"So, boss... where the hell could that prick be hiding?" Ray finally broke the silence, arms folded, jaw tight with frustration.
Scott leaned back, calm as a loaded gun. "Who says he's hiding?"
Everyone froze.
"Seriously?" Stephanie blinked, shocked.
Scott's eyes narrowed, the weight of his mind pressing into the room. "Damien Quinn isn't hiding. He's playing. This isn't game over. Not for him. This is next level."
Stephanie swallowed hard. "No matter how many times I hear about this 'reset syndrome' crap... it still creeps the hell outta me."
"So damn serious," Ray muttered, shaking his head.
Frank turned in his chair, eyes flicking from screen to Scott. "If he's still in play... then that means he's already lookin' for the victims, huh?"
Scott nodded slowly. "Right on the money. But don't worry—he won't find them. Still, we can't afford to sit around waitin'. It's our move now."
Stephanie leaned in, eager. "So... what do we do?"
Scott smirked slightly. "You tell me. You've been here a while now, soaking up everything like a sponge. What's the play?"
Stephanie hesitated, thinking fast. "If he's searching for the victims, maybe... we lure him in. Trap him somehow. I just don't know how to pull that off."
Scott snapped his fingers. "Bingo. That's exactly what we're gonna do."
Ray smirked. "Looks like rookie's growin' some teeth."
"She's still sharper than your dumb ass," Frank quipped, not looking up.
"Say that again, tech-boy. I dare you!" Ray barked.
Scott rolled his eyes. "Jesus... here we go again."
Stephanie raised her hand, voice softer now. "Sir, before we go all in... I got a question."
Scott turned to her. "Shoot."
"It's about Dr. Gibbs," she said. "Why kill him now? Damien tortured that man for months, but just before escaping... he cuts him down. Why?"
Scott's stare darkened. "Don't try to understand freaks like Quinn. It'll rot your brain. But if I had to guess? He killed Gibbs because the act failed. That basement was his twisted stage—and Gibbs? Just a spectator. Quinn wanted to show him he could 'reunite' the victims. That his fantasy could rewrite reality. But we ruined the show. The curtain dropped. So, he erased the audience."
Stephanie's voice cracked. "Damn... poor guy. Just got caught in the crossfire of a madman's world."
Frank slammed his keyboard. "Goddammit! Not even the face ID program's pinging! He's a damn ghost."
Scott moved forward, gripping the back of Frank's chair. "Alright, time's up. We set the trap—now we wait for the mouse."
MORNING NEWS REPORT – LIVE FOOTAGE LEAKED
The screen flashed with raw hospital footage. A reporter struggled with officers, trying to force her way into a ward. Faces of some victims were accidentally caught on camera—an explosion of chaos followed online.
B&G UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL – LATER THAT DAY
A man in a black sweater and matching pants walked calmly to the front desk.
"I'm here to see a relative—part of the recent... rescue."
The nurse checked the system, nodded, and directed him.
Damien Quinn gave a slight nod and walked off, his eyes sharp—calculating.
As he neared the ward's hall, he spotted two uniformed officers guarding the door. He stopped. Scanned.
Then… ding—he jabbed the red fire alarm.
"GRAAAAN!! GRAAAAN!!" The building erupted in chaos. Water rained from the sprinklers, people screamed and scrambled like ants under fire.
The two officers bolted from their post to investigate.
Damien slipped in like a shadow.
He shut the door quietly behind him—only to freeze.
Every member of the Special Violent Crime Unit stood inside, guns raised, faces stone cold. All but Frank, who coordinated remotely from HQ.
Scott stepped forward, gun trained on Quinn's heart.
"Well, well... the star of the show finally takes center stage."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Quinn," Scott added with a tight smirk.
Damien's jaw clenched. "Goddammit! I knew this smelled like a trap! Where the hell is my family?!"
"On your face, dirtbag. Now!" Ray barked, weapon locked.
Damien's eyes darted, brain racing. Then he lunged for the door—BANG! A single shot tore through his leg.
He screamed, crashing to the floor, blood soaking through his black pants. Ray pounced, cuffing him fast, yanking his arms behind his back as he read out charges.
Scott holstered his weapon and knelt beside him.
"Game over, Damien."