Devil's Whisper Chapter 27: Turning the Tables

After a moment of silence, Jason snapped, "Have you lost your mind? I'm not going to call her... she stole my findings and passed them off as her own," he said angrily, his voice rising with each word. The very thought of collaborating with Kate made his jaw clench.

"Sir, she did what she had to do... she got the information and published it," Oliver reasoned, maintaining his composure in the face of Jason's outburst. "Plus, this tells us she likely has more information about the killer and the victim, which she'll probably reveal in the next session."

Jason remain silent, he is thinking every words Oliver said.

"And before she does this and seals your transfer, we should collaborate with her and reach an agreement that benefits both parties," Oliver suggested politely, his words measured and careful like a man defusing a bomb.

Jason listened wordlessly to Oliver, the truth of his words settling uncomfortably in his stomach. He knew that Kate was one of the most efficient and capable investigative journalists in Australia. If she claimed she would soon reveal more facts about the Ryder murder case, she would deliver.

"Sir, what are you thinking? Stop hesitating and call Kate to invite her for a meeting," Oliver urged, his voice cutting through Jason's thoughts.

"Why would she agree to work with us?" Jason asked in a low voice, his fingers drumming anxiously on his desk. "If she had substantial information about the case, she could solve it on her own."

"There are two reasons why Kate Miller would agree to work with you," Oliver began, straightening in his chair. "First, she approached you a few days ago, asking to collaborate. So it's clear she already wants to team up with you..."

"And the second reason is she intentionally revealed those facts about the Ryder murder case. She knew that by doing so, Commissioner Bob would pressure you to solve the case before her, leaving you no option but to ask her to work together," Oliver explained, and Jason knew he was speaking the truth. The realization that Kate had outmaneuvered him made his coffee-soured stomach churn.

"Sir, it's not Kate's style to reveal partial findings midway through her work. She always discloses her findings at the end, when she knows who the culprit is," Oliver added.

"You're right," finally, Jason acknowledged quietly, the words tasting like defeat.

"I've been following Kate Miller's vlogs for a long time, and I know her style very well," Oliver continued, a hint of admiration creeping into his voice.

Jason shot Oliver a sharp look, his eyes narrowing like a hawk spotting prey.

"You know she's a brilliant investigator, and I watch her vlogs to learn from her," Oliver defended himself, a slight flush creeping up his neck. "You always say we should be open to learning new things in life, and Kate Miller's vlogs are a source of learning for me..."

"Get up and go back to your desk," Jason ordered, his voice clipped. "Find out about the symbols Mia gave us, and determine if the symbols on Ryder's belly, the torn page from the Rubaiyat, and the symbols found in Ryder's car were drawn by the same person. Also, find out whose blood the killer used to draw the circle of continuity on the page found in Ryder's car."

"Roger that, sir," Oliver acknowledged before leaving the room.

Now alone, Jason pondered how he would contact Kate and ask her to work with him. His fingers traced the edge of his desk where she'd once perched during their late-night discussions, her presence still lingering like a ghost in his office.

"I turned down her offer out of pride... but now I need her to save my job," Jason muttered to himself, the words bitter on his tongue.

He picked up his mobile phone, his thumb hovering over Kate's number. The signal connected, but the mere thought of hearing her voice – warm and husky, with that hint of amusement she always seemed to reserve just for him – made his heart race. He hastily ended the call, opting instead for the safer distance of a text message. His fingers moved across the keypad, composing and recomposing until finally settling on:

"Come to Café Tofu at 5:00 P.M. I'll wait for you there."