Page 38 of For Mercy

"Morgan," Derik's voice was gentle."You're no good to anyone if you run yourself into the ground."

She finally looked up, meeting his green eyes.The worry there made her chest ache."I know," she admitted softly."But every time I close my eyes, I see their faces.Hawthorne.Knox.I can't shake the feeling that we're already too late for the next victim."

Derik reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers."We'll find them.We always do."

Morgan allowed herself a moment to draw strength from his touch before pulling away.She stood, stretching muscles stiff from hours of inactivity, and moved to the board where the Worths' photos were pinned.

"What do you make of them?"she asked, studying Carl Worth's face.There was something in his eyes, a hint of barely contained rage that made her skin prickle.

Derik joined her at the board."Grieving family, failed lawsuit.It's a common enough story."

"But not a quiet one," Morgan mused, tapping her finger against Carl's photo."The way they went after Knox...it was personal."

"You think they might be involved?"

Morgan shrugged, frustration bubbling up."I don't know.But right now, they're our best lead."

She turned back to the table, rifling through the files until she found what she was looking for."Here," she said, holding up a document."The transcript from the lawsuit dismissal.The language Carl Worth used...it was volatile."

Derik took the paper, his brow furrowing as he read."Sounds like he had a hard time accepting the judge's decision."

"Wouldn't you?"Morgan asked, her voice low."If someone walked past your dying brother and faced no consequences?"

The question hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken weight.Morgan knew Derik was thinking of his own estranged son, of the bridges burned by his past mistakes.

Morgan's eyes narrowed as she studied the transcript, her mind replaying the courtroom scene.The words seemed to leap off the page, Carl Worth's rage palpable even through the cold, clinical text.

"Linda filed the lawsuit," Morgan murmured, her voice rough with fatigue, "but Carl...he was the one who couldn't contain himself."

Derik leaned in, his shoulder brushing against hers.The familiar warmth of his presence steadied her, even as exhaustion threatened to drag her under."What exactly did he say?"

Morgan's finger traced the line on the page."When the case was dismissed, he shouted at Michelle Knox.His exact words were: 'You'll still pay for what you did.'"

She looked up, meeting Derik's concerned gaze.The weight of those words hung between them, heavy with implication.

"A threat," Morgan said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Derik nodded, his green eyes darkening."Or a promise."

They exchanged a look, years of partnership allowing them to communicate without words.Morgan felt a surge of adrenaline cut through her exhaustion, her mind snapping into focus.

"We need to talk to Carl Worth," she said, already pushing herself to her feet."Now."

Derik didn't argue, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair."I'll drive.You look like you're about to collapse."

Morgan wanted to protest, but the room swam slightly as she stood.She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay upright."I'm fine."

"Sure you are," Derik muttered, but his hand was gentle on her elbow as he steadied her.

As they moved towards the door, Morgan's mind raced.Could Carl Worth be their killer?The timing fit, the motive was there, but something niggled at the back of her mind.It felt too...neat.Too obvious.

"What are you thinking?"Derik asked as they stepped into the elevator.

Morgan leaned against the wall, closing her eyes briefly."I'm thinking we're missing something.Carl's outburst...it's the kind of lead that looks good on paper, but..."

"But your gut's telling you otherwise," Derik finished for her.

She nodded, opening her eyes to find him watching her intently."Yeah.But right now, it's all we've got.And if I'm wrong..."

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