Page 36 of For Mercy

"We believe your sister's death may be connected to a current investigation," she said, watching Darren's reaction closely."We're hoping you might be able to provide some insight."

Darren's gaze darted between Morgan and Derik, his brow furrowing.She could almost see the wheels turning in his mind, weighing the risk of letting them in against the possibility of finally understanding why his sister was gone.

Finally, he stepped back, opening the door wider."Come in," he said, his voice barely above a whisper."But I don't know what I can tell you that I haven't already told the police."

As Morgan followed Darren into the house, she caught Derik's eye.There was a silent question there, a plea for inclusion.She gave him a small nod, a promise to fill him in later.For now, they had a grieving brother to interview and a case to crack.

Morgan stepped into the living room, her trained eyes immediately scanning the space.The house was immaculate, each surface polished to a shine, but there was an underlying emptiness that spoke volumes.It was as if grief itself had taken up residence, lurking in the corners and casting long shadows across the pristine floors.

Her gaze settled on a shelf by the fireplace, and her breath caught in her throat.There, nestled among various knick-knacks, was a framed photograph of Sarah Reeves.The young woman's smile was radiant, her eyes sparkling with a vitality that seemed to leap out of the frame.Morgan felt a pang in her chest, recognizing the contrast between the vibrant woman in the photo and the tragic end she had met.

"Your sister," Morgan said softly, nodding toward the picture."She was beautiful."

Darren followed her gaze, his shoulders sagging as if the weight of his loss had suddenly become tangible."She was," he replied, his voice thick with emotion."That was taken about a year before...before it happened.She'd just gotten the clerkship with Judge Hawthorne.She was so excited, so full of hope."

Hawthorne.The same judge they'd found murdered in that bizarre mock courtroom.She glanced at Derik, seeing the same realization dawning in his eyes.

"Mr.Reeves," Morgan began, choosing her words carefully, "I know this is difficult, but could you tell us more about Sarah's time working for Judge Hawthorne?Did she ever mention any...unusual occurrences or concerns?"

As Darren sank into an armchair, Morgan perched on the edge of the sofa, leaning forward intently.

"I'm listening," she said gently, her tattooed hands clasped tightly in her lap."Whatever you can tell us, no matter how small it might seem, could be crucial."

Darren's hands trembled as he rubbed them together, his gaze fixed on the carpet.Morgan watched him intently, noting the way grief seemed to have etched itself into the lines of his face.

"Sarah," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "she loved that job at first.God, she was so excited."A ghost of a smile flickered across his lips."She'd always been ambitious, you know?Worked her ass off in law school, determined to make something of herself."

Morgan nodded, encouraging him to continue.She could relate to that drive, that burning desire to prove oneself.It was what had kept her going through the darkest days of her wrongful imprisonment.

Darren's expression darkened."But over time, something changed.The light in her eyes started to dim.She'd come home later and later, always looking...haunted."

Morgan leaned forward, her heart rate quickening."What do you think caused that change, Mr.Reeves?"

Darren's jaw clenched."Hawthorne," he spat the name like it left a bad taste in his mouth."The man was brilliant, no doubt about that.A legal mind like no other.But he was cold.Ruthless."

Morgan exchanged a glance with Derik, who had been silently observing from his position near the fireplace.She could see the wheels turning in his mind, matching this description to what they knew of the murdered judge.

"How so?"Morgan prompted gently.

Darren's hands balled into fists."He demanded perfection.Absolute, unwavering perfection.And Sarah...well, she was good.Too good, maybe.Once Hawthorne saw how capable she was, how efficiently she could handle his cases, he zeroed in on her."

Morgan felt a chill run down her spine.She'd seen that type before - the kind of person who recognized talent and exploited it mercilessly."Did Sarah ever consider quitting?"she asked, already suspecting the answer.

Darren shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping him."She should have.God, I begged her to.But Sarah...she was stubborn.Determined.She thought if she could just tough it out, prove herself..."

As Darren's voice trailed off, Morgan found herself lost in thought.She couldn't help but draw parallels between Sarah's situation and her own past.The pressure to prove oneself, the relentless pursuit of justice - it was a path that could easily lead to self-destruction if one wasn't careful.

"Mr.Reeves," Morgan said softly, "I know this is difficult, but anything else you can tell us about Judge Hawthorne and his relationship with Sarah could be crucial to our investigation."

Darren's eyes clouded with a mixture of anger and sorrow as he continued, his voice strained."Sarah...she was drowning.Every night, she'd come home looking like she'd aged ten years.Dark circles under her eyes, hands shaking from too much coffee and not enough sleep."

Morgan leaned forward, her tattooed arms resting on her knees.She could almost see Sarah, a shadow of herself, stumbling through the door night after night.

"I begged her to quit," Darren said, his voice cracking."Told her it wasn't worth destroying herself over.But she wouldn't listen.Said she had her eye on a promotion, that it was her ticket out."

"And Hawthorne denied it," Morgan finished, her jaw clenching.

Darren nodded, his hands balling into fists."Not because she wasn't qualified.Hell, she was probably the most qualified person in that entire courthouse.No, he denied it because he didn't want to lose his grip on her.She was his perfect little workhorse, and God forbid she ever escape his control."

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