Dressed For Death

CHAPTER 24

HAYDEN

"I'm sorry, but I haven't seen her in a week or so," The old man said to me. He was the last person on my list and I felt slightly bad for asking an old man about her whereabouts.

I came back to the library Juliette once took me, hoping the owners would have the answers I've been desperately searching for. But, it was unsuccessful.

"Well, I won't take any more of your time then" I shook his hand and walked out of the library. I stood for a long time outside of it, trying to clear my thoughts. I can't think straight anymore, she's all I can think about and it's beginning to fuck with my brain badly.

I've received another so-called gift from the fucking pain in my ass aka the serial killer. Of course, Juliette being the person she is continued to insult him and earned a slap in return. I nearly snapped the tape in half when I heard him strike her.

I climbed back into my car and drove back to the station. Nobody knew about me and John's plan and what we were doing right now. Everyone at the station didn't even know about Juliette yet and it'll stay that way.

I knew the moment the news are going to be out in the world, my director was going to pull me out of this case due to emotional involvement, and there's no way in hell I would let him do that.

I walked into the station, after climbing out of my car. I was on my way to my office when Henry intercepted me in the hallway. I wanted nothing more than walk away from him.

"Hayden, it's been a while since we've seen each other" Henry smiled at me.

"We literally work at the same place" I deadpanned and his smile faltered. He's getting on my nerves.

"Of course" He cleared his throat. "So how's your case doing so far"

"I can't disclose any information regarding this case unless you're involved in this investigation which you are not" I replied, brushing him off. I began walking away when he interrupted me once again.

"It's a shame smart girls like them met such a tragic ending" He sighed and I stopped walking. I looked over my shoulder and locked eyes with him. He grinned at me before exiting the station.

What he just said... it sounded so familiar, I'm sure I've heard it somewhere. I walked directly toward the recording room and replayed the tape that was sent to me.

I listened to the whole thing again, despite my guts wanting to evict my breakfast all over the floor. I stopped the audio when I heard it. The fucking sentence that made bells ring in my head the moment he said it.

It couldn't be a coincidence, right? It had to be something. Did I finally find the killer we've been searching for months and he was right under my nose?

Fucking hell! I will make him pay for every crime that he did if it's him. If it's him, I can't wait another minute. Juliette could be a second away from dying and I'm not risking that.

I grabbed my car keys and dialed my partner. I nearly ran to my car and jumped in it.

"Detective Kennet speaking"

"Kennet, I believe we found our killer" I rasped as I drove towards Henry's house.

"Who is it?!" He screeched into the phone.

"Henry, the policeman working at the station. I'm going to his house right now, Juliette is probably going to be there if I'm right about this" I said rapidly, almost tripping over my words.

"Wait you can't do that, not without a search warrant, Smith!" He responded.

"I don't care about a warrant right now Kennet. I only care about saving my girl from fucking dying" I nearly screamed into the phone. "So get your fucking ass over to his house in case I'm right about this"

I hung up and drove faster towards Henry's house. My adrenaline was pumping through the roof, but my thoughts were only about her.

I began imagining how I would find her. Would she be okay? Was she on the brink of death, nearly gone. I gripped the steering wheel tighter to stop myself from imagining the worst.

She was going to be alright. She had to be...