Devil's Whisper Chapter 26: Desperate Measures

Jason stood in his office, staring at the TV screen in disbelief. The news anchor was detailing the revelations made by Kate Miller, and Jason wondered how she had learned about the torn piece of the Rubaiyat and the symbols around the belly button. He had kept all the findings of this case confidential upon the commissioner's instructions.

"How did she find out about these facts?" Jason muttered under his breath, his forehead furrowing with concern.

The thought crossed his mind that Commissioner Bob must have seen the news, and his body went numb with apprehension. His fingers drummed nervously against his thigh as he watched Kate's smug expression on the screen, her perfectly coiffed blonde hair and designer suit a stark contrast to his rumpled appearance after countless sleepless nights working the case.

"She's going to get me fired," Jason said, his gaze fixed on the photo of Kate displayed in the background behind the news anchor. The morning sunlight streaming through his office blinds cast harsh shadows across his face, deepening the worry lines around his eyes. He loosened his tie, feeling suddenly constricted as the gravity of the situation settled over him like a heavy blanket.

"I don't know how she gets such accurate and timely information..." Jason paced the worn carpet of his office. The case files spread across his desk, each document a potential source of the leak. The coffee in his mug had long since gone cold, forgotten in the wake of this latest crisis. "Who is her source?"

"I know someone from my police station is working on her payroll, and I have to find out who that black sheep is," Jason thought, casting another glance at the photo of Kate with anger and a little of admiration that himself hasn't even notice.

Before he could dwell further on the matter, the ringing of his mobile phone snapped him out of his thoughts. The sharp electronic tone felt like a knife cutting through the tension-filled air of his office. He glanced at the caller ID, his stomach dropping as the name appeared on the screen.

"Commissioner Bob," Jason muttered as he moved toward his desk. Taking a deep breath, he mustered his courage and answered the call.

"Hello, sir," Jason said in a steady tone, surprised by how calm his voice sounded despite the storm raging inside him.

"Hello, Jason. Have you seen the newspapers and news channels praising Kate Miller's efficiency while criticizing the slow pace of the police?" Commissioner Bob's voice boomed through the phone, each word striking Jason like a physical blow. The commissioner's tone carried a weight of authority and disappointment that made Jason's office feel suddenly smaller, more confining.

"Yes, sir," Jason replied weakly.

"How did she become aware of the torn page and the symbols on Ryder's body?" Bob inquired, his words sharp and precise like a surgeon's scalpel.

"I don't know, sir," Jason admitted, his free hand clenching into a fist at his side. "There must be someone in my police station leaking information to her."

"And when are you going to find out who that person is?" Bob pressed, impatience crackling through the connection.

"Soon, sir, soon," Jason promised hastily, knowing how hollow the words sounded even as they left his mouth.

"Jason, this Kate Miller made you a headline when you lost evidence about Rick Hudson before, who murdered his wife, and today she's made you a headline again by highlighting your poor performance," Bob stated in a serious tone. "Jason, I have to answer to my superiors. What am I supposed to tell them? That my incompetent officer once again leaked information to the media?"

"Sir, please give me one last chance, and I will catch the killer," Jason pleaded urgently, gripping the edge of his desk until his knuckles turned white.

"You have to, Jason, otherwise I'm going to transfer you to some far-off place where you won't be able to thrive," Bob said in a vengeful tone that sent a chill down Jason's spine.

"Sir, please, just one last chance," Jason begged desperately.

"I'm giving you one week. Find me the murderer or pack your bags and leave Adelaide," Bob declared firmly, each word falling like a hammer blow.

"Thank you for giving me a chance, sir," Jason responded immediately, relief and terror warring in his chest.

"You have seven days to find the murderer. I don't know how you're going to do it, but you have to do it for the sake of your career." Bob said before disconnecting the call, leaving Jason in a silence that felt like a physical presence in the room.

Jason collapsed into his chair, wiping his sweaty forehead with the sleeve of his blue shirt. The fabric was already damp from previous nervous gestures, and the morning sun now felt more like an interrogation lamp bearing down on him. Seven days. The countdown had begun, and somewhere in Adelaide, a killer was walking free.

"Kate Miller is going to ruin my career," Jason thought to himself, the words tasting bitter in his mouth.

Oliver entered, his young face creased with concern, tie slightly askew as if he'd rushed over.

"Sir, are you alright?"

"No, I'm not alright," Jason replied with a heavy sigh, gesturing for Oliver to come inside.

Oliver closed the door behind him with a soft click and took a seat opposite Jason.

"What happened?" he asked, leaning forward with the earnest concern of a younger officer who still believed in justice and fair play.

"Do you really need to ask?" Jason responded angrily, his frustration finally finding a target. "You must have seen the news and know about Kate Miller's revelations. So don't ask me that." The words came out harsher than he intended, but he couldn't seem to stop them.

"Did the commissioner call?" Oliver inquired, unfazed by his superior's outburst.

"Yeah, he did," Jason confirmed quietly, deflating slightly. The anger drained away, leaving only exhaustion in its wake. "He gave me seven days to solve the case or pack my stuff and prepare to leave Adelaide."

"What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know," Jason replied irritably.

"Sir, there's a way to solve the case in one week and avoid your transfer," Oliver suggested, a hint of hesitation in his voice, as if he wasn't sure how his next words would be received.

"What is it?" Jason asked, intrigued despite his irritation.

"Call Kate and ask her to work with you."