Page 43 of For Wrath

"Slow down,Morgan," he urged, concern etched in his features. "I know you'reangry, but we can't help Harriet if we don't make it there in one piece."

"Angry?"she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "Damn right, I'm angry! This ishappening because we couldn't protect her!" Her thoughts drifted back tothe countless victims she couldn't save – each face a reminder of her failures.She wouldn't let Harriet join their ranks.

"Look, I getit," Derik said, trying to keep his voice steady. "But we can't affordto lose our heads now. We need to be smart, focused. We'll find her, Morgan.Together."

"Like wefound all the others?" she shot back, her eyes narrowing in fury."We're always one step behind, Derik. Always reacting, never preventing.And now another innocent woman is in the hands of that monster because weweren't good enough."

"Enough!"Derik shouted, startling her with the intensity in his voice. "We aredoing everything we can, Morgan. Don't let your anger blind you to the factthat we're still the best chance Harriet has."

Her jaw clenched,Morgan stared straight ahead, focusing on the road as they sped closer to theprecinct. He was right, of course – they were Harriet's only hope. But thatthought brought her little comfort as the weight of their responsibilitysettled firmly on her shoulders.

"Promise mesomething," she said quietly, her voice barely audible above the roar ofthe engine. "Promise me we'll find her. Promise she won't die because ofour incompetence."

Derik hesitatedfor a moment, then met her gaze with unwavering determination. "Ipromise," he said firmly. "We'll find her, Morgan. And we'll makethat bastard pay for what he's done."

As they racedthrough the bustling streets of Dallas, Morgan held onto that promise – and thehope that this time, they wouldn't be too late.

Morgan slammedthe brakes, coming to a screeching halt outside the precinct. Her heart poundedin her chest as she yanked the keys from the ignition and threw open the door,Derik scrambling to keep up with her furious pace. The two agents stormed intothe building, their entrance cutting through the low murmur of voices like athunderclap.

"Where ishe?" Morgan demanded, scanning the room for Mark. She spotted him at oneof the desks, his face buried in his hands as he sobbed uncontrollably. A waveof guilt washed over her, but it only fueled her anger further.

"Mark!"she called out, striding toward him. "What happened?”

"His wife,Harriet," Derik interjected quietly. "She's been taken."

"I trustedyou!" Mark wailed, looking up at them with red-rimmed eyes. "You weresupposed to protect my family! You said you'd catch him, and now...now Harrietwill suffer and die because of your incompetence!"

Morgan's jawtightened, swallowing the bile that rose in her throat. She knew they hadfailed, but hearing it from the victim's husband made it all the moreunbearable. Before she could respond, Mark's phone rang, its shrill toneslicing through the tense atmosphere. He glanced down at the screen, his facedraining of color.

"It's...it'sJohn," he stammered, holding the phone out to Morgan as though it burnedhis hand. She snatched it from him without hesitation, answering the call witha clenched fist.

"John, youson of a bitch," she spat, her voice cold and hard as steel. But even asshe spoke, her mind raced with thoughts and strategies, calculating how best touse this opportunity to save Harriet and bring the killer to justice.

"AgentCross, right?" came the chillingly calm reply, a slight chuckle underlyinghis words. "So nice to finally speak with you."

"Where isshe?" Morgan demanded, her grip on the phone tightening as she fought tokeep her emotions in check. "If you hurt her, I swear I will—"

"Ah-ah,"John interrupted, his tone mocking and cruel. "Let's not get ahead ofourselves, shall we? I believe it's time for us to meet face-to-face, don'tyou?"

Morgan's eyesnarrowed, her instincts screaming that this was a trap. But what choice did shehave? If there was even the slightest chance that meeting with him could save Harriet'slife, she had to take it.

"Put Mark onthe phone," John demanded, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.

"Not achance," Morgan shot back, her voice equally icy.

"Well, Isuppose it doesn't matter who I'm speaking with as long as my message getsthrough."

"Whichis?" Morgan asked impatiently, her eyes darting from Derik to Mark, bothof whom stood nearby, their faces etched with concern and fear.

"Meet mesomewhere," John said, his voice taking on a more sinister tone. "Iwant to show you my work, Agent Cross. Perhaps you'll even learn to appreciateit."

Morgan's stomachchurned at the thought, but she knew she had no choice. She needed to playalong if she wanted any hope of saving Harriet. "Fine. As long as youdon't harm your hostage, I'll come alone."

"Excellent,"John replied, sounding almost pleased. "But remember – come alone, or theconsequences will be…unpleasant."

The line wentdead, and Morgan stared at the screen for a moment before lowering the phone.Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of adrenaline and dread coursing throughher veins. She exchanged a glance with Derik, who seemed to understand herunspoken agreement to John's terms.

"I have togo alone," Morgan said.

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