Chapter 109
[Marcus's POV]
I woke slowly, my body protesting with sharp reminders. But none of that mattered when I turned my head and saw Claire beside me.
She was still asleep, her golden-brown hair fanned across the pillow, breathing soft and steady. Her face looked peaceful in a way I'd never seen before—no tension around her eyes, no guardedness in her expression. Just peace.
I smiled despite the pain, careful as I sat up to avoid jarring my injured ribs. Leaning down, I pressed a gentle kiss to Claire's forehead.
She stirred slightly, brow furrowing, but didn't wake. Just pulled the blanket tighter around herself and settled back into sleep.
I watched her for another moment, feeling something warm and unfamiliar expand in my chest. This woman—this complicated, fierce, impossible woman—had somehow become essential to me.
I eased out of bed, every movement sending protests through my battered body, and headed for the kitchen.
The kitchen was still dim, morning sun just beginning to creep through the window over the sink. I moved quietly, pulling out eggs, bacon, bread. Cooking had always helped me think, gave my hands something to do while my mind worked through problems.
I plated the food carefully—bacon, scrambled eggs, toast cut diagonally the way my mother used to do it. Added a glass of orange juice. Set it all on a tray with a napkin and fork.
Before carrying it back to the bedroom, I grabbed a sticky note from the counter and scrawled: "Breakfast for you. I'm at the station. See you tonight. - M"
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When I pushed open the door to the Homicide Division, I found Sarah, Tony, and Derek already gathered around the conference table. Coffee cups and notebooks littered the surface.
Sarah looked up as I entered. "Marcus. I already told them about last night—the underground facility, the kids, everything."
Tony practically bounced in his seat, flipping through his notes. "Man, Marcus, this is huge! Five kids, this Ryan guy, and John Harris's photo..." He grinned. "And that cufflink. We've got this case locked up!"
Derek leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "The kids' reaction to Harris's photo, especially that girl Rabbit—she definitely recognized him."
Mike walked in from the tech department, file folder in hand. "Morning, everyone. Sarah said you found something big?"
He took a seat, looking at me expectantly. "She mentioned key evidence?"
Tony jumped in before I could respond. "We should be able to close this case today! With that cufflink and the kids' testimony—"
I held up my hand, cutting through the enthusiasm. "Everyone, slow down."
Three pairs of eyes turned to me. I looked at each of them in turn, keeping my voice level but firm. "That cufflink is unverified evidence. That's all it is right now."
Sarah nodded slowly. "You're right. We need scientific confirmation."
Derek added, "DNA testing, fingerprint analysis—it all takes time. We can't rush this."
Tony's excitement dimmed slightly, but he still looked hopeful. "But if it matches Harris's blood—"
"Then we'll have something solid," I finished. "Until then, we work the case properly. No assumptions."
I led the team down to the CSI lab in the basement of the station. White fluorescent lights illuminated rows of equipment and examination tables, everything sterile and organized.
Mike pulled on a white lab coat and latex gloves, his movements practiced and efficient. I reached into my jacket's inner pocket and withdrew the cufflink, sealed in a clear evidence bag I'd prepared this morning.
Under the bright lights, the gold gleamed, the engraved "J.H." clearly visible. Dark brown bloodstains had dried along the edges and in the grooves of the initials.
I handed it to Mike. "Found this last night at the Eastside industrial facility. Underground location."
Mike accepted it carefully, examining it through the plastic with a magnifying glass. "Gold material, custom engraving, blood preservation looks good." He set it on the examination table, turning to face me. "DNA extraction and fingerprint comparison?"
"Both," I confirmed. "This could be our break in the case."
Mike jotted notes on a form, then checked the clock on the wall. "DNA extraction and CODIS database comparison will take several hours. If everything goes smoothly, earliest results would be tonight or tomorrow morning."
Sarah spoke up from beside me. "What about fingerprints?"
"AFIS system is faster," Mike replied. "Maybe three to four hours for results. But only if there's a match in the database."
I filled out the evidence transfer paperwork, signing where indicated. "Make this priority. The case is urgent."
Mike countersigned the form. "I'll process it first thing."
Back in the conference room, I stood at the whiteboard with a marker. The team settled into their seats, watching as I wrote out three distinct task assignments.
"We need to split up," I said, turning to face them. "Time is critical, but we can't be sloppy."
I pointed to Sarah and Tony. "Sarah, Tony—I want you two at the Eastside industrial area. Set up surveillance near that underground facility entrance."
Sarah pulled out her notebook. "Plain clothes?"
"Exactly. Civilian vehicles, blend in. If any suspicious individuals approach that underground location, you contact me immediately."
Tony asked, "Should we protect those kids?"
"Primary objective is surveillance and intelligence gathering," I said. "But if those children are in danger, use your judgment."
I turned to Derek. "Derek, keep tracking James Lewis. Where is he, who's he been in contact with."
Derek frowned. "Guy's like a ghost. No credit card activity, no phone signal."
"Check people he might know," I said. "Former neighbors, old coworkers. Serial killers often return to familiar territory."
Derek nodded. "I'll contact the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, see if we can build a more accurate profile."
I marked the key points on the whiteboard. "I'll stay here coordinating overall operations and waiting for Mike's lab results."
Sarah stood. "We leave now?"
I looked at each of them. "Yes. Keep your phones on. Report anything immediately."
The team dispersed—Sarah and Tony heading to the equipment room to change into civilian clothes, Derek returning to his desk to access FBI databases.
I remained alone in the conference room, staring at the whiteboard covered in case timelines and suspect photos. Somewhere in all this information was the connection we needed.
My phone buzzed. Unknown number. I answered anyway.
"Detective Reid."
Silence for a moment, then a familiar voice that made my blood run cold.
"Hello, Marcus. Miss me?"
James.