Chapter 76: The Quiet Divide
Jason watched as Kate’s jaw tightened, her eyes fixed on the laptop screen. The ominous goat-headed figure glared back at her, its shadowy form pulling her into memories she’d tried to bury. The dim light of the station flickered slightly, casting fleeting shadows across her face. She hadn’t said much since pointing it out, but her silence spoke volumes.
“You’ve gone quiet,” Jason said softly, leaning forward. The steady hum of the overhead lights buzzed faintly between them. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
Kate’s lips pressed together, her expression strained. “It’s... nothing,” she said finally, though her voice quivered slightly.
Jason scoffed, his tone light but laced with concern.
“Come on, Kate. You’re staring at that thing like it just crawled off the screen. Why the suspense?”
Her fists clenched as she let out a sharp breath, the faint creak of leather from her chair cutting through the silence. “I’m not creating suspense, Jason. I just—I need certainty before I start throwing out accusations.” She stood abruptly, her boots clicking softly against the tiled floor as she paced.
“That goat-headed monster… I’ve seen it before. Days ago. And now it’s here, in the Yarrabura killer’s house.”
Jason’s brows knit, his chest tightening. “You’ve seen it before? Where?” His voice was steady, but his knuckles whitened as he gripped the edge of the desk.
Kate paused mid-step, her shoulders taut. “In an old case. It’s nothing concrete yet.” She turned to face him, her expression firm but distant. “Once I have all the answers, maybe I’ll be able to tie the Yarrabura killer to the one we’re searching for.”
Jason studied her for a moment, his jaw flexing. A part of him wanted to stand, to reach out, but he forced himself to stay seated. “Okay,” he said finally. “But you know I’m not gonna let you run off half-cocked without—”
The buzz of her phone cut him off, and Kate glanced down at the screen. A flicker of worry crossed her face, her brows drawing together. Jason noticed immediately, his heart sinking.
“Everything okay?” he asked, his brow furrowing.
“It’s Samuel,” she muttered, tapping to answer the call. Jason’s stomach twisted. Samuel. Of course, it was him.
Kate grabbed her phone and walked out of the room, glancing back at Jason briefly. He raised an eyebrow, trying to mask the sting of disappointment, but said nothing, turning back to the files. His hand lingered on the desk, his thumb running along the edge absently as he strained to catch bits of her voice through the closed door.
He told himself it was ridiculous—he had no claim over her, no reason to feel like this. But every time she walked away for him, it was like a door slamming shut between them. Jason tapped his pen against the desk, the steady rhythm betraying the storm in his chest.
In the dimly lit hallway, Kate leaned against the wall, the cool surface grounding her as she answered.
“Hey.”
“Hey, Kate,” Samuel’s voice came through, warm and steady, but she could sense a subtle edge beneath it. “It’s late. Are you still at the station?”
“Yeah,” Kate admitted. “I’m trying to wrap up a few things.”
“With Jason?” he asked, keeping his tone casual, though she caught the faint tension in his words.
“Yeah, we’re going through some files,” she replied carefully.
“It’s part of the case. You know how it is.”
Samuel exhaled softly, hesitation coloring his words.
“I just worry about you, Kate. You’ve been working late a lot lately. You need rest too.”
Kate’s smile faltered for a moment. She hated how Samuel’s words made her feel—like she had to explain herself, justify her time with Jason. “I know,
Samuel. And I appreciate it. But this case… it’s important. We’re close to something, I can feel it.”
“I get that,” Samuel said gently.
“I just… don’t like the idea of you pushing yourself too hard. Or spending so much time with him.”
Jason’s pen stilled mid-tap as the words drifted faintly through the door. Or spending so much time with him. The muscles in his jaw tightened, and he fought the urge to get up, to interrupt, to remind Samuel that he had no right to dictate how much time she spent with her partner.
Kate smiled faintly, though her stomach tightened.
“You don’t need to worry about Jason. He’s my partner, that’s all. You’re the one I…” She trailed off, letting the sentiment hang in the air.
Samuel’s voice softened further.
“I know. I just… miss you. Can I see you tomorrow?”
Kate’s expression brightened slightly. “Of course. Why don’t you meet me at the motel?”
“Motel?” Samuel asked, a note of confusion creeping into his voice.