CHAPTER ELEVEN

Ava stormed out of the crime scene, her frustration boiling over. She couldn't believe that the Shadow Killer had managed to stay one step ahead of her once again. As she arrived at the office, she was greeted with the worst news of her life.

"The station's computers have been hacked," her colleague told her, his face grim. "All the evidence we had on the Shadow Killer is gone."

Ava felt like she'd been punched in the gut. All their hard work, down the drain. The little evidence they had managed to collect was now lost, including the autopsy results of the latest victim. The media had been given access to everything, and now it was all gone.

Ava collapsed into a chair, feeling defeated. Where could they even start now? The Shadow Killer seemed to always be one step ahead, and Ava was starting to feel like she was in over her head.

Just as she was about to give up hope, Ethan appeared with a cup of coffee. "Ava, I think you should calm down a bit," he said gently. "We're still going to get to the end of this."

Ava took the coffee, but her hands were shaking so much that she ended up spilling it on the table. She buried her face in her hands, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes.

"Oh God," she whispered, feeling like she was at her breaking point. "What am I supposed to do now?"

Just then, the chief burst into the room, his face red with rage. "Are you people stupid or careless?" he thundered. "What am I hearing? That the Shadow Killer has deleted all the evidence? Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!"

The chief paced back and forth, his anger radiating off him like heat. "I don't want to know how you people do it, but I want that evidence back. Bring it back, no matter what it takes. The media is already having a field day, and I don't need this kind of embarrassment on my watch."

He stopped pacing and turned to Ava and ryan, his eyes blazing. "You two are the lead investigators on this case. I expect results, and I expect them now. Get out there and retrieve that evidence. I don't care what it takes or who you have to step on. Just get it done."

With that, the chief stormed out of the room.

**************

"Let's go have lunch "Ryan announced to Ava and ethan

Let's go have lunch and discuss about how we are going to solve all this." Ava wasn't in the mood, but Ryan kept persevering until she agreed. They went to a nearby restaurant to have lunch. Then, as they went, they ordered their food and eggs. Ethan asked, "I have a question..."

Ava looked at him and said, "Don't ask questions when you are eating."

Ethan looked taken aback by Ava's abrupt response. Ryan chuckled and said, "Come on, Ava, don't be like that. Ethan's just trying to have a conversation."

Ava sighed and put down her fork. "Sorry, Ethan. I'm just a bit stressed out with this case. Ask your question, but make it quick."

Ava sighed and put down her fork, clearly hesitant to engage in conversation. Ryan, however, encouraged Ethan to continue. "Come on, Ava, humor him," Ryan said with a smile.

Ethan took a deep breath and asked, "How did you start working here? Like, how did you become a detective?"

" I went to a police college, took an exam, and that was it. I hope you, I have answered the question."

Ethan nodded, seemingly satisfied with Ava's response. "Okay, got it. So what's the plan for this case?" Ryan leaned in, interested in the discussion. Ava hesitated, collecting her thoughts before speaking.

*****************

In the T.m corporation, the middle aged men gathered at the conference meeting as they talked,

"It's obvious somebody among us is slowly getting rid of us all" one of the middle aged men said as he wiped his face.

"but the shadow killer does the killing" another one said

"i am sure the shadow kiler is being paid to do all that,because he can't just wake up and begin his brutal killings"

"I am sure of that ,because I don't understand how the president got killed,first it was the CEO" another one said.

They were still talking when the door opened,revealing a neatly dressed Lady

She came forward and whispered something in julian's ear,he nodded as she turned to go

Julian turned to them "the media they are outside, they want to know how the president died!"

There was a loud murmuring

"I will go attend to them" Julian said silencing the murmuring.

Then Victor turned to look at the men"why don't we make Julian the CEO of T.m corporation.

Then victor continued"he is proving himself,that he can handle this company."

*******************************

Ava,Ryan and Ethan were done with lunch,then her phone suddenly buzzed,she checked the caller and it was Thompson,she picked immediately

"Hello"

"Ava come to the office right now,we found something!"

"On my way!"

"Is there a problem? Ryan asked

" am heading to the office right now"Ava said zooming off

Ryan turned to Ethan "they may have found something about you!"

"Then what are we waiting for!"

*******************

Ava rushed to the office,she sighted officer Thompson, as she rushed to him

"Ava someone just called now,corncerning the shadow killer"Thompson said

"Unh!"

Then Thompson continued "she said she had seen him,come to her store to buy tape.but she had not idea he was the shadow killer."

"How sure is she on this" Ava asked

"She said he was wearing the same hoodie,caught on camera" Thompson answered

"Then we need to go to her now,who knows..it might lead us somewhere" Ava said

"I will ask some boys to go with you!"

The boys were gathered and they left with Ava,

Ethan and Ryan were hiding,somewhere around eavesdropping..

Ethan suddenly took his phone calling sam,seconds later.her voice came up

"Sam hack into the station's phone,and check out the recent calls,track the location,and let me know immediately..it's urgent" Ethan said

"On it" sam said as the call ended

Ethan turned to leave

"Where are you going?" Ryan asked

"Just stay here and watch everything and give me an update"

"That wasn't what I asked" Ryan said but Ethan was gone

Ryan signed and strolled into the office.