"A Meeting in the Rain"

The rain poured relentlessly over Ridgeview, turning the cobblestone streets into glossy mirrors. Jane Michaels tightened her trench coat and pulled the hood over her head as she hurried along the sidewalk. Her coffee cup warmed her hands, a welcome distraction from the chill that had seeped into her bones after the morning’s briefing. The weight of the Bride Killer case lingered in her mind like an unwelcome guest.

The Ridgeview Public Library loomed ahead, its red-brick façade a comforting sight. Jane had decided to spend her lunch break there, hoping a moment of peace among books might quiet the storm in her mind.

She pushed open the heavy wooden doors, stepping into the warm, quiet interior. The faint smell of old pages and polished wood greeted her, and she let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

As she walked toward the reading area, her thoughts raced. She replayed Dr. Chen’s findings, the victims’ photos, the taunting patterns of the killer. Why brides?

Lost in thought, Jane didn’t notice the man stepping into her path until it was too late. Her coffee cup collided with his chest, the lid popping off and sending a cascade of steaming liquid over his leather jacket and the stack of papers in his hands.

“Oh my God!” Jane gasped, horrified. “I’m so sorry!”

The man took a step back, shaking droplets of coffee from his jacket with surprising calm. His dark hair was damp from the rain, and his piercing green eyes met hers with a mix of surprise and amusement.

“Well,” he said, a wry smile tugging at his lips, “that’s one way to make an introduction.”

Jane’s cheeks burned. “I—I wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you okay? Is your jacket ruined? Oh no, your papers—”

He held up a hand to stop her spiral. “It’s fine, really. Nothing that can’t be fixed.” He glanced down at the soaked manuscript in his hands, chuckling softly. “Though my editor might have a heart attack if they saw this.”

Jane winced. “I’ll pay for the dry cleaning. And... I can help you reprint those, if you need.”

“Relax,” he said, his tone warm and disarming. “No harm done. It’s just ink and paper. And coffee, apparently.”

His easy demeanor surprised her. Most people would’ve snapped, or at least grumbled. But he seemed genuinely unbothered.

“I’m still sorry,” Jane said, brushing her damp hands on her coat. “Let me make it up to you. There’s a café across the street. I can buy you a coffee—or, you know, replace the one I just spilled on you.”

He hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “Alright. I’ll take you up on that.”

The café was cozy, with rain pattering against the large windows and soft jazz playing in the background. Jane and the man sat across from each other at a small table, their drinks steaming between them.

“I feel like I owe you an introduction,” he said, extending his hand. “Nathaniel Blackwell.”

Jane shook it, noting the warmth of his grip. “Jane Michaels.”

“Jane Michaels,” he repeated, his voice thoughtful. “That’s a good name. Strong. Are you a writer too?”

Jane laughed, the sound surprising her. “Not quite. I’m a detective.”

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “A detective? That’s not what I expected.”

“What did you expect?”

“Hmm.” He pretended to study her, a playful glint in his eye. “Maybe a journalist. Or a librarian, considering where we met.”

Jane smiled, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease for the first time all day. “And what about you? Let me guess—you’re a writer?”

“Guilty as charged,” he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Though I wouldn’t call myself successful just yet. I’m still waiting for my big break.”

“What do you write?”

“Mostly thrillers. Stories about people pushed to their limits, forced to confront their deepest fears. It’s... cathartic, in a way.”

Jane tilted her head. “You don’t strike me as the ‘dark and twisted’ type.”

Nathaniel chuckled. “Don’t let the nice guy act fool you. Everyone’s got their shadows.”

Something about his words sent a shiver down Jane’s spine, though she couldn’t say why.

“What about you?” Nathaniel asked, steering the conversation back to her. “What’s it like being a detective in a town like Ridgeview?”

Jane hesitated, debating how much to share. “It’s... challenging. I just transferred here from Detroit, so I’m still getting my bearings.”

“And the case you’re working on? Is it... serious?”

Jane’s smile faded slightly. “Very. But I can’t talk about it. Confidentiality and all that.”

“Of course,” Nathaniel said quickly. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

“It’s okay,” Jane said, her voice soft. “It’s just... a lot to process sometimes.”

Nathaniel nodded, his expression thoughtful. “You know, I think you’re braver than you give yourself credit for.”

Jane blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. “What makes you say that?”

“Because you’re here,” he said simply. “In a new town, facing God knows what, and you’re still standing. That takes guts.”

Jane looked down at her coffee, feeling a warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the drink.

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

By the time they left the café, the rain had slowed to a gentle drizzle. Nathaniel walked Jane to her car, holding an umbrella over both of them.

“Well,” he said as they reached her car, “I’d say this turned out to be a pretty good day, despite the coffee incident.”

Jane smiled. “I think so too. Thanks for not holding it against me.”

“Anytime,” Nathaniel said, his smile widening. “And, Detective Michaels... good luck with your case. For what it’s worth, I think you’ll do great.”

Jane climbed into her car, watching as Nathaniel walked away. Despite the grimness of her day, she felt a spark of hope—a reminder that not everything in Ridgeview was dark and sinister.

As she started the engine, her thoughts drifted back to the case. The killer was still out there, and she had a long road ahead. But for the first time in a while, she didn’t feel completely alone.