It's just another normal day in West Palm Beach. Lindsay Anderson was eating her breakfast at the restaurant near the beach when she noticed a familiar face. It was her annoying neighbor jogging along the shoreline.
She couldn't help but roll her eyes when she saw a man approach her neighbor, and they seemed close but acted discreet. Lindsay quickly finished her meal and decided to follow the two.
She sat behind the two at a nearby table, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. As she listened in, she realized that her neighbor was actually meeting with a private investigator. Lindsay's curiosity was piqued as she wondered what secrets her neighbor might be hiding.
She knew because she saw how the man gave her folder to her neighbor with a serious expression, making Lindsay even more intrigued about what was going on. Lindsay made a mental note to keep an eye on her neighbor in the future.
The man now stands up; she was waiting for her neighbor to stand now, but the woman stays.
And later on her neighbor calls a waitress and orders something.
''Ma'am, here's your cake and coffee with creamer, no sugar.'' Anderson was shocked.
"I'm afraid there's been a mistake," Lindsay said. "I didn't place an order."
''No. Ma'am, Miss Emerald ordered for you.'' Anderson creased her brow.
"Emerald? Who's that?" Lindsay asked.
''The gorgeous woman over there, she owns this place,''
''What?! '' Anderson couldn't believe she had been eating this restaurant; she loves their almond chocolate cake. If she only knew she wouldn't have to eat in this place.
Anderson's eyes widened as she turned to face Emerald, who was now walking towards her with a sly smile. "Enjoy your cake, neighbor," Emerald said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "On the house, of course." Anderson's face flushed with anger and embarrassment.
"Good heavens, you're my neighbor! What a coincidence!" Anderson acted surprised but failed.
Emerald nodded, taking a seat across from Anderson. "The one and only. And now, you're curious about my little meeting, aren't you?" Anderson tried to maintain her composure. "What's it to me?"
Emerald leaned in, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Let's just say, Lindsay, you're not the only one with secrets."
Anderson's eyes narrowed, sensing a threat. "What do you want?"
Emerald's smile grew wider. "Oh, I just want to get to know my neighbor better. Over cake and coffee, of course." As Anderson hesitated, Emerald took a sip of her own coffee, her eyes never leaving Anderson's face.
"I want nothing to do with you, whatsoever! and with that, Anderson walks off so fast.
Emerald laughed at Anderson's sudden departure, knowing she had struck a nerve. She took another sip of her coffee, feeling satisfied with the power she held over her neighbor.
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Detective Emily Jameson and her partner Ryan, together with Detective Martinez, are now standing on a grave the police team of Texas dug.
Their lying bodies and skeletons of women victims of the man dropped in the hospital door of Texas.
"Aw shucks, looky here. These poor gals were violated somethin' fierce. See them bones? They tell a tale of a mighty struggle," Detective Martinez pointed out, his voice filled with anger.
Detective Jameson nodded grimly, her eyes scanning the scene for any clues that could lead them to the perpetrator.
"The pelvis is hella fractured. This victim went through some crazy trauma.'' She observed, her mind already racing with possibilities.
"Well, DNA says it's a match. That man's got some wickedness in him; I'd rather buy a cold beer for whoever taught him a lesson than slap cuffs on 'em," Detective Martinez said, looking so enraged by the sight.
"That fella's freezer was chock-full of human remains. It's plain as day he's been preyin' on innocent folks for a right long time." Detective Martinez added grimly.
"He's committed unspeakable crimes. It's puzzling why he's been kept alive." Ryan asked curiously.
"This isn't revenge; it's justice being served." Detective Jameson finally spoke.
"Judgment?" Ryan repeated, his brow furrowed. "You think this is an act of some kind of vigilante?"
Jameson nodded. "It's possible. The calculated nature of the torture, the message on the banner... it suggests a sense of moral justification."
As they continued to process the crime scene, Jameson's mind raced with questions. What drove a person to this point? Was it also a victim of the cannibal's crimes , or was there something more complex at play?
The sun began to set over the Texas landscape, casting long shadows across the graves.
"Let's get back to the station and analyze the evidence," Jameson said, her voice firm.
Ryan nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. "I'll start canvassing the area; see if anyone notices anything suspicious."
Martinez nodded."Awright, y'all. I'll dig into the hospital's security footage, see if we can rustle up somethin'. For now, let's mosey on back to the station."
And with that , they left and went back to the station.