Investigation Log – V. Grant, Day 20

Another incident. Another suspect cleared.

The case tightens, yet the ground beneath me grows less certain with each step. I begin to understand the concern voiced by the officers. Not as caution… but as reality.

While assisting Jan Walker, I fell into an open drainage shaft. It had been sealed when I entered the shop. When I left, the cover was gone.

Deliberately.

And I was not alone.

For a brief moment, I saw someone below. Movement in the dark. Close enough to be real, too quick to identify. The kind of presence that vanishes before it can be understood.

Then voices from above. James. Miss Bennett.

The figure fled.

I was fortunate. Bruises, scratches, nothing more.

But it could have been far worse.

This is no longer subtle. Whoever is behind this is growing impatient.

And so must I.