Cold Case Chronicles

1st Story: New Lead

The night had settled over Oakridge, and the faint hum of the city drifted through the open window of Jack Mercer's bedroom. He lay sprawled across his bed, his worn leather jacket draped over the chair by his desk. Jack had barely closed his eyes when the phone buzzed, cutting through the silence of his darkened room.

His hand shot out, fumbling for the phone on the nightstand. Squinting at the screen, he saw Faith's name flash across the display. It was barely past 8 a.m., and Jack wasn't a morning person, but the urgency in Faith's calls had a way of waking him up faster than any alarm.

"Yeah?" Jack groaned as he answered, his voice hoarse from sleep.

"I've got something," Faith said, her voice sharp and steady. "You need to get up and get over to Mel's. I'll meet you there in 30."

Jack rubbed his eyes, stifling a yawn. "You sure it's worth dragging myself out of bed for this?"

"You want answers about Emily, don't you?" she shot back without missing a beat.

He sighed, already feeling the weight of the case pressing on him. "I'll be there."

Jack swung his legs over the side of the bed, the cool morning air brushing against his skin. He ran a hand through his messy black hair and stood up, stretching. It wasn't long before he was dressed in jeans and his familiar white T-shirt. He grabbed his leather jacket from the chair and slipped it on, the familiar weight of it making him feel more awake. After a quick glance in the mirror, Jack grabbed his phone and keys, heading out the door.

He made his way to his yellow Camaro, the engine purring to life as he drove through the empty streets of Oakridge. The city was still waking up, the sun starting to rise over the buildings as Jack pulled into the parking lot of Mel's Diner. He spotted Faith already seated in a booth by the window, flipping through a folder, her expression focused.

As he entered, Jack could tell she had something important to share. He slid into the seat across from her, offering her a nod.

"You look like you didn't sleep a wink," she said, not bothering with small talk. "Got some news for you."

"I'm awake now," Jack muttered. "What do you have?"

Faith hesitated, glancing around as if to make sure no one was listening in before she leaned forward, speaking in a low voice.

"My source called me this morning," she said, her eyes locked on his. "You're going to want to listen closely. The rumors about Bishop... they're worse than I thought. It seems like he's involved in something even deeper. I found a connection to a nightclub in town—The Black Rose. It's rumored to be where people go when they don't want to be found. It's also where a lot of folks end up dead."

Jack's stomach tightened. "The Black Rose? I've heard of it. Never thought it was anything more than another hole-in-the-wall dive."

Faith nodded, her voice dropping even lower. "It's more than that. It's where people disappear without a trace. If Emily was involved, she might've known too much. I think she got caught up in something she couldn't get out of."

Jack sat back, the weight of the information sinking in. This was the first solid lead he had in days, and it felt like the kind of break he was waiting for. The pieces were starting to come together, but the more he uncovered, the darker things seemed to get.

"I'll check it out," Jack said quietly, the leather jacket hanging heavy on his shoulders as if it, too, was aware of the danger ahead.

Before he could leave, Faith motioned to the plate in front of him. "You're looking a little rough, Jack. I got you some breakfast. Might as well eat something before you head out."

Jack blinked in surprise. "You didn't have to—"

"I know, but you always seem to skip meals when you're chasing a lead," she interrupted, her tone softening just slightly. "Eat something. It'll be a long day."

He glanced down at the plate of eggs, toast, and bacon in front of him. The smell of the diner's food was comforting, and he realized he hadn't eaten in hours. "Thanks," Jack muttered, picking up his fork. "I could use the fuel."

Faith gave him a brief smile, leaning back in the booth. "You might need more than that to keep up with this case. But it's a start."

Jack ate in silence for a few moments before his curiosity piqued again. "You mentioned Bishop, but I'm guessing there's more. What else?"

Faith lowered her voice again, glancing around the diner before speaking. "I've been having to be extra careful with this. The chief doesn't want me wasting any time on this case. He's made it clear: It's a cold case, and that's what it is. I've got a lot of pressure on me to let it go, but I can't."

Jack nodded, understanding all too well what it was like to work a case when higher-ups wanted it closed. "You've got to do what you can, Faith. If the chief's not behind you, I get it. But I'll back you up all the way."

Faith sighed, her fingers tapping lightly on the table. "I know you will, Jack. That's why I called you. This could be bigger than anyone realizes."

Jack stood up, tucking his jacket over his shoulder. "I'll let you know what I find. I'll be at The Black Rose later today."

Faith nodded. "Be careful. You don't want to get too close to Bishop's circle. They'll do anything to protect their secrets."

Jack met her gaze, his jaw tight. "I'll be fine. I've handled worse."

Faith didn't look convinced, but she nodded. "Good luck."

As Jack left the diner and headed toward his Camaro, he felt a sense of purpose settling in. The Black Rose was the lead he needed. If Emily had been involved in something connected to that place, it would explain why she was so terrified before her death. And Jack was going to make sure the people responsible paid for what they'd done.

The sun hung low in the sky, and Jack knew that this was only the beginning of a darker path ahead. But he was ready to follow it to the end.

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