"What do you make of the wounds, Professor?" Loomis asked.

Ramirez winced as he stared at the curious markings carved into the young woman's chest.

"They appear to be runic symbols," he said, "but I've never seen anything like them before."

"So what are we looking at?" asked Loomis. "A crime committed by an adept?"

Ramirez pursed his lips. "Possibly. Would you ask your men to step back a moment, please?"

Loomis gestured to the uniformed officers and they moved away from the body. Ramirez swallowed

nervously, then crouched down over the corpse and closed his eyes. He remained in that position for a

moment, concentrating, then stood up, a grave expression on his face.

"Damn, I was hoping I'd be wrong," he said, turning away. His stomach felt queasy and he was fighting

nausea.

"Trace emanations?" Loomis asked.

Ramirez nodded. "Very strong ones." He glanced at Loomis. "You know about thaumaturgic

emanations?"

"A little," Loomis said. "But I'm no expert. We're really not equipped to deal with necromancy."

Ramirez gave him a sharp look.

"That's what we've got here, isn't it?" said Loomis. "I mean, there's no point in mincing words, is there?"

Ramirez compressed his lips into a tight grimace and nodded with resignation. "Yes. I suppose you're

right."

"I was hoping you could tell me it was something else," said Loomis with a sigh.

"I wish I could," replied Ramirez.

"You're sure?" asked Loomis. "There can be no question?"

Ramirez shook his head. "I'm afraid not."

"Well, I guess that makes it your case, then."

Ramirez frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Crime involving magic use," replied Loomis. "That makes it the jurisdiction of the Bureau. Which means

you're in charge of the investigation as of right now."

"Now hold on a moment," said Ramirez with a frown. "I'm a teacher, not a policeman."

"You're the local Bureau representative," said Loomis.