“I suspect the killer may be secretly staying in Stephanie’s house, though Ick evidence. If you


    trust me, we could arrange for someone to keep an eye on him,” I said nervously.


    Even Rachel seemed unconvinced, and I could imagine Zion’s skepticism.


    Without their trust, the murderer might persist, posing a continued threat to potential victims.


    “I’ve got this feeling that the murderer’s victims are connected to the people from that orphanage,


    not just those women in red dresses from the photos. Perhaps… it’s just the beginning.” I nervously


    nced at Zion. I held off on bringing up the ss monitor, Howard, for now.


    I needed to find out more.


    Zion gave me a skeptical look. “Are you saying the murderer might be staying in Stephanie’s


    house?”


    I nodded firmly, anxiously looking at Zion.


    Zion furrowed his brows. “How do you know?”


    715


    “L… Well, I did some digging.” I hesitated.


    “And where’s the evidence?” Zion demanded.


    “If you trust me, just keep an eye on him. He’s bound to strike again,” I said urgently.


    “Why are you still fixated on someone living in Stephanie’s house?” Rachel emerged from the office,


    giving me a nce.


    “Stephany, after


    after you


    told me, I went to her house. Everything was normal. There were no signs of anyone there. I


    checked the surveince from the past few months too, and the only frequent visitor was you.


    Before Stephie passed away, you were always sneaking into her house!”


    Rachel’s stare turned icy. “I’m curious. How did you obtain Stephanie’s house keys? How did you


    unlock the door, and what exactly were you doing there? Stephie never mentioned you to me.”


    “L…” I tried to exin, but it was surprising that Stephany used toe to my ce often. What


    was she doing there?


    I wasn’t living there anymore. Yet, Rachel’s and Zion’s intense stares made it feel suffocating.


    Despite knowing the truth, voicing it out loud seemed futile.


    “And I searched through Stephie’s belongings. Her diaries were all kept in that house. But now


    they’re all gone. You took them, didn’t you?” Rachel was furious.


    “Rachel, you’ve got to believe me. Trust me, I really want to help Stephanie catch the killer,” I said,


    feeling a bit anxious.


    Did Stephany take my diaries?


    How many secrets did she hold?


    Rachel eyed me with suspicion and then exchanged a nce with Zion. “I’m suspicious of her. She


    knows too much about Stephie, and in too much detail… It seems like she’s intentionally imitating


    Stephie to mislead us.”


    Zion also gave me a skeptical look. That look wasn’t just showing mistrust but also carried a sense


    of suspicion.


    “If you don’t believe me, I’ll just go,” I stated briefly. Too much talk would only deepen their


    suspicions.


    Since trust seemed elusive, my only option was to gather evidence.


    “She’s definitely fishy,” Rachel remarked, furrowing her brows and exchanging a nce with Zion.


    Zion didn’t say a word, but his gaze held a depth of contemtion.


    In the car, my mind wandered as I stared outside. I watched the drizzly, overcast sky.


    It hit me all of a sudden–the serial murderer always seemed to pick days like this.


    The rain provided a perfect cover. With people wearing raincoats, even if he was captured on


    camera, nothing would be clear. It was easy for the killer to strike and dispose of the body.


    “Steven… head to my ce!” I said, trying to keep my emotions in check. I was desperate to find


    evidence to make them believe me.


    That feeling of not being trusted, especially by my best friend, was overwhelmingly crushing.


    “Driver, take us to Harmony Road.”


    Steven knew I meant Stephanie’s house.


    The car pulled into a cozy alley off Harmony Road, slipping in seamlessly among other parked


    vehicles. It was a perfect hideaway.


    I anxiously peered out of the car window, my gaze fixed on the direction of my house.


    The advantage of these vintage buildings was the open corridors on each floor, offering a clear view


    of any doors opening or closing.


    I told Steven to stay in the car and slipped out, finding a hiding spot in a corner. I kept a vignt


    watch on the entrance. After a while, I finally spotted a figure in a raincoating out of my house


    and descending the stairs.


    1 quietly followed.


    “Zion… I saw the murderer. He’s about to strike again,” I sent a voice message to Zion, urging him


    to


    If we got to catch this person in the act, that would be the evidence.


    Once that happened, Zion and Rachel would have no choice but to believe me. The rain poured


    down, intensifying. The sky gradually darkened.