Page 37 of When You're Gone

At that moment, Rob approached,holding out an evidence bag that seemed almost insignificant compared to thescene. "This was left for you, Finn."

Finn's fingers closed around theplastic, his eyes locking onto the slip of paper within, a note that read:"Like a nocturnal spy, return back home to the FBI."

"Damn it," Finn murmured,his heart thudding in his chest. "He’s directly involving me now."

"Could be a lucky guess, youridentity, I mean," Amelia offered, but her tone lacked conviction.

"No," Finn said, his gazestill fixed on the mocking message, "this is personal." He could feelthe threads of the case tangling, the killer's awareness of him a newcomplication in an already deceitful net.

"Vilne?" Amelia asked,her dark eyes searching Finn's face for confirmation.

"Yes," Finn replied,pocketing the evidence bag. But the doubt lingered, a nagging sensation thatthey were dealing with more than just one man's vendetta. A shiver ran down hisspine that had little to do with the cold.

Finn's thoughts churned with therhythm of his heartbeat, persistent and unyielding. As he stood over the body,the note's taunt echoed in his mind, an insidious whisper that promised nopeace.

"Could be anyone who reads thetabloids," Amelia said, her voice slicing through the tense silence."Your face has been plastered on every front page since this nightmarestarted."

"Sure, but Maggie Beckettpointed straight to Vilne when she sang," Finn countered, the piecesclicking together like clockwork in his head. The image of Vilne, a spectralfigure in the crowd, seared into his memory from the day they'd cuffed Maggie.He rubbed the tender spot at the back of his skull — a painful souvenir fromthe altercation.

"Then why doubt it's justhim?" Amelia pressed, her brows knitting as she scanned Finn's face forclues he hadn't voiced.

"Because Vilne is a beast,Amelia." Finn's voice was steady, but a flicker of frustration sparkedbehind his eyes. "The guy I grappled with wasn’t as strong . Differentbuild, different fighting style."

"Someone else," Robinterjected, his tone laced with the weight of realization. "How can yoube sure?"

"Instinct," Finn replied,his gaze drifting back to Henry Walsh's lifeless form. "And fear. Thatmasked man wasn't sure he could take me; Vilne never doubts himself. I doubthe’d wear a mask, either. It wasn't Maggie Beckett, as she was in custodyduring last night's kill."

"Two killers or more?"Amelia mused, the gravity of their situation settling over them like the dustmotes dancing in the beams of the crime scene lights.

"Or maybe two pawns,"Finn suggested, his mind racing ahead, "moved by the same hand… I wantthis to be over…"

Amelia placed a reassuring hand onFinn's shoulder, her touch grounding him in the midst of swirling frustration."We'll get through this, Finn," she said softly, her eyes reflectinga steadfast resolve that matched his own.

As Finn's phone buzzed with anincoming call, he glanced at the screen to see Director Seward's name flashing.With a deep breath, he answered, "Director, isn't it the middle of thenight where you are?"

"Finn," Seward's voicewas calm and measured, a stark contrast to the chaos of their current case."How are you?”

“I’ve been better, Sir,” Finnreplied. “How are you doing?”

“I wanted to inform you that theFBI higher-ups are reviewing your involvement in the Vilne case. A decisionwill be made soon regarding your status."

“You mean,” Finn said, “thatthey’ve gotten sick and tired of waiting for the court case, that they want meout of the FBI, now?”

“We don’t know that,” Seward said,gently. “You know, there are a lot of us fighting your corner.”

“I know, you’ve always had myback,” Finn said.

“You’ve made quite a wave in theUK,” Seward said. “Whatever happens, you should be proud of that.”

Finn nodded grimly, steelinghimself for the outcome. "And the court case for the damage to thehotel?"

Seward's reply was tinged withregret. "No updates on that front yet. The wheels turn slowly."

The mention of Vilne brought ashadow over their conversation as Seward continued, "Our colleagues at theHome Office have kept us informed about the Vilne case. Stay vigilant, Finn.The last time you stared him down…"

“He nearly killed me,” Finn repliedcoldly.

“Just be careful, my friend.”

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