MURDER AND LOVE: A KILLER'S GUIDE

CHAPTER 2 – THE MESSAGE

AUTHORS NOTE: Hi everyone, Thank you all

that are reading my book currently you are awesome.

Quick Note: The title of the book will

change soon but don't worry I will leave the former tilted in brackets so you would

know that this is still the same story. I promise you Nothing changes.

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The rain spattered on the windshield as

the wipers give way for me to see the road—swiping back and forth. The world outside is blur—just like my thoughts. Last night's nightmare still clinging to me, refusing to loosen its grip.

"Every fire leaves smoke behind", I mutter under my breath. Wilder's ashes flashing in

mind. I shudder, gripping the wheel tighter.

"I made sure no one saw what I was doing. I had studied and calculate the time frame for every single person in the area. What went wrong?" I took the paper out of my cloth, trying to figure out who could be behind this.

The brick walls of the precinct loomed ahead, as I drove closer to the building. I

needed to push the memories deep down today—deep enough to pretend they don't

exist. I don't have the luxury of breaking down today.

I parked my car at my usual spot, gathered my things, and let out a sigh.

I had been holding my breath for long and didn't even notice.

I headed towards the building, the noise of the rowdy precinct. The regular

comings of people to report a missing person, the arrests of several

delinquents. The air filled the smell of brewed coffee—reminded me of the mart.

No, I have to focus. I can't be caught slipping. I walked towards my desk, grabbing my chair ready to sit, when I saw the case file on my table.

Wilder Robbins. The letters largely written on the brown casefile. I picked it up to look at it.

It's been a week since I burnt Wilder. I still smile sometimes thinking about it at

night.

"What you are looking at is the case file of Wilder Robbins. He is father of two, and

a very caring man. We need to find him" Jamal said, walking towards my desk.

Caring my ass. Whoever brought that cloth to me knows about the ash and probably the other things.

Shit. He had probably followed me to

the cemetery and figured out where I kept my things. Now I have to go back there and find out what he took. Today is not my day.

"Hey Miller, Earth to Miller" Jamal snapped me out of my thoughts.

"I already had enough troubles with the lieutenant today, I don't need you

bailing on me right now."

"Sorry Jamal, I've just woke up on the wrong side of bed" I said, laying the case

files on the table.

"Well then turn and wake up on the right side of the bed"

I looked at him confused.

"How can I—"

"Just cheer up is what I'm trying to say. We are too busy to be moody" He cut me off

before I had the chance to even ask my question.

"Yeah whatever" I muttered under my breath.

"Hey guys, Khloe" Odette came up to us with a smile that reached her ears. She has always been jolly this one, I usually wonders what goes on in her head. Don't get me wrong she is very kind and sweet but just too

sweet. Odette's always been a bit of a mystery when it comes to fashion. While

the rest of us are stuck in our uniforms, she manages to stand out in the most

subtle way.

I can't help but admire how effortlessly she pulls it off. She always wears vintage-style

shoes—these black leather flats with a small buckle on the side—and her hair is

pinned back in a low, elegant bun, not a strand out of place. She's got that

timeless vibe to her, like someone who stepped out of a different era and made

it work for her.

Maybe that's why she's so easy to talk to, like she already understands things without needing to say them out loud.

I wonder sometimes if that was how I would have ended up is not for what had happened. That scenario changed me completely. My view of the world turned dark for me unlike Odette who always see the light in everything.

"Hey" I answered her in a raspy tone.

"How do you do?" she asked, handing me my morning coffee.

"Thanks" I grabbed the mug from her and sipped on it—letting the hot, bitter brew melt into my mouth.

"I got the test results back from the lab, and you wouldn't believe what it said" She held out the envelope stretching it to me.

I grabbed to look what was inside.

"They came back positive, remnants of Nitrogen Oxide and Propofol. We were able to collect samples on the wall from the house and noticed since they was no sign of forced entry something had to be done" she

gave herself a pat on the back as she adjusted her glasses.

I knew there would be remnants left on the walls. I was paranoid—not stupid. They can't trace back to me though. All I needed was a

fake ID and fake passport and a drive out of town to get it.

"So this meant the whole family was drugged to fall asleep, then he was taken out?" Jamal asked Odette.

"Yes, the person definitely drugged them and that way it was easy to get him out of the house"

"Then it must have been someone close to them" He scratched his chin, as he gazed upon me.

"I know you knew him K, and it might take a toll on you but we need to find him" he rested his hand on mine. My stomach turned as I felt

his hands touch me.

"Yeah, I know" I politely slid hos hands off me before sipping on my coffee again.

The room seemed to shift as the lieutenant walked in, trailing someone behind him.

I didn't need an introduction to know this was the new guy—he had the look. Too clean. Too confident. Too… something. I hated him

already.

"Listen up you buggos, We have a new recruit in town. I know words been travelling around that we are getting the Asher Brynes and guess what? We have him" He gestured towards the new guy as he came forward to introduce himself

"We better not mess this up. We can't let a kid come in here and take our place okay?" Jamal muttered

"Okay" I and Odette gave a slight nod.

Asher Brynes. They say he solved cases faster than Sherlock himself.

"Hello everyone, As you already know I am the one and only Asher Brynes" He said with a smirk on his face.

I wanted to punch him already. He already looks and talks arrogant. I wonder how he would behave towards us. I hope he doesn't hurt sweet Odette—I will push the shut out of him.

"I heard this department was the best of the best and I decided it was only best to move down here and join you guys. I hope we can all work together and reduce crime ìn this fine city." He placed his hand on his chest and smiled from ear to ear. The detectives gave him an applause before going back to their

daily work.

"Khloe, my office. Now" The lieutenant shouted across the room.

I was just trying to have a decent day, can it get any worse.

"Asher here requested to be partners with the best detective I have at hand, and I told him you were perfect for the job" He headed towards his desk and grabbed the chair from behind to sit down.

"What!!! No way. You can't ask Jamal he is way more experienced

than I am" I lunged at the top of my voice.

"No, you have way more experienced in the field than Jamal." He stood up from his chair pointing his finger towards me.

"And watch that tone Miss. I am your boss"

"But—"

"Bababa. No buts. That is my final decision" He grabbed a pen on the table and signed the paperwork for it.

This is the last thing I need right now. Having a man as my partner is not what I needed to start the day—given what is already on my plate.

"Don't worry, I don't bite" He stood up from the counter where he sat and stretched his hand out to shake mine. I shrugged and moved past his hands heading outside his office.

I should just quit this job and travel to Canada and open my farm.

I sighed as I headed towards my table, and dug my hands through my hair. I picked my mug and slurped on the coffee. I scowled as the coffee had gone cold.

I groaned as I picked up the case file on the table.

Is this punishment from God for killing? I stared at Wilder's picture clipped to the case file head.

I felt a buzz on the desk. I tried ignoring as I got to think of how to get off work to get to the cemetery.

Again, the phone buzzed for the second time. I sighed as picked up the phone to check what it was.

37th Willow Avenue. Where Secrets lie Awaits to be Open.

A lump formed at the back of my throat. I could feel the racing of my heartbeat in my ears.

That is the address of the crematorium. Where I had burnt Wilder. I stored dark secrets in there hoping no one would find it. Whoever this is is taunting me right now. I slammed my hands on the table as everyone turned towards my direction. I felt Jamal's gaze on me.

I need to get to the crematorium.

The phone buzzed again. I looked to view the message.

"You thought the shadows could hide you. Well, I know everything. But I'm puzzled on why you did it? Think of this as a game of hide and

seek. First to find the other wins. Don't get caught slacking.

"Till next time then"

My heart raced as I re-read the message. My palms grew clampy, the phone trembled in my hands. Whoever did this already knows too much.

This wasn't just a threat; It's a challenge. A warning.

Why did you do it? The words echoed in my mind., bouncing around like a drumbeat. It felt like an accusation. 

I needed to act fast—now.

Whoever this is knows. But how? And worse— what else do they know?

I gripped the phone tightly, my nails digging into my palm, the sharp pain grounding me as I fought the rush of panic threatening to take over. This a game to whoever this was. A twisted, cruel game that I didn't remember signing up for.

First to find the other wins.

The words burned into my brain. How had they tracked me down so easily? My life was hidden in the shadows, protected by layers of deception and careful planning. I'd made sure of that. No one knew where I went, or who I was.

But now, someone did.

Shoving back the panic clawing at me, I forced my mind to focus. Think, Khloe. Think. There had to be something—anything—that could help me get ahead.

The shadows had always been my ally. Silent. Trustworthy. Safe.

Now, they were a battlefield.

I could feel the walls closing in, the weight of the threat pressing down on me. I couldn't let this stranger take control of the game. I couldn't let them win.

I needed to act fast—now—before the hunter became the hunted.