Chapter 7: I Saw a Murderer

Chapter 7: Chapter 7: I Saw a Murderer

"I told you, Cecilia Caldwell isn’t dead! My relationship with her has nothing to do with this case!" Julian snapped, his frustration boiling over into anger.

"Mr. Fletcher, we need you to cooperate with our investigation. Don’t make things difficult for the police," the officer said, his voice laced with annoyance.

I stood to the side with a bitter smile and spoke to the young police officer. ’How could he ever tell you about the depraved things he did to his own sister...’

"Captain! We got the lab results for the blood and skin tissue on the bracelet. It’s not a match with the corpse. DNA confirms it belongs to another female victim, Cecilia Caldwell."

"Looks like this Cecilia Caldwell is in real trouble."

Julian’s hands clenched into fists, but he still stubbornly refused to believe I was dead. "She’s smart. She’s just trying to create suspense."

I watched Julian, my disappointment deepening with every passing moment until my heart felt like dead ashes.

"Mr. Fletcher, your delays and lack of cooperation could cause us to miss the critical window for a rescue. If Cecilia Caldwell really was taken by the killer, imagine how desperate she must feel waiting for help!"

I looked at the officer, and my eyes welled with tears.

He was right.

In the long moments between regaining consciousness and my eventual death, no one could have known how utterly desperate I was.

I prayed countless times for the police to find me, for Julian to come save me.

But in the end, the very thought of Julian made my chest ache with pain.

BZZZT! Julian’s phone rang.

It was Erin Whittaker on the other end.

Erin Whittaker shouted excitedly, "Julian! I saw Cece! She’s at Nocturne Bar!"

Julian froze for a moment, then looked at the police.

The officer exchanged a wary glance with his colleague. "To Nocturne!"

I frantically tried to stop them. ’Don’t go! Don’t go! Erin Whittaker is doing this on purpose! She’s deliberately creating trouble, trying to throw you off the trail! She’s scared you’ll find my body!’

’Don’t believe her! Don’t trust her!’ I screamed with all my might, but not a single person heard me.

Julian trusted Erin Whittaker without a shadow of a doubt. He didn’t even ask her what she was doing at Nocturne in the middle of the night.

I followed behind Julian and heard him cursing me.

"Cecilia Caldwell! You better hope I don’t catch you!"

He was furious. From his tone, it sounded like he’d kill me if he got his hands on me.

A pity he would never get the chance.

...

「Nocturne Bar.」

The detectives, dressed in plainclothes, followed Julian and found Erin Whittaker.

"The thunder outside scared me, and you weren’t home. I came out to find you and saw Cece sneaking into Nocturne by herself. It was so crowded, I lost sight of her."

Erin Whittaker said, her voice choked with emotion.

Julian quickly pulled Erin into a hug. "It’s okay now. It’s okay."

The detective gave Erin a meaningful glance before heading into the bar. They searched all night but found no clues.

I trailed behind the detective and sighed. ’Being a cop really isn’t easy. It’s so late, and they’re just getting jerked around.’

"Stop!" A tall figure in a hoodie emerged from an alley, his head bowed as he walked away.

The officer shouted, but the figure only picked up his pace.

Several officers rushed forward and pinned the man to the ground.

"Zeke, this guy..."

In the dim light, I saw his face again.

My entire body went rigid, and I instinctively backed away in fear.

I’m already dead, yet I’m still terrified of this man.

His face could have rivaled a movie star’s.

His skin was deathly pale, and he was breathtakingly handsome...

"What are you running for this late at night?" the officer demanded, kicking him.

The man’s gaze was fixed intently in my direction.

I slapped a hand over my mouth in terror.