Malia wouldn''t stop nagging, her voice chirping endlessly as she bustled around the kitchen. At first, Alisa ignored her. After all, she''d spent years ying the part of the perfect daughter-inw in front of her inws, always eager to please.


    It had be second nature, a habit she couldn''t shake.


    But Malia''s words got meaner and meaner, her tone turning downright vicious. Finally, she jabbed a finger into Alisa''s forehead. "Look at you. No wonder you can''t keep a man. I practically handed him to you in bed and you still couldn''t hold on. Useless. Maybe you''re the reason my son is always sick. All these years pretending to be sweet-bet you just want the house."


    Alisa couldn''t hold it in any longer. Something inside her snapped. She shoved Malia away.


    Malia staggered back, grabbing the sideboard for bnce. "You''ve lost your mind, Alisa! Trying to kill me now? You darey a hand on me? Daniel! Daniel, get out here! Your wife just hit me!" she shrieked.


    Daniel shuffled out of the bedroom, still half-asleep. Before he could say a word, Alisa grabbed a stool and mmed it down at their feet. The crash rang out, leaving both her inws frozen in shock.


    Alisa red at them, shaking with anger. "Your son was lucky to marry me, not the other way around. I neverined he waszy, or sick, did I? I''ve looked after you for years, and you''ve treated me like dirt. Well, I''m done. If you can''t treat me like a human being, don''t expect me to stick around. I''m through."


    The old couple shrank back, too stunned to speak. Alisa, breathing hard, stormed off to her room.


    Her daughter, I, had woken up from themotion, but she just squeezed her eyes shut and pretended to sleep.


    Right now, Alisa felt like she had nothing left to lose. She could do anything, even kill, if it came to it. What else was there to be afraid of?


    For someone at the bottom like her, whatever she wanted, she''d have to fight for herself.


    The next morning.


    A jogger found a body on the banks of the Golden River.


    The police showed up fast. Jason was in charge-again.


    This was victim number seven.


    The scene was sealed off, the investigation routine by now.


    But Jason already knew the killer''s tricks—no usable evidence, nothing solid to go on. Just some fish scales in the victim''s hair, left there on purpose, like a calling card.


    The victim fit the usual pattern: young, into social media, living dangerously.


    Jason plucked the scales and handed them to his partner. "See what kind of fish this is."


    His partnerughed. "Jason, that''s just a regr carp. You can get these anywhere."


    Jason nodded. "Fish scales mean the killer must work with fish. Check out the fish sellers, pet shops, fishermen-everyone."


    They were on the right track, but with so few clues, it was tough going.


    After they finished up at the scene, the team headed back to the station.


    Jason didn''t go with them-he headed straight for the local market.


    Hank led the others back. As they reached the station, they bumped into Alisa.


    She was there fishing for information, worriedst night''s murder might be traced back to her. When she saw Hank, she waved. "Hey, Hank!"


    Hank signaled the others to go


    ahead and walked over. "Malia," he greeted her, using her married


    Yel


    name-a habit he''d picked up since


    she''d married Will.  fo


    Alisa leaned in. "You''re out early. I heard talk-was there another murder?"


    Hank sighed. "Yeah, number seven. Some twisted psycho out there. The guy''s slippery. Looking for Jason? He''s not in."


    Alisa shrugged, ying it cool. "No big deal. Is this killer really that hard to catch? Even Jason can''t solve it?"


    Hank shook his head. "This time Jason''s got his hands full. We''ve got nothing so far. I need to get back to work-see you around."


    "Sure," Alisa replied, watching him, leave. As soon as he was gone, she slipped away and called Harry. "Cops found the body, but they''ve got nothing. We''re safe for now..."


    Meanwhile.


    At the market.


    Fish and seafood section.


    Harry was behind his stall, selling fish, when his phone rang. Just as he answered, he spotted Jason entering the market, heading right for the fishmongers.


    No point trying to hide that would only look suspicious.


    Jason walked straight up to his stall, eyeing him closely. Harry''s face reminded


    him of someone he''d interrogated before-Ryder.


    They looked almost exactly alike.


    But Ryder was a sharp-dressed banker, and Harry was just a fish guy in an apron.


    Jason asked, "Hey, boss, are you rted to Ryder?"