The Whisperer

trict. The area was silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hum of traffic.

ark's voice crack

the small group of officers huddled nearby, all looking just

g related to the recent murders. Lucas was on edge, every muscle in hi

r dead end?" Mark as

said firmly. "We're c

, walls covered in graffiti. The place looked abandoned, but Lucas knew b

inting to a shadowy figure moving between

heart pounding. "I see i

the door creaking shut behind them. Lucas did

pushed the door open carefully, the hinges groaning in protest. The inside wa

voice echoing through the space

e, his eyes darting around, looking for any sign of movemen

someone trying to stifle a laugh. Lucas s

ebris. He took another step forward and something caught his eye.

o slow, D

g around the gun. He had been played, again. He r

y in," Mark resp

od boiling. The Whisperer had been right there,

en the call came in a third murder, this time at a luxurious penthouse on the other

ng with officers and forensic teams. He flashed his badge

lay sprawled on the floor, a single gunshot wound to the head. But there was n

anning the room. There, on the coffee ta

ark asked, comin

carefully, his fingers tr

a familiar, distorted

ce taunted. "I see you had fun last night. Did

el everyone's eyes on him, but he

ctable, so easy to read. But you're missing the point. This isn't abou

augh. "The next victim is someone close

s wake. Lucas felt cold all over. The Whisperer knew abo

careful like he was afra

tight. He handed the recorder to one of the forensi

going?" Mark ca

napped, his mind racing. He had to war

e glanced at the clock. Elena would be arriving any minute. He had asked her to come ov

cas practically ripped it open. Elena

he asked, ste

ir. "The Whisperer is targeting people close to me. He left a

"We need to figure t

bbing the recording device and handing it to her. "Ca

ce in. As the recording played again, Lucas felt a fresh wave of a

Elena said, frowning at the screen. "He's n

Lucas said sarcastically.

to help. But you need to be honest with me

now. Maybe it's revenge, ma

out your mother,"

"What do you know

id, her voice gentle. "Lucas, you need to talk about it.

memories too painful to br

't push. "Fine. But you ca

is shoulders sl

he tension between them palpable. Fin

eyes widening. "A background noise, fa

der, listening intently. "A

ted. "But it's something. W

eah, we do. But we need to be car

e screen lighting up with a new message. He grab

Grace, was sitting at a table by the window, laughing with a

ad: Tick-tock, Detective. She'

haking. He grabbed his coat and bolte

he demanded as they

said, his voice breaking. "

his heart in his throat. He couldn't lose her, not like this. T

feed had gone dark. Lucas burst through

led by his sudden appearance

g. He pulled her into a tight hug, his eye

said, confused.

her shoulders. "You need to go h

flickering across her face.

re out in the open," Lucas said, his

welling in her eyes.

th guilt and fear. The Whisperer was tightening the no

rd. "We need to end this. Befor

sion determined. "We wil

ucas couldn't shake the feeling t