Page 29 of For Mercy

Morgan nodded, her mind racing."But why a hospital?What's the connection?"

She approached the bed, careful not to disturb anything.The stark walls and sterile shadows made her skin crawl.This level of detail, of premeditation, spoke of a mind both brilliant and deeply disturbed.

Morgan's eyes locked onto the limp form crumpled near the exit.The victim's skin was unnaturally pale, almost translucent in the harsh artificial light.No visible blood, yet death was unmistakable in the unnatural stillness of the body.

Officer Ramirez approached, his face grim."Agent Cross, we've identified the victim as Michelle Knox, thirty-four years old."

Morgan nodded, her throat tight."What else can you tell me?"

Ramirez flipped open his notepad."Knox was an investment banker.No criminal record, lived alone.Neighbors described her as quiet, kept to herself."

As Morgan surveyed the scene, a chill ran down her spine.The elaborately staged hospital room, the body positioned near freedom - it was hauntingly familiar.

"It's another performance," she murmured, more to herself than to Ramirez.

Derik stepped closer, his brow furrowed."Just like with Hawthorne.But why a hospital this time?"

Morgan shook her head, frustration building."I don't know.But look at the exit, Derik.Knox could have escaped, just like Hawthorne.But she didn't.Why?"

Ramirez cleared his throat."There's more, Agent.A passerby reported hearing frantic screaming from inside about an hour ago.By the time first responders arrived..."

Morgan tried to piece together the gruesome puzzle."So Knox was alive, panicking even, but didn't leave.What the hell happened in here?"

She knelt beside the body, careful not to contaminate the scene.Knox's face was frozen in an expression of terror, her eyes wide and staring.Morgan fought back a wave of nausea.

"This killer is escalating," she said, her voice low and tense."The staging, the theme - it's all more elaborate.But the core is the same.He's giving his victims a chance to escape, but they can't.Or won't.We need to figure out why."

Morgan's gaze swept the surreal hospital setup, her mind struggling to process the grotesque tableau.The metallic scent of fear hung heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid odor of cheap disinfectant.She forced herself to focus on the details, cataloging each piece of evidence.

"The door was unlocked," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the hum of police activity."Just like with Hawthorne.An escape route deliberately left open."

Derik stepped closer, his face grim."But she didn't take it.Why?"

Morgan shook her head, frustration etching lines across her forehead."That's the million-dollar question.According to the first responders, Knox was in a complete frenzy when they got here.Tearing the place apart, screaming..."

She trailed off, her eyes drawn to the overturned medical equipment, the scattered props.The scene told a story of desperation, of blind panic.Morgan could almost feel the terror that must have gripped Knox in her final moments.

"And then she just...collapsed," Morgan continued, her voice tight."Died right here on the floor.But from what?There's no visible wound, no sign of physical trauma."

Derik ran a hand through his hair, his usual calm demeanor cracking under the weight of the scene."Poison, maybe?Or some kind of drug?"

"Maybe," Morgan agreed, but her instincts were screaming that there was more to it."We won't know for sure until we get the tox screen back.But whatever it was, it was fast-acting and devastating."

She turned away from the body, her eyes landing on the exit.The path to freedom that Knox had inexplicably ignored."What was going through her mind?"Morgan wondered aloud."What could possibly keep someone from escaping when the door was right there?"

The questions swirled in her mind, each one leading to another, none with satisfactory answers.Morgan took a deep breath, steeling herself.There was work to be done, and standing here speculating wouldn't get them any closer to catching this killer.

"Let's talk to the witness," she said to Derik, her voice regaining its professional edge."Maybe he can shed some light on what happened here."

As they stepped outside, the pre-dawn chill hit Morgan like a physical force.Her eyes immediately found Gary, the man who had discovered Knox.He was leaning against a squad car, his body language screaming distress.

Morgan approached slowly, careful not to startle him.She'd dealt with traumatized witnesses before, knew how fragile their state of mind could be.Gary's hands were visibly shaking, his face ashen in the harsh glare of the police lights.

"Mr.Gary?"she said softly, keeping her tone gentle."I'm Special Agent Cross.I know you've been through a lot tonight, but I was hoping we could talk for a moment."

Gary's eyes met hers, wide and haunted.Morgan felt a pang of sympathy.This man had walked into a nightmare, one that would likely stay with him for a long time to come.

"I...I tried to help her," Gary stammered, his voice barely above a whisper."But she was just...screaming.Tearing everything apart.I've never seen anyone so terrified."

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