Page 2 of When You're Gone

“Well, when you put it likethat...” Finn grinned. He loved that Amelia always tried to build people up.

Amelia laid a hand on his arm, hertouch a gentle reminder of her support. "We will catch him," shesaid, her voice filled with quiet confidence. "But first, let's take alook around, see if we can find any clues. Last time he tried to threaten you,he left something, remember?"

Finn nodded, grateful for herlevel-headedness. Together, they set off to search the cottage grounds, theireyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of disturbance. As they walked,they fell into their familiar rhythm, discussing the case and bouncing ideasoff each other.

"I just don'tunderstand," Finn said, his brow furrowed. "Why would Vilne comehere, of all places? Surely he knew we were watching after the incident when hebroke in months ago? What's his game?"

Amelia shook her head, her red hairglinting in the sunlight. "I don't know. Maybe he wanted to show you hecould. But he's always had a reason for his actions, twisted as they may be. Wejust need to figure out what it is this time."

Just as Finn was about to suggestthey regroup with Rob, something caught his eye. There, in a tree on a distanthill, something was hanging from the branches.

"Amelia, look," he said,pointing. "What do you make of that?"

She squinted, shielding her eyesfrom the sun. "It's hard to tell from here. Could be some kind of localtradition or prank. But I think we should check it out."

Finn agreed, and they set offtowards the hill, their steps quickening with a sense of purpose. As theywalked, Finn found himself reflecting on their partnership, on the trust andaffection that had grown between them over the last year. Amelia was more thanjust a colleague; she was his rock, his anchor in the turbulent world ofcriminal investigation. He could have fallen apart waiting for his court casein the US, but everything Rob and Amelia had done for him, giving him purposeas a consultant detective, had saved them.

He would do anything to return thefavor.

As they neared the tree, thehanging objects came into clearer view, and Finn felt a chill run down hisspine. They were mannequins, three of them swaying gently in the breeze. Evenfrom a distance, he could tell that this was no prank or tradition. This hadVilne's sinister touch all over it.

Amelia's sharp intake of breathtold him she had come to the same conclusion. They exchanged a look, a silentcommunication born of years of working together, and quickened their pace.

When they reached the tree, Finn'sworst fears were confirmed. Each mannequin bore a name, written in bold, blackletters: "Finn," "Amelia," "Rob." It was amessage, a taunt from Vilne, making it clear that he was targeting not justFinn, but those closest to him.

Finn felt a rush of anger, hishands clenching into fists at his sides. Vilne was playing with them, toyingwith their lives like a cat with a mouse. But Finn refused to be a pawn in hissick game. He would find Vilne, and he would make him pay for every life he haddestroyed.

Amelia's hand on his shoulderbrought him back to the present. He looked down at her, seeing the same fiercedetermination in her eyes that he felt in his own heart. "He’s desperatedoing something like this," she said, her voice low and intense. "Hewanted to hurt you by abducting Demi, but we saved her and now she’s safe backin the States. Now, he’s angry. He’s trying to frighten us, but I think he’sthe frightened one. We’ll catch him…"

He nodded, drawing strength fromher words, from the unwavering support he saw in her gaze."Together," he echoed, his voice a promise.

Just as they were about to turnaround, Finn spotted something at the foot of the tree, wedged inside a hole inthe trunk.

“What's that?” Finn asked out loud.

“It looks metallic,” Amelia said.

Finn leaned down and poked hisfinger inside. With a little effort, the object popped out. It was an oldpocket watch made of brass. Finn flipped it around to see no description.

“Looks old,” Amelia said. “It'spossible it's been there for some time.”

“Maybe,” Finn said, looking around.

They made their way back down thehill, the weight of their discovery heavy on their shoulders. Rob was waitingfor them, his face etched with concern. When they told him about themannequins, his eyes widened with shock and anger.

"That scumbag," hemuttered, shaking his head. "He's taunting us, trying to get under ourskin."

Finn nodded grimly. "And it'sworking. But we can't let him dictate the terms of this game. We need to stayfocused, stay one step ahead."

"Agreed,” Rob said. “I promisewe’ll increase security around the cottage and put out an alert for Vilne.”

Finn felt a surge of gratitude forhis friend's support, mixed with a twinge of guilt for putting him in danger.But as Amelia had said, Vilne was the only one to blame. And they would stophim, no matter the cost.

Just as they were about to headback to the cottage to regroup, Amelia's phone rang. She answered, her facegrowing grave as she listened to the caller. When she hung up, she turned toFinn, her expression somber.

"Are you sure?” she said. “Iunderstand. We’ll be right there.” The call ended.

“What’s wrong?” asked Finn.

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