Chapter 22: I Am With You

Kate sat in her cabin at the Global News Network Office, surrounded by a jumble of pictures on her desk. She wore a gray dress shirt with black wide-legged pants, her black coat draped over the back of her revolving chair.

The events of the previous night still lingered in her mind—the killer had come to threaten her—but Kate threw herself into her work. Staying busy helped her push aside the stress and focus on the task at hand.

“This case is getting more complicated every day,” Kate muttered to herself. “Why is this killer hiding behind layers of veils? Why hasn’t he stepped forward to take credit for his so-called ‘perfect’ killings?” She gazed at the pictures of Ryder lying on Somerton Beach, lost in thought.

“The killer must know this city inside and out,” she mused. “He first abducted his victim, then killed him, and finally dumped him at the beach, leaving no trace. He meticulously erased every shred of evidence that could lead us to him, only leaving behind what he wanted us to see.”

Suddenly, her phone rang, jolting her out of her thoughts. Kate dug through the pile of photos on her desk until she found her phone buried underneath.

Seeing Dr. Samuel Underwood’s name on the screen, she quickly answered the call, and his face appeared.

“Hey, Kate,” Dr. Underwood greeted.

“Hey, Samuel! Where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you for hours!” she exclaimed, almost in one breath.

“I was in the OR,” he explained. “An emergency case came in—had to perform surgery on an elderly guy whose appendix was about to burst. Then I had two more back-to-back surgeries and didn’t get a chance to check my phone.”

“I figured you were busy,” Kate replied politely.

“But why were you calling me so late? You must be missing me, huh? I know you must be craving those late-night hugs. But babe, if you miss me so much, why are we postponing the wedding? I want to spend every night wrapped up in your arms, feeling your softness and your touch.”

Kate felt her cheeks flush, and a smile crept onto her face.

“You’re impossible, Doc,” she laughed, feeling the tension melt away. “But seriously, it’s not like that! I just needed to tell you something important.”

important than this? No way, I can’t buy that, darling,” he replied, teasing her.

“Samuel, this is serious,” she insisted, her expression shifting to one of concern.

“Samuel, someone broke into my house,” Kate said, her voice dropping to a whisper as she glanced around.

“What? Who broke in?” he exclaimed, rising from his chair in his office at Holy-Care Hospital.

“Are you okay?” he asked, worry creeping into his voice.

“I’m working on a murder case, and I’ve been investigating the murder of the body found on Somerton Beach. I think the murderer came here to threaten me,” Kate explained.

“Kate, you should’ve called the police. You need protection,” Samuel said, his tone tense.

Since starting her relationship with Samuel, Kate had grown used to sharing everything with him. His advice had been invaluable in solving her cases, and talking to him always brought her some relief.

“I’m coming to your place,” Samuel insisted.

“I’m not at home, Samuel. I’m at the office,” Kate clarified. “Besides, you need to stay at the hospital. Your patients need you. I’m fine. After you didn’t pick up, I called Rodrick, and he checked on everything at my place.”

“No way. I’m coming to your office. I need to see you for myself and figure out how someone broke into your house,” he insisted. “And Kate, I’ve told you to install security cameras around your house. You live alone.”

“I’ll get them soon. You just finish up at the hospital and then come see me,” Kate replied calmly.

Samuel, noting Kate’s calm demeanor, took a deep breath before asking, “Why did the killer come to you? And why didn’t you just run out of the house or do something to protect yourself?”

“Samuel, he had this creepy way of looking at me, like I was in some freaky movie or something. I couldn’t move or speak. He just left after threatening me… he didn’t hurt me.” As Kate recounted the previous night’s events, the unease hung heavily in the air, every detail still vivid in her mind.

“Kate, you shouldn’t be working on this case. If he could break into your house so easily, he could do anything to you, and no one would even know,” Samuel warned.

“I’m not backing down. I know he came here hoping I’d quit to save my life, but I’m going to catch him. I want to look him in the eyes and tell him I’m not afraid,” Kate said firmly.

“But he’s a dangerous guy,” Samuel insisted, trying to make her understand the risks.

“I don’t think so,” Kate replied stubbornly.

“Listen, I’m gathering evidence and clues, and I really believe I can decipher them. I’m hopeful this will lead me to the killer,” Kate said, determination in her voice.

“Why would a killer leave clues for you to trace him? That doesn’t make sense. He’s probably just trying to mislead you,” Samuel replied, shaking his head. “You need to be careful; this isn’t something to take lightly. I really think you should step back from this case. Nothing is more important than your safety,” he said, glancing at his watch. “Okay, Kate, I have a patient appointment coming up. I’ll come to see you as soon as I can.”

“Okay, Samuel,” Kate replied softly.

“I love you, Kate. Please, just take care of yourself,” Samuel said, his tone warm and sincere. “For my sake, remember that you’re not just on your own—you’re mine.”

“Samuel, that means so much to me. I promise I’ll be careful. You’re really important to me, and I won’t let anything happen to myself—especially not for you. I swear. Love you too,” Kate replied before hanging up.

Setting the phone on the table, Kate stood and walked over to the window of her cabin.

This case means everything to me, Samuel, more than anyone can understand. It’s tied to the tragedy of losing my parents. How could I possibly walk away from that? she thought, gazing beyond the window. The cool, bright morning in Adelaide had given way to the warmth of noon, its golden rays bathing everything in a comforting glow.

*******

It was a quiet, warm night, and Kate lay alone in her room, nestled in the soft comfort of her bed, waiting for Samuel to arrive. The air was still, the only sound the soft hum of the city outside her window. She’d slipped into a slinky nightgown, its silk fabric delicate and cool against her skin, clinging to her curves in all the right places. The gown dipped low along her neckline, revealing a hint of her collarbone, while the hem barely grazed the tops of her thighs, letting the evening air brush her skin. She sighed, feeling the gentle warmth around her as she drifted into a half-dreaming, half-awake state, expecting Samuel’s familiar presence any moment.

In her hazy state, the familiar, light touch on her back barely registered as out of place. The hands moved slowly, lingering, brushing over her collarbone and grazing the soft curves of her chest, sending a warm wave through her. She arched slightly, letting herself sink into the sensation. Her breaths came slower, deeper, as the hands traced down, sliding over her stomach in lazy, deliberate strokes.

The warmth of the touch spread across her skin, easing away any lingering tension from the fear and sleeplessness of the night before.

In her drowsy state, her mind wove the sensation into a dream. She sighed, whispering, "Samuel... the hands continued their path down her back, pressing gently against her hips. Her muscles loosened, surrendering to the touch.

As the hands drifted lower, exploring her hips, then her thighs, she felt an unmistakable sense of comfort and pleasure building, a soothing reassurance she hadn't realized she craved. In her hazy state, every movement felt heightened, deeply intimate, as if Samuel's presence was wrapping around her, grounding her. She wanted to stay in this half-dream, where every touch seemed to whisper promises of safety and affection.

She felt his breath warm against her neck, his lips tracing a line to her ear as his hands explored her body. It was soothing, seductive, like he was trying to calm her.

A soft moan escaped her lips as she murmured, "Ahhh... Samuel, what are you doing?" His lips brushed her collarbone, sending chills through her that made her want to melt, but with each gentle kiss, an unsettling unease crept in—something felt off, unfamiliar, as if the warmth of his lips belonged to someone else, not Samuel.

A flicker of unease shattered Kate’s sleep, and she forced her heavy eyelids open, blinking against the shadows. "Samuel... how did you get in? The door was locked..."

No answer, only the chilling rustle of curtains. Half-asleep and disoriented, her heart raced as a message beep came through her phone on the nightstand "I can't tonight, stuck in another emergency call. Lock the door and be safe." Panic surged as she caught a glimpse of a shadow darting past the window. “Samuel?” she called, but the word felt weak, swallowed by the dark.

A gasp caught in her throat. Her pulse raced, pounding louder in her ears. If Samuel hadn't been here, then who... or what was? She spun, eyes wide, sweeping the room. Shadows crept in every corner, but no one was there.

Barefoot and trembling, she slipped from the bed and tiptoed to the window, which was open just a crack. She'd shut it earlier—she was sure of it. Her hand hovered, uncertain, over the latch as she fought back a scream. Her breathing hitched, each exhale coming faster than the last as she clutched her chest. Was it a dream? But the touch... it had felt so real.

Her skin still tingled, the ghost of that touch lingering, pressing against her mind like an unshakable weight. A whisper of unease coiled around her as she slowly backed away, staring at the shadows outside, half-expecting to see someone watching from the darkness.

A chill coiled around Kate as she backed away from the window, her breath catching in shallow, trembling gasps. Her eyes, wide and unfocused, scanned the shadows outside, half-expecting someone to emerge from the darkness. The touch had felt so real, lingering like a ghostly warmth on her skin. She pressed a hand to her chest, heart pounding, struggling to shake the hazy line between dream and reality.

Confusion flashed across her face, a flicker of fear in her gaze as she whispered to herself, "Was it just a dream?"