Found Obsession

Chapter 46: Her own warnings.

Rose sifted through the files, her eyes landing on one in particular—her first case.

Why had she brought cases home? That was against protocol.

After a moment of reflection, she realized these were copies of old cases. Everything was neatly organized, with notes and dates meticulously recorded. She moved to the largest wall, where she saw details of the previous nine victims laid out.

The interrogation transcripts, similar to the ones she had reviewed with Riley, didn’t reveal anything new—just more detailed notes and photographs of the victims' families.

What had she discovered in this room that had led her to the killer? What had connected her to that night?

Her gaze shifted to a sticky note stuck to the wall. It read, "Follow the list."

Her heart skipped a beat. The list. It was important. Rose pulled out page two of a document, marked "2/20," and pinned it to the wall for better visibility.

Feeling uneasy, she unclasped her necklace and placed it in a secure drawer. This place, hidden from the world, seemed safer than anywhere else right now.

She reread the details about the victims. Their families had mentioned business trips and affairs. A pattern. They all seemed eerily similar.

What had she seen before? Why couldn't she remember?

Rose turned to her computer. It powered on quickly, a logo flashing across the screen before it requested a password.

Oh no.

She stared at the screen for a moment, her mind racing. After searching through the desk drawers, she found a small notebook.

Rose took a deep breath and opened the small notebook. The first page hit her like a brick.

TRUST NO ONE.

She flipped to the next page.

DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF TIME.

Her hands trembled as she turned the page again.

SET THE TIMER, NOT TOO LOUD. THE PHONE MUST BE ON MUTE.

She frowned. This place was soundproof, wasn’t it? Yet the note seemed insistent. Rose searched through another drawer and found a small timer, exactly like the note described.

The next page sent a chill down her spine.

CONSTANTLY LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE FOR HIDDEN MICROPHONES. THEY COME AND GO. THE PHONE TOO.

Her blood went cold. Heart pounding, she snatched her phone and inspected it carefully. Clean—at least for now.

She turned the page again.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS CLOSE DOWN EVERYTHING WHEN YOU COME DOWN HERE.

With fear gnawing at her, Rose climbed back up and resealed the hidden entrance. She placed the boxes of rocks carefully back into their original spots, understanding now why she had left those small gaps for maneuvering. Once the final tile was back in place, she descended the ladder again, sweat trickling down her back.

Back at the desk, she flipped to the next page, her fingers trembling.

DON’T GRAB ATTENTION. LEAVE THE SPOTLIGHT TO THAT IMBECILE, WILL. NO MATTER HOW UNFAIR IT MAY SEEM.

Was Will nothing more than a decoy? Had she seen how egoistic he was and decided he was the perfect cover?

She turned the page again, her stomach twisting.