Waiting, A Dangerous Game
by
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PROLOGUE
She woke up, opening her eyes. The coldness made her shiver violently. Something was wrong. She could feel it but could not place it. She tried to move her limbs, but they would not respond, even though her mind commanded them to.
She realised that her eyes were tightly blindfolded with a piece of cloth, pulled so hard that the back of her head throbbed with pain. Her wrists and ankles burned with abrasions and torn skin from the ropes binding her. Now she understood why she could not move.
Slowly, her senses returned. She knew where she was. She was tied to a chair, completely helpless. Even her clothes had been taken from her, leaving her exposed. It was not the cold that made her skin shiver—it was fear.
Fear of not leaving this place alive. Fear of not being able to save another life. Another life she knew would be lost in a few hours, or even minutes. Fear of not fulfilling her promise. Fear of being completely helpless.
She heard the young woman sobbing. Only God knew what was going through the woman’s mind. She wanted to tell her that everything would be fine, but her mouth refused to open. She knew that speaking to the woman would not change their situation.
She had to talk. That was the only way to get both of them out of this place. She had to communicate with the person responsible for this. And she knew he was somewhere in the room, watching them closely. Feasting his eyes on them, imagining all the unspeakable things he intended to do.
She could hear his breathing grow deeper and heavier, like a hungry lion waiting for its prey.
She had to talk.
Communication was the only weapon she had.
But now was not the time. She needed to wait for the right moment.
Waiting, a dangerous game she had no choice but to play.
CHAPTER ONE
Detective Rossi was sitting on the couch, watching an episode of The Sopranos. Even though he had never watched episodes back-to-back, he enjoyed the show as it reminded him of the lives his father and uncles had chosen. It was a life he never wanted to be associated with. He wanted something different, and even at a young age, he knew he would join the Force when he grew older.
True to his word, he joined the Force at the age of 21. He became a regular patrolman after graduating from training. He performed his duties with distinction and was posted to the Narcotics Branch within three years of service. This was where he grew both as an officer and as a man. The things he saw there hardened him, shaping him into a ruthless officer with a knack for solving all kinds of cases.
Everyone in the Force either hated him or loved him—there was no in-between. The women in the Force were drawn to him, but he was never interested. He believed that being in a relationship would weaken him and diminish the fire he had to succeed.
All that changed one day when he was set up by some of his team members during a stakeout. He was badly wounded and had to be rushed to the hospital.
During his stay, he got to know Diane. She was a nurse—a simple person who believed in serving those in need. She took great pride in her work and always made time to chat with the patients under her care.
She would attend to Rossi every afternoon after lunch, always dressed in her knee-length white uniform with matching closed shoes, which complemented her radiant brown skin. Her black hair was tied neatly into a bun, making Rossi wonder how it would look if she let it down. She would administer his medication and tend to his wounds.
Slowly, they grew closer and began developing feelings for each other. Rossi knew Diane was different from the other women he had known, and he often thought she had the most beautiful smile.
On the last day of his stay at the hospital, he waited for her to arrive as usual. He wanted to confess his feelings to her, and he was certain she would not reject him. He waited and waited—but she never came.
Rossi returned to the Force only to learn that he was no longer with the Narcotics Branch. He had been reassigned to the Patrol Unit. The truth was hard for him to accept. He felt as though he had been pushed back to where he had started. It was meant to humiliate him, and he felt deeply disappointed with the Force for treating him this way.
But deep down, he knew the Force itself was not to blame—only those who had acted against him. He accepted his new post and carried on with his duties as he always had.
Years later, he was transferred to the Crime Investigation Unit. His talent for solving cases restored his reputation, and he was eventually promoted to Detective. He was awarded the Gold Badge for his service in the Force.
Now, sitting on the couch, Detective Rossi stared at the Gold Badge in his hand, wondering if everything he had been through was worth it. He leaned forward and opened the drawer of his coffee table, where he kept old newspaper articles.
He took one out and looked at the headline: NURSE FOUND DEAD IN ALLEY. A nurse, suspected of being raped, was found dead in an alley… She was identified by an identification card bearing the name Diane Moss… No suspects were found…
Detective Rossi’s mobile phone began to ring. He glanced at his watch—3:00 a.m. He let it ring a few more times before answering.
“Rossi…”
“Detective…” said the voice on the other end.
“Proceed.”
“Detective… This is Sergeant Morris from Patrol. I’m afraid we might have something for you.
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About the Book
In Waiting, A Dangerous Game, the city is held in the grip of a cold-blooded serial killer, and the clock is ticking for the officers of the Force. At the heart of the hunt is Rossi, a veteran detective whose legendary career has been defined by his relentless pursuit of justice. As the body count rises and the killer’s methods grow more calculated, Rossi finds his experience pushed to the breaking point. This isn't just another case; it’s a psychological chess match where one wrong move could be his last. Joining the front lines is Shirley, a sharp and determined newcomer to the Crime Investigations Unit. Faced with the pressure of a high-stakes investigation and the weight of proving herself in a demanding field, she must navigate a world of shadow and deception. Her path is watched closely by Morris, a dedicated patrol officer whose quiet support and long-standing affection for Shirley add a human touch to the surrounding darkness. Atmospheric and relentlessly tense, this crime thriller pulls readers into a world where every choice has a price and no one is truly safe. Will Rossi’s intuition and Shirley’s grit be enough to unmask the predator, or are they merely players in a game they’ve already lost??
About the Author
Faizal Rahim is the author of Waiting, A Dangerous Game and Gangsters’ Island. His works are recognised for their restrained, character-driven storytelling, often exploring themes of power, consequence, and the complexities of human nature. He began writing at a young age, developing numerous short stories during his school years that shaped his narrative voice and discipline. His fictions are marked by tension, emotional depth, and grounded realism, favouring quiet intensity over overt dramatics and leaving a lasting impression beyond the final page. With a focus on deliberate and unflinching narratives, he continues to build a body of work that speaks to readers drawn to thoughtful and immersive storytelling.