The Star City Murders

Son of a bitch.

Right this way.

Jesus, Frank.

Leave it out, Kate.

You look almost as bad as our vic.

What are you, my mother?

Fortunately not.

Your poor mother can't divorce you.

-How is she, by the way? -She's good.

So, why have you dragged me out here so early?

Homeless guy.

That's it?

You'll see.

I'm good out here.

Suit yourself.

Morning, O.C.

Brody. Always a pleasure.

Maybe you can tell me why I'm here.

That's different.

Indeed it is.

Pre or post-mortem?

Post, definitely.

Not nearly enough blood for pre, unless of course he was moved.

Initial guess?

If I had to hypothesize, I'd say he died of exposure.

Local wildlife got a free meal.

No rigor mortis,

so he's been here at least 36 hours.

But he's not bloating yet, so less than six days.

-Coyotes? -I don't think so.

There'd be more full and partial-thickness lacerations

if that were the case.

Wild fly?

No reason to suspect so at this time,

but you never know.

As always, I'll have more information after the autopsy.

All right.

I guess I'll take it.

You say that like you have a choice.

- -

Great.

Let's get some breakfast.

First, let's run it through one more time.

Come on, Ed. It's me.

No such thing as too prepared, T.

-Brody? -What up, brother?

-Hirsch. -Brody.

How's the trial going? You put that scumbag away yet?

Almost there.

Just the all-star here about to take the stand.

Brody, you know what time it is?

Uh, it's almost nine.

And you're here.

Yeah.

We caught a body, and get this.

-The face is missing. -For real?

Otherwise known as "dead homeless guy in alley."

Morning, partner.

-And that faceless part? -Oh, that's true.

Yeah, there's definitely something going on

with this one.

Okay, Mulder.

Kate?

Leave me out of this.

-Morning. -Detective.

Watch out, boys. SWAT's in building.

Hey, Bullock, don't shoot.

It's a bit early for misogyny, isn't it, McQueen?

Oh, Bullock, I'm just having a little fun.

What, you guys don't have fun up in SWAT?

If someone gave me shit in SWAT, I'd kick their ass in training.

You want me to kick your ass, McQueen?

Can I get some help here?

No, this grave's all yours, buddy.

So, what do you think? You and me?

Grow up, Bullock.

I don't want to fight you.

I wouldn't either.

Maybe you want to fuck me instead.

-Okay, wait, wait, wait, wait. -Huh?

I did not mention anything about--

You're right, this is fun.

I think she won that round.

All right, all right, that's enough.

Let's get back to work.

Brody, get Bullock up to speed.

I'll brief the captain.

So, what do we got, partner?

Told you to knock it off with that partner crap.

Here.

Oh, wow.

What happened to him?

Don't know yet, gotta wait for the ME's report.

But you got a theory, right?

Do I really do some Mulder conspiracy thing?

Kinda, yeah.

But it's understandable after what happened.

Whatever.

You should have seen the look on this guy's face.

It was priceless.

That's always my favorite moment.

That moment when they realize they aren't gonna win and--

You see that cocky, smug bastard expression

slowly replaced with one of

far too late understanding and fear.

They suddenly know they've lost

and it is so satisfying.

Mm-hmm, right?

And to that moment I swear he never believed

anyone would dare point their finger at him.

To one more bad guy off our streets.

And our future DA.

Wait, what?

Come on, man. All these wins?

You must have thought about it.

Everyone else has.

I mean, of course.

But I'm a trial lawyer.

Do you know how many cases

the DA personally prosecuted last year?

None. Not one.

So, while I appreciate the votes of confidence,

I have no interest in the politics of all this.

I love being on the ground with you guys,

getting the work done.

And we appreciate that.

Sure, would be nice to know the guy at the top

shared the same convictions as we do for once.

Agreed.

Hell, I'd even vote for you for mayor.

And, on that rather crazy note...

What, you're leaving already?

Yeah, T.

You're not the only one who likes to celebrate

the end of my big cases.

-You know what I mean? -Mustn't upset the breadwinner.

Oh, you laugh, but we all know

if it wasn't for Emily's success,

I'd be some soulless corporate leech by now.

But you just make sure you thank her for us both.

- -What?

Enjoy your evening, Ed.

Another?

Nah, I should probably be getting home too.

You'd just leave your partner to drink alone?

Fine.

One more.

It's been a long day.

Speaking of long days,

where's Frank?

He's usually here by now.

I'm sure it's nothing, she says.

Star City?

What are the chances we hold two bodies with the same thing?

I'm sure it's nothing.

Doc, we gotta stop meeting like this.

Nothing would make me happier, Brody.

Detective Bullock.

You guys are gonna want to see this.

Come on through,

the area's already been processed.

Just like the homeless guy?

Initially it seems so,

but I'll have to confirm that when I get it back to the lab.

Well, what can you tell me?

Well, it's not as old as the other.

Probably 48 hours at an early estimate.

Supreme mortem this time?

Yeah, based on the amount of damage and blood,

it certainly seems so.

And what's this?

-Saliva? -I don't think so.

First off, the consistency's all wrong for saliva.

Plus, it has an odd odor.

-Jesus, Bullock. -What?

Any more idea what did the eating?

Well, for your guy in the alley,

something with a small bite radius.

Perhaps a rodent.

And on first inspection, this does look quite similar.

Like, rats?

Sure, could be.

Okay, Doc, let me know as soon as you find out anything else.

I'll have a report for you both by tomorrow.

- Great. -Thanks, Doc.

Don't stay out too late.

-So, back to the station? -Yeah.

Okay, I'm done.

Time to trade partners.

-You're a lucky man. -That I am.

Got the two best partners in the world.

Yeah, okay. Don't lay it on too thick.

You know, you can still reconsider.

Don't start.

We've been over this so many times.

I know, but...

have you told Brody yet?

Still haven't found the right time.

He's just not in a good place, you know?

You think he ever will be?