Page 44 of For Blood

"Whitaker's out there," she said as they reached the main doors."And he's not going to wait for us to find him."

Derik's hand brushed against hers, a fleeting touch of reassurance."We've got this, Morgan.We'll bring him in."

She met his gaze, seeing the unwavering support there.It both comforted and unsettled her.How many times had she shut him out of her plans, her vendetta against those who framed her?And yet, here he was, steady as ever.

"I know," she replied, her voice softer than she intended."I just...I can't shake this feeling that we're missing something."

As they stepped out into the morning light, the city sprawled before them, oblivious to the danger in its midst.People hurried along the sidewalks, clutching coffee cups and briefcases, their faces set in the usual morning scowls.

"They have no idea," Morgan muttered, her eyes scanning the crowd."No idea that a killer is walking among them."

A team of local officers fell in behind them, their radios crackling with updates.Morgan's mind raced, possibilities and scenarios flashing through her thoughts.Where would Whitaker go?What was his endgame?

As they climbed into their vehicle, Derik's hand on the wheel, Morgan felt a surge of determination."This ends today," she said, her voice hard with resolve."One way or another, we're bringing Whitaker in."

The engine roared to life, and they pulled away from the curb, merging into the flow of traffic.Morgan's eyes never stopped moving, searching every face, every shadow.Somewhere out there, Whitaker was waiting.And she'd be damned if she let him slip away again.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Gregory Phillips' knuckles whitened as he gripped his biceps, the stale air of the holding cell pressing against him like a physical weight.The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting harsh shadows across the cramped space.He glared at the metal bars, jaw clenched so tight it ached.

Damn that FBI agent.What was her name?Morgan something.She'd convinced him he'd be safer here, locked up like some common criminal.As if these flimsy bars could stop a determined killer.

His gaze flicked to the woman across from him.Sarah Winters hadn't moved in what felt like hours, her eyes fixed on him with an unnerving intensity.The silence stretched between them, taut as a wire.

Gregory shifted on the hard bench, his back protesting."You planning on staring at me all night?"he snapped, immediately regretting the outburst.

Sarah's expression didn't change."Just trying to figure you out," she said, her voice low and steady.

He scoffed, looking away."There's nothing to figure out.I'm just some schmuck who was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Twenty years ago, maybe," Sarah replied."But now?Now you're choosing to be here."

Gregory's stomach clenched.He thought of Whitaker out there somewhere, maybe watching this very precinct.Waiting.Planning his next move.

"Better in here than out there," he muttered, more to himself than to Sarah.

She leaned forward slightly."Is it?You really think you're safe?"

The hairs on the back of Gregory's neck stood up.He met Sarah's gaze, trying to read the emotion behind those piercing eyes.Was it a concern?Or something else?

"Safer than I'd be alone in my house," he said carefully.

Sarah's lips quirked in what might have been a smile."You're not wrong.But Gregory, you're missing the point.It's not about where you are.It's about what you know."

Gregory's heart rate picked up.He had the sudden, irrational urge to call for the guard.To get as far away from this woman as possible.

Instead, he forced a brittle laugh."I don't know anything.That's what I've been trying to tell everyone for twenty years."

Sarah just watched him, silent and still.Gregory found himself fidgeting under her gaze, his palms growing damp.

What did she want from him?What did she think he knew?

The precinct beyond their cell hummed with distant activity.Phones ringing, muffled voices.All of it felt a world away from this claustrophobic space where the air seemed to grow thicker by the minute.

Gregory closed his eyes, trying to calm his racing thoughts.He'd made the right choice coming here.He had to believe that.Because the alternative—that he'd walked right into a trap—was too terrifying to contemplate.

Sarah's voice cut through the silence like a knife."Who did you see?"

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