Devil's Whisper Chapter 130: The Red Polo Clue

“I’m an investigative journalist by profession,” Kate declared, her voice unwavering, a steel thread cutting through the dim motel office as she leaned forward, her hands braced on the desk. The lamplight cast a warm glow over her features, illuminating the fierce determination in her hazel eyes—a fire that burned with passion, a calling that pulsed through her veins. “It’s not just a job for me—it’s my passion, my calling. I’ll dig as deep as it takes to uncover the truth, no matter where it leads.”

Her tone was resolute, her chest rising and falling with the intensity of her conviction, and the sight of her—so fierce, so alive—sent a thrill racing through Jason, a heat he couldn’t suppress as he stood across from her, drawn by the pull of her fire.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Kate,” he said, his voice low and steady, laced with a quiet reverence that brushed against her senses like a touch. His gaze held hers, smoldering with a warmth that went beyond the case—a warmth that made her breath catch, a silent acknowledgment of the fire she carried, a fire he longed to stoke with his own.

“You know,” Kate continued, a hint of nostalgia softening her expression as she tilted her head. “Daddy used to say that investigation is the art of connecting scattered dots and predicting the untold story that lies hidden between them. He believed that every crime, every mystery, was like a puzzle—one where the pieces didn’t always fit at first glance, but with patience and the right perspective, the bigger picture would eventually emerge.”

Jason nodded, leaning back slightly, “And he was right. You were trained by one of the best, and it’s obvious that training paid off. You don’t just see what’s in front of you—you see what’s missing, what’s left unsaid.”

Kate allowed herself a small smile, a flicker of warmth breaking through her resolve as she met his gaze, her body tilting toward him instinctively, drawn by the heat of his touch. “Alright, let’s get back to the point,” she said, straightening her posture, her thigh brushing his under the desk—a fleeting, electric graze that sent a thrill through her core. “As I was saying… Now, the situation is that we need to track down someone who was either a speaker at the ‘Meet and Greet with Me’ event or a member of the organizing team. Anyone who received a red polo shirt was meant to stand out from the general public. And after finishing his duties at the event, our suspect went straight to the Montana Club to confront Juan.”

Jason exhaled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully with his free hand. “The problem is, the list of speakers and event staff is probably long. We’re looking for a needle in a haystack.”

“That’s why we need a method to narrow down our search,” Kate said, her mind already working through the possibilities, her voice firm as she leaned closer.

“And what would be the criteria for screening out the killer?”

“First, we’ll separate the individuals who are in their thirties,” she explained. “I saw the killer. Even though he was wearing a mask, I’m certain he falls within that age range. His build, the way he moved, the way he carried himself—it all points to a man in his thirties.”

Jason nodded, his mind processing the logic behind her approach.

“We’ll scrutinize the social media pages of everyone in that age bracket. I’m sure that, somewhere along the way, the killer has left behind a digital footprint—some evidence of his fascination or devotion to Satanism. Whether it’s subtle or overt, it’ll be there. People like him, those who follow these dark paths, often can’t resist the urge to express themselves in some way.”

Jason exhaled deeply, absorbing the weight of the task ahead. “That’s… actually a smart approach,” he agreed, his voice rough with the weight of her plan. “It’s time-consuming, but if we do it right, it’ll lead us straight to him.”

“We don’t have any other option,” she admitted, her voice a soft, resigned whisper. “I know it’ll be exhausting to comb through the social media accounts of so many men…But we don’t have to do it alone. We can use the help of our team members.”

Jason gave a firm nod, his determination unwavering, his dark eyes locking onto hers with a fierce resolve that sent a shiver racing down Kate’s spine. “Don’t worry, Kate. We’ll catch the bastard. I can feel it—his days of roaming free are numbered.”

His tone carried a quiet promise, a vow etched in the lines of his jaw, and the intensity in his gaze—a storm of fire and steel—stirred a heat in her chest, a longing she couldn’t suppress as he stood before her, a warrior ready to wage their battle together.

With that, he stood up, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for battle, the motion stretching the fabric of his jacket taut across his broad frame, a quiet display of strength that made her pulse quicken.

“I’m leaving now,” he said, stepping closer, his body brushing hers as he moved—a fleeting, electric graze that sent a jolt through her, igniting a flush that spread across her skin. “Meet me at my house this evening. I’ll be setting up a search operation from there. We need a secure place where we can analyze data without interference.” His voice was firm, commanding, but his eyes softened as they held hers, a flicker of something tender beneath the urgency—a silent invitation that made her heart thud with anticipation and desire.

Kate nodded, her breath shallow as she met his gaze, her body tilting toward him instinctively. “Okay, I’ll be there."

The thought of being at his house, alone with him in the quiet of the evening, stirred a restless ache within her—a need to close the distance, to feel the roughness of his stubble against her lips, to lose herself in the strength of him as they chased the truth together.

“I need a team of at least ten to fifteen people to help sift through the data of event workers who were registered under the Public Health program,” Jason instructed, his voice steady but edged with a husky warmth. “Have a few of your team members come to my house—they’ll work alongside mine.”

“I’ll bring them,” Kate promised, her voice a soft, resolute murmur, her hand sliding to cover his now—a tender, possessive grip that pressed her palm against his knuckles, fingers curling around his in a quiet, desperate grasp that sent a jolt through them both.

“Good,” Jason acknowledged, giving her one last nod, his voice rough with the weight of their pact and the heat of her touch. His hand tightened around hers for a moment, his thumb brushing the back of her hand in a slow, sensual caress that sent a shiver racing down her spine, before he pulled away, the motion reluctant, his body still humming with the ache of wanting her.

He turned and headed out of the room, his broad shoulders tense beneath his jacket, the faint sound of his boots against the floor a quiet echo in the charged silence he left behind.

Kate remained still for a moment, watching him leave, her breath shallow as she felt the phantom of his touch linger on her skin, the heat of his nearness a tether she couldn’t break.

Then, she turned and walked over to the large window in her office, her boots clicking softly against the hardwood as she gazed outside. The cityscape stretched before her, a sprawling tapestry of lights and shadows, bustling with life—indifferent to the darkness lurking in its depths, a darkness she’d vowed to unmask. The glass was cool against her fingertips as she pressed them to it, grounding herself as the fire within her burned hotter—a relentless obsession to uncover the man whose blind devotion to Satan drove him to commit unthinkable atrocities.

She stood at the window for a few more moments, letting her determination solidify, her breath fogging faintly against the glass as she felt the pull of Jason in her heart—his fire, his strength, a tether that steadied her as she faced the abyss. The memory of his touch—his hand on hers, his breath against her cheek—flared within her, a heat that fueled her resolve, a promise of the night ahead when they’d be alone, their bodies close, their minds entwined in the hunt.

Taking a deep breath, she turned away, the city’s indifference a quiet challenge she’d meet head-on. There was no time to waste.

She had one more meeting to attend—Rodrick had likely been waiting for her in his office for the past hour.