The man was slightly taller than me. His hair was dark and hung in his eyes, not that he seemed to notice. His eyes were brown, as far as I could tell. He had blood on his face. It was not much, just a few drops. The man wore a white dress shirt with long sleeves, and the top two buttons were torn off. This was more heavily splattered in blood. Finally, there was a pair of faded jeans. They had fewer red specks. There were no shoes. No socks. No glasses, no hat. No more.

He had caught me from behind. He took my firearm and threw it to the side. He clasped my right wrist and bent the arm against my back into an ‘L’ shape, then twisted me around to face him, also pushing me back against the nearest wall.

His name was Jesse Radcliff. He was a serial killer, and it seemed like I was going to be his next victim. He was smiling. I could never forget that. He smirked, revealing a flash of white teeth. The man sized me up, as if trying to decide whether or not I could do anything if he released me. But he didn’t.

“Freeze! Put your hands in the air!” A voice rang from a distance.

Radcliff looked at me as if I had betrayed him. “You brought friends? Clever.”

The new voice returned. “Let the woman go and put your hands on your head.” The orders were followed. The criminal met my eyes and clicked his tongue before the next command came. “Turn around slowly. Now, walk toward me. Keep your hands up.” Still nothing but following instructions. I would have expected more of him.

Once Radcliff was cuffed, informed of his rights, and in the car, the policeman approached me. He raised a penlight to see me better. “You alright, detective?” He recognized me as he got closer, and I pulled out my badge just in case.

I nodded my head briefly, my thoughts not hanging on the man’s words. Instead, I was watching the vehicle that held the killer. The lights were off. I could barely see the shaggy-haired murderer from my standing point; the outline of his head and shoulder were all I could make out. I’d gotten him. Job complete. Why didn’t I feel like it was over yet?