The cold night air bit at Kira's face as she stepped out of the warehouse, her mind swirling with unanswered questions. The shooter's cryptic words echoed in her head, gnawing at her thoughts: It's already done. What had they meant? And how far ahead was Reed, orchestrating this twisted game from his cell?
Hayes, Wallace, and Kira huddled outside, the adrenaline still coursing through their veins. Wallace rubbed his temples, pacing back and forth. "This is a mess. We were led straight into his hands."
Hayes remained silent, staring out into the distance, deep in thought. Kira could see the frustration etched into their features, but beneath that was a flicker of something else—determination. This wasn't over.
"We've been chasing shadows," Kira said softly, her voice tinged with frustration. "Reed's pulling the strings, and we keep falling for it."
Hayes turned to her, eyes narrowing. "Not anymore. We're going to get ahead of him, starting now. This wasn't a coincidence. The timing, the shooter—it all connects. And it starts with Reed."
Wallace stopped pacing, shaking his head. "You really think Reed's just going to give us the answers? The guy's a psychopath. He'd rather see us run in circles than help."
"He'll talk," Kira said, her voice firm. "One way or another."
Without wasting another moment, they piled into the car, the engine roaring to life as they sped through the dark, winding streets back to the station. The city's lights blurred outside the window, but Kira's thoughts were focused, sharper than ever. Time was running out, and Reed's cryptic game was entering its final stages.
Back at the station, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Reed sat in the interrogation room, his cuffs still secured to the table, his face as smug as ever. He seemed unfazed by the hours he'd spent in that cold, sterile room, untouched by the chaos he had unleashed outside.
Kira, Hayes, and Wallace stood outside the room, watching him through the one-way glass. Reed's expression was one of cool confidence, as if he knew they were watching and relished the moment.
"I'm going in," Kira said, stepping forward.
Hayes shot her a warning look. "Be careful. Reed's been playing us since day one. Don't let him get in your head."
Kira nodded, her jaw set. "He won't. Not this time."
She pushed open the door and entered the room, her boots echoing off the tile floor. Reed's eyes flicked up to meet hers, and a slow grin spread across his face.
"Kira," he purred, leaning back in his chair as if welcoming an old friend. "I was wondering when you'd come back."
She didn't sit, remaining standing as she glared down at him. "You knew about the warehouse. The shooter. Everything. Start talking."
Reed tilted his head, his expression one of mock innocence. "I told you, didn't I? You're always a step behind. But you never want to believe me."
Kira leaned in, her eyes boring into his. "This isn't a game, Reed. People are dying. You want to gloat? Fine. But that shooter didn't die for nothing. What's already done? What did you mean by that?"
Reed's smile faltered just for a moment, but he quickly recovered, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "You're getting warmer. But I'm afraid you're still asking the wrong questions."
Kira's patience snapped. She slammed her palms down on the table, the sound reverberating through the small room. "Enough with the riddles! What did you do? What's coming?"
Reed's eyes flickered with amusement, clearly enjoying the effect his words were having on her. "You know, Kira, you're more fun when you're angry. But I'm afraid I can't give you all the answers. That would ruin the surprise."
Kira clenched her fists, fighting to keep her emotions in check. Every second spent in this room felt like wasted time, playing right into Reed's hands. But there had to be a way to crack him. A weakness.
She stepped back, crossing her arms. "You like control, don't you? Always being the smartest one in the room. But here's the thing, Reed. You're losing it. You don't know everything that's happening out there. And for all your planning, we've got you locked up."
Reed's smile widened. "Do you?"
There was a sudden chill in the room, a shift in the air that made Kira's skin prickle. Reed's confidence was unnerving, and for the first time, she felt a gnawing sense of dread that maybe, just maybe, they were still missing something.
Reed leaned forward, his voice low and almost conspiratorial. "Let me tell you a little secret, Kira. You've been asking the wrong question this whole time. The question isn't 'What's coming?' It's 'Who's next?'"
Kira's blood ran cold as Reed's words sank in. She stared at him, her mind racing. "What do you mean?"
Reed chuckled softly. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough. You've been so focused on me, you forgot to look at the people around you. But don't worry. It'll all come crashing down soon. One more twist, and the game's over."
Kira's heart pounded in her chest as she backed away, her hand reaching for the door. Reed's laughter followed her, a dark, taunting sound that seemed to cling to the walls.
Outside the interrogation room, Hayes and Wallace were waiting, their faces tense with anticipation. Kira stepped out, her face pale but her resolve hardening.
"He knows something," she said, her voice tight. "He's planning something bigger than we thought."
Hayes frowned. "What did he say?"
Kira hesitated, her mind replaying Reed's cryptic words. "He said the real question isn't what's coming—it's who's next."
Wallace's eyes widened. "You think he's targeting someone specific?"
"I don't know," Kira admitted. "But we need to be prepared for anything. We're running out of time."
Hayes nodded, their expression grim. "Then we don't waste another second. We need to dig into every connection Reed has, every person he's been in contact with. If there's a next target, we find them before Reed does."
Wallace was already pulling up files, his fingers flying across the keyboard. "I'll start with his known associates. See if anyone's been acting suspicious."
Kira glanced back at the interrogation room, where Reed sat alone, still grinning to himself. His words echoed in her mind, filling her with an overwhelming sense of urgency.
The game was nearing its end, and the stakes had never been higher.