Page 12 of Shapeshifter's Vengeance

I take the envelope, my fingers trembling slightly as I open it. Inside is a single note: “Let the games begin.”

A chill runs down my spine. This is no ordinary case. Whoever we’re dealing with is playing a very dangerous game.

Back inside, I call the deputies into my office. Mark and Lisa were the first to arrive, and concern was etched on their faces.

“We’ve got a new development,” I say, holding up the note. “I was followed tonight, and this was left on my car.”

Mark takes the note and examines it closely. “We should dust it for prints.”

“Already on it,” Lisa says, grabbing a fingerprint kit from her desk.

We work quickly, methodically dusting the envelope and the note. But when the results come back, there’s nothing. No prints, no DNA. Just a mocking taunt.

I slam my hand on the desk in frustration. “They’re playing with us. We need to be smarter, faster.”

Lisa nods. “We’ll find them, Sheriff. We just need to stay focused.”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. “Let’s get back to work. We need to dig deeper into Alexei’s connections. Someone knows something.”

We comb through files and reports, searching for any clue that might lead us to the person behind this. The night wears on, but I refuse to give up. Alexei’s life is on the line, and I won’t let anything happen to him.

I’m sitting at my desk, staring at the pile of evidence that feels like it’s getting us nowhere. The frustration is building, and I know my team feels it too. We need a breakthrough, something to shift the stagnation in this case.

I stand up and walk to the main room where the rest of the team is working. They look exhausted, and I know they’ve given it their all.

“Listen up,” I say, and everyone turns to face me. “We’re not making any progress tonight. Go home, get some rest. We’ll come at this with fresh eyes in the morning.”

There’s a murmur of agreement, and they start gathering their things. I know they need the break as much as I do. We’ve been pushing ourselves to the limit. Alexei is just as important to all of them as to me.

As the room clears out, I head back to my office. I grab my coat and head out, locking up behind me. The night air is cool, starkly contrasting with the tension inside the department. I start walking, letting the movement clear my head.

Chapter 6: The Funeral

EVELYN

I lace up my running shoes and head out into the cool night air. The town of Harmony Grove is quiet, almost too quiet, and the moonlight casts long shadows on the empty streets. Taking a walk is the only way I can clear my head right now, to make sense of the chaos that has taken over my life.

As I start my walk, I think about Alexei. The image of him, locked up and helpless, fuels my anger and determination. I have to find a way to clear his name. I have to.

The rhythm of my feet hitting the pavement is soothing, almost meditative. I push myself harder, trying to outrun my thoughts. But no matter how fast I go, they keep catching up.

After several miles, I slow down and head towards Ana’s place. She’s probably asleep, but I need her help. Alexei needs me to start piecing this puzzle together, and I can’t do it alone.

I reach Ana’s house and knock on the door. It takes a moment, but she finally answers, looking groggy and confused.

“Evelyn? What time is it?” she asks, rubbing her eyes.

“Late,” I say, stepping inside. “But we need to talk. We need to start working this case privately. I don’t think everyone at the sheriff's department can do justice to the case like we can. Their human forms will always be limiting. we can handle this with our powers.”

Ana nods, her expression serious now. “Alright, let’s get to work.”

We set up a board in her living room, I grab a couple of sticky notes and start scribbling important details and sticking them to the board. It feels like we're in a crime drama, but this is all too real. We have a real killer to catch and stop before it gets worse.

“Who could be behind this?” Ana asks, staring at the board.

“Alexei has made a lot of enemies over the years,” I say. “We need to figure out who would benefit the most from framing him.”

We start listing names, people who have had run-ins with Alexei, rivals, and anyone who might have a motive. The list is longer than I’d like, but it’s a start.

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