One Shot

Chapter: 6

"The police has found another body of a girl in the 'Northern Road.' But this is different..." Rob says, his eyebrows creased in confusion or was it worry? Jason couldn't tell.

"Different how?"

"She wasn't shot but strangled. And her boots are muddy, there are bruises like she had fought or struggled to stay alive and clearly all these happened in the woods."

"Do you think it's the same killer?"

"Maybe."

"I told the police we will handle the case until it is proven to have no connection with ours." Rob said, looking at the file in front of him.

The two men looked at the reports a billionth time, trying to figure out a lose gap, the one gap that was probably ignored. Just then the door slams open and Rosalyn comes in panting and pale. She clutches her stomach as she slumps down to her knees breathing heavily. Jason quickly rushes to her side holding her in his arms and rubbing her back continuously for her to calm down.

"T... There is a g... girl, a b...body of a girl i... in front of my office b... building." She spoke through hot tears and heavy breathing. Jason held her tight and gave Rob a scared look, a secret conversation passed between them, 'What do we do?' 'We'll find out.' 'HOW?'

He gently stroke Rosalyn's hair and whispered into her ears, "Shh... Everything is going to be alright Ros. We'll find him soon honey."

"I... I am scared."

"Hey now, You are a detective's fiancee and a brave one at that! so you have got to continue being brave for me Rosalyn, can you do that for me? Leave the rest to us okay?"

"You will be too l...late Jason." She said, clutching his hands tightly.

~

Rosalyn held onto him gripping him tightly, wanting him to understand her, then she said, "I had to take a few files so I asked one of the police to take me down to my office. Once I got all my things and was about to call the police there was a commotion in the side alleyway right beside the main road. I walked down to check and s-saw her b-body. I couldn't find the policemen so I got a cab and rushed down here to tell you!" 

Jason pulled her close and kissed her head, "We are too close to catching him, Ros. We will catch him soon." 

"This is what you keep telling me! Both of you! And everyday someone is dying. There is no  loop hole here! He is just a lunatic who has made killing  his hobby! So stop reading the file and try finding him before all the girls in this town end up dead!" She screamed at the detectives who were taken aback at Rosalyn's sudden outburst. "Look, I can find his house. It must be somewhere near my house. I have a hunch that he had gone home that night, I - I tried to find his house today but I - I was too scared to do it alone. Come with me, you don't have to worry about me Jason. You both can have my back and let's stop this once and for all!"

Jason's hands went rigid around her body, "you went into the woods alone even after I told you not to leave the house? How crazy can you get Rosalyn? We both are trying to save lives here and you go out to get yourselves killed? Did you even think what will happen if he had been following you? Could you have defended yourself? What would you have...?" 

"Jason! That is why I am asking you two to come with me this time! I was too close and I know I can find it this time. We can stop this, together." 

"This is the craziest thing you have ever said, Rosalyn. Even if I agree to this, you won't be able to find his house. We have searched the entire forest from past one week. And no matter how much you plead, I will not take you with me, I will not drag you into this."

Rosalyn sighed heavily, "you are going to go anyway, aren't you?" She looked up at Rob and slowly nodded. "I know I can find his house, use me as your bait and put an end to this." 

"No! Never!" Jason yelled, his eyes were red and he was shacking with fear. Rosalyn kissed his cheeks and held his face, "bring some back up with you, I'll keep him engaged. I know he will come after me if I go searching for his house. He knows me, Jason. He has seen me and he will  come after me. I can get you some time and if something goes wrong I will take one of your guns with me."

"Do you even know how to use a gun? Or do you know how to defend yourself? How do you think I will let you do this?" Jason said, gripping her tightly.

"Teach me then, teach me how to use a gun. There is no other choice now, so many are dead Jason! So many girls are dead. It is not enough to worry about their parents, we need to bring justice to them, we have to catch the murder! This is the only way to catch him, Jason." 

"No. And that is final. I will not let you do this."

"Rob, you know there is no other way! You know he will keep going if we don't stop him now." Rosalyn pleaded.

"No!"

Rosalyn pushed Jason angrily and got to her feet. "Fine. Let him kill all the women in this town. Let me remind you, he knows me too well and I know he knows you too, Jason. I heard you listening to the phone record the other day. If you don't catch him now, he is going to come for all of us, detective." She slammed the door shut behind her and stormed out of the house.