As Ayumi and Kenji navigated the crowded streets of New York, the vibrant energy of the city surged around them. Honking cars, the chatter of pedestrians, and the distant sound of street performers created a chaotic symphony that felt both exhilarating and overwhelming.
“Have you ever seen a city like this?” Ayumi asked, her eyes wide with wonder. “It’s like Tokyo on steroids.”
Kenji chuckled, adjusting his messenger bag. “I’ll admit, the scale is impressive. But remember, we’re not here for sightseeing. We need to keep our focus sharp.”
“Of course! But can’t we appreciate the surroundings just a little?” Ayumi said, flashing him a playful grin. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
“Alright, fine,” Kenji conceded with a smile. “Just as long as we don’t lose sight of our mission.”
They arrived at their first interview location—a modest apartment building where one of the murder victims had lived. As they climbed the stairs, Ayumi took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for the emotions that awaited them.
“Do you think the family will be open to talking?” Kenji asked, his tone more serious now.
“I hope so,” Ayumi replied, her voice softening. “Sometimes, people need to share their grief. It could lead us to something crucial.”
Reaching the door, Ayumi knocked gently. A moment later, it opened to reveal a woman in her fifties, her eyes red from crying. She hesitated, taking in the sight of the detectives in their professional attire.
“Detectives,” she said quietly, her voice shaky. “What do you want?”
“We’re very sorry for your loss,” Ayumi began, her voice gentle yet firm. “We’re here to ask a few questions about your daughter, Emily. We believe it could help in the investigation.”
The woman’s expression hardened slightly. “I don’t want to talk about it. It hurts too much.”
Kenji stepped forward, his voice steady. “I understand, ma’am. But if there’s anything—anything at all—that you can share, it might prevent more tragedies from happening. Your daughter deserves justice.”
The woman’s resolve wavered, and she looked down, wiping her tears. “Emily was… she was a bright light. She worked so hard, always trying to make a difference.”
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Ayumi nodded, encouraging her to continue. “Did she ever mention anyone unusual in her life? A colleague, maybe? Someone who seemed off?”
“She did mention a guy,” the woman said slowly, her brow furrowing as she recalled. “Someone she worked with. He always seemed… too interested in her. I thought it was just my imagination, but she said he was ‘persistent.’”
“Persistent how?” Kenji asked, leaning closer, his interest piqued.
“She said he would always find reasons to talk to her, even when they weren’t working together,” the woman replied. “It made her uncomfortable. But she brushed it off, thinking he was just being friendly.”
“Do you remember his name?” Ayumi asked, her pen poised over her notepad.
The woman hesitated, then nodded. “I think she mentioned it once. I believe it was—” She paused, struggling to remember.
“Take your time,” Kenji encouraged, maintaining a calm demeanor.
“Derek,” she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Derek something. I can’t remember the last name.”
“Thank you,” Ayumi said, her heart racing with the new lead. “That’s very helpful.”
The woman’s eyes filled with tears again. “I just want this to be over. I want to know why she had to die.”
“We’ll do everything we can to find the truth,” Kenji promised, sincerity etched in his features. “You have our word.”
After exchanging a few more words of condolence, they left the apartment, the weight of the conversation heavy in the air.
“That was tough,” Ayumi said, her voice reflective as they walked back to their car. “But at least we have a name now.”
“Yes,” Kenji replied, determination in his tone. “We should look into Derek. If he’s connected to more than one victim, he could be our prime suspect.”
As they drove through the streets, Ayumi pulled out her laptop, typing furiously. “I’ll search for any information on him. Maybe we can find out where he works or if he has any past incidents.”
“Good idea,” Kenji said, glancing at the screen as they pulled up to a red light. “We need to be thorough.”
Moments later, Ayumi’s eyes lit up. “Here we go! Derek Thompson—worked at a financial firm. Several complaints from coworkers about harassment. Looks like Emily wasn’t the only one he bothered.”
“That’s promising,” Kenji noted, his brow furrowing. “We need to dig deeper. Let’s see if he has any connections to the other victims.”
As they continued to research, a new urgency filled the air. The pieces were slowly coming together, but they needed more.
“We’ll need to track him down and talk to him,” Ayumi said, determination shining in her eyes. “If he’s dangerous, we have to act quickly.”
“Agreed,” Kenji replied, pulling out his phone. “Let’s reach out to the FBI team and see if they can help us locate him.”
As they prepared for their next move, the weight of their mission settled heavily on their shoulders. But the fire of determination fueled their every action. They were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, united in their pursuit of justice.
“We’ll get to the bottom of this,” Ayumi vowed, her voice firm. “For Emily and all the others.”
“Together,” Kenji echoed, a resolute smile crossing his face. “Let’s make sure their stories are heard.”