HER DARK PATH

A question without Answer

Chapter 11

Questions Without Answers

The city woke to chaos.

Every news channel interrupted its regular programming.

BREAKING NEWS

Businessman Leonard Graves Found Dead Outside an Exclusive Private Club.

Reporters crowded behind police barricades as detectives moved in and out of the crime scene.

"There are no signs of a struggle."

"No witnesses have come forward."

"And once again..."

The reporter paused, lifting a photograph toward the camera.

"...the mysterious Raven Card was found beside the victim."

Within hours, social media exploded.

Some called the Silent Killer a murderer.

Others called the mysterious assassin the only person willing to punish those the law could not.

The debate grew louder with every passing minute.

At the university, the news spread just as quickly.

Students gathered in clusters outside the Faculty of Business.

"Did you hear?"

"Another one."

"This is the fifth victim."

"They're saying he was involved in illegal businesses."

"No one knows what's true anymore."

Nadia walked past the crowd without joining the conversation.

She preferred facts to rumors.

As she reached the lecture hall, Ethan waved from the entrance.

"Morning."

"Morning."

He noticed the tired look in her eyes.

"You didn't sleep well?"

"I had a lot on my mind."

"You too?"

She looked at him.

"You stayed up again, didn't you?"

He smiled sheepishly.

"I may have."

"Working?"

"Trying to understand something."

They entered the lecture hall together and sat in their usual seats.

Before the lecturer arrived, Ethan opened his laptop.

"I compared the last five victims."

Nadia looked at the screen.

"You did what?"

"I built a database using public records, old news reports, and court documents."

He clicked through several pages.

"Look."

Nadia studied the information.

At first, the victims seemed completely unrelated.

Different businesses.

Different industries.

Different backgrounds.

"So what's the connection?" she asked.

Ethan tapped a highlighted section.

"Every one of them was investigated for serious crimes."

"But none of them were ever convicted."

Nadia remained silent.

"The cases disappeared."

"Witnesses withdrew."

"Evidence went missing."

"Or someone powerful stepped in."

He closed the laptop slowly.

"I don't believe in coincidences."

"You think the Silent Killer chooses guilty people."

"I don't know."

He leaned back in his chair.

"But whoever this person is..."

"...they investigate their victims first."

For a brief second, Nadia's expression changed.

It was gone so quickly that Ethan didn't notice.

The lecturer entered, and the discussion came to an end.

After class, Ethan and Nadia headed toward the library to continue working on their project.

Halfway there, Ethan's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and sighed.

"My father."

"Aren't you going to answer?"

"I have to."

He stepped aside.

"Hello, Dad."

His father's voice was sharp even through the speaker.

"Where are you?"

"At the university."

"I need you at the office this afternoon."

"I have classes."

"Skip them."

"Dad—"

"That wasn't a request."

The call ended.

Ethan stared at the blank screen for a moment before slipping the phone back into his pocket.

"You don't look happy," Nadia said.

"I'm not."

"You can go."

"Our project can wait."

He smiled faintly.

"Thanks."

"I'll organize today's research and send you my notes."

"I owe you one."

"You've already said that too many times."

He laughed.

"I probably have."

As he walked toward the parking lot, Nadia watched him leave.

She couldn't explain why...

But for the first time, she felt sorry for him.

Money could buy almost anything.

Except peace.

From the second floor of the library, Vanessa watched the entire conversation.

"So..."

She smiled to herself.

"He's finally gone."

She picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"It's me."

A voice answered.

"Did you find what I asked for?"

Vanessa's smile widened.

"Not yet."

"But I will."

She ended the call and looked toward Nadia, who had just entered the library alone.

"This time..."

"...I'll get close enough to learn your secrets."