Page 27 of For Blood

She closed her eyes, trying to organize her thoughts."Keller was linked to Sadie's murder, whether directly or through Sarah's accusations.But if he truly was the killer..."Her voice trailed off as the implications hit her.

Derik finished her thought."Then who the hell is copying his crimes now?"

Morgan nodded, her eyes snapping open."And if Keller was innocent, could the original killer still be out there?"

The questions hung in the air, heavy and unanswered.Morgan's fingers drummed against the steering wheel, a nervous habit she'd never quite shaken."We're missing something," she muttered, more to herself than to Derik.

"What's our next move?"Derik asked, stifling a yawn.

Morgan's jaw set with determination."We need to speak with Vanessa Shaw.She's the final witness who was at the scene the night Sadie was killed."She paused, remembering Sarah's bitter words."Sarah claimed Vanessa had seen the killer but lied about it."

Derik raised an eyebrow."You think she'll talk to us at this hour?"

"She'll have to," Morgan replied, her voice hard with resolve."These witnesses are being targeted.We can't afford to wait."

As she reached for her phone, Morgan couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time.The killer was out there, methodically eliminating witnesses.And with each death, the truth slipped further away.

The phone rang, its shrill tone piercing the stillness of the car.Morgan's heart raced, each unanswered ring amplifying her anxiety.Finally, a groggy voice answered.

"Hello?"Vanessa Shaw's voice was thick with sleep.

"Ms.Shaw?This is Agent Morgan Stark with the FBI.I apologize for the late hour, but this is urgent."

There was a rustling sound, then Vanessa's voice came through clearer."FBI?What's going on?"

Morgan took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully."Ms.Shaw, I need you to listen carefully.Witnesses connected to the Sadie Winters case from twenty years ago are being targeted.You may be in danger."

A sharp intake of breath came through the line."What?I...I don't understand."

"I know it's a lot to take in," Morgan said, her voice softening."But I need you to stay calm and follow my instructions.Don't go anywhere alone, and if you see anything suspicious, call 911 immediately."

"Oh God," Vanessa whispered."Is this...is this about what happened that night?"

Morgan's grip tightened on the phone.This was her opening."Actually, yes.I need to ask you about that night, Vanessa.It's crucial."

There was a long pause.Morgan could almost feel Vanessa's hesitation through the phone.Finally, the woman spoke, her voice barely above a whisper."I...I saw him.The killer."

Morgan's eyes met Derik's in the dim light of the car.She put the call on speaker."Can you describe what you saw?"

"It was dark," Vanessa began, her voice trembling."But I remember...a man.Tall.He was standing over her, and there was so much blood..."

Morgan's heart pounded.This was it."Vanessa, I need to ask you something very important.Was the man you saw Andrew Keller?"

The silence that followed seemed to stretch for an eternity.Morgan could hear Vanessa's ragged breathing, could almost picture the woman wrestling with her memories and her conscience.

"I...I don't..."Vanessa's voice faltered."I don't think it was him."

Morgan's brow furrowed.The hesitation in Vanessa's voice was palpable."You don't think?Or you're sure it wasn't?"

Another pause."I...I'm not sure," Vanessa finally admitted, her voice barely audible."It was so dark, and I was so scared.I just...I don't think it was him.But I can't be certain."

“Sarah Winters is certain,” Morgan countered.

"Yes, truthfully, it ended our friendship.I couldn't agree with what I didn't know I saw, and Sarah has resented me ever since."

Morgan's mind raced, processing this new information."Vanessa, I need you to think carefully.Is there anything else you remember about that night?Any detail, no matter how small, could be crucial."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line.When Vanessa spoke again, her voice was strained."There...there was something.I never told anyone because I thought I must have imagined it."

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