standing at the back door. "Are you sure?"

"Well, as best we can tell. Nothing appears to be missing, either. Maybe one of her friends would know if something's missing."

Red nodded. "This feels more and more like the other two murders."

Ralph said, "There's got to be some reason for these murders other than for the thrill of it."

"We'll go through the standard procedures. Maybe she knew one or both of the other victims. We might find a link among them that can guide us."

***

Red entered the squad room behind his partner Ralph. As he reached one desk, the detective behind it glanced up. "Got any feelings, Red?"

Red answered, "I've give him some close attention," referring to the young man in handcuffs seated beside the desk.

Ralph pulled off his Rolls-Royce cap and tossed it on his desk before sitting down. He liked the cap because it sported the same initials as his own. He'd always joked that he'd own one someday. "Think that guy pulled the Ginstead murder?"

"Probably. I had a feeling about him as I walked by."

"If he's their murderer, that will make you eight for eight. How do you do it?"

"I don't know. It just comes to me."

"Well, at the rate you're going, you'll become the youngest Chief of Detectives ever."

"Might be nice, but will it help anyone out there?"

"You can't do any worse than anyone else, Red."

***

Ralph tossed over a folder. "Autopsy report. Selene was manually strangled just like Solara."

"Isn't that what we stated on our report?" Red asked.

"Well, this makes it official. Tomorrow, they'll probably tell us that the girl today was also manually strangled. What was her name?"

"Meredith."

"What gets me about all this is that the killer had to get right up to them. They must have known him or trusted him for some reason."

"That bothers me, too. Why would three women let anyone approach them while they're naked unless they either knew or trusted the guy? I can't believe that none of them saw him approach."

Ralph said, "Well, it's certain that none of the neighbors saw anything out of the ordinary during the first two murders. We can only hope that someone living next door saw something this time. Ready to head back out?"

***

The woman in handcuffs said, "One moment, officer. I need to speak with this man who's coming in."

The officer was about to object when he noticed that Madam LaFarge wanted to speak with Detective Red Rock. Wondering whether he was about to pick up on something bigger than usual, he halted.

Madam LaFarge said, "Someone near you is in serious danger. Be wary at all times. The killer wants their karma."

Red paused only momentarily, then resumed walking.

"Sorry about that, Red. I thought maybe she was going to confess to something. Come on, Madam LaFarge, let's finish your booking. It's a good thing you didn't ask him for payment or I'd have to add another bunko charge."

Red turned his head. "No problem, Pete. These things happen."

***

Ralph said, "Well, you look a bit better this morning, Red. You need to leave it at the office like I do."

"Believe me, I do try to leave it at the office. Unfortunately, the job sometimes follows us home whether we like it or not. Some fortune teller downstairs just tried to tell me that some killer out there is after the karma of someone near me."

"Killing for karma? Isn't that concept supposed to work the other way around? Don't you lose karma for doing bad things?"

Red shrugged.

***

Ralph waited for the phone to answer. "Red, sorry to bother you at home. I just got a call from someone who wouldn't identify himself. He stated that if I'll meet him alone tonight, he'll tell me who strangled those three women. Interested in tagging along with me as backup?"

"He wouldn't identify himself? Do you think he can be trusted?"

"Well, not really, but he must know something. He told me a few facts about the cases that haven't been released to the press."

"Such as?"

Ralph said, "He knew that all three were naked when they were strangled. He also knew that none of them had any suntan oil on yet. He also told me what color towels they each had with them."

"Where's the meet?"

***

Ralph stood in the center of the neighborhood baseball diamond. Aside from a little moonlight, only the darkness seemed to accompany him. Red watched from beside his car out at the street as Ralph patiently waited. The minutes seemed to crawl past no faster than the stars could be seen moving with the naked eye.

Then Red suddenly realized that somehow Ralph had been sneaked up on. Red could clearly see that Ralph was in trouble as a man took him from behind by the throat.

Red shouted, "Police! Let go of my partner! Get down on the ground!" as he drew his weapon and ran to his partner's assistance. Red covered barely a quarter of the distance when he realized that there wouldn't be enough time. Ralph's attacker was still strangling Ralph. Red halted and took aim. He fired.

Red tried to aim and fire again even as he saw his partner fall to the ground, but he sensed it would be useless. Before Red could fire once more, Ralph's attacker was gone from sight. Red looked around as he ran the rest of the way to his partner's side.

***

"You gonna be okay with me as your new partner?" Pauline asked.

Red replied, "You'll do. Sorry I'm not in much of a mood."

"That's understandable."

"Nothing's understandable at this point."

"Well, it's not your fault. I heard that you tried to reach your partner in time."

"Follow me and keep your mouth shut."

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong just now?"

"Learn to listen first. Just follow and keep your mouth shut if you're going to be my partner."

Pauline followed Red outside to the squad car. He motioned her into the passenger seat and got in behind the wheel. As soon as she was belted in with her door shut, he gunned the engine and drove them away.

She asked, "How soon do I get to listen?"

"When we get to the scene. Until then, keep quiet."

***

"Picture yourself standing there on a dark night. There was a little bit of moonlight, so it was possible to see someone coming. At least, it was supposed to work out that way. I was parked here. I picked this spot so I couldn't be seen because the street lamp is broken."

Pauline nodded without saying a word.

"I don't know how, but Ralph's killer walked right up to him with both of us awake and watching for him. I didn't see him until he had hold of Ralph by the throat. I wasn't asleep, either. I was standing outside the car."

Pauline nodded again.

"Get out. I want you to walk in my shoes for a few moments."

Pauline got out and walked around the squad car to stand beside Red.

"I was standing almost exactly here. I know because I had Ralph lined up with the pole they dug my bullet out of later. When I saw Ralph suddenly in trouble, I drew my weapon and ran in his direction as I identified myself. Walk with me now."

Pauline walked silently beside Red. Eventually, he stopped.

"See this rock? I was standing exactly here when I fired. I could sense already that Ralph didn't have enough time for me to reach his side. There was hardly any fight left in Ralph, so I stopped here, aimed, and fired. Then Ralph fell to the ground and the guy was gone."

Pauline nodded.

"You're not going to suggest that I was the one who strangled Ralph?"

Pauline replied, "Well, you instructed me to listen. If you want an answer, it's already been decided that you didn't strangle Ralph since you didn't have any scratches anywhere on your body from Ralph's fingernails to match the skin that was found beneath them. Considering the distance, it's obvious that you missed. Then you probably went into shock at seeing Ralph fall and lost sight of the killer in the darkness."

"Well, now you're going to hear what I didn't tell Internal Affairs, seeing as you're my partner. Either I can trust you or I'm going to find out now that I can't. I just hope you're up to it."

"You didn't tell everything to Internal Affairs?"

"You're catching on quick. That's right. I didn't tell them everything such as the fact that I didn't miss hitting Ralph's attacker. However, I didn't think they'd believe that I saw the bullet go right through the guy's head without hurting him. The question is, will you believe me?"

"You hit Ralph's attacker without any effect?"

"That's what I just stated. Not only that, but the guy disappeared precisely the moment that Ralph died. The guy was gone from sight before Ralph's body hit the ground. The guy became invisible. I know that because I saw some dust kicked up by him running as I ran to help Ralph even though I knew in my heart that it was too late by then."

"You're asking me to believe a lot. Am I supposed to go along wondering whether my partner is crazy, telling the truth, or just jerking my chain with a dopey test to see if I'll back him up?"

"I wish it could just be a stupid test, but it's not. I'd gladly let people call me crazy and lock me away if it would bring Ralph back, but that's not going to happen. You're left with believing that I'm telling you the truth."

"Wait a minute. If the killer was invisible when he ran away, then he was invisible when he approached."

Red added, "Which explains why no one has seen him attack anyone else that he's killed."

"You think he's the same person who killed those women?"

"I feel positive that he's their killer as well. He knew unreleased facts about those cases."

"In that event, how do we capture him?"

"Capture, hell. This guy's got to be stopped permanently."

***

"Could you say a few kind words to the judge on my behalf if I tell you what little I know?"

"Madam LaFarge, if it helps me put away a killer, I'll do my best to get you out, even," Red replied.

Madam LaFarge nodded. "Though I don't know his name, I know that he kills to steal astral karma. He must do so on a personal level in order to take possession of his victim's astral karma. When he possesses enough, he can move up to yet another level of power. At present, he is on the second level, possessing the power of astral sight and astral invisibility. I know, too, why you are the man who will get him. You also possess the astral sight, so you can see him even though others cannot."

Pauline asked, "Are you saying that Red can see invisible people?"

Madam LaFarge answered, "Only when they are caught between him and the astral karma of one strong in its possession. Detective Rock's partner was strong in personal astral karma which cast the killer's shadow so he could be seen by Detective Rock. Not everyone possesses astral karma, especially in significant proportions. Those who possess none at all sometimes become murderers and such."

"I saw the guy because Ralph was there? How am I going to see him then without Ralph?"

"She will guide you."

Red exclaimed, "I'm supposed to use my new partner as bait? I can't do that."

Pauline said, "I think Madam LaFarge said only that he has to be between us, not at my throat. At least, I hope that's what you meant, Madam LaFarge."

Madam LaFarge nodded.

"Even so, it doesn't give us the slightest idea on where to begin our search. Nor does it tell us how to defeat this guy. I managed to shoot him once. The bullet didn't even bother him. It just passed on through."

Madam LaFarge said, "Too bad you didn't get a second shot at him. He probably had to use what he gained from your partner to remain uninjured. Another shot would have forced him back to visibility if you hit him. Another shot after that would have definitely harmed him."

Pauline asked, "Is there any connection between this guy's attacks and the fact that those women were all naked?"

Madam LaFarge replied, "They must have possessed significant astral karma. However, astral karma is stronger and purer when it's unfettered. You could say he was drawn to them like a moth to flame. He probably lives near them."

***

Pauline exclaimed, "I don't care how it looks. You heard Madam LaFarge state that astral karma is stronger when a person is naked. Anyway, you won't be looking at me since you'll be watching for our killer. I just hope that you're good enough to hit him two or three times before he can get to me since I'm not a good shot. Just drive us to one of the homes."

Red replied, "Well, I'm glad to know that you plan on having your gun with you."

Pauline didn't mention the fact that she wouldn't get a chance to shoot until she felt the killer attack since she didn't possess astral sight.

***

Pauline said, "Well, I know one thing I didn't think of."

"What's that?"

"I forgot to bring sun block. Looks like I'll have to get up, get dressed, and go get som...."

Red stared in shock to see that Pauline was choking as her hands went to her throat to tear at someone he couldn't see. "Are you joking around?"

Pauline continued to tear at invisible hands and then struggled to reach her gun with the toes of one foot as she was lifted from the lounge chair. Only then did Red realize that Pauline wasn't joking. There was no way he knew of for her to suspend herself in the air and thrash about.

For a moment, he was still stunned that he couldn't see the attacker at all. What had happened to his so-called sight? Could the fortune teller have been leading him on with a lie?

Then as he realized there was no time left to wonder, Red took a chance. Concluding that Pauline had been grabbed by someone standing over her, her assailant had to be in front of her. Red snapped off two shots into the air in front of Pauline. Both went into the side of the house that formed part of the sheltered sunning area.

Then Pauline somehow managed to drive both her arms upward between the invisible hands that gripped her. She tumbled to the ground and against the lounge chair. The chair flipped onto its side as she finished landing upon the ground. Then she felt the hands reach down and grasp her about the throat once more, but one thing was different. Pauline had just enough time to feel her gun beneath one hand. She managed to grab it as she was lifted into the air to choke again with her feet kicking and her eyes bulging as pressure was applied once more. She brought the gun into position and fired as she was raised.

For a moment, Red thought that Pauline was firing at him. Then he realized that she was firing at her assailant. However, he knew immediately that he couldn't shoot. Not yet. Not with Pauline on the other side of the assailant from him. Red knew for certain that his bullets would pass through and hit her.

Left with no recourse, Red ran from his cover for a better angle. He crossed the yard just as Pauline's attacker became visible to both of them as another of her bullets did its task. Red didn't even feel her bullet cut through his shoulder. By then, he was too busy emptying his weapon into the attacker.

Pauline could tell her attacker was weakening. His grasp around her neck loosened and then let her slip through to fall on the ground a second time. She fought not to lose consciousness from the lack of oxygen as fresh air entered her wracked lungs once more and she simultaneously emptied her own weapon into the attacker. He stood there for a moment, teetering as if defying gravity, and then finally fell face forward onto the ground as Pauline scrabbled out of the way.

***

"Is Detective Rock okay?"

"He'll be out of the hospital tomorrow, Madam LaFarge. I came over to honor his word on doing what we can for you in return."

"I had no doubt that you would."

"However, we're puzzled about why Red couldn't see my attacker at first."

"You took him on in daylight then, I presume?"

"Yes, so I could make like I was getting a suntan as part of our trap."

"Astral vision needs the dark of night in order for astral karma to provide enough light at Detective Rock's level."

Pauline shuddered for a moment as she recognized that she had forced them to set the trap entirely at the wrong time, if they were to have the advantage.

Madam LaFarge continued, "Not so for you, however. You are aware that you took in what was stolen?"

"I've felt different since yesterday after the fight."

"Because you have increased your astral karma. You must have been in contact with your attacker when he died."

"He fell across my legs when he died."

"With practice, you can become invisible now as well as see others heavy with astral karma."

Pauline sighed. "I'm glad you just mentioned that I have astral vision. I felt a coldness run through me when I left the office and walked past a guy being brought in. That must have been what I experienced."

"Or empty of any astral karma such as Detective Rock can observe. It is a gift that can serve you well, if you permit it."

The end