Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace (Dexter) novel Chapter 325

Finn bolted upright, his eyes locked on Colin. "According to our plan, putting out that the victim is still in surgery would make someone antsy, right? But if the serial killings and this dismemberment case aren't connected, why the hell would Melody be in trouble?"

Pacing back and forth, Finn continued, "You said the killer would definitely show up. Now the serial killer has surfaced, but you're still saying they're not the same crew?"

Colin remained silent, then finally spoke up. "No... something's off. The timing of Melody's disappearance—it's deliberate."

A smoke screen. Someone was using Melody to throw us off the scent.

"Everyone's quick to lump the two dismemberment cases and the serial killings together. After all, the perps are the victims in each case, and there's a slew of similarities. But it all seems like a sick copycat act," Robin chimed in, shaking his head, sensing something amiss. "Melody's disappearance might just be a freak coincidence that's muddling up the serial killings and the dismemberment cases."

Stella shook her head as well. "There's a crucial detail in the serial killings. The dumping grounds for those orphanage killers always had something to do with water. Back in the day, Sea City had this custom called a water burial. It was believed that tossing the worst of the worst into the water purged their sins, ensuring they'd be reborn as better souls.”

“Plus, the serial killer didn't bother to hide or destroy evidence. But with the dismemberment case, they used stray dogs to mangle the bodies, to mess up the crime scene, making it impossible for the police to get a lead. And if they do get close, the perp's usually a cornered victim who ends up offing themselves, leaving the trail cold," I added my two cents.

These cases... they just didn't seem like the work of a lone wolf.

"It's like two masterminds are playing a game of cat-and-mouse in the shadows," Finn said gravely.

It was like a twisted duel.

The brains behind the dismemberment case wanted to muddy the waters, pinning all the blame on the orchestrator of the serial killings.

It was a showdown to see who'd come out on top.

"I gotta bounce, go find some leads." Finn headed to the door, paused, and looked back at Colin. "Hey, aren't you some kind of psychic or something? Figure out where Melody might be."