CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

As the lights went out, the lab technician and Ava stepped outside, assuming the power outage was temporary. The technician muttered to himself, "Without light, I won't be able to examine the evidence properly."

Ethan saw his chance. He discreetly slipped back into the lab, using the flashlight on his phone to navigate. He quickly made his way to the counter where the wristwatch lay.

Just as he was about to grab the watch, he heard the lab technician's voice outside, saying, "I'll just check the fuse box." Ethan froze, holding his breath.

But the technician didn't return immediately. Ethan seized the opportunity, snatching the wristwatch and shoving it into his pocket.

Just as he turned to leave, the lights flickered back on. Ethan's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained his composure,

As soon as the lights flickered back on, Ava and the technician rushed back into the lab. But their relief was short-lived, as they were met with a shocking discovery: the wristwatch was gone.

The technician's eyes scanned the counter, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Did you send someone to take the watch?" he asked Ava, his tone laced with suspicion.

Ava's expression was one of genuine bewilderment. "I don't know what you're talking about," she replied, her voice firm.

The technician's face darkened. "I clearly remember placing the watch on this table, but now it's vanished. We both stepped outside for just a moment..."

Ava's eyes widened, her face pale. "What do you mean? How could it just disappear?" She was devastated, as the wristwatch had been their most promising lead in the case.

Here is the rewritten text based on your original statement:

The technician looked at Ava and said, "I think somebody was here."

Ava's eyes widened in alarm. "What do you mean somebody was here?"

The technician shook his head. "I don't know, but the watch is gone!"

Ava's face fell as she quickly grabbed her phone and dialed Ryan's number.

"Ryan, is Ethan there with you?" Ava asked urgently.

Ryan's voice came through the line, "No, I'm not with him. I left him for a minute to grab something from a stall."

Ava's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities...

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

Sam's voice came through Ethan's phone

"The camera's are down...you are clear" ethan nodded as he walked through the hall way.

Ryan's voice was laced with urgency as he spoke to Ethan over the phone. "Ethan, where are you? You need to hurry back. Ava just called me, asking about you. I had to lie, telling her I stepped out and wasn't with you. If she finds out..."

Ethan's voice was calm, but with a hint of concern. "Don't worry, I'm on my way."

Ryan's tone turned grave. "You better hurry. If Ava arrives before you, you'll become a suspect. We can't let that happen."

Ethan's response was dismissive. "Why would I be a suspect? I'm not the only one with that type of watch."

But Ryan's next words made Ethan's heart skip a beat. "What if Ava decides to ask the victim's wife about the watch? I'm sure she took pictures of it."

The line went silent for a moment before Ethan spoke up, his voice tinged with worry. "If she does that..."

Ryan finished the thought. "She'll start suspecting you. You can't just go around without a solid alibi."

Ethan let out a deep sigh, the weight of the situation settling in. Ryan's parting words only added to his unease. "I told you coming here wasn't a good idea."

Ava stormed out of the technician's lab, her anger and frustration palpable. She couldn't shake the feeling that the Shadow Killer was always one step ahead.

She arrived at the victim's house, determined to uncover new leads. Alva met with the victim's wife and showed her a picture of the mysterious watch on her phone.

"Does your husband own a watch like this?" Alva asked.

The wife took the phone to examine the picture more closely. "I've never seen him wear this kind of watch. I think it might belong to the killer."

Ava pressed on, "Take another look. Are you sure your husband never wore this watch?"

The wife studied the picture again before shaking her head. "No, I'm certain. My husband only wears silver watches. He's never worn a gold watch like this one."

Ava's eyes narrowed as she processed this new information. She quickly dialed Ryan's number and asked to speak with Ethan.

Ryan handed the phone over, and Ethan's deep, masculine voice came on the line. "Hello?"

Ava's tone softened slightly. "Oh, I just wanted to hear your voice.

Ethan's response was polite. "Ma'am, we're waiting for you. We have new cases to work on."

Ava's expression turned professional once more. "Okay, no problem. I'll be right there."

Alva's eyes narrowed as she stared at the picture of the watch. It looked uncannily like the one Ethan used to wear to work. She had seen it on him multiple times, but she couldn't bring herself to suspect him...not yet.

Ethan seemed so innocent, so genuine. But Ava knew better than to trust her instincts alone. What if Ethan was the killer, hiding in plain sight? What if he was manipulating them, making them look for the killer outside when he was right there among them?

A shiver ran down Ava's spine as she considered the possibility. She couldn't shake off the feeling that the coincidences were piling up: the watch, Ethan's presence at the victim's house...

"I need to investigate Ethan," Ava thought to herself, her mind racing with possibilities. "I have to know if he's involved."

Ava couldn't ignore the facts and possibilities surrounding Ethan. Despite her growing feelings for him, she had to consider the evidence. Ethan's handsome face and charming demeanor had won over many ladies at the station,that they do stare shamefully at him.but Ava's feelings for him went beyond mere attraction.

As she reflected on their interactions, Ava realized she had been avoiding suspecting Ethan because of her soft spot for him. She didn't want to see him hurt or sad, even if a relationship between them was impossible.

Ava's thoughts were a jumbled mix of emotions and reason. She decided to secretly investigate Ethan, recalling their past conversations. When she had asked him about his family, he had skillfully changed the subject.

Everything was coming back to her now, but Ava wasn't sure if Ethan was the Shadow Killer. She didn't want him to be, knowing that if he was, she could never love him again.

Ava's personal life was nonexistent, consumed by the demands of the case. At 29, with her 30th birthday looming, she felt pressure to settle down. She had even considered going on a blind date, hoping to find love and stability amidst the chaos of her job.