Page 32 of For Mercy

Morgan's eyes widened in disbelief."What?"

"A small, tightly sealed vial containing the exact compound needed to counteract the poison," Dr.Emerson confirmed."It was in her pocket the entire time."

Morgan stared at the vial, her mind reeling with the implications.The killer hadn't just murdered Michelle Knox.He had turned her death into a twisted game, a test she was doomed to fail.

"He gave her a chance," Morgan murmured, her voice thick with horror and anger."He poisoned her, but left the cure right there with her.Why?What kind of sick bastard are we dealing with?"

Derik shook his head, his face ashen."This isn't just murder.This is...psychological torture."

Morgan's fists clenched at her sides.The pieces were starting to fit together, forming a picture that chilled her to her core.This wasn't a simple killing.This was something far more calculated, far more sinister.

She turned to Derik, her eyes blazing with determination."We need to dig deeper.There has to be a connection between Knox and Hawthorne.This killer, he's playing games.And I've got a feeling he's far from finished."

Morgan's gaze remained fixed on the small vial, her mind struggling to process the cruel irony of its presence.She could almost see Michelle Knox in her final moments, frantic and desperate, tearing apart the staged hospital room in search of salvation.The image made her stomach churn.

"She never even thought to check herself," Morgan said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.She looked up at Dr.Emerson, her eyes searching for confirmation."The room was in disarray when we found her.She was looking for this, wasn't she?"

The coroner nodded grimly."Based on the evidence, it appears Ms.Knox spent her final moments in a frenzied search.The toxicology report suggests she had about thirty minutes between ingestion and...the end."

Derik ran a hand through his hair, his face a mask of frustration."Thirty minutes of terror, knowing you're dying, and the cure is right there in your pocket.It's beyond cruel."

Morgan's jaw clenched.She could feel the anger building inside her, a slow burn that threatened to consume her."He wanted her to suffer," she said, her voice tight with controlled fury."This wasn't just about killing her.It was about watching her struggle, fail, and die."

She turned away from the examination table, pacing the small room."What kind of person does this?What's the point?"

Derik leaned against the wall, his arms crossed."Maybe it's about power?Control?Proving something?"

Morgan stopped, her eyes narrowing as a thought struck her."Or testing something," she murmured.She spun back to face her partner and the coroner."Think about it.Both victims were given a chance, however slim.It's like...like he's running some sort of sick experiment."

Dr.Emerson cleared his throat."Agent Cross, if I may...This level of planning, of psychological manipulation...You're not dealing with an ordinary killer here."

Morgan nodded, her expression grim."No, we're not.And that's what scares me the most."She took a deep breath, steeling herself."Because if this is some kind of test or experiment, then we can be damn sure he's not done yet."

Morgan's mind churned, piecing together the gruesome puzzle before them.She began to pace, her steps echoing in the quiet room."Think about it," she said, gesturing with her hands as she spoke."Judge Hawthorne, trapped in that makeshift courtroom.Michelle Knox, surrounded by fake hospital equipment.Both victims placed in staged settings, both given a way out."

"But neither made it," Derik added, his voice grim.

Morgan stopped pacing, turning to face her partner."Exactly.Hawthorne's exit wasn't locked.If he'd been just a few seconds faster, he could have walked out alive."She paused, swallowing hard as she remembered the judge's body, so close to freedom."And Michelle...her cure was in her own pocket.But in her panic, she never thought to check."

"Jesus," Derik muttered, running a hand through his hair."What kind of monster does this?"

Morgan's eyes narrowed, her mind racing."The kind that's not just killing for the sake of killing.He's testing them, Derik.But testing what?"

She resumed her pacing, her thoughts tumbling over each other."Is it about their will to live?Their problem-solving skills under pressure?Or is it something else entirely?"

Derik pushed off from the wall he'd been leaning against."Whatever it is, we need to figure it out fast.Because you're right, Morgan.This isn't just murder.It's a game.And I've got a feeling we've only seen the opening moves."

Morgan took a slow, deliberate breath, her eyes scanning the sterile room as if the answers might materialize on the cold, tiled walls.The weight of responsibility pressed down on her shoulders, but she forced herself to focus, to think.

"This killer," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "he's not just a murderer.He's fashioning himself as some sort of...twisted game master."She turned to Derik, her gaze intense."He's creating trials, Derik.Forcing his victims to play by his rules, and when they fail..."She trailed off, the implications hanging heavy in the air.

Derik nodded grimly."But why these two?What's the connection between a federal judge and an investment analyst?"

Morgan's brow furrowed as she considered the question."That's what we need to figure out.On the surface, they seem worlds apart.Different circles, different lives."She began to pace, her mind racing."But there has to be a link.Something that ties them together in the killer's mind."

"Could be professional," Derik offered."Maybe Knox was involved in a case Hawthorne presided over?"

"Possible," Morgan mused, "but my gut tells me it's more than that.This feels...personal somehow."

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