Chapter 2~ A Message For Emily.

EMILY

A chill ran through my body as I stared at the clear written name on the wrist of a dead stranger. I hated what my mind was thinking, but I'd say, this wasn’t looking like a mere murder. It was personal now.

I drove back to the precinct in silence. My hands stayed tight on the wheel the whole way. Not from fear, but from the thoughts building inside me. By the time I got back, I went straight to Chief Ramos’ office.

He looked up from his desk when I walked in.

“We need to talk,” I said.

His eyes narrowed. “Sit.”

I didn’t. I tossed the file onto his desk and opened it to the photo. The victim’s wrist. The name.

He leaned forward, staring at it for a long while. “What the hell is this?”

“That’s my name,” I said quietly. “Carved after he died. I think this was meant for me.”

“Why would someone do that?” he raised an eyebrow at me, like I had the answer written in my palms.

"How am I supposed to know?" I half-yelled, then I swallowed hard. “I think he’s back.”

“Who?”

I looked him straight in the eyes. “The underground lord. Matteo. Or whatever name he goes by now. I think he must’ve heard about me. Now he wants me to know he’s back.”

Chief Ramos sat back, rubbing his chin. “And he just started that… with a victim?”

I shrugged.

He didn’t speak for a few seconds. Then: “You think he’s targeting you?”

“No,” I said. “Not yet. But this is a message, that's all I know. He’s saying, ‘I know who you are. I know you’re watching. Now watch this.’”

The chief leaned forward, like the weight of the world had just rested on his shoulders. “Listen, Emmy. I know you’ve dealt with monsters before. But this guy… he’s different. You mess with him, people go missing.”

“I’ve dealt with worse.”

He gave me a look. “You’ve never dealt with someone who leaves your name on a corpse.”

That stung, but he was right.

“I’m not backing down, Sir.” I told him. “If he wants to play, I’ll play. But this time, it's on my terms.”

He sighed frustratedly. He sure knows I wasn't one to back down in the middle of a case, especially not with the kinds that have to do with the underground.

"You'll never grow from being stubborn, will you?" I smiled with a shrug. He sighed again, and stood up. “I’ll assign two officers to follow you. Just in case.”

“No need,” I refused. "I can do it myself."

“It’s not a request.”

Back at my desk, I opened my drawer and pulled out an old folder. One I’d hidden years ago. The case that was shut down before I could finish it. The man they all whispered about, the one no one could trace.

Matteo.

It didn’t have a face, just a name. And a trail of bodies. Each death was a mystery, and each clue led to a dead end. Until now, someone had finally left me something. A clue. A message. Worse, a warning.

****

The evening arrived, and I knew it was time to head home. I was exhausted, feeling more stressed than ever. Maybe it was because this week had been packed with back-to-back cases.

I stood outside Gina’s door and let out a long sigh. My legs ached, and my mind was still spinning from everything that happened today. It had been one of those days, the kind that followed you home.

I knocked gently.

Seconds later, the door opened. Gina smiled, already knowing it was me. I always came around this time to pick up Stephanie.

“Right on time,” she said, stepping aside. “Come in.”

The moment I walked in, Stephanie ran straight at me.

“Aunt Emmy!” she yelled, her little arms wrapping around me.

I knelt and hugged her tight. “Hey, sweetheart. Did you miss me?”

She pulled back, nodding with a big grin. “So much!”

“Good. Go get your stuff ready, we’re heading home.”

While she dashed off to get her backpack, I sat down on the couch with a heavy breath. Gina joined me, her eyes scanning my face.

Gina has been like family to me since five years ago, after my sister died. Stacy passed away without a clear reason – till now, even the doctors couldn't explain what really happened. She left behind her only daughter, Stephanie, who has now become like a daughter to me. Honestly, if it weren’t for Gina, life would have been much harder than it is now.

“You look like someone who’s been dragged through five meetings and three crime scenes,” she teased gently.

I forced a weak smile. “Not far from the truth.”

“What happened?” She asked, looking more worried than I expected.

I hesitated. Part of me didn’t want to talk about it, but Gina always knew when something was eating at me.

“I had a new case today,” I said, staring at the floor. “Another murder.”

She grew quiet.

“I thought I was ready for anything,” I continued. “But this one… this one shook me.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

I looked up. “The victim had my name written on her wrist.”

Gina blinked. “Your name?”

I nodded. “Plain as day. Emily Thompson.”

“Do you know him? The victim?”

“No. I’ve never seen him before,” I said, the memory of the body flashing in my mind. “But someone wants my attention. Someone knows me… and they’re making it personal.”

Gina’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Emily, this sounds dangerous. You should let someone else handle this one.”

“I can’t.” I shook my head. “You know me. Once I start, I don’t back down.”

“I know, but think about Stephanie,” she said softly. “You’re all she has now.”

“I think about her every day,” I told her. “That’s why I have to keep going. Whoever this is… they’re sending a message. If I walk away, what happens next time? What if they come closer?”

Gina looked down, worried. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I will,” I said, even though I wasn’t so sure.

Right then, Stephanie came running back, her bag bouncing behind her.

“I’m ready!”

I stood up and gave Gina a small nod. She didn’t say anything else, but the concern in her eyes stayed with me.