Page 12 of Hunt me Darling

Their response is almost instant and chillingly straightforward.

Chapter 7

Alex

Ifeelasurgeof conflicting emotions after seeing the photo and reading their twisted messages. Part of me is furious at their audacity, their violation of my privacy, and their attempts to control and manipulate me. But another part of me couldn't deny the strange sense of exhilaration that their actions awakened within me, blurring the lines between fear and desire.

I know I couldn't let their sick games consume me. I have to stay focused on the investigation and not let them succeed in their attempts to unnerve me. But I also couldn't ignore the feelings that they are creating within me. These killers are not just cold-blooded murderers; they are psychopathic manipulators who seem to derive pleasure from tormenting me. And I am starting to enjoy the feelings it gives me.

Putting my phone back down on the table, I rub my hands over my face before pressing them to my weary eyes. Hearing movement behind me I turn to see Derek standing just inside the room with a frown on his face directed at me.

"Morning, Alex," Derek greets me, his voice laced with concern. "Did you get any sleep? You look exhausted."

I offer him a weary smile. "Just a restless night, Derek. You know how it goes with cases like this. It's hard to turn off your mind."

He nods, understanding the pressure of our work. "Well, let's try to make some progress today. I have an appointment this evening so we will make sure you get an early night. You look like you desperately need some sleep.”

I can’t share the full extent of what transpired. The last thing I want is to burden him with the disturbing presence of Agents Decker and Travis, or the way the murderers are now focused on me. Not only that, I know that if I mention the messages or other disturbing things that were interrupting my sleep, the murderers would simply vanish and we would never close the case.

"Thanks," I reply, mustering a smile. "Let's focus on the case for now. We've got a lot of ground to cover, and I want to get ahead of these killers."

Derek nods in agreement, "Absolutely. We'll get to the bottom of this. But don't forget to take care of yourself along the way. We're in this together."

I nod, grateful. We turn our attention back to the murder board, discussing potential leads, connections, and patterns we uncovered so far.

As we set out on our investigation for the day, I make a conscious effort to push aside the unsettling feelings that are stirring within me. I have to compartmentalize the disturbing messages and focus on the task at hand. We needed to gather as much information as possible, reconstructing the victims' movements and interactions prior to their deaths.

Derek and I visit the places where the victims were known to frequent. We speak with their coworkers and retrace their steps, visiting bars, gyms and even the corner store that one victim visited the day she disappeared, trying to piece together a clearer picture of their lives and identify any potential new suspects. Each conversation brings us closer to understanding the victims' relationships, motivations, and potential threats.

As we interview witnesses and collect information, I couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of unease. The murderers are taunting me, watching my every move. It is as if they revel in the knowledge that they invaded my privacy and left me unsettled.

If Derek notices my distraction he doesn’t show it, his presence a grounding force in the midst of the chaos. He maintains his professionalism and never tries to pry into my personal struggles.

It is still early evening when we make our way back to the office. We only made a small dent in the list of people that we wanted to talk to. Stepping out of the elevator we almost collide with a very upset looking Emma.

Emma's face is flushed, and her eyes are filled with distress. She quickly composes herself as she notices Derek and me standing there, but it is evident that something has deeply affected her.

"Emma, are you okay?" I ask, concerned about her well-being.

She hesitates for a moment before responding, "I... I can't talk about it right now. It's personal. Just some family issues. I'll be fine."

Derek looks at her with genuine concern, "If you need to talk or take some time off, we understand. Family comes first."

She manages a faint smile, appreciating our support, but she shakes her head. "No, I need to keep my mind occupied. The case is important, and I want to help stop these monsters."

"We're here for you, Emma," I assure her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to let us know."

She nods gratefully and then takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself. “Thank you, I’m sorry but I need to go, I’ll see you tomorrow.” With those parting words she gets into the open elevator and disappears behind its closing doors.

Derek and I exchange worried looks as we turn to make our way into our office, only to stop again at the sight of Michael engaged in a heated conversation with another man. The stranger, dressed in a CSI uniform, has a strong presence, with sharp features and piercing eyes that seemed to take in every detail of his surroundings. His neatly combed hair and serious expression give him an air of authority.

Michael looks startled when he notices us and almost reluctantly waves us over. "Alex, Derek, this is Mark Thompson," he introduces, gesturing towards the man. "He's our lead Crime Scene Technician and has been assisting us in the case."

Mark extends a hand towards us, and we shake it in turn, his grip firm. "Pleasure to meet you both," he says, his voice deep and commanding. "I specialize in forensic analysis and evidence collection. I have been working closely with Michael and Emma to ensure we gather every piece of crucial information from the crime scenes."

As Mark speaks, his eyes dart between us, assessing our reactions. I couldn't help but feel a level of curiosity about him and the conversation we clearly interrupted.

"Great to have you on board, Mark," Derek acknowledges, his tone respectful. "Your expertise will be great to help us uncover any overlooked details. The killers have been meticulous, and we need to match their level of precision."

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