Ghost Behind You

1.25. The Witch's Name (2)

Before Rose could hang up the phone, a sudden, urgent knock echoed from the door. Zhao Lingling, still in shock on the other end, was barely holding it together, but Rose quickly reassured her and ended the call.

It was Zach. When Rose opened the door, his tense expression startled her. "What's going on?"

"I've been trying to call you, asking you to come to the kitchen, but your line was busy the whole time," Zach said as he stepped inside.

"The kitchen?" Rose asked, confused.

"I found the person who wrote the note—and someone who recognized the woman in the sketch," Zach said, blinking at her.

"Really?!" Rose's excitement surged, and she almost jumped in place. So, all her earlier worries about the sketch were for nothing. "You're amazing! I was just on the phone, investigating another victim from Room 104. But it turns out the witch used a fake ID."

"Ah, so there was another victim. Well, the fake name doesn't matter now," Zach said, grinning. "Your sketch did the trick. A chef downstairs recognized the woman immediately."

"The chef? Not the person who wrote the note?"

"No, the note writer's a cleaner," Zach replied, settling onto the bed and pulling out a cigarette.

"Here, let me light that—you've earned it." Rose took the lighter from him.

"Haha, look at you, all smiles now." Zach chuckled, taking a long drag before his face turned serious again.

"Here's what happened. I found the cleaner sitting on the first floor, watching her grandson do his summer homework. When I asked her a few questions, she turned pale and waved her hands, telling me not to make a fuss. Once we found a quiet spot, she confessed. Apparently, the hotel owner didn't want rumors spreading. She's an old woman and can't handle this kind of thing. She wrote the note, hoping the police would investigate whether the place was really haunted. Oh, and now the entire hotel knows you're a cop," Zach added with a smirk.

"Well, at least I don't have to explain myself anymore," Rose said absently.

"Let's just hope it hasn't alerted the wrong people," Zach said, his tone more serious.

"What do you mean?"

"Think about it. Why would the witch be connected to this hotel? Did she die in Room 104? How did she die? If it's like what you saw in your dream—that she was raped and murdered, her soul still lingering here—then the killer might still be around. Maybe even in this hotel," Zach said grimly.

Rose's face went pale. She hadn't considered that. Now that Zach mentioned it, her status as a police officer might have already spooked the murderer. They could be fleeing right now.

"So... what do we do?" Rose asked, anxiety creeping in. "I didn't expect a simple suicide investigation to uncover an unsolved murder."

"Neither did I," Zach admitted. "It wasn't until the cleaner mentioned everyone knew you were a cop that I started connecting the dots. If the witch died of natural causes, that's one thing. But if there's a killer, they might not let you off the hook either..."

"Stop trying to scare me!" Rose's face turned even whiter.

"You should be careful. Until we have solid proof, there's no need to alert your colleagues. I'll stay close and keep an eye on you," Zach said, his expression serious.

"Alright..." Rose lowered her head. She couldn't help but worry—what if the killer came for her in the middle of the night? Alone, she wouldn't stand a chance. The killer could be lurking in the shadows, while she was right in the open. It felt like both the living and the dead were after her.