Chapter 9.

A Hunt Against Time.

Iraide and Jared looked at each other with determination. They knew they had to find the murdered couple's little daughter before it was too late. Every second counted, and the girl’s life was at stake.

They returned to the Renové museum, where the couple had worked as a security guard and janitor. The crime scene was still fresh in their memory: the footless bodies, the pool of blood, and the sense that something dark was lurking in the shadows.

We need to find any clues that will lead us to the girl, Iraide said, her voice full of urgency. If the kidnapper had anything to do with her parents’ deaths, he must have left some trace behind.

They began meticulously searching the museum, looking for any hint of unusual activity. They examined every nook, every corner, hoping to find something that might lead them in the right direction. It was Jared who found a small muddy footprint on the ground near a broken window.

Look at this, he said, pointing at the footprint. It could be a clue. Maybe, the kidnapper came in through here.

They followed the trail of footprints that led them out of the museum and into a dark alley. There they found more footprints, this time accompanied by tire marks. It seems the kidnapper used a vehicle, Iraide observed. We might be following the right trail.

With the help of the city's surveillance cameras, they managed to identify the suspicious vehicle. A black car that had been caught leaving the museum the night of the kidnapping. The license plate number was partially visible, but it was enough to track down the car's owner.

It's owned by a man named Damien Holt, Jared reported, checking the records. He has a criminal record for kidnapping and extortion. We must act fast.

With this new information, they applied for a search warrant and headed to Holt's address. The place was an old, abandoned house on the outskirts of Renové, surrounded by thick forest.

Upon arrival, they prepared for the worst. With their guns drawn, they entered the house in silence, their hearts pounding. The house was dark and cold, and every creak in the floor put their nerves on edge.

They searched every room, looking for any sign of the little girl. It was in the basement that they finally found her. The little girl was in a cage, shaking and crying. Seeing Iraide and Jared, she reached out her small hands, seeking comfort.

We are here to help you, Iraide said softly as she opened the cage and took the little girl into her arms. You are safe now.

Jared did a quick survey of the place, making sure Holt was nowhere near. There is no sign of him, he reported. It seems he fled before we arrived.

They knew the job was not over. They still had to find Damien Holt and bring him to justice. But, for now, saving the little girl was a small triumph in their fight against the shadows lurking in Renové.

With the little girl safe, Iraide and Jared returned to the police station, where the little girl was taken care of and placed under protection. They knew the battle was far from over, but they had taken an important step in the search for justice.