Kathryn had a day off but couldn't relax as she worked at home to try and help Kasa regain her voice so she could communicate better. Pitch wasn't called in so he decided to call Ishwada to figure out what was going on. “Hey, I couldn't help but notice my help was requested despite the rouge Doppelganger situation.” Ishwada's voice came over the phone that was set to speaker mode. “Yeah, that's because the guy lives in another state. It's outside my jurisdiction and unless my help is requested I can't just go over there.” Kathryn looked up from her equipment. “I can't be fully sure but I think Thomas Marrow might be a Doppelganger as well.”

  Ishwada, hearing this, can't help but ask. “What makes you think that?” Kathryn was quick to recall her odd feeling when she shook his hand. “When I shook his hand I got this strange feeling. It's hard to explain. I know being rich or a public figure doesn't exactly break the rules and is just advised against but considering the power and influence he has and some of the actions those under him have taken I can't help but be concerned. It makes me question how he got the wealth in the first case. It's possible he broke the rule of benefiting from multiple identities to boost a specific identity or even stealing an identity to transfer assets to his main. Taking over companies by abusing his abilities.”

  Ishwada and Pitch both took a moment to consider the possibilities. Ishwada then sighed. “Without proof he's broken a rule there's little we can do. I guess I can have eyes on him but I'll definitely have to be careful and keep it off the books. Considering he likely has access to reports.” Kathryn then added. “He asked a lot of pointed questions about Pitch, I think he might know about his true identity.” Ishwada sighed. “Director Hawkes knows so it's definitely possible.” Pitch finally asked his own question. “What are the chances Hawkes and Marrow are working together in some sort of conspiracy? I'm not sure what the goal would be besides money but it's an idea.”

  Ishwada groaned. “A frustrating one that makes things complicated and difficult if true. Especially considering the Umbran power plant network idea.” Kathryn goes slightly pale. “I went over the notes left behind and I think he was close to figuring out or recently figured out how to trigger an Umbran to self decide to create more. Because of the ability to self-replicate they'd only need one Umbran to start.” Pitch groaned. “And as far as we know I'm the only one left. Might explain the change of heart. This way they can keep an eye on me and have quick access when they're ready to move forward.”

  Kathryn rolled her chair from one device to another as she checked results from tests. “We'll have to be careful from here on out. One wrong move and they might accelerate their plans. For now I'll just be happy Hawkes isn't after Pitch right now.” Pitch nodded. “We can deal with that when the time comes. For now we should focus on doing our jobs and helping people. Including Kasa.” Kathryn shifted in her chair as she took notes. “Speaking of natural functions, you hadn't eaten in a while before you were sent to the Otherside. Because you had that big meal. When is the last time you've eaten?”

  Pitch looked around the room before responding. “The death row inmates. I haven't been hungry since and it's been like… a month. I think. It's hard for me to track time sometimes because I don't sleep often and my human brain is used to seeing sleep as the great divider for days.” Kathryn holds out a jar. “Give me some particles and I'll run some tests. I should be checking regularly anyway because of the weird Cryptid cancer thing.” Pitch opens a hole in his hand and puts some of his true body into the jar. “You want a fruit sample too?” Pitch wiggled his eyebrows. Kathryn tossed an empty water bottle at him. “Don't be a perv, we're on speaker.”

  Pitch looked at the phone. “Right. Well we're going to be available if needed so be sure to call with updates Jiryu.” Ishwada chuckled. “Alright then, I'll call back later when I have something for you to do or an update.” The phone call ended and Pitch put the phone in his pocket. “Well it looks like we have today to ourselves despite the craziness. You know… waiting for the machines is like watching water boil. It's not going to cook any faster with you watching it.” Kathryn loaded up samples in a number of machines in her personal lab. “I guess you're right. I can alway check on them later. For now I guess I should be spending at least some of my off time with my boyfriend.”

  Kasa tapped at the ground and made a series of noises. Kathryn looked at her. “No. Maybe. It depends on how the night goes but either way it's none of your business.” Kasa provides a response with taps and sounds. Kathryn sighed. “Well I'm not sure how to help you there. Unless we find another creature like you I -” Pitch interrupted. “What about that island water cat thing?” The Water Lynx or Underwater Panther.”

  Kathryn shifted. “The island is technically part of Canada so that could get complicated. Also it's an old native legend so-” Pitch interrupted. “So is the Wampus Cat. Kasa isn't that old is she?” Kathryn looked at Kasa who shrugged, then back at Pitch. “Probably not, indicating she's not the first or only Wampus Cat. But we already suspected that. So maybe we can find another Wampus? It's worth looking into. Who knows, maybe I'll find something I'm missing by getting samples from multiple subjects.” Pitch nodded. “I'll let Jiryu know to be on the lookout but we aren't exactly in the normal territory for the Wampus Cat.”

  Kathryn nods. “So we might have to collaborate with other divisions outside Wisconsin. Because we can't just go over and do whatever without getting into trouble.” Kathryn stood up and stretched. “So what are we going to do while I wait for results? Since there's nothing we can do about the Doppelganger problem right now. I'm guessing you'll eventually be back on your normal schedule of helping hunt a different Cryptid every week.”

  Pitch shrugged. “I'm not sure, but yeah. I'll likely return to my regular schedule.” Pitch's phone buzzed, he looked at it to see a text from Frenchie that read: “Relative of husband murdered. Local Black Eagle being unhelpful. Any chance you can use your connections to do something?” Pitch looked at the text and replied: “Was this relative also a passenger?” Frenchie replied with a simple “Yes”. Pitch quickly typed in. “Since it might be connected to an existing case there might be something I can do. Either way I'll try my best. But you could have also texted Jiryu.”

  Frenchie texted back. “Already did.” Pitch slapped at his leg in frustration. “He has all the same contacts in Black Eagle that I do and more. Why are you even texting me.” Frenchie texted back. “I thought you might have Cryptid connections. Boyfriend has been out of the loop for years.” Pitch let out a sound of frustration, then he remembered the speakeasy. “Actually, I think I do know a guy. I don't know why I didn't think of him earlier. Will update.” Kathryn looked at Pitch. “Was that Ishwada already?” Pitch shook his head. “Frenchie. Jiryu gave him my number after he was processed. Apparently there's been a Doppelganger murder. Not just any Doppelganger, but a passenger. One of the survivors.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Kathryn tilted her head. “You're thinking there's a connection there?” Pitch nodded. “Our rogue was a survivor as well, I'm thinking maybe he did this. Thanks to this text I remembered that we have a Doppelganger speakeasy in town. Looks like our date night will have us hitting the bar.” Kathryn looked to Kasa. “Behave yourself while we are out.” The two get themselves ready and Pitch drives them out and leads Kathryn to the entrance of the Imposter Syndrome speakeasy.

  Pitch knocked on the door and the slider slid open. It was the same guard as last time. He looked over at Kathryn. “Well if it isn't the wantabe detective. You brought a friend this time.” Pitch waved at the man. “She's in the know, I'm unfortunately here because of work again but I'll gladly by something if it gets people talking.” The doorman sighed and opened the door. “Any trouble and you're both out. Got it?” Pitch nodded as he and Kathryn walked in.

  Pitch went straight to the bar. He checked his phone and saw Frenchie sent him a picture of the victim. Pitch showed it to the bartender. “I know this might be a stretch considering he lives in a different state but I was wondering if you knew this Doppelganger.” The bartender looked at the image. “Knew? Is he dead?” Pitch nodded. “Murdered, I suspect by another Doppelganger. He was on a plane forty years ago that vanished and recently the survivors were found. I'm working under the suspicion that the killer is not just another Dopple but another survivor that has gone rogue replacing the sky martial. A clear violation of the rules imposed on Doppelgangers by the counsels.”

  The bartender looked closer at the image. “Sorry, doesn't look familiar. You're free to ask around the bar but considering the situation it's unlikely you'll find anything. If this guy was missing for that long and from another state even if you found someone that knew him they might not even recognize him. You're on a wild goose chase son.” Pitch sighed. “Look, I know you don't like Black Eagle. I have my own problems with them. I'm just trying to help bring this killer to justice. I'm not just here as a consultant to Black Eagle but a fellow Cryptid. This guy was related to the boyfriend of an old friend of my father. I may not have known the guy but I… I don't know. I just want to help.”

  The bartender sighs. “Yeah, I believe you. I'm just telling you how it is. The kids are low.” Pitch looked at Kathryn and smiled. “Low, but not zero.” The two started going around and asking several people if they knew the victim. After several people shook their heads they finally found an older Doppelganger that knew them. “I remember when that plane went missing. I spent a decade going down a rabbit hole looking for answers. See, I used to be a private detective and a friend of mine was on that plane. I've still got all my old folders if you think it'll help.”

  Pitch looked at Kathryn then back to the old man. “Do you have a crew manifest with all the Doppelgangers marked?” The man smiled and nodded. “I even marked other non-human citizens. There was a succubus on that plane too. I looked for a reason why that plane went missing outside of just the Triangle considering not every boat and plane went missing. I spent years looking for a pattern and even tracked down crew manifests to old boats as well as the squad of planes that went missing. For a while I thought it was grabbing only groups with a specific ratio range of human to Cryptid.”

  Pitch nodded. “I'll take copies of everything you have. They may have stopped the Triangle years ago but I might as well get everything I can. Perhaps with the crew manifest I can find the original identity of the rogue Doppelganger since I think he's the killer.” The old man puts a hand on his chin. “Ah, a man after my own heart. The nostalgia. I'll get you everything I have. Meet me back here around this time tomorrow.” Pitch nodded and left with Kathryn. The two left the building, got in the Jeep, and headed home.

  When they got home they both sat down hard on the couch creating a nice thump. Kasa quickly ran over to the two wagging her tail like a dog and making happy noises. Kathryn patted her head. “We weren't gone that long, just a few hours.” Pitch groaned. “Yeah, but it felt like forever. If my feet could hurt they would. I kinda hope I don't get called in tomorrow because we have to go and pick up the file.” Kathryn snuggled up to Pitch's side. “Well I've got off tomorrow too so I'll go with you.”

  The next day as soon as it was close to time the two headed back out and went to Imposter Syndrome to meet the old man and collect the files. The man was sitting at a table with the biggest grin and six file boxes filled with information. “You said you wanted copies of everything.” He gestured proudly at the collection. “This is it.” Pitch sighed as he started stacking boxes. “Thanks. It's a good thing I don't sleep much so I'll have plenty of time to sort through it all.” He noticed the boxes were labeled making it easy to find the more important information first. “Although you should have made it digital.”

  The old man scoffed. “So I look like I know a damn thing about technology? I'm old school.” Pitch chuckled as he started moving boxes. “Well thanks again.” After loading up the boxes he gave the old man a nice firm handshake. “Your files will hopefully be instrumental in catching this rogue and potentially even help in other cases. Your help will likely be invaluable.” The old man smiled. “I'm glad I hung on to all this then. If my obsession saves lives it was worth it.” With that the couple thanked the old man one last time and returned to the now loaded Jeep.

  Once home Pitch moved the boxes to the garage. Then he let out a big sigh. “I'm glad I don't have muscles anymore or I'd be sore as fuck right now.” He opened one of the boxes and started looking over the crew manifest and seating positions. He made a copy and started crossing off faces. “I'll remove everyone that didn't survive and then the people I can confirm were human. Leaving only the surviving Doppelgangers. Then I can use the process of elimination from there to find the original identity of the rogue. Then the family can be questioned because even if he's breaking the rules the temptation to check in with people would likely be too great.”

  Kathryn nodded and rubbed Pitch shoulder. “I'm going to check the results of the tests I ran those samples under.” Kathryn started walking around the garage and checking equipment. Looking over results on screens or printed out from various samples. “That's interesting. It seems your body reached a stable balance and shows no further signs of degradation. As for Kasa’s results I think I'm going to need a bigger sample size to figure something out. Sorry girl.” Kasa patted Kathryn's leg a few times. Kathryn nodded. “I know, but I'll keep trying.”

  Pitch smiled at the two before diving into his work. Crossing off people one at a time leaving only a few Doppelgangers left. “Okay, so our rogue is one of these three. I'll send this to Ishwada and hope he can take it from there.” Pitch snapped a picture and sent it. “I'm a bit tired so I think I'll head to bed. It's been a long week.” Kathryn nodded. “Yeah, I think I'll go too.” She stood up and followed. Kasa also walked to the door but Kathryn blocked her from entering. “What are you doing? You have your own bed. You may look and often act like one but you're not a cat.”

  Kasa let out a sound before nuzzling Kathryn and walking off. Kathryn swapped to some pajamas before crawling into the blanket with Pitch and snuggling up to him. She quickly noticed he was now in just a tank top and boxers. “Well I guess this is an improvement on sleeping in your clothes.” Pitch snuggled her back. “Yeah, because I don't sleep often and when I do it's not for long. I tend to sleep as is or in the tub in my true form.” Kathryn snuggled up tightly and closed her eyes. “Yeah, I guess you don't have to be picky. But I'd prefer you in bed clothes when you lay with me till I sleep even if you're going to be awake.”

  Pitch rubbed Kathryn's hair. “Okay.” And kissed the top of her head. Kathryn continued to cuddle up to him with her eyes closed, wiggling about every single often. Pitch couldn't help but notice how restless she was being. “Is something wrong Kat?” Kathryn blushed lightly and opened her eyes. “N-nothing’s wrong per say. I'm just feeling a little… I mean we haven't had a night together since before Florida.” Pitch chuckled. “So you're trying to tell me you're horny?” Kathryn nodded. “But if you are actually going to sleep I can go without. It's not like you're going anywhere and we can always do it another night.”

  Pitch grabbed her by the shoulder and held her closer, squeezing her lightly. “Well… I did promise I'd give you some naughty time earlier and haven't fulfilled that obligation yet. I only need a few hours so I'll still be done sleeping before you wake, so it wouldn't hurt to stay up a bit to be intimate.”