Hana stood at the entrance of the crime scene, the flashing lights of police vehicles casting eerie shadows across the street. The area was cordoned off with yellow tape, and the usual crowd of journalists and onlookers had been pushed back. M and Evans walked beside her, their presence adding a layer of authority that parted the crowd like the Red Sea.

"Welcome to the scene of the crime," Evans said with a hint of sarcasm. "Try not to touch anything."

Hana ignored the remark, her gaze fixed on the chaotic scene ahead. "How many locations are we talking about?"

M glanced at his notes. "Thirty-five people across ten different sites. Each scene has its own set of clues. We need to figure out if there’s a pattern."

Evans led them through the crime scene, guiding them past uniformed officers and forensic teams. Hana’s eyes were sharp, noting the way the officers moved, the tension in their voices, the grim expressions on their faces.

The first scene was a narrow alleyway, littered with debris and strewn with police markers indicating where the bodies had been found. Hana moved methodically, her gaze sweeping over the scene with practiced ease.

"Where’s the body count?" Hana asked, her voice low as she approached one of the markers.

A young officer, barely out of his teens, looked up from his notes. "We’ve got four bodies here. All of them were found in the same spot, lined up almost like they were staged."

Hana crouched beside one of the markers, examining the bloodstains and discarded items. "Staged? What do you mean?"

The officer shifted uncomfortably. "It’s like they were put there deliberately, almost like a display."

Hana’s eyes narrowed as she surveyed the area. "That’s a statement. They want to be seen."

M and Evans watched as Hana worked, exchanging glances. Evans’s face was a mask of skepticism, but M’s eyes were sharp, taking in Hana’s every move.

"Is this the only scene like this?" Hana asked, looking up from her examination.

"No," Evans said. "We’ve got similar setups at the other locations. It’s clear that this isn’t random."

"Could be a signature," M said, his voice thoughtful. "We need to find out if there’s any connection between the victims. Anything that might tie them together."

Hana stood up, brushing off her knees. "I’ll need access to all the reports and evidence collected from each site. I want to see the details."

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M nodded. "You’ll get them. But remember, this isn’t just about finding the killer. We need to understand their motives, their patterns."

"Patterns," Hana repeated, her tone thoughtful. "It’s always about patterns."

As they moved to the next scene, Hana’s mind raced through the possibilities. The killer’s choice of victims, the staging of the bodies—there had to be a method behind the madness.

The second scene was in a dimly lit parking garage. The walls were covered in graffiti, and the floor was stained with blood. Hana walked through the area, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Look at this," she said, pointing to a large, crude symbol scrawled on the wall. It was a jagged, aggressive design that seemed out of place against the otherwise industrial backdrop.

Evans frowned as he examined the symbol. "What does it mean?"

Hana shook her head. "I don’t know yet, but it’s significant. This killer is making sure they’re noticed."

M, observing the symbol, nodded. "We need to track down anyone who might recognize this. It could be a local gang sign or something else entirely."

The investigation continued into the night, with Hana meticulously reviewing each crime scene. The more she saw, the more convinced she became that the killer was trying to make a statement. The way the bodies were displayed, the symbols left behind—it all pointed to someone who wanted to be seen and remembered.

Eventually, they returned to the FBI’s command center. Hana was exhausted but focused. She reviewed the evidence from the scenes, making notes and drawing connections in her notebook.

M approached her desk, watching her work. "You seem to be getting somewhere."

Hana looked up, her eyes tired but determined. "There’s definitely a pattern. The killer is trying to send a message, but it’s not clear what the message is yet."

Evans joined them, his expression more serious than before. "And what about the victims? Have you found any connections between them?"

Hana shook her head. "Not yet. But I suspect the killer’s choice of victims is deliberate. They’re not random."

M leaned in closer. "We need to consider every angle. This killer might be more than just a psychopath—they could have a personal vendetta, or they might be trying to provoke a specific reaction."

Hana’s gaze flickered to the screen displaying the victims’ photos. "I agree. I’ll dig deeper into their backgrounds and see if there’s anything that stands out."

The room fell silent as Hana continued her analysis. M and Evans watched her work, both aware of the gravity of the situation. The more they uncovered, the clearer it became that this case was far from straightforward.

Hours later, as the first light of dawn began to filter through the blinds, Hana looked up, a spark of realization in her eyes. "M, Evans, I think I’ve found something."

Both men leaned in, curiosity piqued. Hana pointed to a series of photographs on her desk. "Look at these. The symbol we saw at the crime scenes—it’s also present in the backgrounds of some of the victims’ photos."

M studied the images, his brow furrowing. "You’re right. It’s subtle, but it’s there."

Evans frowned. "What does it mean?"

Hana shook her head, frustration evident in her tone. "I don’t know yet, but it’s a lead. It suggests that the killer is tying these symbols to their victims in a way that we haven’t fully understood."

M’s eyes gleamed with determination. "We need to follow this lead. It might be our way to understanding the killer’s true motives."

As they prepared to delve deeper into the investigation, the tension in the room was palpable. Hana, now part of the FBI team, had proven her worth, but the real challenge lay ahead. With a dangerous killer on the loose and a complex puzzle to solve, every moment counted. They had to find answers before more lives were lost.