Chapter 21: The Silent Warning

Feeling hurt by Rodrick’s skepticism, Kate struggled to contain her frustration. "I felt like you didn’t believe me," she admitted, her voice softening as Rodrick reached out to hold her hand.

"Kate, I wasn’t doubting you. I was simply fulfilling my duty as your mentor and guardian," Rodrick reassured her gently.

"I’m here because I’m your guardian, Kate. My concern is for your safety and well-being," Rodrick explained calmly.

Kate’s anger simmered as she retorted, "Rodrick, can’t you just set aside your role as a seasoned investigative journalist for once?"

Rodrick sensed there was more troubling her beyond his initial doubt. "Kate, what’s bothering you? Please, tell me," he urged gently.

Her voice barely above a whisper, Kate confessed, "I’ve seen this symbol before." Then, turning towards Rodrick, she began to explain.

"Rodrick, a week before the car accident that took my parents' lives, my mother found a piece of paper on our car’s windshield," Kate began solemnly. "She showed it to my father, who dismissed it as something a child might have done and tossed it into the trash. But I couldn’t shake the feeling about it, so I retrieved it from the bin and kept it in my room. On that paper, there was a drawing of a skull with a hand holding a knife beside it." Her tone carried a weight of realization and concern.

"Are you certain?" Rodrick inquired, seeking confirmation.

"Yes, I'm sure," Kate affirmed confidently. "I have a sharp memory and don’t forget things easily. The strange symbol on that paper stayed with me, embedded in my mind."

With determination, Kate left the room and entered her study. She rummaged through a cupboard, searching for a specific file.

"I kept the paper in a file and stored it here," Kate explained, retrieving an old file with a worn-out cover.

Kate opened the file and handed the paper to Rodrick. "Take a look at this," she urged.

Rodrick examined the paper, noting the skull symbol and the hand holding a knife. They were undeniably similar to the symbols on the paper pasted on Kate’s room wall.

"How is this possible?" Rodrick questioned, confusion evident. "Your parents died in a car accident, so why would these symbols find their way into your home? They’re associated with a murderer."

Kate's brow furrowed as she contemplated the unsettling connection. "Rodrick, look at this," she said, her voice trembling as she handed him a photo from the file.

Rodrick examined the photo, his eyes widening as he saw the broken windshield of the car with a paper pasted on the outer side. Symbols of life, death, and continuity were drawn on the paper.

The realization hit them both like a ton of bricks. "What on earth is this?" Rodrick exclaimed in shock, disbelief palpable.

Kate’s voice carried a weight of seriousness as she explained, "The police found this paper pasted to the broken windshield of the car my parents were driving. They ignored it, focusing instead on the fact that the brakes had failed, causing the crash when the car collided with a large rock."

The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air as they grappled with the implications of the symbols' presence at the scene of the accident.

"But the truth is, my parents weren’t killed in an accident; they were murdered," Kate declared, her gaze fixed on Rodrick. She knew he couldn’t refute her assertion this time.

"Kate, we never realized Jonathan and Pauline were the killer’s first victims, the same one we’re hunting for... And today, he didn’t just come here to threaten you; he came to make sure you knew this grim truth," he concluded, voicing his thoughts.

"Yes, he came here to remind me of something I overlooked and then forgot," Kate murmured.

She recalled the day vividly: sitting in the café with Ophelia and Samuel, enjoying pizza and toasting the successful launch of Ophelia’s boutique. Their celebration was interrupted when she received a call from an unknown number. As she answered, a voice on the other end said, "Are you Ms. Kate Miller?"

"Yes, I am," Kate replied evenly.

"Your parents' car crashed near Northern Highway," the unknown person said, causing Kate to rise from her chair, her heart pounding and her body going numb.

"How are my parents?" Kate asked, her voice trembling.

"I’m sorry, Ms. Miller, they didn’t make it," the unknown man said before adding, "The bodies are at Holy-care Hospital," and abruptly ending the call.

Kate broke into tears, and despite Ophelia and Samuel’s attempts to console her, her grief overwhelmed them all. They rushed her to the hospital and assisted in arranging her parents' funeral. Throughout the ordeal, they never left her side, offering unwavering support.

Kate found herself adrift in the memories of her lost family, a void no boyfriend or best friend could fill. The realization that she'd never see her parents again shattered her repeatedly. Yet, as time passed, she immersed herself in her work and gradually learned to navigate the depths of her grief.

"Kate, what's on your mind?" Rodrick's voice pulled her back from the labyrinth of the past.

"Nothing," Kate replied as she settled into a chair in the study room.

"Before my parents were killed, the murderer sent them a warning in the form of his symbol. But my father dismissed it, paid it no mind. Then, the killer tampered with the car's brakes, leaving behind his symbols of life, death, and the circle of continuity... But neither the police nor the media took notice," Kate stated matter-of-factly.

Having emerged from the initial wave of grief, she now engaged her mind in piecing together the scenario of her parents' murder.

"Hmm... because it never occurred to us that the car crash could have been planned," Rodrick mused before adding, "And the police were convinced that the brakes of the car failed. Even the service station Jonathan frequented had warned him about brake issues, urging him to replace them. But Jonathan never took heed."

"Rodrick, before Dad was killed, he was working on a case. I remember Mom expressly forbidding him from taking it... Do you remember what that case was?" Kate inquired.

Jonathan Miller, an investigative journalist who retired two years before his death due to health issues, had been enjoying his retirement with his wife, Pauline. He had been assisting Kate in her investigations, as she had just started her career with Global News Network, which had once been Jonathan’s workplace.

"One month before Jonathan's death, he took on a case at the request of a friend. He was investigating a cult known for their extreme beliefs," Rodrick revealed.

"He believed they were involved in something sinister," he continued.

"Someone informed Jonathan about a cult that worshipped Satan, rumored to receive directives from a mysterious book commanding them to offer newborn babies as sacrifices. I urged Jonathan not to pursue the case due to his health constraints, but for some reason, he became deeply intrigued by the cult's beliefs and insisted on investigating further," Kate recounted.

"Do you know the name of the cult?" Kate inquired.

"It’s called the Pathway of Ascendants," Rodrick replied.

"What’s on your mind, Kate?" Rodrick asked.

"It’s possible that the killer was a member of the cult Dad was investigating. When they sensed he might expose their dark deeds, they silenced him," Kate speculated.

"It’s possible... but if the killer who murdered Jonathan is also responsible for the dead body at Somerton Beach, what’s the connection between the two murders?" Rodrick inquired.

"There must be a link we need to uncover... But I’m convinced it’s the same person who killed my parents and the man at Somerton Beach," Kate asserted. She turned to Rodrick and added, "Rodrick, dig into every detail about the Pathway of Ascendants cult. Get a list of active members and those who’ve left."

"Okay, I’ll get right on it," Rodrick affirmed.

"I’m heading to the office. I need Jason to catch the killer soon, but his stubborn nature is making it difficult for us to collaborate," Kate stated as she exited the study.

"In that case, I’ll come with you," Rodrick offered, rising from his chair.

Kate returned from her bedroom a few minutes later, dressed in black pants and a brown top. Ready to tackle her work with renewed vigor, she was prepared to head to the office.