Lost in thought, Lucas kicked his bike to life and sped through the dark streets, following the address Marcus had sent him. The engine roared under him, but his mind was sharper than the speed. He didn't waste time calling until he reached the spot.
Marcus was already there, stepping out of a house, cigarette dangling from his lips. He grinned when he saw Lucas.
"What took you so long, huh? Don't tell me you were busy having fun with some girls in your dreams?"
Lucas shot him a glare. "Cut the crap, Marcus. This is a murder scene, isn't it?"
Marcus chuckled, flicking the ash from his cigarette. "Damn right. You really are a genius, bro. That's my best friend talking." He leaned closer, his tone dropping low. "Now tell me—why was this person killed?"
"Not yet," Lucas muttered. "First, let me get close to the body."
Marcus nodded and led him inside. The moment Lucas stood near the victim's lifeless body, the air shifted. The scent hit him—sharp, bitter, unmistakable. His eyes narrowed as the truth spilled into his senses.
"The killer…" Lucas paused, breathing deeper. "…knows the victim's every move. He lives close by—two kilometers at most. He knows the house, the schedule… even the passcode to the door." Lucas's gaze hardened. "This wasn't a stranger. It was someone close. Very close."
Marcus whistled low. "Damn. That's insane. And impressive. So who's next?"
Lucas clenched his jaw. "The victim's elder sister. She's the next target."
For once, Marcus's playful tone disappeared. His face turned serious. "Then we move fast. We can't let her be the next body we find."
Lucas shook his head. "You won't catch the killer that easily. He's not here. The murder happened around 7 this morning. By now, he's already out of town. But trust me—he's planning his return. And when he does, he'll come for her."
Marcus ground the cigarette under his shoe, already thinking ahead. "Fine. Then we go to her place first. We'll protect her, and maybe she's got information you can use."
Lucas checked his watch. "It's 3:30 in the morning. We'll wait outside her house. He won't see us coming."
Marcus smirked. "That's why I keep you around, bro."
And just like that, they headed into the night—two men bound by friendship, hunting a killer neither of them could see… but Lucas could smell.
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