Harry''s voice sent a jolt through Hank, but he kept his cool-he was trained for this.


    With a bashful look, Hank nced up and yed his part: "Are you Mr. Deng?" He pitched his voice soft, almost lilting, just enough to pass for a woman.


    "That''s me," Harry answered, sliding into the seat with a broad grin. "Crystal, you''re even more beautiful than your photos."


    Hank ducked his head, feigning shyness. "Oh, Mr. Deng, you''re too kind."


    "I never joke about these things." With a flourish, Harry pulled out a pricey designer handbag, easily worth a small fortune, and set it before Hank. "Crystal, a little something for you-love at first sight."


    Hank''s eyes widened. "Wow, it''s gorgeous, Mr. Deng. You''re so generous!" He didn''t know the first thing about luxury goods, but he made a show of adoring it, thanking Harry over and over. Harry didn''t suspect a thing.


    From across the restaurant, Monica and Anastasia had been watching since Harry walked in. Monica knew Hank and Jason were on an actual case tonight.


    Jason, listening through his earpiece, kept tabs on everything. Hearing Hank handle it so smoothly, he finally let himself breathe.


    Now, they just needed Harry to make his move-then it would be an open-and- shut case.


    After dinner, Harry suggested a stroll down by the river.


    It was a ssic move; thest victims had all been lured to ces like this— isted, dark, no cameras, no people. Too easy.


    Hank knew what wasing, but he smiled. "Great idea! I ate too much anyway a walk will help."


    Harry wasn''t the type to romance or woo. It didn''t matter how beautiful his date was-his mind was only on the kill.


    He''d picked his victims from dating apps, always women who were used to meeting strangers, who wanted to get something out of it. They thought they were ying the game, but Harry was always the one in control.


    The expensive gifts helped. Every time, he''d bring a designer bag, hand it over. Once it was over, he''d just take the bag back. No loss on his end.


    The bag he gave Hank tonight? The same one he''d used on thest victim. Hank followed Harry out to his car, with Anastasia and Monica close behind. Monica spotted Jason''s car parked up the street and hurried over. "Jason!" Jason rolled down the window. "You two head home. I''ve got to stick with Hank." No time for long goodbyes-he couldn''t lose them.


    Monica bit her lip. "Be careful, okay?"


    Jason nodded. "Don''t worry, I''ll be fine." Then to Anastasia: "Can you get Monica home?"


    Anastasia nodded. "Yeah. You watch your back."


    With that, Jason started his car and tailed after Harry''s.


    Meanwhile, Hank made small talk with Harry, slipping in details about their location so Jason wouldn''t lose them.


    Soon, Harry pulled over by the river. It was dark, deserted-one of those ces where, if you yelled, nobody would hear you.


    Harry turned off the engine and smiled. "Crystal, let''s walk by the water. The breeze at night is amazing. Ie out here all the time."


    "Okay." Hank got out, ncing around, doing his best "nervous city girl." "Mr. Deng, it''s so dark out here. I''m kinda scared."


    Harry grabbed Hank''s hand. "Don''t worry, I''ll protect you."


    But then, Harry paused. Hank''s hand felt too big, too rough-nothing like a woman''s.


    "Crystal, your hands are... kinda rough. Almost like a man''s."


    Hank''s heart skipped a beat, but he


    stayed cook and pulled his hand back. "Oh, you! I grew up poor, always helping out on the farm-cutting grass for the pigs, all sorts of chores. Even in the city, life''s tough. My hands aren''t as soft as other girls''."


    It sounded believable enough.


    Harry let it go. He was only focused on getting Hank alone.


    "You''ve had it rough. But now you''ve got me I''ll take care of you." He coaxed. “Let''s go a bit further. There''s a nicer view down there."


    Hank looked at his feet, ying the bashful card. "Whatever you say, Mr. Deng. You''re so sweet."


    They kept walking deeper into the


    shadows, each with their own secret. Harry waited for the right


    moment to strike; Hank worried


    what would happen if Jason didn''t


    show up in time.


    "Crystal, wait here a second-I left something in the car," Harry said suddenly.


    He''d forgotten his gloves-couldn''t risk leaving prints.


    "Okay, Mr. Deng, go ahead."


    Harry walked off, grinning. As soon as he was gone, Hank radioed Jason with an update. Suddenly, nature called bad timing. He wandered to the riverbank, unzipped, and peed standing up, chatting quietly with Jason through his earpiece.


    He didn''t notice Harrying back, gloves in hand. Harry stopped dead, eyes


    wide.


    Was he seeing things? Did "Crystal" just-stand and pee?


    No way. That couldn''t be right... could it?