Outside the textile mill!
The NYPD stood in formation, weapons drawn and ready for anything as they stared at the dilapidated facility. It looked as though it had just endured a small-scale war.
"George!"
Detective Kate Beckett arrived on the scene roughly three minutes after George. She hopped out of her car, crouched low in her bulletproof vest, and hurried to his side. "What is the situation?"
George pointed toward the car still burning near the entrance.
Amidst the intermittent popping sounds—like firecrackers exploding—the shimmering license plate was clearly visible. Four letters stood out.
This was undoubtedly the real Audi R8.
Clearly, it was scrap metal once again.
George felt a strange urge to laugh, but it was quickly replaced by concern. His own daughter had ridden in this car with Locke. Given the speed at which Locke's vehicles were being totaled, who was to say his daughter wouldn't be inside the next time it happened?
...Wait!
George shook his head, physically clearing the image from his mind.
No. Locke just seemed to be incredibly unlucky.
Just then, the unique blare of sirens signaled the arrival of the NYPD ESU team in their armored vehicle.
"Ready up!" George commanded, addressing the officers converging from all directions. "The criminal we are dealing with is extremely dangerous. Be careful!"
"Understood!"
"Copy that!"
"Move in!"
Two ESU teams, sixteen members in total, were armed to the teeth. Behind the cover of ballistic shields, they led the charge, storming the textile mill.
But... when they breached the facility, the scene that met their eyes left them in absolute shock.
Inside the mill, it wasn't exactly "deserted," but it was a scene of carnage. Bodies were strewn everywhere, and blood literally flowed like a river.
"Ugh!"
"Hrk—"
Several younger officers, clearly inexperienced with such gore, couldn't help but gag at the sight of the blood pooling into small streams across the floor.
Every officer's nerves were stretched to the breaking point. Yet, strangely, the interior of the mill was eerily silent.
"ESU, frontal assault!"
"Copy!"
"Kate, take Team One to the left. I'll take the right!"
"Got it."
George signaled the men behind him and began a slow, methodical sweep of the right wing.
But whether it was George, Kate, or the ESU teams, all they found were corpses. There was nothing else left alive.
When the three groups converged again, their eyes instinctively turned toward a warehouse-like structure ahead.
Upon entering, they found the weaving workshop the Fraternity used as a front.
The workshop was a mess of destruction. Dozens more bodies lay among the looms, and very few of the machines remained intact.
"My God," Kate muttered, unable to stay silent any longer. "Did the Sin Hunter do this alone?"
How was that possible? It defied all logic. No matter how strong a man was, he might hold his own against ten people, but the number of bodies here was far beyond ten.
George said grimly, "There is no evidence to suggest the Sin Hunter has a team or prefers teamwork."
During his two years of activity in Texas, the Sin Hunter had always acted alone. If he had accomplices, they were usually homeless people lured with cash to help with errands.
Just like this time.
Because the Sin Hunter was a lone wolf, most of the intelligence on him consisted of FBI psychological profiles. They suggested a man between 25 and 35, living alone—perhaps in a house inherited from his parents—socially isolated with few friends. It was precisely because of this that no one noticed him.
George had originally used that profile to build a mental image of the killer's personality and appearance.
But... after having a personal run-in with the man, George realized that the profile was partially wrong.
At the very least, the Sin Hunter he had seen wasn't socially inept.
Just then.
*Thud!*
The officers moving through the workshop immediately raised their weapons, aiming toward the third floor where the noise had originated.
George, Kate, and the ESU lead shared a look.
*Thud-thud-thud!*
The ESU team charged into the room housing the Loom of Fate, shields up.
The next second, their muzzles were all pointed at Locke. He was handcuffed to a nearby water pipe, his feet bound, and a strip of cloth stuffed into his mouth.
The noise had been Locke banging his head against the pipe.
"Locke?"
George, entering right behind the ESU team, felt his eyes light up. He shouted Locke's name and gestured for the others to clear the large room before he and Kate rushed to the boy's side.
"Hah... hah!"
Locke gasped for air the moment George pulled the gag from his mouth.
"Hold still," Kate said, aiming her service pistol at the handcuffs.
*Bang!*
Locke flinched instinctively at the sound of the shot.
"Clear!"
"All clear!"
"Room secure!"
The ESU team reported in succession. No enemies remained.
Clearly, they were too late. The Sin Hunter had already vanished.
Locke provided the necessary "assist" right on cue: "What took you guys so long? That guy left about ten minutes ago."
George's expression soured.
*Fuck. We were played.*
Just then, as Kate helped Locke to his feet, she noticed a booklet and a phone fall from Locke's lap.
At that exact moment: *Ring, ring, ring!*
The phone on the floor began to ring. George and Kate exchanged a sharp look.
Locke chimed in, sounding shaken: "When that guy left, he shoved that booklet and the phone into my lap. I thought it was a timed bomb, so I didn't dare move a muscle."
George reached down to pick up the phone.
"Don't answer it," Kate warned. If it was a remote detonator disguised as a call, they were finished.
But... George answered anyway.
The surrounding officers flinched, but when no explosion followed, they finally relaxed. George put the call on speaker.
A voice, clearly synthesized, came through. It let out two dry, mechanical chuckles. "I thought you wouldn't dare pick up."
George signaled Kate to contact the precinct immediately to trace the signal.
But the synthesized voice continued: "There were too many sinners this time. I didn't have enough cards. However, that booklet will explain everything. Remember, I never kill innocent people."
The line went dead.
***
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