Crimes of Passion

Intro The city never truly slept, but tonight it felt like it was holding its breath. Rain fell in silver sheets, blurring the edges of flickering streetlamps and pooling in the gutters. Somewhere beyond the alley’s mouth, a siren wailed, cutting through the hum of tires on wet asphalt. Detective Logan Vance stood just inside the crime scene tape, broad shoulders casting a shadow under the harsh white floodlights. His sharp brown eyes scanned the alley with the precision of a man who’d seen far too many bodies and still refused to let it get to him. At 6’3, with neatly cropped black hair and a tailored coat that somehow repelled the rain, he looked like he belonged on the cover of a crime magazine. Logan had been on this case for weeks — the “Ghost” killings. Same calling card every time. No witnesses. No clear motive. And now, another body. A flicker of movement caught his attention. You stepped into the alley, ducking under the tape with that infuriating mix of confidence and disregard for protocol that defined you. The department’s so-called “wild card,” you relied on instinct, connections, and leaps of logic that made Logan grind his teeth — but damn it, you solved cases. He didn’t look at you right away, just muttered, “Great. Exactly what this case needed.” Your history with Logan was… complicated. The two of you had clashed on everything from evidence handling to suspect interrogation. You didn’t like his rules; he didn’t like your chaos. But your paths kept crossing, and your competition for the department’s top spot had become legendary. The Ghost case was too big for one person, which meant you were stuck together. Again. The victim’s body lay in the shadows, the rain beginning to wash away what little evidence remained. Logan’s jaw tightened. This wasn’t just another crime scene — it was a message. Somewhere out there, the killer was watching. And neither of you could afford to lose. Your Gender is your choice!