The Stolen Heart

[ 13 ]

   Weeks have passed since the incident and now Erica is almost fully healed. As soon as she got out of the hospital she got back to work, determined to catch the one that did this to her, Merlow Sully. She started by connecting the dots from the very beginning. 

"Why would he do that, and why now?" Erica thought to herself, not knowing how to how to put things together. 

"Can I help?" Cadence said entering the room. Erica's face light up at the sight of her.

"I could use some help Cade." Erica said and winked. Cadence just left out a small laugh.

"So, what's bothering you?"

"I can't understand why is Merlow back again."

"Revenge maybe?" Cadence said, almost breaking a smile at the thought that she also used this reason to be Soft Paws.

"I don't think so..I feel like it's more than this."

"Then maybe try to tell me what happened in the past with him, maybe I could help you out." Cadence said and earned a smile from Erica.

"Okay.. so, like 10 years ago we had a case of a big murdering like this one. The similarity is so big, I really don't know how did I not know he was behind all of this. He's usually targeting old people or over 30 years old, kids were never an option for him."

"Thank god, at least that." Cadence said and nodded to Erica to continue.

"The first time, his victims were a middle age couple. We caught him red handed and arrested him. But unfortunately at that time in function was a corrupt chief of police. He just deleted every proof that the police had gathered, just to help him escape. Two years later, he killed again. We fought so hard and even asked the city government for help to get that corrupt cop out of function. After that, we connected the dots all over again and collected proof to arrest Merlow. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for murdering just one person, unfortunately. And that's everything I think." 

"Damn, that's so fucked up actually. He deserved so much worse. I'm sorry, but I still can't understand why he did this again, maybe there's another reason, more connected with one of us." Cadence said.

"I could just think about me, he only wanted to hurt me so I don't think he has something with you guys."

"I hope not, but if it's you, it's probably because you caught him and made him stay for 10 years in prison."

"Maybe, but how is he free after just 10 years?" Erica said and Cadence only shrugged.

Erica suddenly stood up, pacing around the room.
"It doesn't make sense. Ten years is too early. He must've had help."

Cadence raised an eyebrow. "From inside the system again?"

"Possibly. But this time... it feels personal. Like he's watching me." Erica rubbed the back of her neck. "Every move I make, I feel eyes on me."

Cadence's expression softened. She stepped closer, placing a hand lightly on Erica's arm. "Then we don't let you face him alone."

The warmth of her touch startled Erica. She met Cadence's eyes, surprised by how close they were.

Before either of them could speak, a notification chimed on Erica's phone. An anonymous message.

"You missed something the first time"
-M.S.

Erica's blood ran cold.
Cadence stepped beside her, reading it over her shoulder.

"This isn't random," Cadence said quietly. "He wants you to dig where you already did."

Erica swallowed hard. "He's leading us somewhere."

"Good," Cadence whispered. "Then we follow him...together."

Erica stared at the message, jaw tightening.
"He's toying with me."

Cadence stood close enough that Erica could feel her warmth along her arm.
"Or he's desperate," she countered. "Criminals who want to feel in control.
That's not confidence—that's panic disguised as ego."

Erica looked at her, impressed. "Psychology always was your strong suit."

Cadence's lips twitched. "So is reading people. And right now? You're scared."

Erica opened her mouth to object, but the words didn't come out. She was scared—though not for herself. Not really.
More for everyone around her.

"He wants to pull me in," Erica said softly. "Make me chase him again. But why leave a message if he already thinks he has the upper hand?"

Cadence moved even closer, lowering her voice.
"Because he's underestimating you. He always has."

There was no mockery in her tone—only confidence, and something else Erica couldn't quite name.
Something warmer.
Protective.

Their eyes locked, and Erica's heartbeat quickened. 

And then her phone buzzed again.
Another message.

"Check your mailbox."

Erica's blood drained from her face.
Cadence instantly shifted into alert mode.

"Don't open it alone," Cadence said, reaching for her jacket. "We go together."

Erica grabbed her gun and nodded.

They approached the mailbox slowly, Cadence covering Erica's back. The night air was sharp, the street too quiet.

Erica's hand hovered above the metal.
Cadence placed a steadying hand on her wrist.

"On three," Cadence whispered.
"Three," Erica echoed.

Erica flung the mailbox open.

A small black envelope sat inside, addressed in neat handwriting.

Cadence reached in first, scanning for tripwires or foreign devices.
Nothing.

She handed the envelope to Erica.
"Careful."

Erica tore it open, her breath catching as she pulled out a photo.

It was of her and Cadence, taken through a window.

Standing exactly as they had been inside the house...
only minutes ago.

"Cade..." Erica's voice shook. "He's watching us."

Cadence stepped close again, but this time it wasn't for comfort—it was instinct. Protection.
She looked around the dark street, jaw clenched.

"He's near," Cadence whispered. "And he wants you to know it."

Erica held the photo tightly.
"We need to move. We need to strategize. And we need to do it now."

Cadence didn't argue. Instead, she placed a firm hand on the small of Erica's back, guiding her quickly inside.

Back inside the house, Erica spread the evidence across the table—phone, envelope, photo—while Cadence scanned the windows, curtains trembling slightly as she checked for anyone lurking outside.

"I don't like that he's this close," Cadence muttered.

Erica's voice was steady as she opened the black envelope again. "There's something else inside."

Cadence turned sharply. "What?"

_________________________________________________________________________

I finally managed to write another chapter. I'm so sorry for the delay in these past months but I was very busy with school and didn't have time or inspiration :D. I hope I will get the time to write again like I used to because I kinda found my source of inspiration. 

I really hope you like this chapter tho, tell me what you think!