Page 32 of A Love Bite
He hesitates and then nods.
“Please, anything else?” I beg.
The detective looks away. “The name Amelia Jackson came up in our investigation. You might want to talk to her.”
“Amelia Jackson,” I repeat, committing the name to memory. “Do you have any idea where I can find her?”
He shakes his hands and lifts his hands. “I’ve told you more than I should’ve already. Be careful, Alex. This isn’t a game.”
“I know it’s not,” I say. “Thank you, Detective.”
I leave the station and immediately start to do some investigative work on my phone. Amelia might have information that could help us understand what’s happening, and it doesn’t take me long to find an address. Hopefully, I’ll find her there and get some answers.
The address is for a small apartment complex on the outskirts of the southside. The area is a bit rundown. Maybe Amelia wouldn’t have wanted to stick around after what happened.
I ask a few people if they know her, but most just shake their heads or look away.
Finally, an older woman in the hallway points me in the right direction. “Amelia lives in 3B. She’s a good girl, but she’s been through a lot lately.”
“Thank you,” I say, heading up the stairs to the third floor. I knock on the door of apartment 3B, hoping she’s home.
After a moment, the door opens a crack, and a woman with wary eyes peers out. “Yes?”
“Hi, Amelia?” I ask, giving her a friendly smile. “My name is Alex. I’m a journalist, and I’m investigating the recent attacks. Detective Johnson mentioned you might have some information.”
Her eyes narrow slightly, but she opens the door a bit wider. “Come in, but make it quick.”
I step inside, and she closes the door behind me. The apartment is small but tidy, and I can see she’s been trying to make it feel like home despite everything.
“Look,” she says, crossing her arms, “I don’t know what you think I can tell you, but those guys… they’re dangerous.”
“I believe you,” I say, trying to put her at ease. “But anything you can tell me might help. My friend Opal was attacked, and we’re trying to find out who’s behind this and why.”
Amelia sighs, sitting down on the edge of her couch. “It’s all about territory. These guys, they’re trying to take control of the southside. The attack on my bar was a warning to stay out of their way. They didn’t care who got hurt.”
“Did you recognize any of them?” I ask, taking out my notebook. “Or hear anything that might identify who did it?”
She shakes her head, but she won’t meet my gaze. “They’re organized, and they won’t stop until they get what they want.”
“Did they mention any specific places or names?” I press, hoping for something concrete.
“No names,” she says, looking frustrated. “But…” She sighs. “I think they’re planning more attacks.”
I jot down everything she says, feeling a chill run down my spine. “Thank you, Amelia. This helps a lot. I promise I’ll do everything I can to stop them.”
“Just be careful,” she warns, her eyes filled with worry. “These people don’t play by the rules. They won’t hesitate to hurt you.”
“I will,” I assure her. “And thank you for talking to me. If you think of anything else, please let me know.”
As I leave Amelia’s apartment, I feel a mix of frustration and determination. The pieces are starting to come together, but there’s still so much I don’t know. One thing is clear: whoever is behind these attacks is ruthless and determined, and I need to find a way to stop them before more people get hurt.
27
Jake
As night falls,I’m back at Luna’s Moon, the bar buzzing with its usual crowd of patrons. The recent tension has made everyone more cautious, and people are on edge. I make my rounds, talking to everyone I can, trying to gather any clues that might help us piece together what’s happening. In between, I fulfill drink orders, but I wish I wasn’t working tonight. To say I’m preoccupied is an understatement.
I almost miss the days when I kept out of the politics of the pack and just listened to rumors but still minded my own business, but this has become personal.