Jameson massaged her head while looking at the photos and evidence on her desk.
''Urgh.'' She groaned while stretching her body from sitting for a long time.
''Knock, knock,'' Ryan said, entering the room with a cup of coffee in hand. "I thought you could use a break," he said with a smile, setting the cup down on her desk.
"Nah, thanks, but that's not what I'm lookin' for right now," Jameson said, shaking her head.
"Dude, I know that look... wanna grab a cold one at the brewery down the street?" Ryan offered. . Jameson's eyes lit up at the suggestion, grateful for the chance to unwind after a long day of work. "Awesome, dude! I'm so down." she replied with a smile, eager to take a break and relax with her friend.
''Okay.'' said Ryan, catching the car key Jameson threw at him. Jameson gets her jacket, and they move.
They arrived at the bar. The two friends found a cozy booth in the corner of the bar, ordering their favorite beers and sharing stories from their day. The laughter and easy conversation were just what they both needed to decompress and enjoy each other's company.
"E.J., I hope you won't mind, but can we take a rain check on that beer? Something's been bugging me ." Ryan started.
"What's up, Ryan? You're killing the vibe. Spit it out." '' Jameson is trying to lighten back the mood.
"Remember when we interviewed Miss Anderson's neighbor? You were distant, preoccupied. What's been bugging you since then?" Ryan continued, looking concerned.
"Dude, you've been quiet and spaced out," Ryan said, his tone serious. "Everything cool, E.J.?"
"Dude, I was just totally fried, ya know?" Jameson said, trying to chill. Her hands were shaking, but she played it cool.
"Seriously, E.J., you can trust me. I just want to make sure you're chillin'," Ryan said softly, his eyes locked on hers with genuine concern.
"Dude, it's her eyes - they're identical," Jameson said, her voice barely above a whisper. Ryan's expression turned empathetic. "I get it, E.J. That's heavy," he said, his voice gentle. He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I'm here for you, no judgments, no matter what.''
"Dude, you're sure?" Ryan asked, his voice soft but persistent.
"Honestly, dude, she gives me the heebie-jeebies," Jameson said, shaking her head. "There's just something about her that's off, you know?"
"I've checked her out, E.J.," Ryan replied, his tone relaxed. "She's legit, no red flags. Just a rich guy's adopted kid."
"You want me to keep tabs on her?" Ryan asked, his tone casual.
"Nah, it's cool. We've got too much on our plate with this case," Jameson said, shaking her head. "Can't let paranoia sidetrack us."
But then she saw someone in the corner looking directly in their direction. The man smirked at her; she couldn't see the face, but she had a gut feeling that something was off. Jameson quickly stood up and approached, but the man disappeared into the crowd before she could reach him.
"Everything cool?" Ryan asked when finally catch up with Jamson. Jameson hesitated. "Not really. I've got this creepy feeling we're being watched."
Ryan's expression turned grave. "Time to roll, E.J. Can't be too safe." Jameson nodded, scanning the crowd one last time. "Yeah, let's bounce."
Emerald watched the two police officers exit the bar she has been watching. It wasn't intentional; she was originally here for a mission, and then she saw the two officers. She still remembers the day they knocked on her door in her flat; it was when her neighbor Lindsay Anderson reported her for stalking, and they didn't find any evidence.
Thankfully, that day she hasn't set up her monitors yet that she installed in Anderson's flat while she's gone, of course, to watch her as per Robert's request. That's actually the reason she has an alarm when the fire happens, but that wasn't what she expected. She reminds herself again to check the monitor first before concluding it's a breach; she literally taught Lindsay was being assassinated that time. And she's still wondering what Robert's motif is in watching the spoiled brat woman.
''Arg, ackk..''
The man lying on the floor where Emerald was hiding in the dark alley beside the bar. She kicked the man's face ''Ick'' and he was down again.
''You really think you can get that officer, huh? ''
This man is a serial killer. He rapes his victims, and after using them, he kills them slowly by cutting their parts and cooking them and making it a meal. He's a maniac, a cannibal lurking around without being caught.
And Emerald's group called THE DIRECTIVES Roberts, as the founder, is responsible for killing such ill-minded people.
But that was in the underworld; they were the punishers of those who escaped the justice system of the underworld. The man lying on the ground was not part of it; Emerald just saw the news about the massacre happenings, which is copying her marks, and searched for a person who might have done it. But this person is not it, but seeing his profile got her interest.
But she is still determined to find this massacre maker, as it is provoking her by copying her style of killing, which will compromise her identity as a vigilante. Emerald knows she must act quickly to stop this imposter before they tarnish her reputation further.
The man grinned in a maniac manner. ''She looks so delicious, and her being an officer makes it more excit—urgh.'' Emerald punched the man.
''Who are you? '' The man asked, struggling to get up. Emerald just smirks and says, "I'm the one who's going to make sure you never bother anyone again." She then delivers a swift blow to his head, knocking him out cold.
Meanwhile,
Lindsay Anderson struggled in her kitchen, determined to cook a decent meal.
"Stupid recipe!" Anderson muttered, flames engulfing her dish.
She frantically waved a towel, spreading the fire.
"Not again!" Anderson cried, grabbing the fire extinguisher.
Emerald, watching from her monitor, face-palmed. "Amateur."
Anderson coughing surveyed the damage. "Least the smoke detector's behaved itself, for once."
She opened windows, letting in fresh air.
"Maybe I should just stick to takeaway, eh?" Anderson sighed.