Markus' Plan
** Sarah's POV**
The finger of Chief Morrison went to the trigger.
As soon as the gun went off, I jumped sideways and knocked Mrs. Huang to the ground. We were standing when the bullet struck the concrete wall.
"Torres, get moving!" I shouted.
Elena just disappeared like smoke as Torres rolled behind a stack of the victims' possessions.
Chief Morrison swore and pointed at me once more. "Sarah, you were always too intelligent for your own good."
"Why, Chief? Why aid Marcus in the murder of innocent people?
"Because those individuals had credit cards, cash, and jewelry on them. How much money did the twelve victims have between them? More than two hundred thousand dollars.
He shot again. I pulled Mrs. Huang deeper into the shadows of the hidden basement.
"Marcus was sloppy at first," Chief Morrison continued, walking slowly toward us. "After his second kill, he nearly got caught. I therefore assisted him in improving at it. I ensured that the reports of missing persons were lost. I made sure other detectives didn't look too hard for connections."
Torres popped up from behind his hiding spot. "You're a cop! You swore to protect others.
"I swore to protect and serve. I've been taking care of myself and safeguarding my finances." Chief Morrison swung his gun toward Torres.
Elena reappeared immediately behind Chief Morrison at that point.
Chief Morrison froze when she placed one pale hand on his shoulder. His eyes widened, but he was immobile.
Elena calmly said, "Detective Chen, take his weapon."
Crawling over, I carefully removed the gun from Chief Morrison's ice-cold hand.
"What did you do to him?" Torres inquired.
"I did the same thing to Mrs. Huang before. But when I release Chief Morrison, he will remember everything. Unlike Mrs. Huang, he deserves to know exactly what's happening to him."
Elena met Chief Morrison's gaze. "You provided financial assistance to a serial killer who killed twelve innocent people. What do you believe ought to happen to you?
Chief Morrison's mouth moved, but no sound came out.
"Elena," I said, "he must be alive in order to testify against Marcus."
"Do we? Marcus had already admitted it. We have all the proof we require.
"However, Chief Morrison has knowledge of other cases. Other dishonest police officers. We'll never know how serious this is if you kill him."
Elena thought about it. "Detective Chen, you have a valid point."
Chief Morrison fell to the ground, gasping, as she let him go.
While I was using the chief's radio to call for backup, Torres handcuffed Chief Morrison. The call was successful this time.
"This is Detective Chen. I urgently need units at 1247 Elm Street. We have two suspects in custody and several homicides.
But Marcus wasn't there when I turned to look for him.
"Where did Marcus go?" I questioned Torres.
"A minute ago, he was right here!"
Elena's face darkened. "He is no longer in the house. Marcus is leaving quickly, and I can tell when people are close by."
Mrs. Huang took hold of my arm. "Everything Chief Morrison said was heard by Marcus, Detective Chen. He is aware that you have proof against him. He is aware that you located every body.
"So he's fleeing."
"No," Elena muttered. "Marcus doesn't flee easily. He has a tendency to eliminate witnesses.
My blood went cold. "What witnesses?"
"You, Mrs. Huang, and Detective Torres. Only the three of you are able to testify regarding what transpired here tonight.
Torres peered out the tiny window in the basement. "I can see his car pulling away, but he's not going on a highway, Sarah. He's making his way farther into town.
I made an effort to think like Marcus. Where would he go? How would he respond?
Then I recalled a previous statement made by Mrs. Huang. Marcus was aware that Mrs. Huang kept watch over his home from the window of her bedroom. She had seen everything, he knew.
"Does anyone else in your family reside in the town, Mrs. Huang?"
"The apartment building on Oak Street is where my granddaughter Jenny resides. "Why?"
My heart began to race. "Because Marcus might think Jenny knows what you know. He may pursue her to prevent her from telling anyone.
Elena's eyes flashed silver. "Detective Chen, you must go to Oak Street right now."
Torres and Mrs. Huang were right behind me as I dashed up the basement stairs. Elena trailed behind, moving so quickly that she appeared to be floating.
"Elena," I said as we got to my car, "can you track where Marcus is going?"
"Yes. But you must know something, Detective Chen. One thing Chief Morrison was telling the truth about. Marcus has become an expert killer. And he's desperate now."
We drove as quickly as we could in the direction of Oak Street. Jenny's apartment was unanswered when I called.
"What is the apartment number of your granddaughter, Mrs. Huang?"
"3B. She attends college. She's most likely wearing headphones while studying.
Marcus's car was in the parking lot when we arrived at the apartment complex.
"He's already here," Torres declared.
After sprinting to the building, we rode the elevator to the third floor. Apartment 3B's door stood ajar.
"Jenny!" Mrs. Huang yelled.
From inside the apartment, we heard a girl's voice: "Grandma? Is that you? A man here claims to know you.
I pulled out my gun and motioned for Torres to go to the balcony while I entered through the front door.
Marcus and a young woman who appeared to be a college-aged Mrs. Huang were standing in the living room of the apartment.
Calmly, I said, "Jenny, get out of his way."
Marcus grinned, but it wasn't a warm one. "Detective Chen! I hoped you would attend. I was just discussing Jenny's grandmother with her.
"Marcus, what did you tell her?"
"Her grandmother saw something she shouldn't have seen," I informed her. And that negative things can occasionally happen to people's families when they see too much."
Jenny appeared frightened and perplexed. "I'm not sure what's going on."
"Jenny," I said, "please approach me slowly."
Marcus, however, took Jenny's arm. "Detective, I don't think so. Jenny will assist me in communicating with her grandmother.
"What message?"
Marcus produced a blade. "The takeaway is that Mrs. Huang ought to have kept her mouth shut."
Elena then materialized behind me in the apartment doorway.
In her most icy tone, Elena said, "Marcus Rivera, let the girl go."
Marcus chuckled as he glanced at Elena. "Does the ghost wish to command me? I'm in this mess because of you! I could have continued killing people for years if you hadn't stepped in."
"You're a monster, which is why I interfered."
"I run a business! "Those folks had money that they no longer needed."
Elena took a step toward Marcus. "What about Jenny? What is the amount of money you require from her?
Marcus's hold on Jenny became more firm. "Jenny has no money. However, she possesses something more valuable. I'm leaving this town because of her."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Jenny and I are planning a quick getaway. And Jenny is going to get into an accident if someone follows us."
That silver light started to shine in Elena's eyes. "Marcus, you have committed a grave error."
"What mistake?"
"You overlooked the fact that I am exempt from the same regulations as human law enforcement."
Every light in the apartment flickered as Elena held up one hand.
Elena went on, "And you especially forgot that I really don't like it when people threaten children."
The lights flickered faster and faster, and Marcus looked around anxiously.
Then Elena flashed her most terrifyin
g smile to date.
Would you like to meet some of your victims, Marcus? Because now they're all here with me. Additionally, they want to say a few things to you.