### Chapter 7: The Investigation on Holy Ground
Morning light filtered through the window of the police house, but inside, the scene was anything but peaceful. The house, once filled with laughter and love, was now a crime scene filled with pain and despair. Alex and Daniel's bodies were discovered by coworkers, who couldn't contain the shock they felt upon entering and seeing the brutality that had occurred.
The officers, now in emergency mode, surrounded the house, ensuring that the crime scene was preserved for the investigation. The atmosphere was charged, with murmurs of outrage and sadness permeating the air. Sergeant Mendes, a veteran of the force, led the investigation, determined to find whoever was responsible for this atrocity.
"We need to collect all the evidence we can," Mendes ordered, his voice firm but tinged with sadness. He knew that Alex and Daniel were more than just colleagues; they were friends, and their loss would leave a huge hole in the team.
Investigators went to work, combing through every detail of the house. They found signs of a struggle in the living room and a trail of blood leading to the kitchen, where the bodies were. The photos of the couple, hanging on the walls, now stood as a grim reminder of lives cut short.
One of the officers, while reviewing neighborhood security cameras, found a video showing a hooded figure approaching the house on the night of the crime. Although the quality was poor, the intruder's movements and posture were unmistakable. The suspect's face was still hidden, but Mendes' determination was clear. He knew that the artist's caricature, based on Leo Hart's description, was the only clue they had.
"We need to compare this image to the descriptions we have," Mendes said as he examined the video. "If this is the same offender, we need to act quickly before he strikes again."
Information about the suspect was shared with other police units, and a task force was formed. They began working on a list of possible locations where the criminal might strike next, analyzing patterns of behavior and the geography of the city.
Meanwhile, the community was on high alert. News of the police officers' murders spread quickly, and many gathered to protest the violence and demand justice. Fears and insecurities began to take hold, and pressure on the police increased.
In the interrogation room, Mendes prepared to question any witnesses who might have seen something on that fateful night. He knew that the key to solving this case might lie in some account, some detail that someone might have overlooked. With each passing minute, the urgency grew. The criminal was still at large, and the city was in danger.
As the investigation progressed, Mendes stared at the cartoon drawing of the suspect, now hanging on the wall. The image became a symbol not only of the search for justice, but of the fight against an evil that lurked in the shadows. He was determined to bring the perpetrator to justice, not only for the memory of Alex and Daniel, but for all those who had been affected by this wave of violence.
The city was on the brink of a confrontation with darkness, and the hunt for the perpetrator had only just begun.