Chapter four : A Clue Uncovered

Samantha and Jake spent the next few days delving into every lead and potential connection they could think of. They poured over old case files and interviewed past suspects, looking for any link to the strange symbol found on the victim's chest.

It was slow going, and at times it seemed like they were back to square one. But Samantha refused to give up, and her determination inspired Jake to keep pushing forward as well.

Then one day, while they were poring over old records in the archives, Jake let out a triumphant shout.

"Sam! Look at this!" he exclaimed, holding up an old file.

Samantha walked over to him, curious. "What is it?"

"It's a case from a few years ago," Jake explained, flipping through the pages. "The victim had the same symbol carved into their chest. The case was never solved, but we know the victim was involved with a cult."

Samantha's heart raced with excitement. It was a breakthrough, a connection between the two cases.

"We need to find out more about this cult," she said, grabbing the file from Jake and starting to read through it.

They spent the next few days digging into the cult's history and activities, trying to uncover any clues that could help them solve the current case. They talked to former members and infiltrated some of their meetings, learning about their beliefs and rituals.

And then, finally, they found what they were looking for. A connection between the victim and the cult leader, a man named Marcus Blackwood.

Samantha and Jake wasted no time in tracking down Blackwood's location, but when they arrived at the address they found it abandoned. However, they did find a strange book with the same symbol as the one carved into the victim's chest.

They took the book back to the precinct and had it analyzed. It turned out to be an old grimoire, a book of spells and incantations used in occult practices. And it contained a disturbing section on human sacrifice.

Samantha and Jake knew they were getting closer. They just needed to find Blackwood and bring him in for questioning.