Chapter 7 I Saw the Murderer

• "I've already told you that Madeline is not dead. Whatever my relationship with her may be, it has no bearing on this case!" Marcus retorted, his voice laced with frustration and embarrassment.
• "Mr. Flynn, please cooperate with our investigation and avoid complicating matters for the police," the officer responded, his tone tinged with irritation.
• Standing nearby, I smiled wryly, wondering, "How could he possibly admit to what he's done to his own sister?"
• "Captain, the blood and skin found on the handcuffs don't match the victim's. The DNA tests show it's from another female, likely Madeline.
• "It seems very likely that Madeline is in grave danger."
• Marcus clenched his fists, still insistent that Madeline was orchestrating this. "She's clever, and she's always crafting some drama."
• Watching Marcus, my disappointment deepened until my heart felt numb.
• "Mr. Flynn, your reluctance to cooperate could cost us crucial time to save her. If the murderer has indeed captured Madeline, imagine her despair as she's waiting for rescue!"
• I looked at the police officer, tears welling up in my eyes.
• He was right.
• During those moments, shifting from consciousness to death, no one could fathom the depths of my despair.
• I had prayed repeatedly for the police to find me quickly and for Marcus to save me.
• Eventually, a deep sadness overwhelmed me when I thought of Marcus.
• Marcus's phone vibrated.
• It was Bella on the line.
• Excitedly, she blurted out, "Marcus, I just saw Maddy at Nightfall Bar!"
• Marcus paused, exchanging glances with the police.
• The officers looked at each other with suspicion. "Let's move out to Nightfall!"
• I tried to caution them anxiously, "Don't go! Bella is trying to mislead you! She's causing trouble just to throw you off. It's all to stop you from finding my body!
• "Don't listen to her! Don't fall for it!" I cried out in desperation, but no one heard me.
• Marcus trusted Bella implicitly, never questioning why she would venture to Nightfall Bar in the middle of the night.
• I followed Marcus, overhearing his angry vows.
• "Madeline! I won't let you get away!"
• His voice was firm, filled with a threat that seemed real—if he found me, he might actually harm me.
• Yet, that confrontation never occurred.
• ...
• Nightfall Bar.
• Undercover detectives accompanied Marcus and located Bella.
• "I got scared because of the storm and went out to find you. That's when I spotted Maddy entering Nightfall by herself. It was packed, and I lost track of her," Bella said, her voice trembling with emotion.
• Marcus quickly comforted Bella, wrapping his arms around her. "It's okay."
• The detectives exchanged knowing looks with Bella before heading into the bar. Despite an extensive search throughout the night, they came up empty.
• I sighed as I watched the police at work. "Poor officers, being manipulated and dragged out in the middle of the night."
• "Stop!" A figure in a hooded sweatshirt walked briskly in the alley with their head down.
• The police yelled, but the figure quickened their pace.
• Officers quickly closed in and tackled the person to the ground.
• "Zeke, this kid ... "
• As the night enfolded us, I caught a glimpse of that face again, and my body froze with fear as I backed away.
• Even in death, I felt a deep fear of this person.
• His face was unnervingly handsome, his skin unusually pale ...
• Sadly, beneath that captivating appearance was a madman, a deviant, a killer.
• "Why are you running around at this hour?" the police demanded as they kicked him.
• The man's eyes locked in my direction.
• I covered my mouth in shock. Could he actually see me?