Chapter 23: "The Perfect Storm"*

Marie sat at her dining table, files and photographs scattered across the surface. The face of the latest victim—the woman who looked so hauntingly like her—stared up from the table, her eyes filled with a silent scream that echoed in Marie's mind. She sipped her coffee, trying to push the image aside, but the unease clung to her like a shadow.

A knock at the door jolted her from her thoughts. She stood up, instinctively reaching for the gun holstered at her side. After everything that had happened, paranoia had become a constant companion.

"It's me, Edd!" came the familiar, soft voice from the other side.

Marie breathed out in relief and opened the door to find Edd standing there with a brown paper bag and a small bouquet of wildflowers. His nervous smile warmed her, though his eyes were filled with concern.

"Thought you could use some dinner," Edd said, holding up the bag. "And, uh… I didn't know what flowers you liked, so I went with these."

Marie couldn't help but smile, her guard lowering just a little. "Thanks, Double D. You didn't have to do all this."

"Well," he said, stepping inside as she let him pass, "I wanted to. You've been under a lot of stress. And... I guess I just wanted to spend some time with you."

They settled on the couch with takeout containers spread between them, but Edd's eyes kept drifting toward the table, where the photos of the latest victims lay. His brow furrowed as he picked up the image of the woman who bore such a striking resemblance to Marie.

"This... this looks like you," he said, his voice low. His eyes flicked to hers, a deep worry clouding his usual calm demeanor.

Marie nodded, her expression grim. "That's not a coincidence, Edd. Whoever's behind this—they're sending a message."

Edd's grip tightened on the photo. "Marie, this is getting too dangerous. You know that, right? They're escalating. And now, they're targeting you."

"I can handle myself," she said, trying to sound more certain than she felt. But even as the words left her mouth, she knew the fear she was pushing down was starting to bubble up again. The nightmares, the attack in the street, the bodies piling up—it was all too real.

"Still," Edd said gently, placing the photo back on the table. "I'm not letting you go through this alone."

Marie glanced at him, surprised by the firmness in his tone. "Edd, I don't want to drag you into this mess. It's already dangerous enough as it is."

"I'm already in it, Marie," he said quietly. "We all are. Besides..." He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I care about you. More than I think you know."

Marie felt her heart skip a beat, warmth spreading through her despite the tension of the conversation. She reached out and placed her hand over his. "I know. And I appreciate it, Double D. But I don't want you to get hurt."

Edd squeezed her hand gently. "I'm not going anywhere. And if you're planning to question Kevin again, I'm coming with you."

Marie opened her mouth to protest, but something in his determined gaze stopped her. There was no point in arguing. She nodded, relenting. "Fine. But if things go south, we leave. No playing hero."

Edd smirked, his hand still resting in hers. "Deal."

--

They arrived at Kevin's mansion just before dusk. Marie's jaw tightened as she walked up to the front door, Edd by her side. She knocked firmly, bracing herself for whatever would come next.

A few moments later, Kevin opened the door. His eyes were sharp, calculating, and when he saw Marie standing there, his expression shifted into a smirk.

"Marie," Kevin drawled, leaning casually against the doorframe. "I wasn't expecting you. And Double D, too. What, you thinking a three way?"

Marie didn't flinch. "We need to talk, Kevin."

Kevin's smirk widened as he crossed his arms. "I'm not sure I'm in the mood for a chat. But... I'll bite. What do you want?"

"We found two bodies today," Marie said, her tone ice-cold. "One of them was left outside your warehouse, and the other... well, let's just say she looked a lot like me."

Kevin's smirk faltered for a second, his eyes narrowing. "What are you implying?"

Marie stepped closer, her eyes locked on his. "I think you lost control, Kevin. After I rejected you, you got sloppy. You drugged up the guy, doped him until he couldn't think straight, and then you sent him to beat that poor woman to death because she looked like me. Was that supposed to scare me? Did you think that would make me back off?"

Kevin's face darkened, his smug demeanor fading. "You're way out of line, Marie. I'd be careful about what accusations you throw around."

"You're rattled, Kevin," Marie continued, unflinching. "I can see it. You're scared because you know you can't keep control forever. Things are slipping through your fingers, and sooner or later, everyone's going to see what you really are."

Kevin stepped forward, his face inches from hers, his voice a low growl. "I'm not scared of you, Marie. You're just a washed-up FBI agent who couldn't even finish her job in the big leagues. Don't come around here making threats."

"You're right, I'm not in the FBI anymore," Marie shot back. "But You can't hide forever, Kevin."

Kevin's gaze flicked over to Edd, who had been standing quietly behind Marie, observing the exchange. His lip curled in disgust. "So, is this your boy toy? You think he can protect you?"

Edd stiffened, but Marie didn't let him speak. She stood her ground, her voice cold as steel. "Don't worry about him. Worry about yourself, Kevin."

Kevin's expression twisted with frustration. "Get out of my house, Marie. Both of you. Now."

Marie gave him a final, piercing look before turning on her heel. Edd followed her, his eyes still locked on Kevin, a quiet storm brewing in his gaze.

As they walked away, Kevin called after them, his voice laced with venom. "This isn't over, Marie. Not by a long shot."

Marie didn't look back. She didn't need to. The message had already been sent, and now the stakes were higher than ever.