Shadows of the Mind

Chapter 5: The Search for Answers

With the new lead in hand, Evelyn and Jake wasted no time. They regrouped with their team, sharing Tom's information and piecing together a plan of action. The tattoo description could help them identify the man who had stalked Sarah.

"Let's run a background check on all the known associates of the club," Jake suggested, tapping on his laptop. "If we can find someone with that tattoo, it might lead us straight to our suspect."

Evelyn nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "I'll contact the tattoo parlors nearby and see if anyone has had recent work done that matches his description. We need to find out who he is and where he might be."

As they worked, Evelyn couldn't shake the feeling that they were racing against time. Every minute counted, and the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on her shoulders.

The next few hours were a blur of phone calls and research. They scoured social media for leads, connecting the dots between known associates of the nightclub and any suspicious activity reported in the area.

After what felt like an eternity, a break finally came through. Jake's phone buzzed, and he answered quickly, his expression shifting from frustration to excitement.

"Evelyn, you won't believe this," he said, his voice tense with urgency. "I think we've got a hit."

"What do you have?" she asked, moving closer.

"I just got off the phone with a tattoo parlor downtown. They had a customer last week with a tattoo that fits the description. A serpent coiled around a dagger. They said the guy was acting weird, like he was trying to hide something."

"Did they get a name?" Evelyn pressed.

"They didn't, but they did mention he was in and out pretty quickly. He paid cash, which is a red flag. They didn't even get a good look at him," Jake explained, his eyes narrowing in concentration.

Evelyn felt a surge of adrenaline. "Let's head there now. If we can catch him, maybe he'll lead us to Sarah."

As they rushed out of the precinct, Evelyn couldn't shake the thought that they were closing in on the truth. The pieces of the puzzle were finally aligning, but the fear of what they might find loomed over her.

The tattoo parlor was a small, dimly lit shop, decorated with art and sketches of various designs. The smell of antiseptic hung in the air, a stark reminder of the reality of what they were pursuing.

"Let's split up," Jake suggested as they entered. "I'll talk to the artist who did the tattoo. You check the register for names."

Evelyn nodded, her heart racing. She approached the reception area, where a young woman sat behind the desk, scrolling through her phone.

"Excuse me," Evelyn said, forcing a smile. "I'm with the police. We're investigating a recent case and need to look at your records for any recent tattoos."

The receptionist looked up, her expression shifting from indifference to concern. "Sure, I can help with that. Do you have a specific date in mind?"

"Last week, if possible. We're looking for anyone with a serpent or dragon tattoo," Evelyn said, trying to keep her voice calm.

The receptionist nodded and began typing on the computer. Evelyn glanced around, taking in the walls adorned with tattoo art. Every image seemed to whisper stories of the people who wore them.

After a moment, the receptionist looked up, her brow furrowed. "We have a customer from last Thursday that fits your description. He paid cash, but we didn't get a name."

"Do you have a description?" Evelyn pressed, her pulse quickening.

"Uh, yeah. He had dark hair, kind of scruffy, and he was wearing a leather jacket," the receptionist said. "I remember thinking he seemed anxious, like he was trying to hide something."