Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Finn bolted upright, his eyes locked on Colin. "According to our plan, putting out that the victim is still in surgery would make someone antsy, right? But if the serial killings and this dismemberment case aren't connected, why the hell would Melody be in trouble?"

Pacing back and forth, Finn continued, "You said the killer would definitely show up. Now the serial killer has surfaced, but you're still saying they're not the same crew?"

Colin remained silent, then finally spoke up. "No... something's off. The timing of Melody's disappearance—it's deliberate."

A smoke screen. Someone was using Melody to throw us off the scent.

"Everyone's quick to lump the two dismemberment cases and the serial killings together. After all, the perps are the victims in each case, and there's a slew of similarities. But it all seems like a sick copycat act," Robin chimed in, shaking his head, sensing something amiss. "Melody's disappearance might just be a freak coincidence that's muddling up the serial killings and the dismemberment cases."

Stella shook her head as well. "There's a crucial detail in the serial killings. The dumping grounds for those orphanage killers always had something to do with water. Back in the day, Sea City had this custom called a water burial. It was believed that tossing the worst of the worst into the water purged their sins, ensuring they'd be reborn as better souls.”

“Plus, the serial killer didn't bother to hide or destroy evidence. But with the dismemberment case, they used stray dogs to mangle the bodies, to mess up the crime scene, making it impossible for the police to get a lead. And if they do get close, the perp's usually a cornered victim who ends up offing themselves, leaving the trail cold," I added my two cents.

These cases... they just didn't seem like the work of a lone wolf.

"It's like two masterminds are playing a game of cat-and-mouse in the shadows," Finn said gravely.

It was like a twisted duel.

The brains behind the dismemberment case wanted to muddy the waters, pinning all the blame on the orchestrator of the serial killings.

It was a showdown to see who'd come out on top.

"I gotta bounce, go find some leads." Finn headed to the door, paused, and looked back at Colin. "Hey, aren't you some kind of psychic or something? Figure out where Melody might be."

"After a crime, the killer always leaves a clue at the last body's scene. I've already predicted Melody's location once; the trail's gone cold. If the killer strikes again, it's just Melody's bad luck," Colin said gravely.

This time, he wasn't planning on saving her.

And truthfully, he couldn't anymore.

If the killer's pattern was disrupted, the next move could be random. And if Colin could predict randomness, he'd be a marked man—probably wouldn't need to work another day, just stay home and hit the lottery.

Finn opened his mouth and clenched his teeth. "Fine, I'll find her myself!"

Without another word, Colin watched Finn leave, then turned to Robin. "Someone's pulling a decoy move. Melody is probably an accomplice or a lure, meant to distract our team. I bet the mastermind behind the second dismemberment case will take this chance to destroy evidence at the hospital."© NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

Robin's eyes widened in realization. "Damn, you're right! I'm on it, before Cory and the team are too stretched thin."

As Robin dashed off, Stella followed suit.

Colin's eyes reddened as he slumped down, looking defeated. He moved closer to me, gingerly tugging at my sleeve. "Phoebe..."

I looked up just in time to catch the silent tears falling, landing right on the back of my hand.

Was he made of water or what?

"So, you think the dismemberment case is linked to Henry, and that's why you went to the mental sanatorium as Finn told you to draw out the killer?" I was both angry and frustrated.

How much was he keeping from me?

"Phoebe... I have more than just suspicions about Henry. Guys like Henry and Julian, they're just tools." Colin leaned on my shoulder, crying as he spoke. "It's Damian I'm really worried about."