Page 37 of When 're Silent

Finn nodded. "We'll see. Stayright here. A constable will be with you in a moment."

As Finn and Amelia exited theinterrogation room, the weight of their conversation with Margaret Thompsonlingered like a heavy fog around them. The bright hallway offered a briefrespite from the suffocating tension within, but Finn’s mind was already racingahead to the next steps in their investigation.

Before they could exchange a word,Chief Constable Rob Collins appeared at the end of the corridor, his presencecommanding attention. “Chief,” Amelia acknowledged with a nod, turning to Finn.“I’ll pass on the details about Margaret Thompson’s alibi to one of ourconstables to follow up.” She then faced Rob and added, “We’re making progresson the case, Chief. Finn and I are onto something significant.”

Finn felt that was stretching thetruth.

Rob gave Amelia a playful grin asshe turned to leave, his tone light despite the gravity of their investigation.“Don’t go causing too much trouble out there, Inspector. I can’t have Finngetting into more hot water on my watch.”

Amelia shot back with a smirk, hereyes glinting mischievously. “Oh, don’t worry, Chief. I’ll make sure Finnbehaves... as much as he can.”

Their banter provided a momentaryrelief from the intensity of their work, a brief glimpse of camaraderie amidstthe shadows of suspicion and doubt that loomed over them.

“I’ll be back in a minute,” Ameliasaid, excusing herself.

As Amelia headed down the corridor,Rob’s chuckle followed her like a reassuring echo, a reminder that even in thedarkest of times, a spark of humor could still shine through.

Alone now with Rob, Finn couldn’thelp but notice the gravity etched into his friend’s features. “Where have youbeen, Rob?” Finn inquired, noting that Rob had been more absent than usual.

Rob’s expression darkened as hespoke in hushed tones. “There’s been a murder in Newcastle,” he began, hiswords heavy with implication. “And we suspect it might be linked to Max Vilne.”

Finn felt a jolt of adrenalinesurge through him at the mention of Max Vilne—the elusive serial killer who hadhaunted him for so long. “I need to go up North and investigate,” Finn statedfirmly, his eyes reflecting determination.

Rob placed a hand on Finn’sshoulder, his gaze somber. “Finish this case first,” Rob urged quietly. “Weneed closure for those victims before pursuing another lead. I promise I’llkeep both eyes on this. If we verify that it was Vilne, you’ll be the first toknow.”

“I hate that he’s still out there,”Finn said with a sigh.

“We’ll get him soon,” Rob offered.

“Watch your back, Rob,” Finn said.“He threatened you and Amelia to get at me. He follows through on his threats.”

“I know,” Rob said. “I am beingvery careful.”

Reluctantly nodding inunderstanding, Finn knew that duty called for him to see this through to itsconclusion. “Keep me posted,” he requested as Rob turned to leave.

“I will,” Rob said, patting Finngently on the arm before disappearing down a hallway.

Left standing alone in the hallway,torn between two pressing investigations—Jillian Bruce, Rebecca Hanover,Dominique Plantagenet’s murders or the looming threat of Max Vilne—Finn feltthe weight of responsibility settle heavily on his shoulders. Each casedemanded peace and resolution, yet time was a merciless adversary ticking awayrelentlessly, and with each strike of the clock, Finn knew in his soul that badtimes lay ahead.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The city was a convulsing organism,its veins clogged with the midday rush as Finn navigated the unmarked policecar through London’s gridlocked arteries. Beside him, Amelia’s posture mirroredthe tension that had enveloped them since the interview had gone badly withMargaret Thompson.

“Margaret Thompson’s alibi issolid,” Amelia said, her voice slicing through the hum of idling engines as sheglanced down at the text message on her phone screen. “Constable Amid spokewith the man she mentioned, and he vouched for her.”

“Doesn’t mean she’s not involved,”Finn replied, his eyes never leaving the road, reflecting a mosaic of brakelights and shopfronts. “Could be more than one person behind this.” His mindwhirred with possibilities, each one casting longer shadows over the case.

“Still, it’s back to square one,”Amelia sighed, the frustration evident in her tone.

“Never liked squares much,” Finnquipped, offering a lopsided grin that failed to mask his underlying concern.“Was always more of a circle man.

“When we finish this case,” Ameliasaid, “I’ll get you a box of crayons and you can draw all the circles youwant.”

They arrived at the Bruce familyhome nestled within a quiet crescent, a strange contrast to the pandemoniumthey had just left behind. The modest two-story Victorian terrace stooddignified with its brick facade and white-trimmed windows adorned with lacecurtains. A small garden, now bereft of color from winter’s touch, held thepromise of spring life within its sleeping bulbs.

As Amelia and Finn approached theBruce family home, the air seemed to thicken with sorrow, weighing down on themlike a shroud of grief. With each step towards the door, Finn’s heartbeatquickened, anticipation mingling with dread in his chest. He raised his hand toknock, the sound echoing through the quiet crescent.

The door creaked open slowly,revealing Jillian’s mother standing there, tears glistening in her eyes. Herface was etched with pain, lines of worry etching deeper into her features.Before Amelia could utter a word identifying them as police officers, Jillian’smother spoke in a voice heavy with sorrow.

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