1970 - Killer Spouse

Ch 8: Closer Than Ever

As the days turned into a week, Alex had seamlessly slipped into the role of her boyfriend, showing up wherever she went, joining her for lunch breaks, and acting the perfect partner. He would laugh at her jokes, hold her hand when they walked, and whisper sweet nothings into her ear—just like any loving boyfriend would.

But only Alex knew the real reason he was sticking so close. He had to erase all the evidence. Every clue Emma found, every lead she pursued, was a threat to his secret. He had to monitor her every move to make sure she didn't find out too much.

In the mornings, he played the charming, doting partner—helping her pick out an outfit, making her coffee, and stealing kisses when they were alone. But at night, after Emma fell asleep, Alex resumed his old habits. The mask would slip on, the gloves would come out, and he would hunt for his next victim. The thrill of the kill never left him, no matter how much time he spent with Emma. Each time he returned to her, he wiped the blood from his hands, both literally and figuratively, reminding himself of the lines he had to walk carefully like a whole different human.

---------------------------
It was a bright morning when Emma and Alex walked hand-in-hand to the detective headquarters. They had been inseparable lately, much to the amusement of her colleagues. Emma was beginning to get used to his constant presence, liking how comfortable it felt to have someone by her side—someone she thought she could trust.

Just as they were about to enter the building, a wave of commotion hit them. Police cars lined the street, and detectives were crowding around something near the front steps of the office. Emma's brow furrowed as she let go of Alex's hand and moved closer to see what was going on.

Captain Reynolds was there, his face grim. A body had been found.

The victim lay sprawled in front of the detective headquarters, covered in a makeshift tarp. Emma's heart sank as she approached, the familiar scent of death and blood reaching her nose.

"What's going on?" Emma asked, her voice tense.

Captain Reynolds looked at her with weary eyes. "Another one, Emma. It's the same M.O. as the others. But this time... this time it's different."

Emma's gaze drifted to the corpse, but before she could take another step, Reynolds handed her a folded piece of paper. It had been attached to the victim's chest.

With trembling fingers, Emma unfolded the note and read the words:

"Find me, Emma. I'm really close by."

Her blood ran cold. The killer was taunting her. This wasn't just a murder—it was personal.

"Whoever this is... they're playing with us," Reynolds said grimly, his voice laced with frustration. "And they're targeting you."

Emma's mind spun, her thoughts colliding with each other as she processed the message. She was so close to finding this maniac, but now it seemed like he was watching her—like he was always one step ahead.

Beside her, Alex placed a reassuring hand on her back, his touch gentle, concerned. "Are you okay, Emma?" he asked, his voice low and full of care. But beneath his mask of concern, Alex was smirking inwardly. He couldn't help but relish the moment. It was thrilling, knowing that Emma had no idea who the killer really was—the same man standing right next to her.

"Yeah," Emma replied, her voice quieter than usual. She was still staring at the note, her mind racing. "It's just... weird. This feels personal."

Alex tightened his grip on her hand, giving a soft smile that concealed his true feelings. "We'll catch him," he said softly. "Whoever this psycho is, he won't get away with it."

Emma gave a slight nod, her brows still furrowed in deep thought. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the investigation.

Alex's plan was working perfectly. The letter had done exactly what he wanted it to—it had rattled Emma and thrown her off course. Now she was distracted, overwhelmed, and unsure. And he was right there beside her, feeding her false comfort while keeping an eye on her every move.

The night before, after his latest kill, he had positioned the body right in front of the detective office, just to see her reaction. To see how close she thought she was to catching him. The note had been a spur-of-the-moment idea, a way to toy with her, to let her know that the killer was closer than she could ever imagine.

Watching her now, he couldn't help but smirk internally. Emma had no idea how deep she was getting, or that the man she was falling for was the very one responsible for these murders. She was smart, yes, but even the best detectives had blind spots—and hers was Alex.

But Alex had to be careful. Despite the thrill, he was walking a dangerous line. One mistake, one slip-up, and everything could unravel. For now, he had to play the role of the loving boyfriend—close enough to watch her, but distant enough to avoid detection.

Later that day, Emma sat at her desk, studying the case files while the note from the killer lingered at the back of her mind. It was unsettling, knowing that whoever they were, they were watching her.

Alex sat across from her, pretending to be supportive. "What do you think the note means?" he asked, leaning forward as if genuinely interested.

Emma sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's like he's taunting me. Like he's right Infront of me and watching my every move. I don't know. I feel like I'm missing something." She rubbed her temples, frustration lining her face.

Alex leaned back, nodding thoughtfully. "We'll figure it out. You always do." As he smirk to himself.

He watched her carefully. He knew Emma would keep digging, keep pushing. She was too good at her job to let this slide. But for now, he had the upper hand, and as long as he kept playing his part, she'd never see him for what he truly was.

And while Emma fell deeper into the trap, Alex was already planning his next move. The note had been just the beginning. Soon, the real game would begin, and he was going to enjoy every moment of it.

As he held her hand, his mind raced with twisted excitement. He was the one she was hunting, and he was right beside her, guiding her every step. As he put his hand on her shoulder and kisses her cheek. "I'll bring your favorite coffee. Alright?" He told on a soft tone as Emma nods at him with a smile.