Case

I wondered what Mathew was so anxious about that he told me to come to this house personally and keep an eye on this girl, Susan.

A few hours ago:

"Rudy, come in here."

"Yes, Mathew. What do you need me to do?"

Looking at some files in his hand, Mathew sighs and looks at Rudy. "I want you to keep an eye on her for a few days."

Mathew takes the first paper from the file and hands it to Rudy.

"Susan?! Is this related to our current case?"

"No, it's a closed case. But a friend of mine called to check on her," Mathew says.

Rudy replies, "Then I can talk to her. Is it necessary to follow her?"

"Just do what I tell you. Report to me if you notice anything off."

Currently:

"She hasn't left her home. Should I look around her window?"

Rudy walks around Susan's house and sees the window to the hall. Through the window, he observes Susan sitting in front of her TV.

"Who is she talking to? Is there somebody else in the room?"

Hmm, is this her hall?

Rudy tries to look through the window, but the curtains block his view. He attempts to open the window but stumbles on the wet ground and falls.

Immediately getting up, he notices Susan looking at a mirror on her side. Suddenly, her head falls forward as if she is fainting or losing consciousness. Rudy's heart races as he scrambles to his feet and tries to peer through the window again.

But to his surprise, Susan picks her head up and starts walking toward the door. "Did she hear me? Shit, I better not come into her view."

Rudy quickly walks out of her garden and finds a spot to hide behind a pole and some cars parked there. From his vantage point, he sees Susan stepping out of her house and scanning the garden, her movements deliberate and cautious.

Susan continues to look around, her gaze sweeping over the yard. Rudy holds his breath as she walks further into the garden, seemingly searching for something or someone. She stops near the garden gate, takes a step out of the yard, and sees a shadow near the cars. She starts walking toward the cars.

Rudy carefully peeks out from behind the cars, trying to stay hidden. His heart races as he realizes Susan is walking directly toward him. The shadow near the cars is moving, and Rudy is suddenly aware that he's in a bad situation.

"What should I do? Think, Rudy," he thinks to himself.

In a flash, Rudy considers his options. He can't let Susan see him, but he also needs to figure out what's going on. As Susan approaches, Rudy decides to stay low and move silently. He crouches behind a car, trying to blend into the surroundings.

Susan approaches the area where Rudy is hiding, her eyes scanning the space. Rudy can see her expression more clearly now. She might be scared or concerned, but Susan's smile feels unsettling. It's as if the smile doesn't quite match her earlier expressions, considering the seriousness of the situation.

Rudy senses something isn't right. She's close. I need to stay out of sight and figure out her next move.

Rudy notices that Susan is getting closer to his hiding spot. He carefully shifts to another position, trying to stay as quiet as possible. He watches as she reaches a particular car and begins to inspect it. Rudy's heart pounds, but he remains as still as he can, hoping she won't spot him.

Just then, Rudy hears a voice from behind him: "Hey Susan, what are you doing there?"

Rudy's breath catches as he turns slightly to see Sam approaching Susan. Sam, with a hint of doubt in his voice, walks directly toward Susan, his gaze fixed on her.

Rudy watches from his hiding spot as Susan turns her head slowly to face Sam. Her expression becomes unnervingly neutral, and she remains rooted in place, staring at him with an indifferent gaze. Sam, sensing the change in her demeanor, slows his approach and calls out again.

"How are you, Susan?"

Sam's voice wavers slightly as he gulps, awaiting a response. The silence stretches between them, heavy and tense. Susan continues to stare at him, her eyes cold and unblinking. Suddenly, she breaks into a soft, eerie chuckle, the sound sending a chill through Rudy.

Sam shifts uneasily, glancing around as if trying to make sense of the situation. He looks back at Susan, his concern deepening. His gaze falls on the car where Rudy is hiding.

Rudy's heart pounds as he realizes that Sam's attention is now on his hiding spot. He needs to act quickly to avoid being discovered. He considers his options—whether to stay hidden and wait for the situation to unfold or to make a move and risk exposing himself.

Susan looks at Sam and chuckles, the sound unsettling and oddly detached. Then, without looking back or stopping, she turns and heads back toward her house, her steps deliberate and calm. Her departure leaves a thick tension in the air.

Rudy holds his breath, remaining as still as possible. He watches Sam's movements, hoping that Sam will leave without discovering him. Sam observes his surroundings and looks to see if Susan is gone inside. He takes a few steps near the car where Rudy is hidden and calls out, "Hey, come out right now!"

Rudy's anxiety escalates. He's caught between staying hidden and the need to report back to Mathew with any new developments.

Rudy raises his hands slowly and steps out from behind the cars, trying to keep his movements calm and non-threatening. He meets Sam's intense gaze, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

"I'm Rudy," he says, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm here on behalf of Mathew. He asked me to keep an eye on Susan."

Sam's eyes narrow, a mix of suspicion and relief in his expression. "Mathew? Detective Mathew?"

"Yes," Rudy confirms, glancing at the house where Susan has disappeared inside. "His friend called him this afternoon to keep an eye on her."

"Rudy, come with me. We shouldn't talk here."

Sam leads Rudy away from the cars and says, "You shouldn't have done that."

Once they're out of earshot of the house, Sam stops and turns to Rudy. "You should not have been here alone. Susan's behavior is... concerning. Mathew should have briefed you more thoroughly."

Rudy raises his eyebrows, trying to process Sam's reaction. "What do you mean? Mathew only told me to keep an eye on her. How do you know Mathew?"

Sam runs a hand through his hair, visibly frustrated. "I met him a few years back, for Susan's case."

Rudy suddenly asks Sam, "Case? It was closed, though."