Page 22 of For Blood

"Mr.Phillips," Morgan said firmly, "I strongly advise you to avoid The Rusty Nail for the time being.In fact, you should avoid all public places until this situation is resolved."

Phillips rolled his eyes."Look, I appreciate the concern, but—"

Morgan leaned forward, her gaze intense."Mr.Phillips, I need you to tell me everything you remember about the night you found Lucas Hayes.Every detail, no matter how small, could be important."

Phillips shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting to the side."Look, I've told this story a hundred times.There's nothing new to say."

But Morgan wasn't about to let him off that easily.She pressed further, her voice steady but insistent."I understand it was a long time ago, but please, try to recall.Did you notice anything unusual that night?Any strange noises, unfamiliar faces in the area?"

Phillips ran a hand through his disheveled hair, his irritation visible."I told you, I didn't see anything special.Just found the poor bastard lying there."

Morgan watched him closely, noting the way his fingers twitched against his leg.He's hiding something, she thought.But what?

"Mr.Phillips," she said, her tone softer now, almost sympathetic, "I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to stumble upon a crime scene like that.It's the kind of thing that stays with a person.Are you sure there isn't anything else you remember?Anything at all?"

For a moment, Phillips seemed to deflate, the bravado slipping away.He looked suddenly older, more vulnerable."I...there might be something," he admitted reluctantly."But you gotta understand, I never meant to cause any trouble."

Morgan's heart raced, sensing they were on the verge of a breakthrough."What is it, Mr.Phillips?What did you see?"

Phillips took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the floor."When I first talked to the cops, I told them I saw someone running from the alley.Tall guy, dark hair, wearing a jacket.But later...I changed my story."

Morgan's eyes widened slightly, but she kept her voice calm."You changed your story?Why?"

Phillips shrugged, a gesture that seemed more defensive than casual."I'd been drinking that night.A lot.When I sobered up, I realized I couldn't be sure what I'd seen.Didn't want to point the finger at the wrong guy, you know?"

As he spoke, Morgan's mind raced, connecting dots.This was the third witness with an inconsistent story—not just inconsistent, but strikingly consistent with the testimonies of the two other recently deceased witnesses.All of them had first described the same man, then subsequently claimed they weren't sure.What were the odds?She knew there had to be more to it, but pushing too hard might make Phillips clam up entirely.

Morgan studied Phillips carefully, her keen eyes taking in every micro-expression that flickered across his weathered face.There was something about the way he held himself, a flicker of unease in his eyes that didn't match his casual demeanor.His explanation felt rehearsed, as if he'd repeated it to himself countless times over the years, trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince her.

She leaned forward slightly, her voice low and even."Mr.Phillips, did anyone pressure you to change your story?"

Phillips shook his head quickly, almost too quickly."No, no.Nothing like that."He ran a hand through his thinning hair, a nervous gesture that belied his words."Like I said, I was drunk.I realized I got it wrong, so I told the cops the truth.That's all there is to it."

But Morgan wasn't so sure.Her instincts, honed by years of experience, were screaming that there was more to this story.She thought back to Rachel Martinez and Reeves, the victims they'd encountered in this new string of murders.They, too, had given inconsistent testimony about what they'd seen.

As Phillips shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny, Morgan's mind raced.Three witnesses, three changed stories.All connected to cases our killer is revisiting.This can't be a coincidence.

"Mr.Phillips," she said carefully, "I understand you might be worried about the consequences of what you're telling us.But I need you to understand that your life could be in danger.We're here to protect you, but we can only do that if we have all the information."

Phillips's eyes darted to the hunting rifle leaning against the wall, then back to Morgan."I told you what happened," he insisted, but his voice lacked conviction."I made a mistake, that's all.Why are you pushing this?"

Morgan took a deep breath, weighing her next words carefully.She needed to push, but not so hard that Phillips shut down completely."Because you're not the only one, Mr.Phillips.We've encountered two other witnesses who changed their stories about what they saw.And now, all three of you are connected to cases that someone is killing over."

"Mr.Phillips," Derik said, "we need you to reconsider police protection."

Phillips ran a hand through his disheveled hair, his earlier bravado faltering."Look, I appreciate the concern, but I've got my guns.I can handle myself."

Morgan's frustration bubbled to the surface."With all due respect, sir, your guns won't be enough against someone who's been planning this for nearly two decades.This killer is methodical, patient, and always a step ahead."She glanced at the cluttered living room, the stack of unopened mail."You can't be on guard every second.Please, let us help you."

Phillips's jaw clenched."I said no.I've lived with this for eighteen years.I'm not about to let some ghost from the past run me out of my home."

Morgan opened her mouth to argue further, but Derik placed a hand on her arm, a silent signal to back off.She took a deep breath, reining in her emotions.

"Fine," she said, her tone clipped."But I need you to be extremely cautious.Don't open the door for anyone you don't know.Keep your phone on you at all times.And if you see or hear anything suspicious, call us immediately."She handed him her card, which he took reluctantly.

As they walked back to their car, Morgan's mind raced.The cool night air did little to calm her churning thoughts.How could the killer possibly know about the inconsistencies in the witnesses' testimonies?These weren't public knowledge – they would have been buried in police reports, forgotten by most.

She glanced at Derik as he unlocked the car."There has to be a connection we're missing.How is the killer accessing this information?"

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