Canvas of Deception

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Detective Victoria Blackwood and Dominic Gray

Detective Victoria Blackwood

I reached the station to find it bustling with activity. I was hoping that we could have discovered a lead. I stepped into the bustling investigation room; my gaze immediately drawn to Xander buried under a mountain of paperwork. Despite my own tension, I couldn't help but feel a pang of concern for my weary colleague.

"Hey, Xan," I called out, my voice soft with empathy. "How long have you been here? You should take a break and get some rest."

Xander looked up, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. "Hey, Vic. Didn't notice you coming in," he replied wearily. "Don't worry, I managed to grab a few hours of sleep. But we've got something big from the autopsy results. You won't believe it."

Intrigued, I leaned in closer, my curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

"James had the same tattoo as Sarah on the back of his neck," Xander revealed, his tone filled with astonishment. "But here's the kicker—it was fake. And he had another tattoo on his arm, with the triangle carved in the iris, but this time it was upright."

My heart skipped a beat at the revelation, a shiver running down my spine. The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to fall into place, unveiling a mystery far more complex than I had anticipated.

"These symbols are ancient, Vic," Xander continued, flipping through a weathered book with delicate care. "I've scoured through texts, but I couldn't find anything about them. And then there's this—"

His finger landed on a familiar symbol, sending a chill down my spine. It was the same emblem etched onto my mother's pendant, a symbol I had long kept hidden from Xander and the others.

"The Prophecy," Xander read aloud, his brow furrowing in confusion. "But what does it mean? Who are they?"

"The markings are unlike anything I've ever seen," Xander murmured, his voice tinged with awe. "Each one carries its own significance, its own story waiting to be told. But try as I might, I couldn't find any mention of them in any of the texts I've studied."

As he spoke, I found myself drawn into the enigmatic world of ancient symbols, each one whispering secrets of a bygone era. But amidst the chaos of the unknown, one thing remained clear: these symbols held the key to unlocking the truth behind James's death and the mysterious organization known as The Prophecy.

As the weight of the discovery settled over me, I knew that we were edging closer to the truth. But with each answer came a dozen more questions, each one leading us deeper into the heart of a mystery that seemed to defy explanation.

I retreated to my desk, the hum of the station offering little solace amidst the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind. The newfound knowledge demanded careful consideration, every detail a piece of the puzzle that begged to be examined.

But before I could delve into the depths of our latest revelation, my phone pierced the air with its insistent ring. An unknown number flashed on the screen, sending a shiver down my spine.

Without hesitation, I made my way to the IT department, determination driving me to record the call and trace its origins. With every step, anticipation coiled in the pit of my stomach, a sense of foreboding hanging heavy in the air.

Taking a deep breath, I answered the call, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging within. "Hello?"

A sinister growl greeted me from the other end, sending a chill down my spine. The voice dripped with malice; each word laced with a palpable threat that sent my pulse racing.