CSI San Antonio

19

The next day, Samantha walked through the school corridors, taking in the sights, sounds, and faces. Although she was growing familiar with the layout and felt more comfortable, she still occasionally caught herself glancing around nervously. The bustle of students hurrying to classes, the echoes of laughter, and the hum of conversation were all still new to her.

Dylan walked up beside her, offering an easy smile. “Hey, you ready for your second day?”

“Yeah,” she said, feeling a bit more confident. “I’m actually starting to feel like I know my way around.”

“Good! And remember, if you get lost or need anything, you can just find me,” he replied, nudging her playfully.

They made their way to her art class, and as they walked, Dylan’s presence felt increasingly familiar and reassuring to her. When they reached the design room, Dylan leaned against the door, crossing his arms and flashing her a grin. “Go make an impression today, okay?”

“I’ll try,” Samantha said, smiling back, her cheeks warming slightly. She was growing to enjoy his support and kindness, feeling less like the new girl with him by her side. As she walked into the classroom, she couldn’t shake the sense that she was finally finding her place here.

Later that afternoon, the CSI team gathered at a pub not far from the precinct. It was a cozy place, warm lighting casting a relaxed ambiance, filled with the sound of soft chatter and the occasional clinking of glasses. Alan sat at the bar, sipping his drink and glancing around as the team laughed and recounted stories from the day.

Victoria entered a little later, looking more refreshed than the previous night. She greeted everyone warmly, and her eyes landed on Alan, who raised his glass in a silent welcome. She ordered a drink and sat beside him.

Alan was careful not to let his gaze linger too long, but he couldn’t help admiring the way Victoria seemed to light up the room. She was capable, sharp, and had brought fresh energy to the team. He respected her skills, but lately, he’s found himself drawn to more than just her professionalism. He looked away, taking a slow sip of his drink, pushing those thoughts aside.

As they chatted, one of their colleagues, Matt, glanced over at Victoria, a curious smile playing on his lips. “Victoria, if you’re free sometime, would you like to grab dinner?” he asked, a hopeful look in his eyes.

Alan’s posture stiffened just slightly, though he kept his expression neutral. He watched as Victoria, surprised, blinked and then smiled politely.

“Thanks, Matt. I appreciate it,” she said, “but I think I’m going to need some time to settle in a bit more first.” She spoke kindly, her smile putting him at ease.

Alan relaxed, relieved but also troubled by his own reaction. He needed to keep things professional—she was his teammate, after all.

Back at the station for the night shift, Victoria arrived just as Alan was reviewing case files at his desk. The moment he saw her, he greeted her with a professional nod.

“Ready for another shift?” he asked, his tone warm but collected.

Victoria returned the nod. “Definitely. Anything new on the forest case?”

“Not yet,” he replied, “but something’s just come in from forensics—they found a partial fingerprint on a branch near the victim.”

They were interrupted by a call from dispatch. Another body had been discovered, this time in an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city. The location was oddly close to the forest, suggesting the cases might be connected.

“Let’s get there,” Alan said, his tone tightening as he gathered his things. Victoria followed, her mind racing with questions.

When they arrived, the scene was eerily silent. The abandoned building was dark and dusty, shafts of light breaking through cracked windows. As they stepped inside, Victoria immediately noted the similarities between this scene and the previous one. The victim’s position, the scattering of leaves near the body—it all felt strangely familiar.

“This is too close to the last case to be a coincidence,” she murmured, her instincts alert.

Alan knelt beside the body, inspecting the area closely. “I agree. We might be dealing with the same person,” he said, sharing a knowing glance with Victoria.

The forensic team arrived to assist, carefully documenting and collecting samples. As they worked, Victoria couldn’t shake the sense that this case was far from straightforward. The killer seemed to be leaving a trail, almost inviting them to follow.

Alan caught her eye, sensing her focus. “Looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us, again,” he said, trying to lighten the mood. His voice held a touch of admiration, one he couldn’t quite hide.

Victoria met his gaze, a spark of determination lighting in her eyes. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”