Page 36 of For Blood

Morgan's eyes darted across the evidence board, her gaze feverish as she traced the red string connecting the victims' photos.The faces of the dead stared back at her, their silent pleas echoing in her mind.Suddenly, she froze, her breath catching in her throat.

"Oh my God," she whispered, her fingers trembling as they hovered over the crime scene photos."How did we miss this?"

Derik looked up from his laptop, his brow furrowed."What is it?"

Morgan spun around, her eyes blazing with newfound certainty."It's not about the witnesses, Derik.It's the locations.”She pointed to each photo in turn, her voice gaining urgency."The parking garage, the park, the church lot.He's recreating the original crime scenes.It's not just about who dies, but where they're found."

A cold shiver ran down her spine as the full implications hit her.They'd wasted an entire day watching the wrong places, the wrong people.

"We're in the wrong place," she said suddenly, grabbing her coat.The weight of their mistake pressed down on her, urging her into action.

Derik stood, confusion evident on his tired face."What do you mean?"

Morgan was already heading for the door, her mind racing ahead."He's not hunting the witnesses.He's returning to the scenes.That's where he's leaving them."

She paused at the threshold, turning back to face Derik.His green eyes met hers, filled with a mixture of concern and determination.Despite everything they'd been through, the betrayal and the forgiveness, she knew he'd follow her anywhere.

"Are you coming?"she asked, though she already knew the answer.

Without hesitation, Derik grabbed his jacket and followed her out.As they rushed down the hallway, Morgan's thoughts whirled.She'd been so focused on protecting potential victims that she'd overlooked the killer's true pattern.It was a rookie mistake and one that might have cost lives.

"We need to check all the original crime scenes," she said as they reached the elevator."Starting with the most recent recreations."

Derik nodded, his jaw set with determination."I'll call for backup to meet us there."

As the elevator doors closed, Morgan felt a surge of adrenaline course through her.They might be behind, but they weren't out of the game yet.And this time, she wouldn't let the killer slip away.Not again.Not when they were so close to unraveling the truth that had eluded them for twenty years.

***

The neon sign of "The Rusty Nail" flickered overhead, casting an eerie red and blue glow across the damp pavement.Morgan's eyes darted across the scene, her body tense as she stepped out of the car.The bar where Lucas Hayes had been found two decades ago looked much the same—a dingy facade with peeling paint and windows clouded by years of cigarette smoke.

A small group of late-night drinkers huddled near the entrance, their laughter sharp and jarring in the quiet night air.Morgan's hand instinctively moved towards her holster as she approached, but she forced herself to relax.These were just ordinary people, not the killer they sought.

"Doesn't look like much has changed," Derik muttered beside her, his voice low.

Morgan nodded, her eyes scanning the area."That's what worries me.If the killer's sticking to the original scenes, this place is perfect."

She moved towards the alley beside the bar, where Lucas's body had been discovered twenty years ago.The familiar chill of anticipation crept up her spine, but as she peered into the shadows, she found...nothing.No signs of a struggle, no fresh blood staining the cracked concrete.

"Dammit," she hissed, frustration bubbling up inside her."We're too late.Or too early."

Derik joined her, his flashlight beam cutting through the darkness."Or maybe we were wrong about this place?"

Morgan shook her head, her mind racing."No, it fits the pattern.But something's off."She turned in a slow circle, taking in every detail.The overflowing dumpster, the stack of empty kegs, the faded graffiti on the brick walls.It all looked so ordinary, so unthreatening.

But appearances could be deceiving.Morgan knew that better than anyone.

"What if we're not seeing it?"she mused aloud."What if the killer's not just recreating the scenes, but improving on them?"

Derik raised an eyebrow."Improving how?"

Morgan's gaze drifted upward to the fire escape clinging to the side of the building."By being smarter.More precise."She pointed."Lucas was found down here, but what if our killer decided to take things up a level?Literally?"

***

Morgan's gut twisted with a mixture of dread and certainty as she gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white against the leather.The headlights cut through the night, illuminating the empty streets as they sped towards their next destination.She could feel Derik's eyes on her, concern etched across his face.

As they pulled into the church parking lot, Morgan's heart rate spiked.The place where Sadie Winters was found all those years ago loomed before them, shrouded in shadows.She killed the engine, and for a moment, the only sound was their ragged breathing.There shouldn’t have been anyone here at night—night Morgan squinted her eyes and made out what appeared to be a man standing.

---