Lucas and Marcus parked the bike outside the victim's elder sister's house. The night was heavy, but their conversation was sharper than the silence.
"The killer stabbed the victim five times in the stomach," Lucas said grimly. "Before that… the victim begged him—again and again—to let her go."
Marcus frowned. "Yeah. Her nails had blood under them. She scratched him while trying to save her life."
Lucas's jaw tightened. "The victim was obsessed with perfumes. She even owned a perfume factory."
Marcus nodded. "Right. That's what the investigation confirmed."
But Lucas's face darkened as he added, "The problem is…"
Marcus leaned forward, tense. "Problem? What problem?"
Lucas hesitated. "The victim's dog—"
Before he could finish, Marcus's eyes snapped to movement. An unknown figure was trying to slip into the victim's sister's house.
"Stop right there!" Marcus's voice thundered as he drew his gun. "Don't move a damn inch—or I'll put a bullet in you, right here and now!"
The stranger froze. He wore a black hoodie, his face turned away. Slowly, he turned toward them, tears streaming down his face.
"Please… don't kill me," the man pleaded, voice shaking. "I have a wife… a child… they need me. My wife is sick. I'm the only one who earns in the family."
Marcus stepped closer, suspicious, trying to get a clear look at his face. But Lucas suddenly yelled, his instincts screaming—
"That's the murderer! Grab him, Marcus!"
The man's expression shifted in an instant. His tears vanished, replaced by a chilling smirk.
"Me? A murderer?" His voice dripped with venom. "I've killed plenty before. Taking you down would be nothing."
His hand darted into his pocket, reaching for a knife.
But Lucas was faster. He lunged forward, delivering a brutal kick to the man's chest. The killer hit the ground with a thud, gasping for breath.
Marcus didn't waste a second. He pulled out his handcuffs, clamped them tightly around the man's wrists, and pinned him down.
"You're done," Marcus hissed, his gun still pressed close.
Lucas stood over the fallen man, his eyes cold. "Not this time."
Marcus grabbed his phone and called the station, demanding backup. Within minutes, officers were on their way to take the killer in.
For now, the night was quiet again. But both Lucas and Marcus knew—this was only the beginning.
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Continue....