Page 7 of Can You Take It?

As I continue talking to Izel, I’m distracted by her disheveled hair, the bite marks on her neck, and her swollen lips. It’s clear that something happened here that goes beyond just being a witness.

“Where were you when this happened?” I ask with a hint of concern.

Her eyes narrow, and she’s quick to reply, “None of your business, Agent Reynolds.”

“We need to know what you were doing. It might help us.”

She doesn’t say anything after that, and I decide not to push her. Instead, I notice Liam watching us from a distance. Turning to him, I ask, “Liam, is she your girlfriend?”

He hesitates, clearly unsure of how to respond. But before he can say anything, Izel beats him to it, “Again, none of your business.”

I’m starting to sense that there’s more to this story than meets the eye. The torn camisole she’s wearing raises a red flag, and I can’t ignore it any longer.

“Did the killer try to force you or assault you in any way?”

Her response catches me off guard. “No, it was consensual with Liam.”

Liam just lets out a breath. But I can see through the lie. There’s something more going on here, something that Izel isn’t willing to share.

I nod, not calling her out on the lie. It’s clear that she’s trying to protect something or someone. This case has taken a bizarre turn, and Izel’s involvement might be the key to unraveling the truth. I know I need to tread carefully, not just for the sake of the investigation but for her well-being as well.

Emily walks onto the scene and scans the room as she assesses the situation.

“Izel, we’re trying to build a profile of Cassie, to understand who she was. Where was she from? Did she have a boyfriend? Any enemies or people who might want to harm her?” Emily questions.

“You just said it’s the serial killer. Why bother with the details of her enemies?”

I step in to explain our approach. “It’s important for us to consider all angles. While it might be the work of the serial killer, we can’t afford to make assumptions. We need to make sure we’re looking for the right guy, and that means exploring every possibility.”

“Cassie was from a small town, just outside the city. She didn’t have a boyfriend, at least not a serious one. She liked the attention, and she had her share of admirers.”

Emily nods, jotting down notes as she goes. “Did she ever mention having problems with anyone? Anyone who might have a grudge against her?”

“I don’t know. She had a few falling-outs with friends here and there, but nothing serious. It’s not like she had any enemies.”

As Izel shares this information, I’m drawn to every detail of her. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to read her. I can’t tell if she’s genuinely shaken up by the incident, or if she’s just apathetic to the whole situation. This is a first for me—my job is to profile people, but with Izel, I’m left guessing.

Chapter 3

IZEL

I can feel SSA Reynolds’ eyes on me, and it’s infuriating. I never wanted to be a part of this, and now, after coming so close to getting killed, I’m being questioned like I’m some kind of criminal. The more they ask, the worse it gets, and the situation is taking a toll on me.

Liam, however, looks relieved that I didn’t reveal what happened between us. I’m not sure why I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Maybe it’s because I don’t want anyone to think he’s the kind of guy who would do something like that. Or maybe it’s because the reality of what almost happened is still sinking in, and I’m not ready to face it.

All the fed agents are huddled together, talking in hushed voices. I can’t make out what they’re saying. I start to walk in the direction of my front door, desperately needing to get inside and change. It’s not until SSA Reynolds blocks my path that I realize I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

I narrow my eyes at him, ready to fight if I have to. “What’s your problem?”

“This is a crime scene. We can’t let you in.”

I’m not in the mood for bureaucracy or formalities.

“This is my house, and I need to go get changed. In case you haven’t noticed, I am practically topless,” I snap back.

I can see the fury building in his eyes, but at this point, I couldn’t care less. This entire situation is a clusterfuck, and if they expect me to cooperate, they better start treating me with a little more respect.

SSA Reynolds calls out for someone named Noah. In a few seconds, a guy appears with an easy stride. He’s tall and built like a linebacker. His brown skin catches the light as he moves, highlighting the sharp lines of his jaw. Reynolds hands him his car keys, instructing him to get his jacket from the car. Noah doesn’t question it; he simply heads out to do the task.

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