Chapter 6
A Pattern Emerges
The overlooked clue connects to a past event, a forgotten conflict. Jamonte realizes Sarah wasn't the ultimate target; someone else connected to her is in danger.
The photograph lay on my desk, a stark contrast to the muted tones of my office. Sarah Jenkins, frozen in time, her smile a little too bright, a little too brittle. It was the kind of smile people wear when they’re trying to convince themselves everything is alright. I’d seen it before, on the faces of witnesses, on the faces of suspects, and sometimes, I’d even caught it on my own in the bathroom mirror after a particularly rough night.
Detective Miller had brought it in, along with a small, nondescript box. "Found this tucked away in her desk, Jamonte," he'd said, his voice gravelly. "Figured it might mean something. Didn't seem like much at first, just some old prints and a receipt."
I picked up the photograph. It was Sarah, younger, standing beside a man I didn't recognize. They were at some kind of outdoor art festival, the background a blur of colorful tents and smiling faces. The man had his arm around her, his expression possessive. The receipt, dated nearly five years ago, was for framing services. Nothing earth-shattering.
Keep reading "A Pattern Emerges"
Open the same story in AIBookCraft. Later chapters may require an active subscription.
Free on iOS & Android · No signup to read