Chapter 49

The streets were deserted, with only the occasional distant siren breaking the silence. Climbing into his truck, we immediately felt the contrast between the coolness coming out of the vents and the heat of the outside air. As we drove, the tension in the cabin grew heavy. Eventually, we pulled into the witness's driveway, and the headlights cast eerie shadows on the neighboring houses. Ethan turned to me, his expression serious. "Are you ready for this?" I nodded, feeling knots in my stomach. We had been through so much together, and I knew that whatever was happening between us would impact our partnership, but for now, we had to set that aside. We needed to find this monster before he could harm anyone else.

The witness, an elderly woman, trembled as she recounted what she had witnessed. Her description matched Morales's car, confirming our suspicions. The gravity of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. We were getting closer, and with each step, the stakes grew higher.

After leaving the witness, we headed back to the precinct. Adrenaline coursed through my veins; we finally had a lead, a clue that could potentially lead us to Morales.
Moments later, as Ethan parked the truck, I turned to him. "We’ll catch him," I declared firmly.

He met my gaze, searching my eyes, then nodded.

Stepping out into the heat of the night from the pickup, the wind whipped around us, feeling like a blow-dryer on the heat setting. As we made our way across the parking lot toward the coolness of the precinct, our footsteps echoed on the concrete. Minutes later, we entered through the double doors, we both offered sighs as the coolness from the air conditioner circled around us.

Entering the elevator, we silently rode it upward to our floor in tense silence. I fidgeted with my fingers, uncomfortable beneath the distance that was rapidly forming between us. When the doors slid open, I stepped out first, Ethan’s footsteps falling in behind me as we made our way down the hallway, my back tensing tighter and tighter with each second that passed as I could feel his gaze burning into it.
With a relieved breath when we reached the bullpen, I pushed the door open, instantly surrounded by the scent of freshly brewed coffee that filled the air as I stepped inside.
From behind me and without a single glance around the room, Ethan growled, "Let's get to work.”
~~
Hours later we came up for a breath, having poured over maps and reports, and made countless calls, as well, checked alibis. Throughout the time, we had worked tirelessly, driven by a burning desire to bring justice to the victims. As the night grew darker, so did my uncomfortability; the air crackled with unspoken words, and the tension between us grew more energetic, as if it could power the entire city block.

As dawn began to break, we finally got a hit. The car had been spotted at an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. Without hesitation, we grabbed our gear and sprinted out of the precinct. This was the moment we had both hoped for—the end of the line. For Morales. Ethan's hand brushed against the small of my back, guiding me towards his truck; his touch sent a jolt through me, reminding me of the intimate moments we had shared.

Within seconds we were inside Ethan’s truck and the engine roared to life. Afterward, placing it in gear, he pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street. Adrenaline pumped through my veins like a living, breathing force as we traveled down the silent streets. The only sound inside the cab was the sound of the air conditioning and the rumble of the truck’s tires on the street, as neither of us said a word to one another.

When the warehouse finally loomed ahead, a menacing beast of rust and despair, I let out a relieved breath. The distraction of what lay ahead, welcome. Either we would capture Morales, or he would slip through our fingers like the elusive shadow he had become.

As I glanced over at Ethan, I noted his grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white with tension. I knew he was thinking the same thing I was—what if we were too late? What if Morales wasn't even there? What if, once inside, we found that our personal issues had hindered us from saving a life?

With the pickup finally parked, the headlights casting eerie shapes on the cracked pavement, we checked our weapons, our eyes meeting briefly. In that shared glance, I saw determination within his.

After easing our way out of the truck, we silently made our way toward the door of the warehouse. Ethan, reaching out pulled it open, wincing slightly as it cracked and groaned with the action. Stepping into the abyss, our flashlights pierced through the darkness. The stench of decay and mold assaulted our senses, and the darkness seemed to close in around us.
We moved through the space with silent and swift steps. Each creak and whisper of the old building held the promise of discovery or the threat of failure. Suddenly, we heard it - a muffled cry, the unmistakable sound of a struggle. Our hearts pounded in unison as we broke into a run, our lights bouncing up and down as we raced towards the origin of the noise. In that moment, all the anger and hurt between us dissolved. We were two cops, united in the fight for justice, battling to save a life that hung in the balance.

As we rounded the corner, the scene unfolded before us—Morales, his eyes filled with madness, had a young woman trapped in a chokehold, a gleaming knife held in his other hand. A burning rage surged through me, demanding action. Ethan shouted, "Freeze!" His voice reverberated through the vast space, but Morales didn't even flinch. This was our final stand. We had to save her, regardless of the cost.

Approaching with guns drawn, I knew that the outcome of this battle would determine this woman’s fate.