The Case of The Body In The Woods

         “Let’s try to get to the movie theater before the credits roll this time” Amanda, Aiden’s longtime girlfriend said. Aiden snorted.

         “Well try not to sleep through the whole thing!”

         “At least I have the decency not to snore” she said grinning.

         Before Aiden could conjure something witty in response he saw something. In the distance, he noticed a flicker of blue and red lights, illuminating the scraggly trees around them.

         “Stay here,” Aiden muttered conspicuously. Broodingly, he fingers crawled up his forearm, scratching the skin above his flaming tattoo.

         “Red, no!” Amanda hissed. But Aiden had already gone off, his eyebrows creased in confusion.

         “What’s going on here?” Aiden prompted the two police officers standing by the yellow CRIME SCENE tape.

         The one scribbling on a notepad, spoke without looking up. “Not sure. A woman called in earlier, reporting a dead body. Judging by the state of decomposition, it’s probably been out here a few days. Maybe a week. From the injuries, we suspect it was an animal attack”

         Aiden peered down at the boy, no older than ten, lying motionless in a patch of leaves. His gentle blue eyes were enigmatic against the forest floor. He studied the six, distinct slash marks on his face, similar markings running down the length of his arms and legs; to perfectly crafted to be produced by an animal.

         “Odd thing is, the family up the street claimed they hadn't heard any screaming or animal growls. And usually animals of that size don’t come this close to town,” the officer added, shrugging.

         Aiden eyed the woman speaking to the other police officers. He assumed she was in her mid-twenties, a pile of thick brown curls on her shoulders. She was sporting a snazzy fur coat, especially for the impending cold season. He also noticed the tangerine-colored nail polish was chipping of her long, untrimmed nails.

         Swiftly, Aiden looked back at the officers, apprehension rising within him.

         “Well, have you considered homicide?”

         

         Why does Aiden suspect the woman to be the murderer?