POV RILEY:

I shook Samuel when he showed me his photograph. My whole body became cold and I ran out of the bar like my life depended on it. I got into my car in a hurried panic and drove to where I remembered Mrs. Witherspoon lives. Relief rushed over me when Hal answered his phone. When he didn't pick it up the first time, I thought the worse case scenario. My heart sped at the thought of the Hangman killing my partner similar to how Cameron died.

I hustle through the parking lot my partner said he'll be nearby. After weaving through a couple of cars, I notice someone standing in an alleyway near the lot; with his easily spotted red hair, I couldn't mistaken it.

"Hal!" I call out as I jog to his position. His attention turns to me and a wide smile spreads on his face. The jerk- if he's this excited to see me how am I supposed to beat him up for withholding information! My mouth switches from a surprised smile to a thin line. I smack his shoulder, earning a whined 'ow.'

"Nice to see you too," huffs Hal. I roll my eyes; if you had only come clean with me, you wouldn't end up like this. Shifting my attention to the locked handcuffs. I take out my own key and unlock it. Hal puts his phone away into his back pocket. "Thanks."

I place my hands on my hips and scowl, "I'm pissed with you! We're lucky he didn't kill you!"

"He said my death will ruin his plan," he shrugs. I want to hit him again but the bruise forming on his jaw halts me. I ask him once more, "Are you sure you are fine to help me out?" I examine him from head to toe. His hand is now rubbing his injured left side, making me worried. Why the hell did he think he could face the killer alone? Jack is also a trained officer if he'd forgotten.

"Yes. Let's go before Samuel ends up being another victim."

I couldn't agree more.

I speed through the streets with its internal lights flashing and siren wailing. I hardly use them but in this case, I need them on if we want to part the sea of traffic. I park in my usual spot but before I exit, I strip off my upper clothes and holster.

"What are you doing?" asks Hal.

I slip on my bullet proof vest; I want to be extra sure. Even though Jack has no intention to kill us, who knows whenever he pull out his own gun. Because Hal can't wear one, I'll have to be his shield if the time ever comes. I respond, "Safety precaution." I put my clothes and holster back on. I couldn't tuck in my shirt though, because of how bulky the vest is. The dark coat hides most of the noticeable discoloration.

We reach Mabel's bar a minute later, hurrying inside. The owner looks up from the counter. She asks, "Oh! You're back? I thought you were running from the devil when you ran out of here-"

"Where's Samuel?" I interrupt.

"Huh, everyone's asking that today. I don't see how this drunk is special but he's upstairs with his friend. Third floor, fifth room," Mabel gestures to the stairs.

I glance over to Hal with widen eyes; that's no "friend" talking to him. We both run to the stairs, the floor boards creaking at every step, and head to the third floor. This all feels like deja vu, repeating the events of three weeks ago.  We breath heavily on the third  floor. Hal rubs his left side again while gritting his teeth.

The two of us hurry to the fifth room. I place my hand on my gun holster that's underneath my coat. With one hard kick, I break down the door; I can just hear Mabel yelling about the door damages. Hal follows in close as we make our way through the short narrow hallway.

Samuel and Jack stand a few feet away from each other in an open room that looks similar to a single-bed room at a motel. Their attention turns to us when we enter. I spot a small bottle in Samuel's hand with pink and purple pills, Daze. "Don't take those!" I warn him. The guy only returns a saddened expression. Jack shakes his head, "Too late for that, detective."

A single rope and chair lies nearby the two. We made it just in time to interrupt whatever the Hangman was planning.

I begin to approach them but Jack draws out his gun before I get a chance to pull mine out. I take a step back and keep my hand gripped tightly to my gun. I bump into Hal who stands by me. "He won't shoot," says Hal with his hand on my side.

"I don't want to shoot but I will if you guys intervene any further," glares Jack. His hand is not unsteady with his finger at the trigger. Wanting to test his credibility, I take a step forward and draw out my gun. My partner has his hand on my shoulder as if wanting to keep me near him.

A shot rings out, making me freeze. I shift my gaze to the wooden flooring, discovering where Jack shot. The bullet is lodged a few inches away from where I stand. Hal mutters, "Okay, he's serious..." Yah, no shit, Hal.

I stare down Jack, "Ethan, it's over. Just come with us without any problems." My gun points at the rookie I've had under my wing for two weeks. I feel so ashamed that someone with his natural talent has become a murderer and went into our ranks unnoticed.

Jack's shoulders shake like he's holding back laughter. His gun is still pointed at us and it doesn't look like it will lower any time soon. He finally opens his mouth after a few seconds of chuckling lowly to himself. His mouth forms a thin line then he says, "Throw the gun here or I'm not missing my next shot."

I hesitate to do what he asks but I can't risk Hal  and Samuel. I toss the gun onto the single bed that's a few feet away from Hal and me.

Jack continues, "You guys still think I'm Ethan?" He looks over his shoulder and speaks to the drugged Samuel, "You know who I am, right Sam?"

"Huh?" responds the man.

"No you don't, because you couldn't tell the difference between the two of us. Oh how much fun it was to confuse the shit out you during school. I always tell you, 'I am who I am. I am who you think. I am who I was,'" continues Jack.

Samuel chokes out a gasp, "N-Nathan?!"

So we have been chasing after the Hangman who turns out to be Ethan, who turns out to be Jack, who isn't Ethan but Nathan, the twin thought to be dead ten years ago? I'm going to need a hard drink after this.

The drugged Samuel begins to tear up and hold back sobs, probably of relief. But that means someone else died that night. Ethan Jackson. Samuel tries to get closer to the friend he thought he'd lost but the man turns his gun on him.

"Ethan died, Sam," Jack states.

I need to close the gap so I can disarm his weapon. I slowly make my way to our killer while he's focused on Samuel with small steps. I silently force Hal to stay where he is.

Jack continues, "If we hadn't gone to that house- he- my brother would still be alive. I don't only blame you. I blame myself. I just can't understand, Sam. I can't." The hand holding his gun shakes. Sam wearily glances briefly at my approaching form then returns his gaze at the barrel pointed to him. He frowns, "I... know, Nate... I know... I'm sorry.."

Jack looks over to our direction, checking on us. He notices how closer I have gotten to where he is. Jack turns his gun back to me and fires another warning shot; it hits the wall to my right. His head slightly tilts, examining my behavior with narrow eyes.

"I can't understand your guy's pitiful definition of justice," Jack says. "That's what killed my brother." He points his weapon towards Hal. My eyes widen at the trigger finger.

I quickly jump into action, sprinting back to my partner. I lunge at him when I hear the gun go off. I feel two bullets hit my back, causing me to go in shock. With my arms wrapped around him, we both go to the ground. Hal falls on his butt with me trying to catch my breath on him. "Riley!" I hear him yell with his hand shaking me.

Samuel speaks up, "Nathan... Nate... please don't. No more."

"Sam, this is the end of the line. I'm finishing what I started," answers Jack. I finally regain myself and look up to see Hal's worried gaze. I'm glad I was smart enough to put the bullet proof vest though the bullets are going to leave a nasty bruise on me.

"Riley..."

"I'm fine. I'm fine," I scramble up. Another shot rings and we both hear a thud. I glance over my shoulder to discover Samuel no longer standing and Jack on his knees, holding the bleeding man. He yells, "You aren't suppose to die like this! Sam!- Shit!" He sets down Samuel and begins to hurry over to the window. The Hangman breaks through the window with ease. I can hear his footsteps on metal; he's on the fire escape, again.

I'm about to chase after but Hal holds onto my arm first. I glare at him to let me go. My partner frowns, "Be careful," and unhands me.

"Get help for Samuel," I tell him before grabbing my gun from where I tossed it and exit the room from the broken window. I see Jack already reaching the second floor.

I yell, "Freeze!" while I race after him. The fire escape clang at both of our hustled descending. Jack doesn't use the latter and jumps into a dive roll onto the pavement. He gets up smoothly and continues to sprint in the direction I chased him last time. I follow him, doing a dive roll, as well, off the fire escape.

I sprint after him, breathing ruggedly. I can hear my heart beating loudly in my ears. The gun in my hand is gripped tightly, but not aimed at the rookie ahead of me.

The streets are still busy at this hour; it isn't late night. Jack looks like he's going to run straight into the traffic. I slowly gain on his tail and before the man can even step out into the rush of cars, I grab hold of his collar. With a rough tug, I pull him away from the curb. Jack twists but my hold on him is rock-solid. I sweep a leg under him and knock him off balance. I mount him as he turns over while groaning in pain.

"You are under arrest Nathan Jackson," I frown. I restrain his arms behind his back and cuff him. I pull the guy up onto his feet and walk him back to Mabel's bar while telling him his rights.

The police lights are already flashing at the other end of the alleyway. We reach the front entrance of the Uptown Bar. I spot Hal in the midst of officers and a few EMTs. He glances up towards my direction and gives me a small smile. I return the smile with my own then turn my gaze to Jenkins and Dick briskly walking towards me.

Before the reach us, I face Jack who's been silent and expressionless since I've caught him. I wonder if it would have been possible for him to accept the past and move on; maybe if he did, he would have been a great investigator in our team.

Dick takes Jack and escorts him to their car. Jenkins and I watch the scene then the older detective address to me, "When I said you guys had two days to get me something, I wasn't expecting the actual killer." I snort, rolling my eyes. His hand slaps my back and I grind my teeth to prevent myself from yelping. "Oops, sorry about that, Riley. I forgot your partner told me you got shot there." We both make our way to Hal as Jenkins continues," Well, good work today. The two of you should get some rest. You've earned it."

He then addresses to Hal, "I'm glad the department has someone reliable looking after our most hard headed detective." Jenkins holds out a hand and Hal shakes it with an amused grin. The older guy briefly waves as a silent bye then joins Dick.

I turn to my partner, "You good?" I hope my tackle to save him didn't worsen his injuries. Hal nods, "Yup, let's go home." I couldn't agree more. I hold out my hand, helping him up. His hand lingers in mine for a few more seconds. I don't mind; I tug him to the direction our car is parked.

The case is finally off my shoulders. The chase for the Hangman can close and I can focus on what's been making me feel ... happy.

......[(( _ _ ))..zzzZZ(( _ _ ))..zzzZZ]......
A/N: No it ain't over yet! I got three more parts to go: one I've been dying to write, one that really makes this story have the mature rating, and a closer.
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