Page 25 of For Blood

The weight of Sarah's words hung heavy in the air.Morgan felt a surge of determination mixed with a deep sadness for the suffering this woman had endured.

"Sarah," Morgan said, her voice firm but compassionate, "I promise you, we're going to look into everything.We won't let this go, not this time."

Sarah's bitter laugh cut through the tense silence."Oh, but that's not even the whole story," she said, her eyes glinting with a mix of anger and pain."My dear friend Vanessa Shaw was there that night too.She saw everything, just like I did."

Morgan leaned forward, her interest piqued."Vanessa Shaw?"she repeated, committing the name to memory.

Sarah nodded, her lips curling into a sneer."My best friend since childhood.We were inseparable, until that night."She paused, her fingers twisting the hem of her worn cardigan."When the police questioned her, she gave them nothing.A vague, useless statement that might as well have been blank."

Morgan watched as Sarah's face contorted with a fresh wave of anger."She lied," Sarah spat."She lied to protect herself, to stay out of it.While I was fighting for justice for Sadie, she was covering her own ass."

The bitterness in Sarah's voice was palpable, and Morgan could almost taste it in the air.She glanced at Derik, who was scribbling notes furiously.

"Have you spoken to Vanessa since then?"Morgan asked gently.

Sarah shook her head, a humorless smile playing on her lips."Not a word in years.Some best friend, huh?"She turned away, staring out the window at the overgrown yard."She couldn't handle the guilt, I guess.Packed up and moved away about two years after it happened."

Morgan's instincts flared.This could be their next lead."Do you know where she went?"

Sarah hesitated, and Morgan could see the internal struggle playing out on her face.Finally, she sighed."Yeah, I know.She's about two hours from here, in a little town called Millbrook."

Morgan's eyebrows rose in surprise."You've kept tabs on her?"

"Call it morbid curiosity," Sarah shrugged, but her eyes betrayed a deeper emotion."Or maybe I just wanted to make sure she never forgot what she did."

As Sarah spoke, Morgan made a mental note.Vanessa Shaw in Millbrook.Their next stop.She felt a surge of anticipation, mixed with a touch of dread.What would they find when they tracked down this elusive witness?And more importantly, would she still be alive when they got there?

Morgan took a deep breath, her gaze fixed on Sarah's haggard face.The weight of two decades of grief and anger hung heavy in the air between them.

"Sarah," Morgan began, her voice gentle but firm, "I strongly recommend we set up police protection outside your house.Given what's happening, you could be at risk."

Sarah's bitter laugh cut through the room like a knife."Police protection?Now?"She shook her head, arms crossed tightly over her chest."Where was this concern twenty years ago when my sister needed it?"

Morgan felt a pang of empathy, recognizing the pain behind Sarah's words.She took a step closer, careful not to invade the woman's space."I understand your frustration, but this is different.We have reason to believe the killer is targeting witnesses from the old cases."

Sarah's eyes flashed with a mix of fear and defiance."And you think a couple of cops parked outside can stop him?If he wants me dead, he'll find a way."

Morgan's mind raced, searching for the right words to convince her.She could feel Derik's presence beside her, silently backing her up."It's not perfect, but it's better than nothing.We can't change the past, Sarah, but we can try to protect you now."

Sarah's shoulders sagged slightly, the fight seeming to drain out of her.She turned away, staring at a faded photograph of Sadie on the mantle."No one protected her," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion."She was just a kid, and no one kept her safe."

Morgan's heart clenched.She wanted to reach out, to offer some comfort, but she knew it wasn't her place.Instead, she said softly, "Let us try to do better this time.Please."

After a long moment, Sarah nodded, her movements stiff and reluctant."Fine," she muttered."But don't expect me to feel grateful."

As Morgan moved to make the call, she caught sight of Sarah's trembling hands.Despite her bravado, the woman was terrified.And Morgan couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The glow of their tablets cast eerie shadows across Morgan and Derik's faces as they hunched over the devices, the car's interior bathed in a ghostly blue light.The clock on the dashboard blinked 2:37 AM, but neither detective showed any signs of calling it quits.Morgan's eyes burned from staring at the screen, but she forced herself to focus on the records of Andrew Keller.

"Anything?"Derik mumbled, his voice rough with fatigue.

Morgan's fingers flew across the tablet, scrolling through page after page of information.Suddenly, she froze, her breath catching in her throat."Derik," she said softly, "I found something."

He looked up, alert despite the late hour."What is it?"

Morgan's voice was tight as she replied, "Keller's dead.Car accident five years ago."

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