Devil's Whisper Chapter 25: Symbols and Secrets

Kate's voice cut through the heavy silence, interrupting Henry and Rodrick's thoughts. Her hands, steady despite the gravity of the situation, placed another sheet of paper on the desk.

"Now, take a look at this paper the killer pasted on my wall. The killer drew a symbol of murder with a pen, representing himself," she continued, her finger hovering over a complex geometric pattern. The black ink seemed to absorb the light, creating a void-like effect. "Then he drew the circle of continuity with blood, indicating his intention to repeat his actions." The rusty brown circle intersected with the black symbol, creating a disturbing harmony. "Finally, he wrote this excerpt from the Rubaiyat, suggesting that his tomorrow will be no different from his yesterday and today."

Henry leaned forward, his tie brushing against the desk's surface as he studied the paper. "Kate, have you found out whose blood this is?" His eyes never left the brownish circle, as if hoping it might reveal its secrets under his scrutiny.

"No," Kate replied, the single word hanging in the air like a suspended breath.

"How are we going to find out who the next victim will be?"

"I don't know," Kate paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "I do know that before my parents were killed, he sent a warning in the form of the killer's symbol." Her voice wavered almost imperceptibly at the mention of her parents. "Mia, Ryder's girlfriend, informed the police that two days before Ryder went missing, someone left a paper with the killer's symbol on his car seat as well. Here's a picture of that paper."

Kate unlocked her phone, its screen casting a blue glow on her face as she forwarded the image to Henry and Rodrick. Both men bent over their phones as they received the message, their faces illuminated by the screens. The photo showed a page that seemed deceptively ordinary at first glance, but the circle of continuity drawn in blood and the killer's symbol drawn with a pen transformed it into something sinister. The image quality was crisp enough to show every detail of the carefully drawn symbols, making their threatening message unmistakable.

"The killer sent a warning to Ryder, consisting of the symbol drawn in pen and the circle of continuity in blood. Then he came to your house and gave the same warning, but with an additional piece from the Rubaiyat. There was no circle of continuity on the warning sent to your parents," Rodrick's fingers tracing the patterns on the documents spread before them.

Kate nodded, her dark hair catching the afternoon light filtering through the blinds. "The circle of continuity indicates that someone is continuing their past actions in the present. My parents would have been his first victims, which is why he didn't draw that circle on the warning letter."

Henry leaned back in his chair, his security chief's instincts evident in his scrutinizing gaze. "Why are you so sure that your parents were killed by the same killer and that they were his first victims? And why do you believe he's going to target someone else after killing Ryder?"

Kate met his gaze unflinchingly. "Because as investigative journalists, we draw conclusions based on the facts we gather." She gestured to the array of evidence before them. "The facts of this case are telling me that the killer has already selected his next victim, and he will soon strike."

Rodrick pushed his glasses up his nose, contemplating. "We don't have any means to identify the victim, except that the killer will send a warning letter before abducting or killing his target. We should make this warning letter public so people know that if they receive such a letter, they must immediately inform the police and request security."

Henry drummed his fingers on the desk, his professional caution evident. "Yes, you're right... but we can't make this warning letter public without the approval of high-ranking officials from the judiciary and police."

Kate stood up, pacing the room with contained energy. "That's why I made a few revelations today so Jason would come to me. Once we reach an agreement, I'll disclose the details I've uncovered. Because at this stage, if we reveal our findings to high-ranking police officials, they'll sideline us and take over the case, claiming credit for all the progress..." She paused, years of frustration evident in her tone. "I know him inside and out."

The room fell silent as her words sank in. Kate wasn't a selfish person - her dedication to uncovering the truth had always been about justice, not recognition. But the thought of watching others take credit for her painstaking investigation, especially one that had cost her so much personally, was difficult to accept.

"Hmm... you're right," Henry conceded, his earlier opposition softening as he considered her reasoning.

Kate turned to face them both, her determination palpable. "If Jason joins forces with me, it will not only benefit me, but it will also help him restore his lost goodwill."

"Rodrick, we also need someone to keep an eye on Clark and Jim, the pawnshop owner," she said, scrolling through notes on her phone. "They know who the watchers are and why Clark wanted to inform them about the Rubaiyat. Plus, why was he claiming that the original lost copy had surfaced?"

Rodrick leaned back in his chair. "I'm wondering what's so significant about the original version of the Rubaiyat that the killer is using its pieces as a form of communication."

"And I believe those watchers must have answers to this question," Kate agreed, her investigative instincts firing.

Henry had been unusually quiet, his attention divided between the conversation and his watch. Suddenly remembering his 11:00 A.M. meeting, he rose from his chair, the movement sharp with irritation. As he buttoned his coat with practiced efficiency, he fixed them both with a stern look. "Just a reminder for both of you: before making any decisions, keep me in the loop and communicate everything to me."

"Henry, you handle the business side of Global News Network, and let me handle the fieldwork," Rodrick responded, his tone carrying the weight of decades of experience. "You were out of the country, which is why we didn't inform you before going public with the facts."

Henry's face tightened with barely contained frustration. "Oh, I suppose you folks didn't realize I have a mobile phone and that you can call me anytime," he shot back, sarcasm dripping from every word. The door closed behind him with a bit more force than necessary.

Kate watched him leave, her eyebrows raised. "Why is that guy always in such a bad mood?"

Rodrick sighed, his expression softening slightly. "Because to keep Global News Network running smoothly, he has to work day and night and deal with people who can be nerve-wracking." He turned to Kate, his voice taking on a mentoring tone. "You should show him some respect."

"Okay, boss," Kate acquiesced, but her attention had already shifted to her phone. She checked it for what felt like the hundredth time, waiting for Jason's call.

Suddenly, it rang.