My face pales significantly, and I stare at him blankly through the glass wall.
I pull the phone closer to my mouth, whispering quietly into it.
"Fake your death? Are you crazy, Alan?"
"People say I am, Jae. But here's the thing. I won't be able to successfully fake my death and get out of here if you don't come."
My eyebrows furrow.
"What do you mean if I don't come? I'm not comfortable with whatever you're trying to do. Scheming with a fucking lunatic does not sit right with me."
He grins.
"Ahh, you're too cute. What a little goody two shoes. You remind me of my uneventful childhood and virtuous mother."
I sigh.
"What do you want me to do, Alan? You better say something before I change my mind."
Alan cocks his head to the side.
"The spotless little girl is finally engaging in some rebellious things..."
I glare at him and he smiles.
"Alright, alright. You are going to find a way to get in here as a worker, perhaps one of the trash people. I will hide in a trash bag and you'll take me out. Simple."
I sit there dumbfounded, my eye twitching.
"And this has to do with faking your death how?!"
"Easy. After—"
"Time's up inmate."
Alan glares at the man over his shoulder.
"I can't even finish my sentence you useless toad?!"
The man glares at him, grabbing his wrist.
"Up. Before I call backup."
"Ha! You're so weak that you can't even deal with me yourself! How damaging is that to your ego, princess?"
Alan starts laughing and the man rubs his temples, gritting his teeth.
"It's 1:50 in the morning! Too early for your shit!"
I stand up, gathering my things before giving Alan a warning look.
"Respect the authority, Thomas. Get back to your cell with that man or else."
I narrow my eyes but his grin only grows wider.
"Oh Jae Williams, you certainly are a brainless woman if you believe I'd listen to you."
He stands up, smiling.
"I'll see you soon, sweetness."
I grimace again at his pet names, quickly exiting the room without looking back.
I'm supposed to take a literal murderer out of prison?!
That is insane.
And I'm insane. For deciding to go along with this is the first place.
What in the flying fuck was I thinking?
Even going against everything I am to just get a little bit of information about him that could help me solve the case?
I'm one corrupt fucking detective.
I could always just never go and leave this all behind...
But something tells me this case is one that needs to be solved...for myself and for closure for the families of those 33 victims. Also the almost 34th.
*********
As I drive back to my house my phone starts to ring, and I pick up the call, connecting it to my car.
"This is Jae Williams speaking. May I ask who I'm talking to?"
I hear a sniffle, then someone's voice.
"Valerie Gates."
My eyes widen slightly.
"Valerie? What's wrong?"
"Cyrus told me this was your number...I actually want to talk to you about something...it's about..." she sighs. "It's about Alan Thomas."
********
I sit there, gripping tighter onto the wheel.
"What about him? Do you know something, Valerie?"
I hear another sniffle.
I sigh.
"Are you okay? Talk to me, Val."
"It's just—I couldn't tell my parents...they wouldn't understand."
"What happened?"
She releases a long breath.
"He—he said some things to me, Jae. He said some really scary things."
I frown.
"Is that what's bothering you? He's locked up now. He won't be able to hurt you again. Are you healing well? And you're still in the hospital, right?"
"Yeah I am. I'm okay. But he said that he did what he had to do...I don't know why that bothers me but it does. He was going to take my sister, Jae! Imagine what he could've done to her! She's only 7!"
I sigh.
"I hope this doesn't sound like I'm on his side, because I'm definitely not, Valerie—"
I pause as his whispers echo in my head.
"Tell me you're on my side."
"Jae?"
"Sorry. But Val, the youngest person he hurt was thirteen, the wounds on her were only a deep stab wound to the neck, two slashes on her cheeks and a sad face carved in her chest along with a letter on her wrist. It wasn't personal, and none of them were younger than that. He doesn't target young children, and don't tell anyone this—but he told me himself he only kills sinners. People that are impure. Which to me says women who aren't virgins, or something of that sort. The odd thing is is that he somehow knew everything about each woman which meant he probably stalked them before hand."
Valerie pauses on the other line.
"He knew me and my sister's name...I don't know how he would! Was he stalking me, Jae? Was he stalking me and my sister?"
I sigh as I hear more choked sobs from her end.
"I'm sorry, Val. But I don't know."
********
After an emotionally stressful call and a long ass drive I'm back at my house, only for it to basically be time for me to head back to work.
I yawn, my eyebrows furrowing.
I'm so tired...
I walk up to my front door, stopping when I see a bouquet of flowers sitting on the doorstep.
"What the...?"
I walk over, picking them up as a small card falls from it.
I pick it up from the floor, my eyes scanning the words.
Welcome home, 34.
My eyes widen, and I immediately drop both items, pulling my gun from its holder before pointing it around.
I narrow my eyes, stepping over it before pushing my door open, flicking the light switch.
"Hello? Hello, is anyone there?"
I walk slowly around, my gun raised in front of me.
"If this is a joke it isn't a funny one!"
"I don't appreciate weak little women who get my brother stuck in prison."
I snap my head around, seeing a dark haired man leaning against my kitchen counter.
I jump slightly, loading my gun.
"Who the fuck are you?! Get out of my house before I shoot you! It won't be pretty!"
"Empty threats, empty threats. If you are going to shoot me, just pull the trigger, darling!"
He slowly raises his hands and I pull the trigger, watching as he immediately slides out of the way, laughing.
"Too slow!"
He's hidden in the darkness of my kitchen, and I narrow my eyes.
"I won't ask again. Who. Are. You?!"
"You're worst nightmare."
I snap my head around to the left when I hear footsteps, feeling a cold grip on my waist as I get dragged backwards, letting out a small scream as my gun clatters to the ground.
He smashes a vase over my head, laughing.
"Oops!"
He continues laughing, and I let out a groan as blood drips down my head, grabbing a shard from the broken vase.
I slash his hand, trying to back away.
He pauses, before chuckling.
"Ahh, Jae Williams...you're just like he said you were. Feisty."
He drags me backwards by the hair, throwing me onto my couch.
He peers over me and my droopy eyes catch on bright green.
My face contorts in anger.
"You won't get away with this! Whoever you are!"
"Boo-hoo, maybe you should've thought twice before coming inside. I plan to kill more than what my father said, more than what Alan already did. You seem to be a great 34th victim, don't you, Williams?"
Bright green. Bright green. Familiar laugh. Familiar eyes. Who are you?
He strokes my blood soaked cheek, giving me a crazed grin.
"I'll answer those questions you don't want to ask, darling. My name's Ian Thomas."
*********
(GEORGIA'S POV)
I sit at my desk, frowning.
6:29.
Where is she?!
She's an hour and a half late!
That girl's usually here by 4:30 the latest!
I stare at my paper, and hear a knock.
"Georgia?"
I look up and see Drake, and I smile.
"Hey Drakey-Drakey."
He cringes and I snort.
"What's up?"
"Nothing much...but are you okay? You don't look well."
I give him a look.
"I'm just worried about Jae, that's all."
He makes a face.
"Jae? She never came in?"
"No. And I don't think it's normal. Should we check her house? Make sure she's good?"
He nods.
"Yeah. Definitely. Come on. I'll let Cyrus know on our way out."
I stand up, walking from my office.
I follow Drake and we knock on Cyrus's door.
"Cyrus? Cyrus, me and Georgia have to go."
He opens the door, staring at us.
"Why? Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. We just want to check on Jae and see if she's feeling okay...the girl's usually here two hours early but now she's like two hours late."
Cyrus nods.
"Yes. Go."
We both smile, before exiting the building.
I hop in the passenger seat of his car, holding my hands tightly in my lap.
"What if something's wrong, Drake? I'm honestly terrified."
Drake sighs.
"She probably just slept in...but it doesn't hurt to be safe."
I nod, worriedly staring out the window as we get closer and closer to her house.
*******
We pull into her neighborhood and drive down to her house, seeing that her car is parked normally.
She's probably still here.
But my heart stops again when I see the door's wide open. And there's a small blood stain on her front porch.
"Drake?! Drake what is that?!"
"Hopefully not what I think it is."
He stops the car haphazardly and we both jump out, holding up our guns as we inch up the stairs, and I look down.
"That's definitely blood, Drake."
He doesn't answer, only steps into the house, stopping dead in his tracks.
"Oh my fucking god."
"What?! What happened?!"
I run over, seeing her bloody couch, her gun, her badge, a broken vase, and a number smeared messily on her floor in blood.
34.
*********
(ALAN'S POV)
"Inmate! You have a call."
I sit up, smiling.
"I'm just so popular, aren't I, Caroline?"
The cop stares at me blankly.
"Please don't."
I grin.
"Oh, Caroline. Don't you just love the way I say your name? I bet it sends chills down your spine."
She grits her teeth, opening the cell door.
"Just get up, Thomas!"
"I am up, Caroline."
She rolls her eyes, and I follow her into the calling room where I sit at a chair, picking up the phone.
"Helloooo?"
"Alan?"
"Oh. Ian!"
He laughs on the other line.
"I'm here, brother. And I got the girl. Jae Williams? I made it seem like she was murdered...isn't that fun? It'll fit right into your plan. I just have to get you out of prison now."
I open my mouth to say something when I hear muffled noises.
"Ian...what is that?"
He snickers.
"The girl. She won't stop trying to yell at me through the gag I put on her mouth. I made it very clear I didn't want to hook up with her but I don't think she got the point."
"Ugh! Jesus! How many times do I have to say that I'm not interested for it to get in your bird brain—ow!"
"Shut up or I'll kick you harder, bitch!"
I sit there and he clears his throat.
"Sorry about that. I had to readjust the gag so she couldn't get it off this time...now we can keep talking. Tell me...how is it in there? I haven't been in ages!"
"You're only 24. You're acting like you weren't in there like two years ago."
He grumbles something inaudible and I grin.
"What was that? Are you denying that I'm completely right, princess?"
"Call me that again and I won't help you...and I'll kill your detective friend."
I scoff.
"You'll just get the job done before I can..."
"What?!"
"How the fuck do you keep getting these off?! Are you eating them?!"
I hear another female grunt as he probably kicks her, laughing.
"You guys are too funny...when exactly are you planning on coming?"
"Midnight. Be ready for it...you'll finally get to see your big bro again...and talk to the redhead in person...without handcuffs."
*********
(JAE'S POV)
I attempt to yank my hands free, fighting against the tight restraints.
I shake my head rapidly until the gag slides off, panting.
"Let me go you psycho!"
He stares at me, green eyes sparkling.
"I don't think you know how much I want to choke you."
His eyes drop down to my chest which moves up and down with each breath I take, grinning.
"I want to feel the life drain out of you."
I yank my hands again, letting out an angry sigh.
"You aren't going to kill me! You need me!"
He pauses.
"That's right."
"Please get me the fuck out of these restraints!"
He shakes his head.
"I don't think I can do that, honeybun..."
I roll my eyes.
"Sure you can't. Just fucking untie me!"
Ian smirks.
"I have a better idea. This will be great for my plan and just fun in general..."
My eyes widen as he stands up, walking towards me.
"We make a ransom to let you go."