Robin flicked his cigarette butt into the trash can, looking over his shoulder with a sense of urgency.


    “Phoebe’s cell phone is banged up, but it ain’t beyond repair. Just needs some time, and we’ll see what


    we can salvage.”


    He turned to leave but then paused, shooting a piercing nce at Dexter. “If your hesitance and cover–


    up lead to Phoebe’s death or something even more horrendous, you’ll be just as much a murderer. And


    even if thew doesn’t get you, your conscience will shackle you for life.”


    Dexter stood there, numb, the fatigue written all over his face.


    I gave him onest look before walking away, knowing I couldn’t turn back.


    I had no idea when my soul would fade away, when I’d truly die, or why I was even in this state to begin


    with. All I could do was wait. Wait for my body to be found, for the truth toe to light, for my remains


    to be cremated andid to rest in the earth.


    Maybe then, I’d find my peace.


    “Robin! That nutjob Colin’s vanished! We were allbing the scene, and in the blink of an eye, he


    was gone.”


    Robin’s brow furrowed as he climbed into his car. “Find him. Keep an eye on him. He’s got to know


    something.”


    He was convinced that Colin held some secrets.


    As I got into Robin’s car, I nced at the photograph in his hand. It was the one Colin had found at the


    orphanage, showing a little girl in a red dress. In the photo, Colin stood out like a sore thumb, his good


    looks impossible to miss.


    1


    Beside him was another boy, looking timid and scared, clinging to Colin’s arm, hiding behind


    him.


    Colin stood like a protective older brother.


    Robin studied the photo gravely. “Colin…”


    “Jason, can we track down all the people from this orphanage photo?” Robin dialed one of his


    men.


    “A few years back, the orphanage caught fire. It was the director who found out his misdeeds were


    about to be exposed. He tried to burn all the evidence, including the kids. Aside from the girls in red


    dresses who were adopted, only Colin survived. They say Colin used to be a genius. not the fool he is


    now. That changed after the fire.”


    Robin looked at the children in the photo.


    All dead except for Colin.


    “He’s the killer. He’s on a spree, knocking off everyone from the orphanage. This guy’s


    13.09


    dangerous. Either he’s got a split personality or he’s a master of disguise,” I tried to warn Robin.


    He couldn’t hear me, but he was starting to suspect Colin too.


    “Keep tabs on Colin. We have to find him!”


    Relief washed over me as I saw Robin’s suspicion.


    Robin had just ended the call when his phone rang again. It was that forensic expert.


    “Robin! Ste’s gone missing. She might be going after Melody. Are you at the hotel?”


    Robin paused, instinctively looking towards the hotel.


    My gaze followed, fixating on the hotel’s entrance.


    Was Steing for Melody?


    Robin quickly got out of the car and headed for the hotel.


    I followed, anxious.


    In the hotel corridor.


    Melody slumped into Dexter’s arms, her face pale and drained.


    Ste stood at the doorway, not raging but speaking softly, “Please, help me save Phoebe.”


    For Phoebe’s sake, she had to ask Melody for help.


    “I’m sorry…” Melody sobbed, burying her face in Dexter’s chest.


    Dexter


    ter was getting angry. “Ste, stop being crazy. Melody’s upset, and you’re making it


    worse.”


    Ste’s eyes zed as she stared at Dexter. “You really are the worst.”


    Dexter fell silent, not responding.


    “You don’t have to go, just lend me your red dress.”


    Ste was asking for Melody’s red dress.


    I had been wearing Melody’s red dress before the incident.


    Melody was taken aback, looking at Ste. “You’re insane. That’s about the killer.”


    “What’s so great about Phoebe that you’d go this far for her…” Melody murmured, as if she couldn’t


    comprehend or believe it.


    “Do you even deserve to hear about her goodness?” Ste snapped back coldly, clenching her fists.


    “Melody, you better pray Phoebe’s trouble has nothing to do with you. Otherwise, I’ll never let you off


    the hook.”


    Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    1300


    I stood not far away, sighing. It was she who had lured me to my doom.


    “Ste, don’t push it.” Dexter said, guarding Melody protectively.


    “Miss Melody, just do as she says. If you won’t step in, at least lend us the dress,” Robin intervened


    after listening for a while, quickly approaching the scene.


    In the end, you could tell the good from the bad.


    Melody was stalling, unwilling to step forward to save me.