Signs of Murder

Chapter 9

The line went dead, but the killer's voice still echoed in Kaito's mind.

"Your time is running out."

A direct threat. A challenge.

Reina's fingers hovered over her phone, already tracing the number. "I'm running a location trace. If they slipped up—"

"Don't bother," Kaito muttered. "They won't make that mistake."

Reina frowned, but she knew he was right. This killer had been methodical from the start. They were always one step ahead.

But now, they'd changed the game.

They weren't just hunting victims anymore.

They were hunting Kaito.

Kaito turned back to Takahara's body. There had to be something here—a reason the killer wanted him to see this personally.

Reina flipped through Takahara's documents. "He must have kept records of whatever he was exposing. If we find them—"

CRASH.

The sound came from outside.

Kaito and Reina moved instantly, guns drawn as they rushed to the window. The alley behind the apartment was empty—except for a single figure disappearing into the shadows.

Kaito didn't hesitate. "Stay here and call backup."

Reina grabbed his arm. "Wait—"

But he was already gone.

The Chase

Kaito bolted into the rain-soaked alley, his heartbeat pounding in sync with his footsteps. The figure was fast—too fast—weaving between dumpsters, scaling a chain-link fence like a ghost.

But Kaito was faster.

He vaulted over the fence, closing the distance.

They darted through backstreets, the city flashing past in a blur of neon and darkness.

Then, the figure made a mistake.

A dead end.

Kaito skidded to a stop, gun aimed. "End of the line."

The figure stood still, half-hidden in the shadows. Then, slowly, they turned.

A woman.

Late twenties. Black hoodie. Sharp, calculating eyes.

But what stopped Kaito cold was what she held up—

A police badge.

Kaito's stomach twisted. "Who the hell are you?"

The woman smirked. "You're not the only one hunting this killer, Detective Mori."

Kaito's grip on his gun tightened. "You're a cop?"

She tilted her head. "Not exactly."

Before he could react, she tossed something toward him—a USB drive.

"Find the truth," she said. "Before it's too late."

Then, in a single movement, she flicked a smoke bomb to the ground.

POOF.

By the time the smoke cleared—she was gone.

Kaito stared at the USB in his hand.

The killer was hunting him.

But now, someone else was hunting the killer.

To Be Continued...