“Officer Robin, I hear you let that psycho loose?” Dexter’s words carried a tinge of displeasure as he


    brought Melody out.


    Melody seemed shaken. She was seeking refuge within the protective circle of Dexter’s embrace.


    With a coddling gesture, Dexter shrugged off his leather jacket and draped it over Melody’s shoulders


    and took her in his embrace, “You cold?”


    She gave a fragile nod in response.


    “Mr. Fitzgerald, the individual in question has been released into the care of their guardian. They’ve


    assured us that any grievances or expenses, including medical bills, will be fully covered,” Robin


    exined, handing Dexter a business card.


    As Dexter nced at the card, his expression darkened, “Brendan Langley?”


    It was the Langley family.


    I also watched Dexter in shock.


    The Langley family?


    In Sea City, the Langleys sat atop the economic pyramid of the business circle, the undisputed tycoons.


    Even the Fitzgeralds couldn’t hold a candle to the Langleys.


    But how could someone from the Langleys grow up in an orphanage, let alone be diagnosed with a


    mental illness?


    Thinking of Colin’s identity sent shivers down my spine.


    Was it the might of the Langley name that kept him from being discovered even after taking so many


    lives? So someone had been covering for him.


    But what now? Where was my body? Would the truth behind my death evere to light?


    “He… he’s a Langley?” Melody’s voice trembled with disbelief. “A madman from the Langley family? I


    never heard of such a thing.”


    Dexter frowned, his voice grave, “Three years ago, Brendan’s eldest son, his grandson, and his


    granddaughter all perished in a tragic car ident. The only remaining child is infertile, who’s


    incapable of bearing an heir.”


    “It’s obvious, the psycho must carry Langley’s blood. Otherwise, Brendan wouldn’t bother so much over


    a madman.”


    “Bother so much?” Robin snorted. “If he really cared, he wouldn’t let him wander the streets. Probably


    just wants to secure a lineage.”


    Dexter said nothing, disinterested in the Langley affairs and unwilling to get involved.


    13:16


    “Since you’ve got the Information, Officer Robin, focus on the real killer. There’s no need to worry about


    Phoebe anymore.” He imed.


    He opened the car door, and with a hand on the rim, helped Melody in.


    His care for her was evident in every detail.


    “Melody and I are getting married. She’s bound to show up at the wedding.” Dexter dered with


    confidence.


    I snorted derisively. Dexter nned to use his and Melody’s wedding as bait to draw me out.


    “Congrattions,” Robin said with a meaningful look. “I hope it’s just a prank from Phoebe and that


    she’s safe and will attend your wedding.”


    “In your dreams…” I stood to the side, mocking Dexter. I would never show up, never again.


    As Dexter got in the car and drove off, I remained, unsure of where to go.


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    A restless spirit, that’s what I had be. Even in death, I didn’t know where I belonged.


    “Phoebe, where are you?” Robin looked skyward and suddenly dropped a question.


    I turned back to him and smiled faintly, “I’m dead, and I don’t even know where my body lies…”


    “Robin! Something’s happened!” A young officer burst into the station, panic–stricken, “Another


    woman’s body has been found along Boundless River. The M.O. is the same… red dress, frequented


    Nocturne, sexually assaulted before death by suffocation.”


    Robin’s brow furrowed, and he crushed his cigarette underfoot, “Damn… What a monster!” Enraged,


    heshed out at a nearby trash can. He was furious at his incapability of catching the killer, which had


    cost so many innocent women’s lives.


    “The victim’s facial skin has beenpletely removed, making it impossible to identify her…”


    Robin fell silent. He stood there quietly before saying, “Let’s go take a look.”


    I followed him as panic surged through me. Myst memories before death did include the killer binding


    several women. In my final moments, I saw a few women in red dresses huddle in the


    corner.


    “There are survivors, Robin, there have to be! Search that abandoned orphanage!” I trailed behind him


    and yelled desperately.


    Someone must be still surviving. That murderer took lives at intervals and abducted his victim before


    killing.


    So, there must be survivors!


    “Robin! There are survivors!” My cries were urgent, though futile in my attempt to be heard.


    We were like people separated by different realms, he waspletely unaware of my presence.


    “It’s strange that this body also had something belonging to Phoebe. The body has a single earring on


    the left ear, the same one Phoebe wore the day she disappeared,” a fernale officer reported upon her


    return, delivering the news to Robin.