Chapter 7: Burn The Fury

"Henry, don’t school me… I know how to do my job," Kate said seriously as she parked her car in front of the police station.

“I’m just trying to tell you that this case is very important to us, and we can’t let other news channels take the lead,” Henry replied.

“Instead of telling me this, just explain why you’re so desperate about this case. What’s with the weird behavior?” Kate asked, getting out of the car.

Henry fell silent, unwilling to reveal the true significance of the case. He couldn’t risk Kate using it against him. “I’m not desperate. Just focus on your work,” he said before abruptly ending the call.

“This man is losing it,” Kate muttered as she tucked her phone into her shoulder bag. Dressed in blue jeans and a brown crop top, her long curly hair tied in a ponytail, she looked different than usual. Entering the police station, she glanced around the bustling hall, where officers were engrossed in their daily duties.

Approaching the first desk, she rapped on the wooden surface to get the sergeant's attention. “Hello, is Inspector Jason in his office?” she inquired.

The male sergeant glanced up and nodded. “Who are you?”

“I’m Kate Miller,” she replied simply, turning toward Jason Strauss's office.

“Did you have an appointment?” the sergeant asked.

“Yes, Sergeant, I know where his office is. You carry on with your work,” she said with a smile and headed toward Jason’s office.

Knocking on the wooden door, she entered without waiting for a reply. Jason, engrossed in paperwork, looked up with a frown. “What are you doing here?” he asked in a harsh tone.

“I just came to see you,” Kate replied with an irritating smile, taking a seat opposite him and fixing her gaze on him.

“You didn’t have an appointment. Who sent you in?” Jason’s voice was stern.

“Your sergeant didn’t stop me, so here I am,” she retorted.

“I didn’t tell you to sit down,” he said firmly.

“I know you’re not rude enough to make a woman stand while you sit,” Kate countered with a smile.

“Kate, I’m not in a good mood. Please leave and don’t waste my time,” Jason said, his tone serious.

“I won’t leave without saying why I’m here,” Kate said stubbornly.

“And what do you want to say?” he asked.

“I want us to work together on the recent murder case. It’ll benefit both of us,” she said earnestly.

“Oh, you came here to get information on the Somerton Beach case and boost your ratings,” Jason said with a mocking smile.

“Yes,” Kate admitted.

“You won’t get a single shred of information from me,” Jason declared, locking eyes with her.

“Why can’t you just accept that I’m better at this than you?” she shot back, her tone serious.

“You’re not better than me. You just know how to manipulate people,” Jason snapped, his anger evident.

“Listen, both of us need to solve this case quickly. You want your reputation back, and I want my promotion,” Kate urged.

“I’ll get my reputation back without your help,” Jason retorted defiantly.

“Superintendent Bob gave you a last chance to restore your reputation. Everyone knows how you lost the crucial evidence against Rick Hudson. Because of that, he walked free. If you fail this time, Bob will send you to some far-off county,” Kate said, making it clear she knew his secrets.

“You know Rick Hudson’s gang attacked my car when I was taking evidence to forensics. I was alone with my driver, and before backup arrived, they injured me and stole everything,” Jason explained, his voice softening.

“I get that. But knowing Hudson was a gangster, you should’ve been prepared for trouble. Your oversight let a killer walk,” Kate pointed out.

“I didn’t do anything wrong. Any cop could’ve been in my shoes. It was just my bad luck, especially in a high-profile case,” Jason said, frustration evident.

"I understand, but we need to team up to achieve our goals," Kate said. She was eager to work with him, despite their history. Their previous conflict lingered—last year, she had published crucial information before Jason, humiliating him in the process.

“I don’t need your validation. I’m solving this case alone,” Jason said sharply, opening the door to signal her to leave.

“You’ll need my help, and you know it,” Kate said, stepping closer.

“Because I know you still haven’t figured out the meaning of those symbols,” she added mysteriously, causing Jason to freeze. He hadn’t expected her to know about the symbols carved around the body.

“What symbols?” he asked, his tone serious.

“Don’t play dumb. I know every detail about the dead body that your team does,” she said, trying to entice him.

“If you know everything, then you don’t need my help,” he replied firmly, silencing her.

“You need my help,” Kate insisted, her tone unwavering.

“I will never need it,” Jason shot back, moving toward the door again.

“You can leave,” he said seriously, opening the door wider.

“I’m leaving... but if you get a call from forensics about something on the dress of the dead body, you can reach me. My number hasn’t changed,” Kate said, a mysterious smile on her face as she walked out.

“What are you trying to say?” Jason called after her, but she was already gone, leaving him staring at her retreating figure.

Deep down, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was right. As much as he resented her for the past, there was an undeniable connection—a craving he felt every time they interacted. He was attracted to her in a way he couldn’t admit, even to himself. The tension between them was electric, and try as he might, he couldn’t resist it.

What is it about her? The thought seared through him like a branding iron. Every interaction felt charged, a constant push and pull that left him breathless. I shouldn’t want her, not after everything.

He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Why can’t I just let it go? He stood by the window, the fading light casting shadows across the room. Her laughter… It echoed in his mind, bright and infectious, like the sun breaking through a cloudy day. And those eyes—God, those eyes. They sparkled with an intensity that could ignite a room, even when she was angry. In those moments, something about her was utterly stunning, her passion radiating like heat from a flame.

Ohhh, she’s too hot. The way her cheeks flushed, the fire in her voice—it only intensified her beauty. She had this fierce energy that made it impossible to look away, even when she was livid. Every sharp word felt like a spark, and he couldn't help but admire her fierce spirit.

He shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts racing through him. Why does she have to be so captivating? It was maddening, this pull he felt toward her, as she transformed even anger into something mesmerizing. In her presence, he was both captivated and tormented, unable to escape the fiery allure that made his heart race.

No! You can’t think like this.

But the truth was undeniable; he craved her in a way that made his skin tingle. It’s infuriating! Every time I see her, it’s like a flame reigniting. I want to scream, to push her away, but I’m drawn in like a moth to a fire.

He leaned against the wall, his breath shaky. What if she feels it too? No, she can’t. She is engaged.

Yet, every time their eyes met, something primal ignited within him. Stop looking at her! Stop wanting her! She’s not yours. But the ache in his chest throbbed louder than his protests. God, the way she smiles... It’s like a drug, and I’m addicted.

He rubbed the back of his neck, desperate to quell the storm. This isn’t love; it’s madness. I can’t keep doing this to myself. But the thought of cutting her out felt impossible. I’ll never get over her. Not when every moment we’re together feels like a countdown to something I can’t touch.

He sighed, resignation creeping in. I just wish I could tell her. But what good would that do? It would only burn me alive.

Jason, focus on the case, he told himself, dragging his mind back from the distracting thoughts. The weight of the files on his desk pulled him back to reality, a reminder of the work that needed his full attention.

He took a deep breath, pushing aside the images of her fierce beauty and the way she lit up a room—or burned it down with her anger. You can’t afford to get lost in that right now.