THE GRIZZ

          As of today, it’s been exactly one year since the last Grizz killing. Still no leads, little if no true evidence. Microfibers on two of the victims reveal hairs from two different species of bear; polar and grizzly. Other than the Ranger Rick, bear-themed trading cards he leaves behind with the word "Grizz" painted on them, that’s about all we have.
          Twenty-one dead in the span of three years. All killed by hand. A calling card of sorts left on each victim. Three years of this shit, then nothing. Until now.
          A letter arrived this morning, no return address. Just the word "Grizz" on it with a paw print. It came in a turquoise envelope and sealed with one of those old-timey wax seals. One of our guys breaks the seal and pulls out what appears to be homemade recycled paper with writing on it. But not just writing. This guy used an old, old printing press (I’d say 1930’s or so) to print this thing. While the lab boys get possible prints off it and detectives scour the city for every print shop in town, we take a gander.
          It’s the "Grizz’s" personal, how-to guide. Murder for Dummies. I don’t know if the misspellings are intentional or because he couldn’t find enough of that particular block for the old-timey printer, but as we read it, there’s no doubt that every guy in the room has freezing water running through their veins.

Use yr Demons – yr Demons ALL of them r ther to kep you on TasK. Embrasing a sertan Demon now meens it want distroy you latr. BarGod.

Ware yr tru Fas – prform No TasK w/o yr tru Fas on. Fur is lif. Furfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfurfur

Duk tap – nuf sayd

BarHands – god and Muthr gav you hands to punchgrabsquez the nite of wimin.

Always giv um hop – no TasK is worht it w/ screming. Nevr tell um yr TasK til its to layt. Tell um you want Hirt um.

This is thelast youwill herfrom ME.I am DON.Sevn mor will tak my plac.

          We’ll be closing the case in a month, I would imagine. Not enough evidence to keep it open.
          I dream of bears for the next few weeks.




-SLL