Red Roses dark Secrets

Chapter 10: Beneath the Surface

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow across the city as Miller and Hayes returned to the precinct. The atmosphere buzzed with the tension of ongoing investigations, but their focus remained solely on the enigmatic figure of Carter Wells.

"Let's pull together everything we have on him," Miller said, his mind racing. "We need a comprehensive timeline of his movements since Sarah's death."

Hayes nodded, her expression serious. "I'll coordinate with the tech team to track his phone records and any surveillance footage in the area. We might catch something that he's trying to hide."

"Good plan," Miller replied, feeling a surge of hope. They had made progress, but he could feel the clock ticking down, the urgency growing with each passing moment. He knew they needed to act fast to catch Carter before he could slip away.

As they settled into their routine, Miller couldn't shake the feeling that they were racing against time. The deeper they delved into Carter's life, the more entangled they became in a web of deceit and danger. But Miller felt more determined than ever to get to the bottom of it.

"Hey, have you thought about reaching out to Sarah's family?" Hayes suggested, breaking into his thoughts. "They might have insights into her life and any concerns she had about Carter."

Miller paused, considering her suggestion. "That's a good idea. If they know anything about her relationship with him, it could provide crucial context. Let's set up a meeting."

As they prepared to meet Sarah's family, Miller's mind swirled with thoughts of the young woman whose life had been cut tragically short. What had her life been like? Had she felt trapped in her relationship with Carter? Those questions hung in the air, driving Miller's determination to uncover the truth.

Later that evening, they drove to the Jenkins family home—a modest two-story house in a quiet neighborhood. As they approached, Miller felt a wave of apprehension wash over him. He understood the weight of their visit and the pain that surrounded it.

He knocked on the door, and a moment later, it opened to reveal Sarah's mother, a woman in her fifties with tear-streaked cheeks and weary eyes. "Detectives," she said, her voice shaky but resolute. "What brings you here?"

"Thank you for meeting with us, Mrs. Jenkins," Miller replied gently. "We're here to ask you some questions about Sarah and her relationship with Carter Wells."

Mrs. Jenkins stepped aside, her expression a mix of grief and concern. "Please, come in." The interior of the home was filled with photographs of Sarah, each one a bittersweet reminder of her vibrant life. The walls were adorned with smiles that now felt hauntingly distant.

Once they settled into the living room, Miller took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "We want to understand more about Sarah's relationship with Carter. Did she ever express concerns about him?"

Mrs. Jenkins wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Sarah was always so happy, so full of life. But I remember a few times she mentioned feeling uneasy about Carter. He was possessive, always wanting to know where she was and who she was with."

Hayes leaned forward, her eyes sympathetic. "Did she ever talk about specific incidents that made her uncomfortable?"

Mrs. Jenkins hesitated, her voice breaking. "There was one time I noticed a bruise on her arm. She brushed it off, saying she had bumped into something. But I could see the fear in her eyes when she talked about him. I knew something was wrong."

Miller exchanged glances with Hayes, their hearts heavy with the implications of Mrs. Jenkins's words. "We're doing everything we can to find out what happened to Sarah," he said, his voice firm with resolve. "We believe Carter knows more than he's letting on."

"I just want justice for my daughter," Mrs. Jenkins whispered, her voice trembling. "She didn't deserve this. She was so young... so full of dreams."

As the conversation continued, Miller learned more about Sarah's aspirations, her hopes of traveling and pursuing a career in art. Each revelation felt like a dagger to his heart, reinforcing the urgency of their investigation.

"What can you tell us about Sarah's friends?" Hayes asked. "Did she have anyone she confided in?"

Mrs. Jenkins thought for a moment. "She had a close-knit group, but I know she grew distant from them after she started dating Carter. I think he isolated her. It breaks my heart to think about it."

"Isolation is a common tactic in abusive relationships," Miller said quietly. "We want to make sure her friends are safe and have the opportunity to share what they know."

After a long discussion, they left the Jenkins home with a renewed sense of purpose. As Miller drove, he glanced at Hayes, who looked contemplative. "Do you think Carter is capable of something so terrible?" she asked softly.

Miller hesitated, weighing his response. "I think he's hiding something. The more we uncover, the more dangerous he seems. We have to tread carefully."

Arriving back at the precinct, they reviewed their notes, and Miller felt the tension in the air. The case was becoming more intricate, and with each new piece of information, the stakes were rising.

"Let's try to reach out to Sarah's friends tomorrow," Hayes suggested. "They might have seen things that could help us piece this together."

"Agreed," Miller said, determination coursing through him. "We need to gather as much evidence as we can. Carter won't stay hidden forever."

As the night wore on, Miller continued to research Carter's background, digging into his online presence, social media, and any mutual connections with Sarah. Each click of the mouse felt like a step closer to uncovering the truth, yet it also deepened his sense of foreboding.

Hours later, he leaned back in his chair, exhaustion creeping in. Just then, his phone buzzed. It was an email from the forensics team, with updates on the evidence collected from the crime scene.

"Hayes, come take a look at this!" he called out, feeling a rush of adrenaline.

She joined him as he opened the document. "What do we have?" she asked, her interest piqued.

"It looks like they found traces of a specific type of fabric on Sarah's clothes—a rare blend," Miller said, his heart racing. "And there's a possible match for a brand that Carter wears."

Hayes's eyes widened. "That could be huge. If we can tie him to the crime scene with physical evidence..."

"Exactly," Miller said, excitement bubbling within him. "We might finally have something concrete to confront him with."

Just as they were processing this new lead, the precinct's door swung open, and a frantic officer rushed in. "Detectives! We just received a report—Carter's been spotted near the old warehouse district. We think he's trying to flee."

Miller's heart dropped. "We need to move, now!" He grabbed his jacket and sprinted towards the door, Hayes hot on his heels.

As they raced to the car, Miller could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. They were closing in on Carter, but he knew they had to act quickly. Time was running out, and the truth was waiting to be uncovered.