It had been two weeks since the arrest of “Graves,” the serial killer whose crimes spanned multiple states. The case was supposed to be closed, but Tasha Alexander knew better. There was always fallout.
The morning of December 23rd, Tasha sat in her Gulfport office, sipping coffee and reviewing her active cases. She’d planned to take a light workload through the holidays. Christmas with Marcus, Camille, and their baby girl was top priority. But then, a package arrived at her office—a thick manila envelope with no return address.
Inside were photos. Dozens of them. They were all of Tasha—leaving her office, shopping for groceries, even sitting on her porch. Along with the photos was a note written in jagged, uneven handwriting:
"Graves wasn’t the only one watching. You missed me. But I didn’t miss you."
Tasha’s stomach dropped.
---
An Urgent Call
Tasha immediately called Detective Quinn. “Someone’s targeting me,” she said, her voice calm but steely. She explained the note and photos, and Quinn agreed to send officers to her house for extra security. But Tasha wasn’t one to wait around.
The photos and note had a postmark—Washington, D.C. The connection was tenuous, but Tasha couldn’t ignore it. She booked a flight for Christmas Eve, promising Marcus she’d be back in time for dinner.
---
A Familiar Face
Landing in D.C. felt surreal. The city was a mix of festive decorations and cold, gray skies. Snow flurries dusted the sidewalks, and holiday lights twinkled in storefront windows. But Tasha wasn’t here for the Christmas cheer.
Her first stop was the Georgetown home of Alexis Carter, an old law school friend turned high-powered attorney. Tasha hadn’t seen Alexis in years, but they’d stayed in touch, and Alexis’s expertise in federal cases could prove invaluable.
“Girl, you just had to bring drama to my Christmas, didn’t you?” Alexis teased as she welcomed Tasha inside.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t serious,” Tasha replied, handing Alexis the photos and note.
Alexis’s playful demeanor faded as she examined the materials. “This isn’t some amateur stalker. Whoever sent this knows what they’re doing.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Tasha said. “I think they’re connected to the Graves case. Maybe someone he worked with. Or someone I didn’t catch.”
---
Connecting the Dots
Over hot cider and a roaring fire, Tasha and Alexis pored over the materials. Alexis made a key observation: the handwriting on the note was strikingly similar to that of a former client, a man named Victor Kline.
Kline had been a fixer for a network of criminals in the mid-Atlantic. He specialized in cleaning up loose ends, and he had a reputation for being vindictive. Alexis had represented him years ago on a minor charge, but she knew he was capable of much worse.
“Victor worked with people like Graves,” Alexis said. “If he sent this, it’s a message. He’s either trying to scare you off or lure you in.”
Tasha clenched her jaw. “Then it’s working. Where do we find him?”
---
The Hunt
Using Alexis’s connections, they learned that Victor Kline frequented a high-end club in downtown D.C., a place known for catering to the city’s elite and its shadowy underworld. Tasha decided to pay him a visit.
Dressed in a sleek black dress and armed with a hidden recorder, she walked into the club like she belonged there. Alexis stayed outside, monitoring from a distance.
Victor was easy to spot—a tall man with slicked-back hair and a predatory smile. Tasha approached him at the bar, introducing herself as a journalist writing a story about Graves. The mention of the name made him freeze for a split second before his expression turned casual.
“Graves? That’s old news,” he said, swirling his drink. “What do you really want?”
Tasha leaned closer, her voice low. “I want to know who else was involved. And I want to know why you’re sending me threats.”
Victor’s smile vanished. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. But you’re in way over your head.”
Before Tasha could press further, Victor stood and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
---
The Christmas Showdown
Tasha wasn’t about to let him slip away. She followed him outside, where he was getting into a sleek black car. As she approached, a man stepped out of the shadows—a bodyguard armed and ready.
“Walk away,” the man growled.
“Not a chance,” Tasha shot back.
Just as the tension reached its peak, a second car pulled up, and Alexis stepped out. “Tasha, get in!” she yelled.
Tasha dove into the car as the bodyguard raised his weapon, but Alexis hit the gas before he could fire.
“You’re insane,” Alexis said, gripping the wheel tightly.
“Maybe,” Tasha admitted, catching her breath. “But now we know he’s scared.”
---
The Bigger Picture
Back at Alexis’s house, they regrouped. Tasha was certain Victor was part of a larger network connected to Graves. The photos, the note—they weren’t just threats; they were warnings. Victor and his associates wanted Tasha to back off before she uncovered something bigger.
But Tasha wasn’t backing off.
“Victor’s not going to stop,” she said. “And if he’s scared, it means I’m close to something. I’m staying in D.C. until I figure out what it is.”
Alexis sighed, pouring herself another drink. “Well, it looks like I’m spending Christmas chasing criminals with you. Just like old times.”
Tasha smiled. “Merry Christmas, Alexis.”
---
To Be Continued...
Tasha knew she was walking into dangerous territory, but she also knew she couldn’t stop now. The trail of shadows was leading her somewhere, and she intended to see it through—no matter the cost.
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