CONNECTION

CONNECTION
Dax's POV

"Hi, my name is Nancy?" she said, extending her hand for a handshake. But Brianna ignored it, her expression indifferent, and responded instead.

"It's very nice to meet you, but my hands are tied at the moment. Can you give me a moment to talk with Detective Dax for a few minutes?"

"Sure, let's greet each other next time when your hands aren’t tied," Nancy replied smoothly before leaving the room.

As soon as she was gone, Brianna turned to me, her face set in frustration. "I can't believe you guys replaced me."

"With you not being around, I can't handle everything alone at the station," I said, trying to keep my tone even.

"And so you decided to replace me?" she scoffed, crossing her arms.

"I didn’t decide anything. Remember, I told you—every time we work on a case, I get assigned a new partner. Nancy just happens to be one of them."

"Fine, whatever," she huffed. "But you still need to let me come back. I'm fine. I can just stay at the station and do the talking."

"No, Brianna. You’re going to stay here until you’re fully healed."

She rolled her eyes before leaning forward slightly, her voice laced with challenge. "If you don’t find me something to do, I’ll join a new team. If you haven’t noticed, I’m all over the news for risking my life to save those kids. Any team would love to have me."

The pride in her voice was unmistakable, and I sighed. What am I supposed to do with her? Why can’t she just listen to me for once?

"Fine. You can do the questioning while Nancy and I gather more evidence."

She tilted her head and smirked. "I just changed my mind. Why don’t you take me to the crime scene instead? You know I’m good with surveillance cameras."

I shot her a firm look. "Brianna, not a chance. If you’re changing your mind about questioning the witness, then you’re staying in the hospital and resting. You need it."

Her glare was sharp enough to pierce steel, but I refused to back down.

"Your eyes aren’t going to kill me, so I suggest you glare less," I said with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood.

"You are a dickhead, Detective Dax."

"What?" I asked, touching my head as if to check for proof of her words. I knew she was just trying to manipulate me into taking her along.

She sighed dramatically before softening her tone. "Just take me, please."

"Not a chance," I repeated firmly.

"Fine! You can go with her for all I care," she muttered, turning away with a huff.

I almost laughed. Was Brianna jealous of Nancy? The thought amused me, but I kept my face neutral, not wanting to push her any further.

Just then, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen—unknown caller. I excused myself, stepping aside to take the call, deciding to stay silent and let the caller speak first.

"Dax, it's me, Linda."

I stiffened at the sound of her voice. Of all people.

"What do you want?" My voice came out colder than I intended, but I didn’t care.

"I know I’m the last person you want to talk to," she said, her voice cracking with distress. "But Dax, my son has been missing for a month now. I can’t find him. Please, help me."

She was sobbing now, desperation pouring through the phone.

I clenched my jaw. How did she even get my number? And why was she calling me when she had my father—the one person who could move mountains for her and her son?

"What happened to your husband?" I asked her.

"He's out of town, and I can't reach him."

"You're his wife now, which means you also have the right to spend his money. Find yourself a good detective to locate your son."

"I can't use any of his property since everything is under his name and yours. Please, help me."

"Keep trying to reach your husband. I am no longer part of that family. Don't call my number again—I can't help you."

I ended the call abruptly, feeling a mix of frustration and unease. Just as I turned around, Brianna was watching me, her eyes sharp with suspicion.

"Who was that?" she asked as I stepped back into the room.

"No one. Just an old friend."

"See? You're locking me out again, just like you did eight years ago. Always building that damn wall around yourself."

"That's not true."

"Liar. I know you too well, Dax. You're lying when you say it was an old friend. If it were me receiving a call from an old friend, I’d be happy. But you—you look like you just answered the devil’s call."

"It's nothing to worry about. Drop it." My voice came out harsher than I intended, and I regretted it instantly.

"That's okay." That was all she said before pushing herself up from the chair.

"Let me help you."

"I don’t need your help. For the last time, stop making me feel like I’m disabled. I can use my legs," she snapped, grabbing her crutches and walking out, her frustration clear in every step.

I hadn't meant to upset her. I just wished she'd understand that some things were better left unsaid.

Brianna’s POV

The entire ride to the station, I remained silent. I had no energy to argue. Just when I thought maybe—just maybe—Dax had learned how to let people in, he proved me wrong. Again.

He still keeps everything bottled up inside, suffocating in his own silence.

When the car stopped, I was the first to get out, eager to put distance between us. I wanted to see the head officer, but I was informed he had left for an important meeting.

"Can I meet the witness regarding the case of the girl who was raped and killed?" I asked.

"Yes, this way." The officer at the front desk led me to the interrogation room.

As I stepped inside, I saw a teenage girl sitting stiffly in her chair. Her wide, terrified eyes darted toward me, filled with fear and uncertainty.

I softened my expression and took a careful step forward. "Hey, are you okay?"

She hesitated before nodding quickly, her hands trembling slightly.

"Look, I'm not here to pressure you or force you to talk. I'm here to help—to get justice for your friend. She didn’t deserve what happened to her. And the only way we can make things right is if you tell me what you saw."

Tears welled in her eyes as she clutched her hands together. "I can't. He'll kill me if I say anything."

So, he’s threatening her too.

I clenched my jaw, anger burning inside me. Whoever this bastard was, he had terrified this girl into silence. But I wasn’t going to let him get away with it.

“What’s your name?”

“Lisa.”

“I’m Detective Brianna. Look, Lisa, whoever killed your friend will come back for you—whether you tell us the truth or not.”

“No, he won’t! He promised he wouldn’t harm me.”

“Maybe that’s what he told your dead friend before he killed her.” My voice softened, but my words carried the weight of truth. “As long as you know his face, he will come back for you. You know why? Because he’s afraid you’ll expose him. The only way to save yourself is to talk.”

Tears welled up in Lisa’s eyes as she clutched her trembling hands together. I could see the internal battle raging inside her, the fear that paralyzed her warring with the desperate need to survive.

“I’m giving you ten minutes to make up your mind,” I continued. “Or I’ll order them to release you. After all, you’ve been under our protection all this while. Let’s see if he still keeps his promise when you’re alone.”

Her breath hitched. Panic flashed across her face.

“Stop! I’ll talk!” she burst out, her voice cracking. “But please, I don’t want to die. I really want to live.”

“Good choice, Lisa,” I said gently. “I’m glad you made the right decision. Now, tell me—who raped and killed Amanda Click?”

She swallowed hard, her whole body shaking.

“Amanda and I came back from school,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “We decided to watch some TV at her house, but we walked in at the wrong time.”

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, watching as she wiped her tears with shaky fingers.

“Amanda’s brother, Sammy, was with his friends,” she said, hesitating. “I was pressed, so I left to use the restroom while Amanda went to tell her brother to leave the living room for us. But when I came back… the room was empty. I ran out, looking for her. I couldn’t find her, so I went down the street—then I saw them…”

Her breath came in ragged gasps. I waited patiently, giving her space to speak at her own pace.

“They were all taking turns on her,” she whispered, her voice breaking as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.

My stomach twisted with rage.

“Why didn’t you call for help?”

“Because Sammy was right behind me,” she choked out. “Holding a knife to my neck. He made me promise not to say a thing—or he’d kill my family.”

I clenched my jaw, my blood boiling.

“So Sammy was the one who brought the people that killed his sister?”

She nodded frantically. “Please, I don’t want to die,” she sobbed. “Please help me.”

“You are not going to die,” I assured her firmly before stepping out of the room. My hands curled into fists at my sides. Something about this case gnawed at me. There was more to this story than what we had uncovered so far.

“Good job, Detective Brianna,” Dax said with a small smile as I approached. I gave a quick nod, my mind still racing. Nearby, Nancy was on the phone, issuing a warrant for Sammy’s arrest.

“Has Sammy been seen since his sister was killed?” I asked, my voice colder than I intended.

“Yes,” Dax replied. “He’s a damn good actor. He pretended to be at work when everything happened.”

“How old is he?”

“Twenty-four, twenty-five—I’m not sure. Did you figure something out?”

I took a deep breath. “Shouldn’t this case seem familiar to you?” I asked. “You were once accused of raping Jake’s sister. She was raped by a group of masked boys.”

Dax’s expression shifted instantly. His jaw tightened, and a dark look crossed his face.

“Oh my God,” he muttered. “This case might be connected.”

Finally, he was seeing it too. Something tied these cases together.

“We need to get our hands on Sammy,” I said. “He’s the key.”

“We can’t just arrest him outright,” Dax countered. “He’ll know we’re onto him.”

“Then we do it in disguise,” I said, my mind already formulating a plan. “If he sees you, he’ll run.”

Dax frowned. “Then how do we do it?”

I smirked. “You’ll be wearing a mask. You’ll stay in the crowd while Nancy does the rest of the work.”

Dax crossed his arms. “I don’t understand.”

“You will,” I assured him, turning to Nancy. “Nancy, can I have a word with you?”

“Sure,” she said, stepping closer.

I tilted my head slightly. “I want you to use your beauty for something useful.”

Both Nancy and Dax looked at me in confusion.

“What can I do?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

“We’re going to use you to lure out everyone who killed Amanda Click. Finally, your beauty can be put to good use.”

Their puzzled expressions only made me grin. This case was bigger than we thought, and I had a feeling we were about to uncover something far darker than we had imagined.

One way or another, we would figure it out.