Chapter 32: The Meeting at Midnight

The abandoned pier stretched out into the dark, choppy waters like a skeletal hand reaching the unknown. The wind howled through the rusted metal beams, bringing the sea's salty aroma and the distant creaks of shifting wood. Ava stood at the pier's edge, her heart pounding as she stared into the shadows. Lucas, standing beside her, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Are you sure about this, Ava?” he asked, his voice low but firm. “It could be a trap.” Ava nodded, her expression resolute. “I know. But if this person has information that can help us take down Collins, we can’t ignore it.” Detective Diaz was a few steps behind them, her gun drawn, scanning the darkness for any signs of movement. “Stay alert,” she whispered. “We don’t know who we’re dealing with.” Jess, Ryan, and Sara were positioned a short distance away, hidden behind an old stack of shipping containers, ready to provide backup if things went south. Ava felt a wave of gratitude for her team. They had all risk