Shadow Of Hearts (Emily Prentiss X OC)

Chapter 4: The Big Apple

The flight to New York was a tense one. Emily and Echo sat across from each other, the hum of the jet's engines filling the silence between them. The stakes had never felt higher, and the urgency of their mission weighed heavily on both women. Despite the tension, there was a quiet understanding between them-a sense that they were in this together, no matter what.

As they touched down in New York, the city's bright lights greeted them, a stark contrast to the darkness of the case they were about to confront. There was no time to admire the skyline; they needed to get to Isabelle Thornton before the unsub did.

The drive to Isabelle's apartment was filled with the flashing lights of the NYPD escort. As they pulled up in front of the sleek, modern building, Emily's heart pounded in her chest. They were close, so close to stopping the unsub-but they had to act quickly.

Inside the lobby, a doorman recognized Isabelle's name and directed them to her apartment. Emily, Echo, and Morgan took the elevator up, the air thick with anticipation. As the doors slid open, they moved swiftly down the hallway, their footsteps echoing in the quiet space.

Emily knocked on the door, her knuckles sharp against the wood. They waited, the seconds stretching out unbearably long. When no one answered, Morgan nodded to Echo, and she stepped forward, producing a lock-picking kit from her pocket. With a few deft movements, the door clicked open, and they slipped inside, guns drawn.

The apartment was dark, save for the soft glow of city lights filtering through the windows. It was meticulously clean, with modern furniture and tasteful artwork adorning the walls. But there was no sign of Isabelle.

"Isabelle Thornton?" Morgan called out, his voice low but firm. They moved through the space, checking each room, but it quickly became apparent that the apartment was empty.

"Damn it," Echo muttered, frustration flashing in her eyes. "We're too late."

Emily's heart sank, but she refused to give up. "We need to find out where she is. If the unsub hasn't reached her yet, there might still be time."

Echo pulled out her phone and called Garcia, pacing as she spoke. "Garcia, we're at Isabelle Thornton's apartment, but she's not here. We need to know where she could be."

Garcia's voice was tense. "Okay, let me check her phone records and see if there's any recent activity."

As they waited, Emily scanned the apartment, looking for any clues that might indicate where Isabelle had gone. Her eyes landed on a stack of papers on the kitchen counter-an itinerary for an art exhibit opening at the Met that evening.

"Echo," Emily called, holding up the itinerary. "She might be at the Met. There's an exhibit opening tonight."

Echo's eyes narrowed as she read the details. "If she's at the museum, the unsub could be planning to strike there. We need to get over there now."

Garcia's voice crackled over the phone. "I just confirmed it-Isabelle's phone last pinged at the Met. She's definitely there."

Emily's heart raced as they dashed out of the apartment, urgency propelling them forward. The Met was only a few blocks away, but every second felt like an eternity. As they sped through the streets, sirens blaring, Emily couldn't help but feel the weight of what they were about to face.

When they arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the grand entrance was bustling with activity. Patrons in evening attire milled about, unaware of the danger that lurked within. The team flashed their badges and hurried past the velvet ropes, heading straight for the exhibit hall.

The gallery was dimly lit, the focus on the stunning pieces of art displayed along the walls. It was a high-profile event, and the room was filled with the city's elite, sipping champagne and admiring the works. But among them was a killer, intent on completing his twisted ritual.