Page 50 of Whispers in the Night

“We don’t know that for certain. This could be psychological warfare.”

She stared into his blue eyes, begging for the comforting words she knew wouldn’t come. “You believe that?”

The pause before Silas answered told her everything. “No.”

Harper pulled away, wrapped her arms around herself against the night chill. Or maybe against the cold certainty settling in her chest. Another victim. Another death. Another woman who looked like her, dying because a monster had decided Harper was worth obsessing over.

“We need to call it in,” Silas said quietly. He pulled out his phone, but his free hand found hers and held tight.

Harper listened as Silas called Holloway, explained the situation in calm, professional terms that made it sound manageable when it wasn’t. When he hung up, they stood together on the porch in silence, staring at the note lying on the wooden boards.

“He was there,” Harper said again. “In the coffee shop. We looked right at him and didn’t see him.”

“Or he was watching from outside. From a car, from across the street. We don’t know how he operates yet.”

“He’s always three steps ahead.” Harper’s voice was hollow. “He said it himself. We’re never going to catch him.” The sinking realization threatened to pull her under, drown her.

“Yes, we are.” Silas turned her to face him, his hands gentle but firm on her arms. “Harper, look at me. We’re going to catch him. This note proves he’s arrogant. Cocky. That’s a weakness we can exploit.”

“He hasn’t made a mistake yet.” Her voice sounded wooden even to her own ears. She’d never felt more hopeless, not even when Michael died.

“Then he’s due.” Silas’s fingers pressed into her arms until she finally met his eyes again, and he held her there until she finally took a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.

Harper wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe in justice and karma and the eventual triumph of good over evil. But she’d been doing this job too long to believe in fairy tales.

The note sat there on the porch, its neat handwriting mocking her.Every cut is your fault, Harper.

“Come on,” Silas said gently. “Let’s wait inside. The team will be here soon.”

They stepped into the cabin, leaving the note for forensics to process. While they waited, Harper went to the bathroom, splashed cold water on her face, stared at her reflection. She looked haunted. Broken. Exactly how the killer wanted her to look.

When she emerged, Silas had made tea—strong and sweet, pressing the warm mug into her hands with quiet insistence. “Drink.”

Harper obeyed, sinking onto the couch and the warmth of the mug between her hands. Silas sat beside her, close enough that their shoulders touched. Neither spoke. What was there to say?

Twenty minutes later, vehicles pulled up outside. Holloway, Morris, forensics. The cabin filled with people and activity, the bustle of evidence collection.

Harper answered questions on autopilot. No, she hadn’t touched the envelope with bare hands. Yes, she was certain it hadn’t been there when they left this morning. No, she didn’t recognize the handwriting.

“He’s playing with you,” Holloway said, his face grim. “Taunting you specifically. This is deeply personal for him.”

“He’s been obsessed with her for five years,” Silas added. “Since the Nevada case. This is his endgame.”

“Then we need protective custody—”

“No,” Harper cut in. “Absolutely not.”

“Harper—”

“I’m not hiding.” Harper’s voice was steady now, fueled by anger replacing despair. “I’m the bait he wants? Fine. Let’s use that. He’s watching me? Then we watch everyone watching me. We turn his obsession into his weakness.”

“That’s too dangerous—”

“We’re out of options, Captain.” Harper met Holloway’s eyes. Even in the soft yellow lamplight, his dark skin appeared ashen with worry. “A woman is dead or dying right now because of me. I’m not running. I’m ending this.”

Holloway studied her for a long moment, then nodded, his expression grim. “All right. But you don’t go anywhere alone. Kane is with you twenty-four seven until we catch this bastard.”

“I can live with that,” Silas said quietly.