The next morning, as the sun rose over Willow Creek, there was a gentle knock on Kate's front door. She opened it to find Jon, the sheriff, standing on her doorstep, concern etched on his face.

  "Miss Whitehall, I just wanted to check on you," Jon said softly, his voice filled with genuine care.

  “Please call me Kate,” she instructs.

  “Kate, you can call me Jon. I’m gd to see you are feeling better,” he smiles softly at her.

  Touched by his kindness, she invited Jon inside. As they sat at the kitchen table, Jon listened intently as Kate recounted the events of Friday night. His presence was reassuring, his quiet strength a comfort in her time of need.

  When she had finished her story, Jon leaned forward, his expression grave. “I’m sorry, Kate. We’re still investigating, but we hope to find answers soon.”

  Kate nodded, her eyes filling with tears at the thought of losing her friend in such a senseless act of violence. “Thank you.”

  He reached across the table and took her hand, offering a reassuring squeeze. “I won’t pretend to understand what you’re going through, but I promise you, I’ll do everything in my power to find the person who did this.”

  Kate felt grateful for his words, for his empathy.

  “Before I go, is there anything you need?” Jon asks, his voice filled with compassion.

  Kate mustered a weak smile and replied, "Thank you, Jon, but I think I'm okay for now.”

  She knew she could trust him, but she was not ready to share her experience with the shadow figures. She needed him to see her as a strong individual.

  As Jon prepared to leave, Kate's voice stopped him. "Sheriff, wait," she said, her tone hesitant yet determined. "I want to help. I need to do something, anything, to find out who did this to Maggie."

  Jon turned back, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of empathy and caution. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, taking in her appearance. Kate sat at the kitchen table, her features drawn with exhaustion and grief, yet there was a steely determination in her eyes that caught his attention.

  Her long, dark brown hair cascaded around her shoulders, slightly disheveled from a restless night. Despite the fatigue evident in her eyes, they sparkled with a fierce intensity that hinted at her resolve. Kate's hands fidgeted nervously in her p, betraying her outward calm. Her clothes, though neat and clean, hung loosely on her frame, a testament to the toll the recent events had taken on her.

  Jon noted the bruises on Kate's arms and neck, a stark reminder of the violence she had endured. His heart ached for her, for the pain and loss she was experiencing. But he also saw something else in her, something that stirred a protective instinct within him. "Kate, I understand your frustration, but this is a police matter now. Your safety is my priority."

  "I know, but I can't just sit here and do nothing," Kate insisted, her hands trembling slightly. "Maggie was my friend, my roommate. I owe it to her to find out the truth." Her green eyes, usually bright and lively, were now clouded with pain and sorrow.

  Jon studied her for a moment, his expression softening. "I appreciate your passion, Kate. I'll keep you updated on the investigation, and if there's anything you can do to help, I won't hesitate to ask."

  Reluctantly, Kate nodded, understanding the need for caution. As Jon left, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. She may not be able to take matters into her own hands, but she could be a voice for Maggie, a relentless force pushing for justice. And with Jon by her side, she knew she wouldn't be alone in her quest.

  Returning to his police cruiser, Jon couldn't shake the image of Kate from his mind. Despite everything, she radiated a strength and resilience that he found both captivating and admirable. And as he drove away, he vowed to do everything in his power to bring justice to Kate, Maggie, and the town of Willow Creek.

  ***

  When Jon returned to the police station, he was greeted by his deputy, Mark Gonzalez, who had been holding down the fort in his absence.

  "Any updates on the case?" Jon asked, his mind still preoccupied with Kate and Maggie.

  Mark shook his head. "Nothing significant yet. We're still waiting on the forensic reports. They are analyzing the knife we found next to the victim. I really hope they can find a fingerprint.”

  Jon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Keep me posted.”

  The weight of the investigation was pressing down on him. He knew they needed a breakthrough soon if they were going to find justice for Maggie and bring peace to Kate.

  As he settled back into his office, he pulled out the case file, determined to review every detail. However, his thoughts kept drifting back to Kate, her strength and vulnerability haunting him. He couldn't shake the image of her sitting at the kitchen table, bravely recounting the attack. Lost in these thoughts, Jon didn't notice when his phone rang. It was only when Mark knocked on his door, a sense of urgency in his voice, that Jon snapped back to reality.

  "We've got a lead," Mark said, excitement evident in his voice. "A witness saw someone lurking near the duplex the day of the attack. It was an older male, who seemed to be acting very strange. Neighbors say they never seen him around before."

  Jon’s heart skipped a beat. Could this be the breakthrough they had been waiting for? He quickly gathered his things, and with renewed determination, he and Mark set out to follow the lead.

  ***

  Jon and Mark park their car a few houses down from Kate and Maggie’s duplex. They exchanged a quick gnce, a silent confirmation of readiness, before stepping out into the warm afternoon sunlight. The neighborhood was quiet, with the occasional chirping of birds breaking the stillness.

  Approaching the neighbor, Mrs. Jane Henderson’s duplex, they climbed the front steps and knocked on the door. After a moment, it swung open to reveal a middle-aged woman with tired eyes, her expression a mix of curiosity and wariness.

  "Good afternoon, ma'am," Jon greeted, his sheriff's badge gleaming in the light. "I'm Sheriff Sanders, and this is Deputy Gonzalez. We were hoping we could ask you a few questions about something you might have witnessed recently."

  The woman nodded slowly, her gaze shifting between the two w enforcement officers. "Sure, come on in," she said, stepping aside to let them enter.

  Inside, the living room was cozy, with sunlight streaming in through the curtains. The room was filled with warm, earthy tones. The walls were adorned with framed photographs of family vacations and school portraits, telling a story of generations. A rge, comfortable couch dominated the center of the room, its cushions well-worn but inviting. A crocheted bnket was draped over the back, adding a touch of handmade charm.

  In the corner, an old rocking chair creaked softly as it moved back and forth. The coffee table in front of the couch was cluttered with magazines, a half-finished puzzle, and a steaming cup of tea, the scent of chamomile wafting through the air.

  Jon and Mark took a seat on the couch as the woman settled into the rocking chair opposite them.

  "We appreciate you taking the time to talk to us," Jon said, his tone gentle yet authoritative. "We're investigating an incident that occurred Friday night. A woman named Maggie Greene was murdered and her roommate Kate Whitehall was brutally attacked in their own home. Mrs. Henderson, you mentioned you saw someone strange hanging around?” Jon asked, his notebook and pen ready.

  Mrs. Henderson nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. "Yes, Sheriff. It was the same day that poor girl was found. I noticed a man hanging around, and he didn't look familiar. Willow Creek is a small town, and you get to know everyone's face after a while."

  Jon leaned forward slightly. "Can you describe him for me?"

  "Well," she began, "he was tall, maybe around six feet. He had a scruffy look about him, with unkempt hair and a beard. He wore a dark hoodie, which seemed odd considering the weather was quite warm that day."

  "Did you notice anything else about him? Maybe what he was doing or how long he stayed?" Jon pressed.

  Mrs. Henderson tapped her chin thoughtfully. "He seemed to be loitering, just standing around and watching the girls' pce. I saw him there in the morning and then again in the te afternoon. He didn't approach anyone, just stood there, like he was waiting for something."

  Jon jotted down her observations. "Did you happen to see which direction he went when he left?"

  "Yes, actually. He walked down the street and turned the corner towards the old park," Mrs. Henderson replied. "It struck me as strange, but I didn't think much of it at the time.”

  "Thank you, Mrs. Henderson. Your information is very helpful," Jon said, offering her a reassuring smile. "If you remember anything else, no matter how small, please don't hesitate to contact me."

  This new piece of information could be a crucial lead. The description of the strange man matched no one in the town that he knew, suggesting an outsider might be involved. Jon knew he needed to follow up on this and find out who this mysterious figure was and what connection he had to the murder.