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The room was silent, save for the faint hum of the fluorescent light above. Simon was on the floor, his brow furrowed as he stared at the latest crime scene photos spread out before him. Baz kneeled near him watching him closely. He was used to Simon’s usual floor mess, even when he would have preferred him using the damn board. On any other occasion he would have at least teased him about it, but not now, not with this case. Simon had been on edge since the case landed in their hands and he didn't want to push it.
“The old lady, she's the third one this month,” Simon muttered, breaking the silence. He’s been tugging his curls , Baz thought. Definitely an over-the-edge moment then. “And it’s all the same—the candle, books, the missing people, the damn red box, but no other clues, how?!” He jabbed a finger at the photo of the latest victim. “It’s Smith-Richards and I know the motherfucker is mocking us wherever he is.”
Baz’s heart twisted at the mention of Smith. He glanced away, focusing instead on Simon’s work. “We don’t know that for sure. It’s turning into a dead end,” he said carefully. “We should consider other possibilities–”
“It’s him, Baz,” Simon snapped. “I know I can’t prove it yet but… this cult he’s building, it’s got his name written all over it. The propaganda. The creepy rituals. The…” He trailed off, swallowing hard. Baz didn’t need him to finish the thought. “He’s so easy to trust. People wouldn’t know they’re in danger until it’s too late.”
Smith-Richards. The man Simon once looked up to. The man who'd trained him and previous partner, who worked alongside him to stop David's corruption ring within the police department only to spiral into madness and disappear into the shadows years later. Baz had seen what Smith's betrayal had done to Simon. The trust it had shattered. The anger it had left behind. And now, this case was dragging all of that back to the surface.
Baz forced a smile, trying to ease the tension. “Hey. We'll figure this out, Simon. We always do. He won’t be the exception. He is going to make a mistake and we’ll be there to put him behind the bars. He’s so full of himself—underestimating us is going to be his worst mistake.”
Simon turned to him, his sharp gaze softening just slightly. “I don't know what I would do without you.”
Before Baz could respond, Simon leaned closer. Too close. He reached out and brushed a stray strand of Baz's dark hair behind his ear, his touch so gentle. “You're always looking out for me,” Simon murmured, his voice low.
Baz froze. His heart hammered against his ribs as Simon stared at him. He wanted to say something, to brush it off with a mean joke as usual, but the words caught in his throat. Simon's gaze locked onto his, and for a moment, the world around them blurred away.
Baz's eyes darted to Simon's lips.
Simon's breath hitched, and his eyes dropped to Baz's mouth in return. The air between them thickened, heavy with dangerous possibilities.
Then Baz's phone buzzed, and the moment ended.
He leaned back, fumbling for the device in his pocket. “It’s my father,” he muttered, glancing at the screen. He pressed the phone to his ear. “Hello?”
His father's voice was strained, tight with worry. “Basilton… it's Daphne. She's gone, I can't find her anywhere. I got home, and there was this red box on the porch. I remember what you told Mordelia last week about those murder cases you and Simon were working on. Tell me it is not related, tell me… it can’t be, right?”
Baz's blood ran cold. His stepmother. The red box. Smith-Ritchard's mark.
“Father, listen to me,” he said, his voice suddenly all business. He'll let the feelings come later. “Stay home. Don't open or touch anything. We’re coming over.”
Simon was already reaching for his jacket. “What is it?”
“It's Daphne,” Baz said, his voice shaking despite himself. “She's missing. And there’s this red box—Simon, You’re right, It’s him. He’s going to hurt my stepmom, we… my family, we can’t lose her too.”
"No. Baz. Stop. You won’t,” Simon held Baz face with both hands. “I won't let that happen, okay? So let’s go catch that asshole and bring your mom back.”