He Didn’t Look for Me Until I Was Dead (by Durrin) novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Calvin went completely still at Charlotte’s words.

I couldn’t help but smile bitterly as I noticed the shift in his eyes.

“Surprise, Calvin. I’m not as bad as you think,” I muttered.

Calvin’s gaze dropped to the acceptance letter. He said nothing for a moment, then looked back at Charlotte.

“Congratulations. I hope you have a bright, smooth road ahead.”

After a hesitation, Charlotte asked, “Captain McMullen, on move–in day… Could you and Whitty see me off to campus?”

He nodded without pause. “Sure.”

Her eyes lit up. “Really? You’re not joking?”

He offered a smile. “I mean it.”

Clutching the acceptance letter, she smiled and waved, “OK then. I’ll look forward to it!”

Watching her step into the sunlight, I felt that familiar ache.

“Lottie, I’m sorry… I don’t think I can be there,” I whispered.

As I followed Calvin to his office, one of his team members leaned in.

“Captain McMullen, so that’s why Mrs. McMullen never came to the yearly gathering. She’s so

kind.”

Calvin glanced at the officer’s admiring expression, his gaze turning cold.

“Who knows? Maybe it was all just an act.”

I stared at him in disbelief, wondering if I’d heard him right.

A heavy darkness swallowed me, making it hard to breathe.

In that moment, my soul felt colder than Antarctic snow.

0.00%

13:13

Chapter 7

“Calvin, would you ever believe me, even once?” I muttered, staring at him.

When Calvin pushed open his office door, he was met with thick smoke.

288 Vouchers

His team members looked up, eyes bloodshot from being up all night. “We found something, Captain McMullen.”

He walked over and sat down. In front of him was a photo of the badge.

“It’s a prize from an app developer’s event. All six victims participated in this offline activity at some point.”

The officer’s expression was grim. “Chances are, our killer is mentally disturbed. If that’s true, the odds of him striking again are high.”

Calvin’s face darkened, too. “Dumping bodies in crowded areas… He’s taunting us.

“For a bigger thrill, he might very well go after our families.

The atmosphere in the office grew heavy.

He stared at the photo, his tone urgent. “Everyone, call your families now. No one goes anywhere alone until we catch this guy.”

“Yes, Captain!”

After giving instructions, Calvin pulled out his phone and texted me.

“Whitney, this is a critical time. Wherever you are, come home now.”

Then he drove off.

Following him, I recognized the surroundings more and more and began to tremble.

Why was he going back to the crime scene?

Officers were still stationed there. He walked over and asked, “Notice anything missing?”

One officer shook his head. “We found a cabin in the woods nearby. All doors and windows were locked.

“But the owner had a forest ranger’s ID.”

Calvin pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice low. “I’ll take a look.”

The moment he stepped into the woods, a chill shot down my spine.

38.17%

13:14

Chapter 7

It felt like being watched by a predator.

Calvin seemed to feel it, too. His sharp gaze swept the dense trees.

With his right hand resting near his waist, he strode forward.

I hurried to stand in front of him. “Don’t go over there, Calvin!”

But of course, I couldn’t stop him.

As he passed through my spirit, he suddenly froze.

“Whitney?”

Stunned, I turned. He was staring at something, his face pale.

Hanging from a branch was an employee ID badge.

My photo was printed on it, slowly spinning in the wind…

288 iVouchers

84.74%