LONGING FOR HIM.

Chapter: 8

******

The day flew by in a blur, with Asher immersed in the case files, searching for any link or pattern to crack the case. However, despite his best efforts, his mind kept drifting back to Kaidën. For reasons he couldn't fathom, Asher found himself longing to see the man again. He was half-expecting someone to inform him of a visitor waiting outside the station. The feelings were inexplicable, but they lingered, refusing to be shaken off, no matter how deeply he buried himself in work.

Just then, Rachel stumbled toward him, and Asher smiled, rising to his feet to welcome her warm hug. They held each other briefly before parting. "Look at you, sir busy," Rachel teased, and Asher chuckled warmly.

"Got time?" she asked, and Asher nodded, quickly gathering the scattered files on his desk.

"I do now," he replied, finishing the arrangement. "Just give me a second to drop this off with the captain." Rachel nodded, watching as he hurried toward Captain Lewis's office.

While Asher was gone, Rachel flipped through the case files on his desk. Upon his return, he announced, "Ready," and Rachel laughed, tugging him by the arm as she led him out of the office space and into the bright sunlight.

Asher's gaze wandered to the spot where Kaidën's car had been parked the previous day. His mind began to wander again, recalling how the man had teased and taunted him relentlessly. He half-expected to find Kaidën waiting for him again, but instead, the chief's car occupied the spot. Shaking his head, Asher refocused on Rachel as they made their way to the nearby café.

Once inside, Rachel ordered for both of them and while they waited for their orders, she drew his attention to her case. "I've got an update on the serial killer case," Rachel said, her voice low and serious. Her words momentarily distracted Asher, who thought he saw someone resembling Kaidën walk into the café. However, the man didn't have a distinctive scar on his face, and Asher's curiosity was piqued. Who was Kaidën, and how had he gotten that scar? Was he planning to go blind in one eye? Asher's mind began to wander, but Rachel's smack on his arm jolted him back to reality.

"Hm?" Asher said, his gaze meeting Rachel's. She watched him with suspicion before pointing out the obvious.

"You're distracted, Asher. What's the matter?" she demanded. Asher, unsure of how to respond, blurted out his concerns.

"The missing kids, it's driving me nuts, Rach. Like, who is after these children?" His worry and anger were palpable as he spoke.

Rachel nodded understandingly, and the waiter arrived with their orders, momentarily interrupting their conversation. After thanking the waiter, Rachel continued, "I know it's hard, but you have to keep your head clear. You'll find your breakthrough." She sipped her coffee, and Asher followed suit.

When they set their mugs down, Rachel resumed speaking. "So, about my case, you're not going to believe what we found out."

Asher nodded, recalling the serial killer case. "That's right, what was it you were saying?" he asked, taking a bite of his snack.

Rachel pulled out her phone and began scrolling through the files. "We've run identification on the bodies. And here's the thing: none of the victims are innocent." She handed Asher the phone, and he took it, raising an eyebrow as he scrolled through the information.

With his mouth full, he muffled, "What do you mean?"

Rachel's voice dropped to a whisper. "They all have criminal records. Bad ones. Child molesters, killers, rapists, traffickers... the list goes on." She picked up her coffee mug again, her expression somber. "What's even more disturbing is that most of these men are prominent figures, politicians with connections and deep pockets. Their lawyers always manage to get them off the hook, and they walk free, escaping justice... until our killer finds them, that is, and brings their miserable existence to an end."

Asher's face darkened, his jaw clenched. "So, the killer is targeting criminals?" he asked, scanning the files on Rachel's phone as she spoke. Rachel nodded, taking a bite of her snack before responding.

"It looks that way. It's like they're sweeping the city clean of its worst people." Asher's eyes narrowed as he handed the phone back to Rachel and picked up his coffee.

"That changes things. I'm not sure we can call this guy a serial killer anymore." He said as his gaze wandered around the café once more.

Rachel frowned, wiping her mouth with a napkin as she tucked her phone back into her pocket. "I know. It's... complicated. We still have no clue who's behind this, but their motives are clearly different from your average serial killer." She wiped her hands clean. "Do you need more?" Rachel asked, nodding toward Asher's plate.

Asher shook his head; he didn't eat much, and the half-eaten bagel was enough to fill his stomach. "No, I'm full," he said, reaching for a tissue. "This could be a vigilante," Asher said, his gaze drifting out the window as his mind worked overtime. "Someone who's taking the law into their own hands." Rachel's eyes widened, contemplating the possibilities.

"That's a possibility," she agreed. "But what if it's something more? What if this person is trying to make a statement?" Asher's focus snapped back to Rachel as he considered her idea.

"We need to dig deeper," Asher said. "Find out what connects these victims, and what drives our killer." Rachel nodded, quickly scanning the files on her phone.

"Well, we know for certain that all the murdered victims are no victims at all," she said. Asher agreed with a nod, his gaze sweeping over the café once more.

And as his gaze wandered around the café, taking in the other patrons. He noticed a woman nursing a snack and wiping tears from her eyes, wondering who could eat and cry at the same time. His eyes then landed on a man buried in a newspaper, and then on two younger women engrossed in a heated discussion. Finally, his gaze settled on the man who looked uncannily like Kaidën, but without the distinctive scar on his face. Their eyes locked briefly, and Asher quickly averted his gaze, returning his attention to Rachel.

Rachel was still engrossed in the file on her phone, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke. "What if we're not looking for a monster, but a hero?" Asher's eyes narrowed, his expression confused.

"Rach, I don't think we should be calling a killer a hero," he said, his eyes watching Rachel's with suspicion.

Rachel held up her hands, a soft chuckle making her body shake delightfully. "I know, I know. It's just... think about it. This person is taking out the worst of the worst." She shrugged, and Asher tsked in response.

"That's not the point," he said firmly. "The point is that no one should take the law into their own hands. Whether they're doing it for good or not, a killer is a killer." Asher's words were resolute, his expression unyielding. It didn't matter what the killer's motives were; the fact remained that they were taking lives, and that was unacceptable.

Rachel sighed, rolling her eyes and throwing her hands up in surrender. "You're right, of course. But can't we just appreciate the... efficiency of this killer?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

Asher's mouth fell open in shock, and his eyebrows matched Rachel's as he smiled. "Efficiency?" he repeated.

Rachel grinned mischievously. "Well, they're certainly making the city a safer place." She shrugged again, and Asher shook his head, chuckling.

"I don't believe we're having this conversation," Asher said, still grinning. "You're something else, Rachel." Rachel's smile widened, knowing Asher was starting to see her point of view.

"Hey, someone's got to keep things interesting around here," she muttered, and Asher chuckled again.

"You're part of the Special Op chasing this killer; you'd better not start fangirling over a killer you're meant to catch... it won't be good for the case, you know." His words had Rachel groaning, but he saw she understood his meaning.

Rachel nodded after a moment, her grin fading as she replied, "You're right. I'll try to keep my admiration for the killer's... efficiency in check."

Asher's eyes sparkled with amusement. "See that you do," he told her.

Their conversation was cut short when Asher's phone pinged, signaling a call to action. He pulled it out and read the flash message. Immediately, he rose to his feet and faced Rachel. "There's intel indicating that a group of child traffickers has set up their temporary headquarters at the abandoned plaza in Ravenwood," he told her, his expression serious.

As he leaned forward to kiss Rachel's cheek, he hurried off. "Give me a call, and be careful out there!" Rachel called after his departing back. Asher responded with a nod and a wave as he ran off to respond to the new lead.