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James nods along with me before rubbing a hand along his jaw in contemplation. He looks past me briefly. “Do you have anything else to add?”
Glancing behind me I see that Derek has entered the room.
His lip twitches as he glances at me before returning his focus to James. “Nothing yet, we are still going through all the details of each woman to piece together their lives before they were killed. We are hoping to get more information from Michael and Emma on yesterday's victim to find out if that helps paint a clearer picture.”
James nods again, his expression thoughtful. "Good. Keep digging into their backgrounds. We need to find any common threads or connections among them. And make sure you stay in close contact with Michael and Emma. Their insights could be invaluable in unraveling this case."
"Absolutely, sir. We're also going to review any previous reports of stalking or harassment in the area. It's possible that some of the victims might not have reported incidents directly to the police but might have confided in friends or family. We'll reach out to their acquaintances as well, see if there's any information they can provide," Derek agrees.
James rubs his temples, clearly feeling the weight of the case on his shoulders. "This is a tough one, no doubt about it. But I have confidence in both of you. Keep working together, share your findings, and let's catch these murderers before they strike again. We can't afford to lose any more innocent lives."
Derek and I exchange glances. I understand the gravity of the situation and the urgency to solve the case before more lives are lost.
As James leaves the room, we turn our attention back to the task at hand. The table is scattered with photographs, crime scene reports, and victim profiles. It's a puzzle waiting to be solved, and we are determined to find the missing pieces.
"Derek," I say, "let's start by reviewing the stalking reports filed by the victims. We need to understand the extent of their experiences, the conversations they had when they sought help, and if there are any commonalities in the patterns of stalking."
Derek nods in agreement. "Absolutely. We also need to explore their social circles, talk to friends, family, and co-workers again. Someone might have noticed something that could help us piece together the puzzle."
As we begin to delve into the reports, we divide the workload, each taking a set of victims to investigate further. We scour through their backgrounds, searching for any connections or recurring themes that might shed light on the motivations behind the killings.
Hours pass as we pore over the details, analyzing every piece of information we have. It's a meticulous and painstaking process, but we know that even the smallest detail could be the key to cracking the case wide open.
As the hours stretch on, I feel the fatigue starting to weigh me down. The lack of proper sleep and nourishment begins to take its toll. I find it harder to focus on the reports, my eyes growing heavy and my mind becoming foggy.
Derek notices my struggling state and places a hand on my shoulder. Concern is evident in his voice as he says, "Alex, you've been working non-stop. It's clear that you need a break. Why don't we step out for a bit and grab some lunch? There's a local sandwich place nearby that makes the best sandwiches. It'll give us a chance to clear our minds and recharge."
I hesitate for a moment, knowing that time is of the essence in this investigation. But I also recognize the importance of taking care of myself to maintain the clarity needed to solve the case. I finally relent and nod in agreement. "You're right. I could use a break. Let's go grab those sandwiches."
Leaving the files behind momentarily, we step out of the office and head towards the sandwich place. The fresh air rejuvenates my senses, and the thought of a delicious meal brings a faint smile to my face. It's a brief respite from the intensity of the case, a chance to temporarily set aside the weight on our shoulders.
As we enter the sandwich place, the aroma of freshly baked bread and savory ingredients fills the air. Derek places our order, and we find a quiet corner to sit and enjoy our meal. The first bite of the sandwich is a burst of flavors that momentarily distract me from the grim realities we're facing.
Over lunch, we briefly discuss our findings so far, bouncing ideas off each other and sharing new insights. The break allows us to approach the case with a fresh perspective, giving our minds a much-needed breather. We make mental notes of our conversation, ready to dive back into the investigation with renewed energy once we return to the office.
Finishing our meal, we pay the bill and make our way back. My head feels clearer and I have a renewed sense of determination.
Just before we go into the building Derek stops and offers to get us coffee as my phone buzzes in my pocket. Moving to the side of the entrance, I wait for Derek while checking the notification.
I frown down at the phone, not knowing what to make of the message. Glancing around I can’t see anyone focussed on me. A sinking feeling hits me as I look at the message again.
My heart thuds in my chest, I look at Derek. I should tell him that the serial killers we are hunting are sending me text messages. But before I can do more than open my mouth to call out to him, my phone buzzes in my hand again.
I frown to myself. I don’t want them to disappear. I want to find them. I need to stop them from killing more women.
Glancing toward Derek I see he’s now at the front of the line for coffee.
Please say yes, it would be the perfect opportunity to help give me more details to track them with.
Fuck. Well I could still try.
They thought giving me a fresh body was a present? I can see Derek glancing in my direction as he waits for our coffee and I hope the flush that I feel creeping up my neck isn’t obvious to him.
My heart races as I try to think of a response that won’t give too much away but would also satisfy their question.
The reply comes quickly.
The ominous message sends shivers down my spine.
