Page 31 of For Blood

Derik appeared in the doorway, his lean frame silhouetted against the dim light."If he wasn't the killer, why did Sarah Winters seem so convinced it was him?"

Morgan's hand paused mid-pour."Good question.Maybe she saw something that night that made her believe it was him, even if it wasn't."

Morgan leaned against the counter, her tattooed arms crossed over her chest.The weight of yesterday's discoveries pressed down on her, mingling with the ever-present burden of her own past.

"So we could be dealing with someone who's trying to finish what they started twenty years ago,” she said.

"Or someone who's trying to expose the truth," Derik added softly.

Morgan's eyes narrowed."Either way, we need to dig deeper into Keller's life.Find out who might have had a reason to frame him—or who might have been close enough to know the details of these crimes."

As she spoke, Skunk padded over to his bowl, his nails clicking against the linoleum.The normalcy of the sound struck a discordant note with the gravity of their conversation.

"Morgan," Derik said, his voice gentle but probing, "I know you've been dealing with a lot lately.With Thomas, and the letter from your father..."

She tensed, feeling the familiar urge to deflect, to keep her walls up.But as she looked at Derik, at the concern etched in his features, she felt a flicker of something else.Trust.Hope, maybe.

"I'm fine," she said automatically, then sighed."No, that's not true.I'm not fine.But I can't let that distract me from this case.These victims, these families—they deserve answers."

Derik stepped closer, his hand reaching out to rest on her arm."We'll find those answers.Together."

Morgan leaned against the kitchen counter, her fingers wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee.The bitter aroma filled her nostrils, a stark contrast to the heaviness that seemed to permeate the air.She took a long sip, willing the caffeine to chase away the fog of exhaustion that clung to her mind.

With a deep breath, she pulled out her phone and dialed the number of the officer stationed outside Sarah Winters' house.The line rang twice before a crisp voice answered.

"Officer Chen here."

"Chen, it's Agent Cross.Any updates on Sarah Winters?"

There was a brief pause before Chen replied, "Yes, ma'am.Ms.Winters decided to leave town for a few days.Said she needed some space after your visit last night."

Morgan felt a wave of relief wash over her."Good," she murmured, more to herself than to Chen."That's good.We have no reason to think the killer would follow her out of town."

As she ended the call, her mind raced.Sarah's decision to leave was smart—if the killer was indeed targeting witnesses, distance was her best defense.But it also meant one less potential source of information.

Turning to Derik, who was leaning against the opposite counter, she saw her own weariness mirrored in his green eyes."We need to dig deeper into Keller," she said, her voice low and determined."Maybe if we can find out more about his life, we can figure out who might want to copy him."

Derik nodded, his brow furrowing in concentration."Makes sense.If Keller was the original killer, someone who knew him might be carrying on his work.And if he wasn't..."

"Then maybe this copycat is trying to reveal the real killer's identity," Morgan finished, her mind already racing with possibilities.

She set her mug down with a soft thud, her tattoo-covered arms tensing as she gripped the edge of the counter.The weight of the case pressed down on her, mingling with the ever-present burden of her own past—the years lost in prison, the betrayal that put her there, the recent loss of Thomas.

"Either way," she continued, her voice tight with determination, "the key to our current killer could be buried in Keller's past.We need to start there."

Derik moved closer, his presence a comforting warmth at her side."I'll make some calls, see if we can get access to any personal records or interviews from back then."

Morgan nodded, grateful for his support, even as a part of her wanted to push him away, to protect him from the darkness that seemed to follow her.But she couldn't deny the strength she drew from their partnership, both professional and personal.

"We should also keep an eye on Gregory Phillips," she added, remembering the man's stubborn refusal of protection."He might have turned down our offer, but that doesn't mean the killer isn't watching him."

As they began to plan their next moves, Morgan felt a familiar mix of dread and determination settle in her gut.This case was stirring up ghosts—not just for the victims and witnesses, but for her as well.Each step forward seemed to unearth another piece of a past she'd rather forget.

But she couldn't stop.Not now.Not when lives were at stake and justice hung in the balance.Whatever connections lay hidden in Andrew Keller's past, she was determined to uncover them, no matter where they might lead.

***

The faded brick of Graceway Baptist Church loomed before Morgan, its stained-glass windows glinting in the morning light like watchful eyes.She felt Derik's presence beside her as they approached the entrance, the weight of their shared purpose hanging heavy in the air.

---