The Holloway Library fire burned late into the night, reducing shelves of history to ash. By morning, Ravenwood's skyline still carried the smoke. For many, it was just a tragedy. For Alex, it was a message.
The second letter had been clear: "a fire will consume what you hold dear.."
At the Scene of the Fire
Alex sifted through the charred remains alongside Detective Sam Hargrove. Firefighters had contained the blaze, but the cause was no longer in question. An accelerant had been used.
Sam crouched by the ashes. "Someone wanted this place gone."
Alex nodded grimly. "Not just gone—erased. Grace said the old records were targeted. Someone's cleaning up history."
From across the caution tape, Grace Holloway watched silently, her hands shaking as she clutched the half-burned ledger she'd saved.
"This book," she whispered when Alex approached. "It has names—families, debts, donations to the town from decades ago. Someone didn't want this known."
Before Alex could ask more, a black car pulled up. Out stepped Mayor Ethan Blake, flanked by his aide. He looked furious.
"This is a disgrace!" Blake shouted to the crowd. "An attack on Ravenwood's heritage. I promise, whoever's responsible will pay."
But Alex noticed his eyes flicker nervously toward the ruined building—as though he already knew what had burned.
The Stranger Again
In the chaos, Alex spotted Derek Vaughn, the same drifter who had been at the warehouse crime scene. He leaned casually against a lamppost, watching the fire's aftermath with unsettling calm.
Alex approached. "You were at the warehouse. Now here. Care to explain?"
Derek smirked. "Small towns. Hard not to bump into the same faces."
"Who are you, really?" Alex pressed.
Derek's eyes glinted. "Let's just say… I've been waiting for this to start."
Before Alex could grab him, Derek melted into the crowd and vanished.
The Third Letter
Back at the precinct, Alex and Sam barely had time to breathe when the third envelope arrived. Same cream paper. Same lavender scent.
"The fire was only the beginning. Tonight, the snake will strike. Look closer, Detective—closer than you ever have before."
Alex's hands clenched. The letters were accelerating. First a murder, then arson, now… something worse.
At Olivia's Bar
That evening, Alex visited Olivia Price at her bar, hoping for leads. The place buzzed with chatter, locals drowning fear in whiskey. Olivia leaned close.
"You're chasing ghosts, Alex," she said. "But I've heard whispers. Some folks say these letters aren't just predictions—they're punishments. For old sins."
Alex frowned. "Whose sins?"
Olivia's gaze darted around the room. "The people who built this town. The ones who kept it alive… and the ones who buried its secrets."
Before Alex could press further, the bar door swung open. In walked Marcus Flynn, a private investigator from a neighboring city.
"Well, well," Marcus drawled. "Ravenwood's finest still chasing shadows. Maybe you should let the professionals handle it."
Sam groaned. "Not you again."
Marcus grinned. "Word travels. And where there's mystery, there's money."
Alex's instincts screamed—Marcus wasn't here by coincidence.
The Snake Strikes
Near midnight, Ravenwood was jolted awake by screams. Alex and Sam rushed to the scene: the mayor's home.
Ethan Blake staggered out, bleeding from a wound on his arm. "It was… a snake. In my study. It bit me."
But Alex quickly realized the truth—there was no snake. The wound was from a blade, not fangs.
Inside the study, chaos reigned. Drawers had been ransacked, papers scattered. On the desk, a fresh letter awaited Alex:
"Strike three, Detective. The mayor has much to hide. Ask him about 1987."
Alex stared at the trembling mayor. "What happened in 1987, Blake?"
The mayor's face went pale. "I… I can't… if I talk, I'm finished."
Before he could say more, Clara Monroe, Alex's estranged sister, appeared at the doorway. Her presence was the last thing Alex expected.
"Don't listen to him, Alex," Clara said coldly. "The mayor's not the only one with blood on his hands. You should be asking about our family."