Signs of Murder

Chapter 4

The message burned into Kaito's mind like a brand.

"The next body drops in six hours. Find the connection before it's too late."

A taunt. A challenge. And a promise.

Kaito shot up from his desk, already dialing a number. "Trace an incoming message," he barked the moment the tech unit picked up. "Unknown number. Just came through."

"We're on it."

He hung up and turned to Reina, who had already read the message over his shoulder. "We don't have time to sit around. We need that connection."

Reina nodded, grabbing a stack of files. "The victims. If this is a pattern, then they all have something in common."

They worked fast, digging through backgrounds, work histories, criminal records—anything that could explain why these five were targeted. The rain hammered against the precinct windows, the clock ticking down every precious second.

Then Reina stiffened. "Wait… look at this."

She shoved a file in front of Kaito. Fifth victim—Mina Arakawa. Twenty-six years old. An aspiring journalist.

Kaito's eyes narrowed. "What about her?"

Reina flipped open another file. Fourth victim—Daichi Sakamoto. Forty-eight years old. Media executive.

A cold realization crawled up Kaito's spine. "She worked for him."

Reina nodded. "Not just him. Look at the second victim—Toru Shindo. Private investigator. And the third victim—Yui Nakamura. She was a lawyer."

They all had ties to investigations, journalism, and law.

They weren't random targets. They were people who uncover the truth.

A thread connected them all. But what truth were they uncovering?

Kaito's phone buzzed again.

Another message.

"Time's running out, Detective. Tick, tock."

Kaito clenched his jaw. The killer was watching. Waiting.

And if they didn't solve this in time…

Someone else would die.

To Be Continued...