Page 56 of Outrun The Devil
Nathan nodded slowly, his eyes reflecting the same determination as Olivia's. “Okay. So we need to track down any other victims he may have had, see if there are any patterns.”
Olivia smiled, impressed. “Exactly. And we need to look into his background, see if any connections could give us a lead.”
Nathan started the car, and they both sat in silence for a moment, lost in thought. “We'll catch him, Olivia,” Nathan said finally, turning to her with a determined look. “We'll make sure he never hurts anyone again.”
Olivia smiled, a sense of camaraderie filling her chest. “Damn right, we will.” They both turned back to the road, ready to continue their hunt for Vincent Blackwood, the werewolf serial killer. As they drove off, Olivia couldn't shake off the feeling that they were getting closer to catching him. She couldn't wait to see the look on Blackwood's face when they finally caught him. She had a feeling that it was going to be a good day for justice, and she was ready to make it happen.
As they drove back to the precinct, Olivia's mind raced with ideas and theories. She couldn't help but feel like there was something they were missing, some clue that they had overlooked. She made a mental note to go back and review all the case files, every detail, no matter how small.
Olivia stepped into the familiar lab of Isabella Flores, the seasoned medical examiner for the Tolleson PD. Flores had summoned her with a sense of urgency, hinting at something important that demanded immediate attention.
“I'm glad you're here,” Flores greeted, her voice tinged with unease.
“Well, you did make it sound urgent,” Olivia replied, her curiosity piqued.
“It is, indeed. I've discovered something rather intriguing in the stomach contents of our latest victim.”
On a tray beside the open body lay a necklace, catching Olivia's eye. She approached, studying it closely as Flores delicately held it up with tweezers.
“A necklace?” Olivia's voice betrayed a mixture of surprise and recognition. With gentle fingertips, she traced the intricate design, feeling the meticulous craftsmanship beneath her touch. The pendant, a silver feather, exuded an elegant charm with its intricate curves and delicate gemstone accents.
It was a necklace she knew well, as she had gifted it to her daughter on the day of her high school graduation.
“You find it familiar,” Flores observed, her eyes searching Olivia's reaction.
“Yes, it's...” Olivia replied, her voice betraying a hint of trepidation. She locked eyes with the medical examiner, suppressing the fear that threatened to overwhelm her.
Just as the weight of the discovery settled in, a uniformed officer entered the lab, interrupting their conversation. He informed Olivia that she had a call waiting at her desk, leaving her puzzled about its nature.
Looking back at Flores, Olivia shared a tense gaze. “It belongs to my daughter,” she stated, her voice laced with concern. With a purposeful stride, she left the lab, returning to the bustling bullpen and making her way to her desk to answer the mysterious call, her mind racing with worry and anticipation.
Olivia's mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. She knew she had to tread carefully, choosing her words wisely to keep him engaged and gather any crucial information. She leaned closer to the receiver, her voice steady despite the underlying tension.
“Tell me, Vincent,” she began, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and a hint of defiance, “what is it that you enjoy so much about this twisted game you're playing?”
There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by a low, chilling chuckle. “Oh, Detective Collins, the thrill of the chase, the dance between predator and prey, the power I hold over those who believe they can outsmart me. It's exhilarating.”
Olivia's jaw clenched, her determination fueling her response. “Well, Vincent, let me make one thing clear. You may find enjoyment in your sick games, but I'm here to put an end to them. You won't keep getting away with this.”
There was a flicker of annoyance in Vincent's voice as he retorted, “Oh, detective, you underestimate me. Do you think you can stop me? You're just another pawn in my grand design.”
She refused to let his words unnerve her. “We'll see about that, Blackwood. Every move you make brings us closer to catching you. And trust me, we will catch you.”
Silence hung in the air for a moment, and Olivia's heart pounded in her chest. She wondered if she had struck a nerve if her words had penetrated his arrogant facade. Finally, Vincent spoke again, his voice tinged with a mix of defiance and amusement.
“Detective Collins, your confidence is commendable, but remember, the game is far from over. You may think you're getting closer, but you're still far from the truth. Your daughter is awfully beautiful. Would be a shame if someone took that beauty from the world. Talk soon, Olivia, you know what to do.” There was a scream on the other side.
Come alone, that’s what he didn’t say but didn’t have to. Olivia had been in law enforcement long enough to hear what was unsaid.
Before Olivia could respond, the line went dead, leaving her with a mix of frustration and determination. She knew she had to redouble her efforts, delve deeper into the twisted mind of Vincent, and bring an end to his reign of terror once and for all.
Olivia's hand trembled as she stared at the phone, the weight of the situation crashing down on her. She had to act fast, every second counting towards the safety of her daughter. With a determined force, she slammed the receiver down, turning to face Nathan who had rushed into the bullpen.
His eyes mirrored the urgency in her own. “Please tell me we got a trace on it,” Olivia pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.
Nathan shook his head. Another dead end. She slammed her hands down on the desk and then shoved everything on the desk to the floor. How was he able to taunt them? How did Olivia let it get this far? Olivia allowed herself to be blinded by what could be that she forgot what needed to be.
The weight of the decision pressed heavily on Olivia's shoulders as she stood in the dimly lit room of the police station. The familiar surroundings that once provided security now seemed suffocating, closing in on her like a vise. It was a harsh reminder of the consequences of letting her guard down, of allowing herself to be vulnerable.