Frank tapped a few keys, and a set of family portraits appeared on the large conference room screen—Damien Quinn's late wife and two young children, frozen in time with warm smiles.
Scott and Stephanie didn't look away. Even after the others had shifted their attention, the two stood still, eyes locked on the faces.
"Do you notice anything?" Scott asked, his voice low.
"Yes, sir," Stephanie said, brow furrowed. "The missing victims… and Damien's family—they're strikingly similar. Same age range, similar builds."
Scott gave a slow nod, eyes narrowing. "That's a damn sharp catch."
"But… do you think he abducted Mrs. Paul and those kids because they resemble the family he lost?" Stephanie asked.
"That could be it," Scott murmured, jaw tightening.
"Why would he do something like that?" Ray chimed in from the back, arms crossed.
Scott inhaled deeply. "Maybe… he's trying to put his family back together. In his own mind."
Frank squinted. "Put his family back together?"
"What do you mean by that, sir?" Stephanie asked, confusion flashing across her face.
"Reset Syndrome," Scott said calmly.
He paced in front of the screen, eyes scanning the floor like he was walking back through time. "The term came up in '97 in Kobe, Japan. A middle school kid—hooked on video games—committed a brutal crime. Said he thought he could just reset the situation… like in a game."
Stephanie's pen moved rapidly across her notepad.
"It's when people blur the line between fantasy and reality," Scott continued. "They convince themselves they can reboot their lives… as if they're inside a video game."
"So... you think Damien's living in that delusion?" Ray asked, slowly piecing it together.
"It's possible," Scott replied. "If he buried himself deep enough in that world—especially after the trauma of losing his family—he might genuinely believe he can recreate them."
"Jesus," Frank muttered. "That's messed up."
"It's dangerous," Stephanie added, eyes wide.
"He needs to be stopped before he spirals further," Scott said firmly.
He turned to Ray. "You and Frank, head back to Thomas Andrew's place. Scour it top to bottom. There might be something we missed."
"Yes, sir," Ray replied, already grabbing his coat.
"And get in touch with Damien's parents. They might know more than they've let on," Scott added.
"On it," Frank said, nodding.
Just then, Scott's phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID and straightened up. "It's the Chief."
A few minutes later, Scott stood in the Chief's office, a sealed file tucked under his arm.
"So, what's the latest on the missing persons case?" the Chief asked, looking up from his paperwork.
"We've identified the suspect," Scott said, handing over the file.
The Chief flipped it open, eyebrows shooting up. "A former military police officer?"
He scoffed. "Christ. Even the MP's are falling apart now."
"Damien Quinn. Dishonorably discharged. Possible psychological instability," Scott added.
"Well then, find him and bring him in. I don't want this city waking up to another tragedy," the Chief said, voice sharp.
"Yes, sir." Scott saluted and turned on his heel.
—
Later that day, Scott and Stephanie pulled up outside a gated military facility, passing through security checkpoints before being led to the office of Captain Kirk—Damien Quinn's former commanding officer.
The man, mid-fifties with a steel-gray buzz cut and sharp eyes, stood when they entered.
"What brings you here?" Kirk asked gruffly.
"We're investigating Damien Quinn," Scott answered.
"Damien?" Kirk blinked, then let out a dry chuckle. "Haven't heard that name in a while. He was discharged last year."
"Do you know why?" Stephanie asked.
Kirk leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. "He started… acting out. Picked fights with new recruits, assaulted more than a few. Higher-ups decided not to escalate it. Too messy, politically."
"Did something trigger his behavior?" Scott asked.
Kirk's expression hardened. "Yeah. It was right after his family died in that fire. He was never the same. Started spacing out. Couldn't tell up from down."
"We also heard he was sent for psychiatric evaluation," Stephanie added.
"That's true. Some doc in the military clinic cleared him unfit for service," Kirk replied, rubbing his temples. "I haven't seen that shrink in months though. Don't even know if he still works here."
"We'll check with the clinic," Scott said, rising from his seat.
"Captain," Stephanie said, stepping forward. "If you remember anything—anything at all that might help—please let us know."
Scott handed over his card.
Kirk took it, nodded slowly. "I'll keep in touch."
As Scott and Stephanie stepped back into the sunlight, she glanced over. "Do you think he's really trying to rebuild his family?"
Scott slipped on his sunglasses, the grim lines on his face deepening. "If that's what's happening… it's not a family he's building. It's a graveyard."