Cat and Mouse (New York Mafia Syndicate #1)

Chapter 5 - Elizabeth

I jolt awake, heart racing, drenched in sweat. The images from my dream linger—my partner lying in a pool of blood, his eyes lifeless. I try to shake it off, dragging myself out of bed and into the shower. The hot water does little to wash away the memories, but it helps me focus.

I get dressed, the routine calming my nerves. I make my way to the station, coffee in hand, trying to push the dream to the back of my mind. Captain Harris is already there, looking as weary as ever.

"Morning, Kane," he says, not looking up from his desk.

"Morning, captain. Anything new?" I ask, hoping for a breakthrough.

He shakes his head. "Nothing. We're no closer to finding the Phantom. It's like he's a ghost."

I bite my lip, feeling a pang of guilt. I haven't told anyone about meeting him on the balcony. If they knew, I'd be pulled off the case for sure.

"Maybe we're missing something from the club," I suggest. "No one's talking about Carson, but it's clear she worked there. We just don't know in what capacity."

He looks at me, curious. "What's your plan?"

"I can go question some of the waitresses," I say, trying to sound confident.

"Okay," he nods. "Do it. We need any lead we can get."

I head out, making my way to the club. The place is almost empty, just a few staff cleaning up from the night before. I find a waitress, a young woman with bright pink hair, and introduce myself.

"Detective Kane. I need to ask you a few questions about Amy Carson."

She looks nervous but nods. "Sure, what do you need to know?"

"What was her job here? No one seems to know."

She glances around, lowering her voice. "Amy wasn't a waitress. She was a dancer. Went by the name Ginger."

"A dancer?" I echo, surprised. "Did she have any connections with staff or clients?"

She nods. "Yeah, she hooked up with some of the staff and clients. She was... popular."

"Popular?" I raise an eyebrow. "With who?"

"Mostly the regulars and a few of the staff. She was good at keeping secrets," she says, glancing around again.

I thank her and move on to another waitress, getting similar stories. Amy was a dancer, not a waitress. And she had a lot of connections in the club.

Back at the station, I report my findings to Captain Harris. He leans back in his chair, thinking. "A dancer, huh? That changes things. If she was hooking up with staff and clients, one of them could be our guy."

"Exactly. And a nightclub is the perfect cover for drug activities if what we suspect about the Phantom is true. Maybe this is where they met? Maybe he's using the club to recruit his victims? I'll keep digging and find answers," I say, feeling a glimmer of hope.

He nods. "Alright, Kane. You're on it. Find out everything you can about her connections. This could be the break we need."

I spend the rest of the day poring over files, making calls, and following up on leads. Every new piece of information brings us closer to the Phantom. But there's still so much we don't know.

As the day turns to night, I can't shake the feeling that we're getting closer. The image of Amy, or Ginger, keeps flashing in my mind. This is the most probable place where she met the Phantom.

I lean back in my chair, exhausted but determined.

*

I sit at my desk, staring at the notes in front of me. The connections are starting to make sense. Amy wasn't just a random victim. She was deeply embedded in the club's scene, and that's where we'll find our answers.

My phone buzzes, and I see a text from Captain Harris: Anything new?

I quickly type back: Making progress. Got some leads on Amy's connections .

I put my phone down and take a deep breath. The pieces are coming together. The Phantom's days are numbered.

As I prepare to leave for the day, I can't help but think about the dream again. My partner's death, the blood, the guilt. It's all connected. I won't let his death be in vain. I'll find the Phantom, and I'll make sure he pays for every life he's taken.

I walk out of the station, get into my car, ready to head home, but my mind is still racing. The club, the dancers, the secrets—there's so much more to uncover. But I'll do it. One step at a time. And I won't stop until the Phantom is caught.