"A Broken Promise" Mystery book 2

NYCPD
Precinct 33 roles


Precinct Commissioner: Ellen Ricks - 45 years old, female, worked at Precinct 33 for 20 years
Technical crime scene investigation officer: Jesse Brookes - 35 years old, male, worked at Precinct 33 for 15 years
Medical examiner: Karen Elles - 56 years old, female, widowed, worked at Precinct 33 for 30 years
Crime scene investigators:
Denissa Williams
Jason Garcias

Character card -

Name: Denissa Evelyn Williams
Occupation: Detective/Crime Scene investigator
Partner/Fiancé: Jason Garcia
Hair color: Blonde to dirty blonde
Eye color: Hazel
Father: Tristan Williams [Deceased: Cause of death; Took a bullet to protect Denissa]
Mother: Emily Williams [Deceased: Cause of death; Died during childbirth]
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After years of working in Precinct 33, some ups and downs, Denissa finally manages to get her life back in order. At least until a certain someone from her past decides to spring into action again. The same someone who was the reason Denissa took so long to get back out into the field after the loss of her father. He took a bullet to protect her, sure, but no one ever said who shot the bullet in the first place that he took to protect her.
Linda Castellanos was the cause of a lot of problems in Brooklyn, New York, but no one in the NYCPD was actually able to arrest her because she always managed to either escape when she was or she was just so good at hiding. She was also extremely manipulative. And now, she was not only back, but there was only one person she wanted to get ahold of... And that person was Denissa.

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"Come on, Jesse, spill it," Karen Elles said, her voice a mix of playfulness and curiosity. The room was a blend of white and sterile, the only splash of color coming from the coffee mug in her hand.

Jesse Brookes, the technical crime scene investigation officer at Precinct 33, took a sip of his lukewarm coffee before responding. "What makes you think there's anything to tell?" He had a way of smiling that didn't quite reach his eyes, a trait that had served him well in his line of work.

"Oh, please," Karen rolled her eyes, "you've been acting like you swallowed a whole pack of secrets today. What's going on?"

The air had the scent of bleach and the faint metallic tinge of blood that never quite disappeared, no matter how much they cleaned. It was a typical day at the precinct, but something was definitely off with Jesse. He glanced around, ensuring no one was within earshot, and leaned in closer to the medical examiner. "We've got a new case, Karen," he began, his tone dropping a notch. "And it's... complicated."

Denissa Williams, a blonde detective with hazel eyes that had seen more than their fair share of darkness, walked into the room. She'd lost count of the number of times she'd stepped over that very threshold, but today felt different. Her stomach churned with a mix of dread and anticipation as she approached the pair, her boots echoing against the cold, hard floor.

"What's the buzz about?" she asked, trying to keep her voice casual despite the tension coiling in her gut.

Karen looked up, setting her mug down with a clink. "Jesse here's got some juicy gossip about our latest guest," she said, nodding towards the morgue's entrance.

Denissa's heart skipped a beat. "Is it... her?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jesse nodded solemnly. "Yeah," he said, "It's Linda Castellanos."

The name hung in the air like a dark cloud, bringing with it a storm of memories. The last time they'd seen Linda was the night Tristan, her father and a fellow officer, had taken a bullet for her. It was a debt she could never repay, and a memory she'd never forget.

Ellen Ricks, the precinct commissioner, walked in, her footsteps heavy with authority. She was a woman who had earned her stripes over the past twenty years, and the weight of the precinct rested on her shoulders. She took one look at the trio and knew something was up. "What's going on here?" she demanded, her eyes flitting between them.

Jesse took a deep breath. "We've got a situation," he began. "Linda Castellanos is back, and she's looking for Denissa."

Ellen's expression tightened. "What makes you think she's looking for her?"

Denissa spoke up, her voice firm. "Because she always does."

The room fell silent for a moment, the air charged with the unspoken understanding of the chaos Linda could bring. "Alright," the commissioner said, breaking the tension, "let's get to work. We don't know why she's back, but we need to be prepared."

As they dispersed, each heading to their respective roles, the question lingered: what had brought Linda Castellanos out of the shadows, and what did she want with Denissa Williams?

Denissa's thoughts raced as she stepped into the bustling precinct. The sounds of phones ringing and officers shouting updates seemed to amplify in her ears. She made her way to the evidence locker, her mind reeling with memories of Linda's cunning tactics. The woman had eluded them for so long, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake, and now she was back. The very thought of facing her again made her palms sweat.

Jason Garcias, her fiancé and partner, caught her eye as she walked by his desk. His eyes searched hers for answers she didn't have. He knew the history, the pain it brought back every time Linda's name was mentioned. He gave her a nod of understanding, and she felt a small weight lift from her shoulders. At least she wasn't in this alone.

They had a brief meeting with the team, going over the intel they had on Linda. It wasn't much—just a few old case files and a mugshot that didn't quite capture the malice in her eyes. But they knew her MO: she was a master of disguise, leaving no fingerprints, no DNA, and a trail of bodies that seemed to have no connection to each other—until they did.

The only problem was that wasn't the only thing Denissa knew Linda for. The first time they encountered, she was part of an investigation for multiple kidnapping cases back in 1976, back when Denissa was still in her second year at the police academy. She was never truly caught with proof, she only kept herself safe by abandoning the accomplices that helped her. So who knows what she was capable of now.

Denissa and Jason sat in a quiet corner of the precinct, going through the dusty case files that hadn't been touched in years. The florescent lights flickered overhead, casting an eerie glow on the black and white photos of Linda's past victims. Each one a grim reminder of why they had to find her before she struck again.

After Denissa was clocking out of her shift, she stuck her gun into her holster and left the building. On her way back home to her apartment, she passed the warehouse where this whole thing started, and it sent a nauseating feeling to her stomach. But she kept moving, despite the bumpy path she hit mentally. As the city continued getting darker, Denissa couldn't help but feel like she was being followed. But by who? Linda Castellanos had always been good at staying hidden in plain sight.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden rustling in the alleyway she was passing. Instinctively, she reached for her gun and ducked into the shadows, her heart hammering in her chest. The sound grew closer, and she braced herself, her eyes scanning the narrow space for any sign of movement.

Suddenly, someone came up behind her and shoved a chloroform-soaked rag up to her mouth and nose, almost immediately knocking Denissa unconscious. "You seem to forget how easy it is for me to find you, Detective Denissa Williams." Linda snickered, dragging Denissa into an alleyway where she parked her truck. She placed her into her backseat and closed the door, got into the driver's side, and drove off.

-The next morning at the precinct-

The precinct buzzed with urgency as dawn broke over the city. News of Denissa's disappearance spread like wildfire, and the once routine morning shift was now a frenzied hive of activity. Commissioner Ricks' voice echoed through the corridors, barking orders with a sharpness that sliced through the tension. Jason stood at the center of it all, his eyes bloodshot from a sleepless night, a portrait of determination etched into his face.

Jesse and Karen worked tirelessly in the lab, sifting through every piece of evidence they could find. They knew Linda Castellanos was back, and they had to find a clue, something that could lead them to her. Every minute that ticked by was another minute Denissa was in the hands of the woman who had haunted her for so long.

Amidst the chaos, Jason's phone rang. He snatched it up, his hand shaking. It was a burner phone, the number unfamiliar. His heart skipped a beat as he answered, "Hello?"

On the other end, a chillingly calm voice spoke. "Hello, Jason," Linda purred. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Jason's grip tightened around the phone. "Where's Denissa?"

"Ah, straight to the point," she chuckled darkly. "Very well. I'm sure she'd like to hear from her dear fiancé."

The line went silent for a moment before the faint sound of rustling and muffled protests reached his ear. Then, a faint voice, "Jason..?" It was Denissa, her voice barely a whisper.

"Denissa!" he yelled, "Are you okay?"

"For now," Linda said, cutting her off, "but she won't be if you don't play by my rules."

Jason felt a cold knot form in his stomach as he realized the gravity of the situation. Linda had Denissa, and she wasn't going to let her go without a fight. He had to stay calm, to think clearly. "What do you want?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"A little reunion, of sorts," Linda replied. "Meet me at the old warehouse on 54th and 11th at midnight. Alone. If I see any of your friends with their badges and guns, she dies."

The call ended, leaving Jason with nothing but the echo of Linda's laughter and the heavy silence of the precinct around him. He had twelve hours to find a way to save the woman he loved without endangering anyone else.

The clock on the wall ticked away the seconds, each one feeling like an eternity. He couldn't go to the commissioner; he knew Linda's history with the precinct. If she felt cornered, she'd have no qualms about killing Denissa. He had to come up with a plan, fast.

Jesse approached him, his expression grim. "I've been looking through the old case files," he said, his eyes scanning Jason's face. "I think I found a pattern."

Jason nodded, his mind racing. "What is it?"

"Linda always leaves a personal touch at her crime scenes," Jesse explained. "Something only we'd know to look for."

The two of them sat down, surrounded by the cold steel and gleaming white of the lab. They had to find that pattern, that one detail that could give them a lead on where Linda might be holding Denissa. As they pored over the cases, the tension grew tighter with every passing hour.

Denissa awoke in a cold, dark room, her head spinning from the chloroform. She was tied to a chair, her wrists and ankles bound with thick ropes that bit into her skin. She could feel Linda's presence somewhere nearby, the same presence that had haunted her dreams for years.

Panic threatened to consume her, but she forced it down. She had been in worse situations before, and she had always found a way out. She took stock of her surroundings, her eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness. There had to be something she could use, some way to signal for help or escape.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she heard footsteps approaching. The door creaked open, and a sliver of light pierced the gloom. Linda Castellanos stepped into the room, her silhouette framed by the light from the hallway. Denissa's stomach twisted as she saw the gleam of a knife in her hand.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty," Linda cooed, flicking on the overhead light. The room was bare except for the chair Denissa was bound to and a table laden with various tools of torment. "I've missed our little chats."

Denissa squinted against the sudden brightness, her mind racing. "What do you want from me?" she spat out, her voice raw from the chloroform. "Oh, I think you know," Linda replied with a wicked smile. "It's always been about you, hasn't it? Your father took something from me, and now it's time for you to pay the price." The anger boiled within her, but Denissa knew she had to stay calm. "You're insane," she said, her voice steady. "Whatever vendetta you have with my family, it ends here. You're the one who took my father from me, I'm the one who should've been after you." Linda's smile grew wider, her eyes glinting with madness. "Your father was just a means to an end, a pawn in a much larger game. But you, my dear, you're the prize." She took a step closer, the knife playing in her hand. "I've always enjoyed watching the strong ones break." "Oh you're real mature, aren't you? Taking your anger out on not only my father but also on me. He took a bullet for me, goddamn it! And you're the one who shot it in the first place..!" Denissa snarled.

Meanwhile, back at the precinct, the clock was ticking down to midnight. Jason and Jesse had found the pattern—Linda had been leaving a single red rose at her crime scenes, a twisted tribute to her victims. They had a theory on where she could be holding Denissa, an abandoned warehouse on the waterfront that matched the location of the first crime scene where Linda had been involved. "It's risky," Jason said, his eyes never leaving the clock. "But we have no other choice."

They gathered a team of officers, all of whom had been briefed on the situation and knew not to interfere with Linda's demands. They set up surveillance around the perimeter of the warehouse, their eyes peeled for any sign of trouble. The tension was palpable as the minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an hour.

As midnight approached, Jason slipped away from the safety of the team, his heart in his throat. He had to find Denissa before it was too late. He knew Linda was dangerous, unpredictable. He had to be careful, had to play her game.

In the warehouse, Linda circled Denissa, the knife glinting in the harsh light. "You know, I always wondered what you'd look like, all tied up and helpless," she mused. "It's quite satisfying, really." Denissa glared at her, refusing to give her the satisfaction of showing fear. "You won't get away with this," she said, her voice strong.

Linda just laughed. "Oh, I think I will," she said, leaning in close. "You see, Jason's on his way here right now. And when he arrives, I'll finally have you both exactly where I want you."

The sound of the warehouse door creaking open made them both freeze. Linda's smile grew even more malicious as she called out, "Jason, darling, come in."

Jason stepped into the room, his gun drawn, his eyes searching for any sign of a trap. He saw Denissa and his heart lurched, but he didn't let it show on his face. "Let her go, Linda," he said, his voice even. "This is between us."

Linda spun around, the knife still in her hand, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oh, how predictable," she sneered. "You're just like your father, aren't you?" "So I'm told, what's it to you? Maybe I am just like my father, but in reality, I look like my mom, who I never even got to meet before she died giving birth to me, but whatever. Take your own road, I guess." Denissa rolled her eyes. "Tsk.. I should've killed you back when I still had the chance. Then maybe I wouldn't have had to do this in the first place." Linda suddenly got all snippy, exchanging her knife for a gun, which she then pointed directly at Denissa's head. "But let's not talk about the past," Linda said, her voice as cold as the steel of the gun. "Let's talk about the future. More specifically, your lack of one."

Jason took a cautious step forward. "Linda, you don't have to do this," he said, trying to keep the tremble out of his voice. "Whatever happened between you and Tristan, it's over. Let it go."

Linda's smile grew even wider. "Oh, but it's not over, Jason," she said sweetly. "It's just beginning. You see, your dear Denissa here is going to be the key to my ultimate victory. Once she's gone, the NYCPD will fall apart looking for her. They'll be so distracted, they won't even notice me taking over their precious city."

Denissa's eyes widened in horror as the realization hit her. This wasn't just about her father or about her; it was about power, about chaos. Linda had always been a master of manipulation, and now she had Jason right where she wanted him. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of anger and fear. "What could I possibly have that you want?"

"Ah, but that's the beauty of it," Linda said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You don't have to have anything for me to want to take it from you." She took a step closer, the gun still pointed at Denissa's head. "You're going to watch as I destroy everything you hold dear, starting with your life."

Jason saw the determination in Linda's eyes and knew he had to act fast. He had to find a way to disarm her without endangering Denissa. He took a deep breath and slowly began to lower his gun. "Okay," he said, "I'll come with you. Just let her go."

But Linda was too smart for that. She knew the drill. "Nice try," she said, shaking her head. "But I'm not that stupid."

The standoff continued, the tension in the room thick enough to cut with the very knife Linda had used to taunt Denissa earlier. Every second felt like a lifetime, the air heavy with the scent of fear and anticipation. "I've already been shot twice in my life, what could one more possibly do to me besides increase the PTSD I had from it.." Denissa sighed, rolling her eyes. Linda's grip on the gun tightened, the barrel never wavering from its deadly aim.

But then, something unexpected happened. The sound of sirens in the distance grew louder, piercing through the quiet night like a shriek. Linda's eyes darted to the windows, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. "You brought them?" she spat, her voice a mix of disbelief and rage.

Jason took advantage of her distraction. He lunged at Linda, his years of training and instincts kicking in. The two of them tumbled to the floor, the gun skittering away across the concrete. Denissa struggled against her bindings, desperation giving her a burst of strength. But Linda spotted this and barreled into her, putting her in a chokehold, pressing her gun up to her temple. "Back where we started, huh, sweetheart?" She sneered, pulling Denissa up with her. "A step closer, Jason, and she gets it." Linda snarled, tightening her grip on Denissa even tighter.

Jason froze, his eyes never leaving Denissa's face. The sirens grew louder, and he knew the cavalry was close. But it was still just the two of them in this grim dance of life and death. "Let her go, Linda," he said, his voice steady despite the fear that gripped him. "This doesn't have to end like this."

Denissa's eyes flicked to the side, and she caught a glimpse of the knife Linda had been playing with earlier. It lay on the floor, just out of reach. But if she could just get free for a moment, she knew she could grab it. She worked her fingers against the rope, feeling it give just a fraction.

All of a sudden, Jesse ran in, pointing his weapon at Linda, being careful he wasn't aiming for the wrong person. "Freeze..! NYCPD! Drop your weapon, Ma'am." He said, his voice steady. Linda's eyes grew wide with panic, and for a split second, her grip loosened, but when she noticed Denissa pushing off of her, Linda tightened her grip again, pressing the gun back up to the side of her head. "Don't come any closer, Don't think I won't shoot her, because I will...!" Linda shouted, backing up, pulling Denissa with her, tightening her grip around her neck and pressing the gun harder into her temple. Denissa tried pushing off of her, but Linda tightened her grip again, making it harder for Denissa to breath. She backed up to a window, pulling Denissa with her. "Jesse, If you miss this shot and shoot me by accident, so help me god, I will come back just to haunt you for it." Denissa whispered. "I'm not going to miss, Denissa, I should actually be a good shot." Jesse whispered back. It wasn't Jesse's aim Jason was worried about, it was that fact that Linda wasn't afraid to use Denissa as a human shield to block herself.

Jason took a deep breath, trying to ignore the sirens and the pounding of his own heart. "Linda," he said, his voice calm, "You don't have to do this." But she was beyond reason, her eyes wild with a rage that had been festering for years.

Denissa felt the cold steel of the gun press harder against her skin, the metal biting into her flesh. Jesse took step closer, still holding his gun up, ready to aim and fire. "You're willing to calculate the risks of what would happened if you fired, Officer? Because I assure you, I'm smarter than you think." She hissed.

Denissa immediately mustered up the strength to push away, grabbing hold of the gun. "Let go of it, you little brat." Linda kept a firm grip on her gun, pushing on the trigger, which at that moment taking fire at something, causing a ringing to be heard in anyone's ears. Whoever was in the room, that is. Denissa's vision blurred, but when she finally gained it back, she collapsed, quickly realizing that she was the one the gun fired at. "Denissa!" Jason yelled, his voice a mix of pain and fear. Linda took this opportunity to run.
The sound of the gunshot had been deafening in the enclosed space of the warehouse, and for a moment, it seemed like time had stopped. But the sirens grew louder, snapping Jason back to reality. He rushed to Denissa's side, checking her pulse, his eyes scanning her for any signs of injury. "Denissa, can you hear me?" he asked, his voice shaking. Denissa's heart was racing, but whenever she tried to get back up, she'd just fall back over. "Jason, Where the fuck did Linda go? Wasn't sure right here just like three seconds ago?" Jesse asked, looking around. "That's always been her skill; She's always been able to sneak away unnoticed." Jason sighed, trying to stay by Denissa's side.

While Denissa recovered pretty quickly, what happened had just been a blur in her mind, just like her vision blurred when the gunshot rang out. But after what happened, there wasn't any signs that Linda Castellanos, leaving the precinct officers to believe she skipped town after what happened, which really only cause Denissa more stress than she needed. The precinct had gone into lockdown, searching every nook and cranny for any sign of Linda, but she had vanished into thin air.

The following weeks were a blur of pain and anger for Denissa. She was off duty, but she couldn't sit still. She and Jason combed through the city, searching for any clue that could lead them to Linda. The nightmares of her father's death and her own near-miss haunted her every night, leaving her sleep deprived and on edge.

On her way to the precinct, Denissa looked around cautiously, just to make sure she wasn't being followed. When she turned around again, she heard just a small little bark. She looked down and saw a small, happy little German Shepard puppy. "Oh hi there, little pup. What are you doing so far out here?" Denissa leaned down and patted the puppy on the head. She scratched the puppy behind the ears, listening to him pant, watching him wag his little tail. "No collar or way of identifying a possible owner. The only way I could check is if he has a microchip." Denissa said, picking up the little German Shepard puppy.

Denissa tried to keep the puppy calm while the vet tried to check if he had a microchip. "Nothing that I can see or tell, probably a stray. Pretty common here in New York." the vet said. "Well, if he has nowhere else to go, I guess I could take him in. I've been looking for a bit more protection nowadays. And German Shepherds do get along pretty well with police officers." Denissa smiled, just as the puppy nuzzled up against her. The stripe on his tail kinda reminded her of a lightning bolt, so Denissa had the perfect name for him: Sparks. "If you really think you can handle it on top of your job, Officer, I can't stop you." the vet shrugged.

Denissa brought Sparks to the precinct, where he was met with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. But something about the puppy's presence seemed to lift the heavy atmosphere that had settled over the precinct since Linda's re-emergence. "He's going to be my partner," she declared, a hint of defiance in her voice. "I'm going to train him to be a K9."

Ellen Ricks raised an eyebrow but said nothing, watching as Denissa cradled the pup with surprising tenderness. The commissioner had seen the toll the case had taken on her, and if a dog was what it took to keep her on the right side of the line, then so be it. "Alright," she said finally, "but don't let him get in the way of your work."

Jason, however, was less thrilled with the idea. "You can't be serious, Denissa," he said, his voice tight with concern. "You're not in any condition to be taking on a puppy."

"I need this, Jason," she replied, her eyes meeting his. "I need something good to come out of this mess. And if that means I have to chase down leads with a furry sidekick, then so be it."

The weeks turned into months, and Sparks grew into a sleek, intelligent dog. Under Denissa's watchful eye, he became a skilled tracker, his instincts sharp and unwavering. Despite her initial protests, even Linda Castellanos had become something of a legend within the precinct walls—a specter that loomed over every case, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked just out of sight.

But the day-to-day grind of police work had a way of pushing the shadows to the back of one's mind. Denissa threw herself into her job with renewed vigor, her partnership with Sparks bringing a sense of purpose she hadn't felt in a long time. They became a formidable team, solving cases and bringing in suspects that had eluded others.

One evening, as they were leaving the precinct, Jason approached her, his eyes serious. "Linda's back," he said, his voice low. "We got a tip-off."

Denissa's heart skipped a beat. She had hoped that Linda had disappeared for good, but deep down, she had always known that was too much to ask for. "What's the plan?" she asked, her voice steady despite the fear that had taken root in her chest.

"We're going to set a trap," Jason said, his hand resting on Sparks' head. "And this time, she won't get away."

The night of the stakeout was tense, the air thick with the anticipation of a storm. The warehouse where they had last seen Linda was abandoned, but the intel was solid. Sparks' nose was to the ground, sniffing out any trace of her scent. Denissa's hand was on her gun, her eyes scanning the shadows.

As midnight approached, they heard the distant sound of a boat's engine. "This is it," she murmured to Jason, her pulse racing.

The boat pulled up to the dock, and a figure disembarked. The moonlight glinted off Linda's blonde hair, and for a moment, Denissa felt as though she was staring at a ghost. But then, she saw the malicious glint in Linda's eyes, and the anger flared back to life.

As Linda stepped into the warehouse, Sparks gave a low growl. Denissa nodded to Jason, and they moved in, their steps silent on the dusty floor. But as they reached the center of the room, they realized they weren't the only ones waiting.

A flash of metal caught Denissa's eye, and she threw herself to the side just as a bullet whizzed past her. Linda was already on the move, dodging behind crates and barrels. Sparks barked furiously, his eyes locked on their target. "It's time to end this," Denissa said, her voice cold as ice.

The chase was on, a deadly dance through the warehouse. Bullets flew, echoing off the metal walls. Sparks leapfrogged over obstacles, his eyes never leaving Linda's retreating form. And then, in a moment of pure instinct, he took off, his paws thundering on the ground as he closed the gap between them.

Linda turned, her gun raised, but Sparks was too fast. He tackled her to the ground, his teeth bared. Denissa and Jason rushed over, guns trained on Linda as she struggled against the dog's powerful jaws. "Get him off!" she screamed, her eyes wild with fear and desperation.

Denissa stepped closer, her hand on Sparks' collar. "Good boy," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Let her go." The dog released his grip, and Linda coughed, gasping for breath.

Jason quickly secured her hands with handcuffs. "You're not going anywhere," he said, his voice a mix of triumph and relief.

The sound of sirens grew closer as backup arrived. The other officers swarmed the warehouse, their flashlights bouncing off the walls. "Denissa, are you okay?" one of them called out, and she nodded, her eyes never leaving Linda.

The woman looked up at her, a sneer twisting her lips. "This isn't over," she spat.

Denissa crouched down, her hazel eyes meeting Linda's cold blue ones. "It is for me," she said, her voice firm. "You're going to pay for everything you've done."

As Linda was led away, Denissa felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She turned to Jason, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thank you," she said, her voice quiet.

He pulled her into a tight embrace. "Always," he murmured, his arms strong around her. "We're a team."

The case of Linda Castellanos was closed, but the ripples of her actions continued to spread through Precinct 33. The bond between Denissa and Jason grew stronger, and Sparks became a symbol of hope and resilience within the precinct. His presence reminded them that even in the darkest of moments, there was light waiting to be found.

But Denissa knew that there would always be new shadows to face, new monsters lurking in the city she had sworn to protect. And she was ready. With Sparks by her side and the love of her colleagues, she stepped back into the fray, her eyes sharp and her resolve unshaken. The night was long, but she had faced the worst it had to offer—and survived.