Chapter 10

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Tasha arrived back at the Sheriff's Station. She's been slightly confused ever since leaving Phoebe's house, wondering what errands Erik could possibly be running at five thirty at night.

Tasha walks onto the Sheriff's office. "So, how did it go?" she asks. "Did Mr. Reynolds admit to the murders?"

"No." Jakob replies. "He claimed that the killer called him threatening his life unless he attacked Mr. Tatum."

"How do you know he wasn't lying?" Tasha asks.

"I checked his messages. The same number that called him yesterday is the same number that called all the victims and keeps calling Erik. And how much do you want to bet that the phone is untraceable?"

"I don't have to make that bet." Tasha says. "If this guy doesn't leave any evidence at crime scenes, he won't leave any digital trace either. And what about Mr. Tatum?"

"Well, your assistants haven't replied with those names that Wade gave me. And since it looks like the killer framed Mr. Tatum for murder, I released him."

"You had to do what you had to do." Tasha states.

"So, how's Erik?"

"I didn't see him, actually." Tasha responds.

Jakob furrows his brows. "I thought you said you were checking up on him."

"I did. But he wasn't at Phoebe's house."

"Then where was he?" Jakob asks.

"I don't know. They said he was running errands and told me to wait for a call. But that just seems really weird to me. Why would he be running errands so late in the day?"

"Maybe he's not running errands." Jakob suggests. "Maybe he's doing something a little more reckless."

"Do you think he's looking for Mrs. Robertson?" Tasha asks.

"I think he's looking for trouble." Jakob says. "And if he thinks he's safe because he believes that Mr. Tatum is the killer, we should find him now."

"Where do we look?" Tasha asks. "We don't know where he's gone and he probably lied to his friends about where he went."

"I think I know who we can talk to." Jakob says.

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Erik's head is pounding. He can barely open his eyes but he manages the task. He senses a burning tingle on his forehead. Erik reaches up with his right hand. At first he thought he was too weak to raise his limb, but he soon realizes that he is restrained by a metal cuff around both wrists and a chain is attached to the cuffs. He follows the chain with his eyes and discovers he's chained to the wall.

Erik reaches up with his right hand again to feel his forehead. He feels wetness covering his skin. Erik lowers his hand. Despite the room being poorly lit, he sees a red liquid covering his fingertips.

"Are you all right?" a voice asks.

Erik looks up to see a figure across the room chained to the wall. The last few moments of his memory before being rendered unconscious flood back to him. The circled and crossed out photos. Discover Mrs. Robertson. Serena collapsing. And the killer's mask.

"Mrs. Robertson?"

The woman chained to the opposite wall nods.

"Nevermind asking me if I'm okay." Erik says. "You're the one covered in blood. Are you okay?"

"I feel pain everywhere." Mrs. Robertson replies. "But as long as I'm not dead." She chuckles smally. "How long have I been here?"

"You've been missing for four days." Erik answers. "Do you know who abducted you?"

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