December 4, 2025

Ted is sitting alone outdoors reading, when someone joins him at the other end of the bench. Ted looks up casually. The man addresses him, 

“I think you are the Reaper.” 

“Ted grins,  

“No shit. Why?” 

I saw you come up that slope around the time of the gassing, then again with that big painting case just before the explosion. I found out who you are, then checked and found you are not an art student.” 

“No I’m not. If you really believe I did it, why approach me instead of the FBI?” 

“George was a friend of mine. I figure you must have killed him over a lover’s quarrel, because he was not political. For my continued secrecy I will require that you perform certain services for me on a twice weekly basis.” 

Ted replies, 

“I imagine that will escalate to group activity eventually. How many others will I have to trust to secrecy?” 

“None. Just between you and I forever.” 

There is nobody around. Ted pulls out the Walther, shoots this fellow between the eyes, and walks briskly to the library There he logs in to the news as previously. He thinks to himself, 

“Leave it to a faggot to ruin everything. Now they may get my DNA from the bench.” 

The next day, the Raven’s Voice comments that there may be more than one killer afoot, because of what Valdison said, coupled with the fact the latest victim was a friend of George, and neither were political activists.