What Did She Want?

The corridor stretched long and silent as Kavin Peterson reached its end, his sharp eyes scanning every detail. A lone window was open, the faint breeze stirring the thin white curtains and letting in the muted hum of the city beyond.

He leaned forward, gripping the edge of the window, and peered down. The height was dizzying; the ground below was far, littered with parked cars and bustling staff moving in and out of the hospital.

Kavin frowned, muttering, "How could she have jumped from here? She's wearing a saree. It's not possible… or is it?" His voice trailed off, his mind racing with possibilities.

The faint buzz of his phone snapped him back to reality. He reached into his pocket, glancing at the caller ID before answering.

"Anderson," he said sharply.

"Kavin!" Anderson's voice was breathless, almost nervous. "I got her."

Kavin's heart skipped a beat. "Who?"

"The woman in the black saree. You asked me to find her about twenty minutes ago, remember?"

Kavin's grip tightened on his phone, excitement mingling with apprehension. "I'm coming," he said, cutting the call before Anderson could respond.

He turned on his heel, his footsteps quick and purposeful as he descended the stairs to the second floor.

The second floor was alive with the usual hospital commotion—nurses pushing carts, doctors huddled over charts, and the hum of machinery from patient rooms. Anderson stood near the hallway intersection, his tall frame stiff with anticipation. When he spotted Kavin, he raised a hand in acknowledgment.

"Where is she?" Kavin demanded as he approached.

Anderson tilted his head toward a woman standing a short distance away, just outside a cabin.

Kavin followed his gaze. The woman wore a black saree that shimmered faintly under the fluorescent lights. Her back was to them, her posture straight and poised.

Kavin's pace quickened, his focus narrowing as he moved closer. But then he stopped abruptly.

From the cabin stepped a small boy, his arm in a sling, followed by a man who appeared to be the child's father. The woman turned to them, her face lighting up with a warm smile. She crouched down, wrapping the boy in a gentle hug.

Kavin exhaled deeply, the tension draining from his body. She wasn't the mysterious figure he was chasing—she was the boy's mother.

The woman's joy was infectious, her laughter soft but heartfelt as she ruffled the boy's hair. The father placed a hand on her shoulder, and the three of them walked away, their closeness evident in every gesture.

Kavin couldn't help but smile.

Kavin turned and walked back to Anderson, who looked confused. "What's the problem, man?" Kavin asked, his tone teasing.

Anderson blinked, his eyebrows furrowing. "Problem? Nothing. What happened?"

Kavin chuckled, glancing toward the woman walking with her family. "Did you have a spat with her this morning?"

Anderson's face flushed. "How do you know that?"

Kavin smirked, his voice laced with mock seriousness. "Brother, please. If you miss your wife, call her and say sorry. Don't act like an immature kid. But maybe next time, actually talk to anyone before making assumptions."

Anderson's shoulders sagged in embarrassment. "Alright, alright. I get it," he muttered.

Kavin placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. You're like a brother to me. Just focus on the job next time, okay?"

Anderson nodded, though his expression remained sheepish.

Kavin's gaze drifted toward the reception desk, where Loren Samantha was busy helping a patient with some paperwork. Her auburn hair caught the light as she leaned forward, her expression focused.

He walked over and stood at the counter, his presence immediately drawing her attention. She looked up, her face breaking into a polite smile that quickly turned into something warmer when she recognized him.

"Inspector Peterson," Loren said, setting the paperwork aside. "Did you meet with Chairman Smith?"

"I did," Kavin replied. "It was… enlightening."

Loren's smile widened slightly; her curiosity piqued. "Are you free now, Officer?"

Kavin raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a half-smile. "Why do you ask?"

Loren's expression turned playful. "Oh, no reason. Just curious."

Kavin shook his head, chuckling softly. "Actually, I need something from you."

"Anything, Officer."

"Do you have Hasib and Nafisa's phone numbers and addresses on record?"

Loren nodded, her fingers already moving toward the keyboard. "Give me a moment. I'll pull up the information."

As she worked, Kavin glanced out the glass doors of the hospital. Outside, three young boys were gathered under a tree, laughing and chatting animatedly. Their carefree energy stood in stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere inside the hospital.

"How innocent they look," Kavin muttered to himself, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Here you go," Loren said, handing him a small slip of paper. "Phone numbers and home addresses for both Hasib and Nafisa."

Kavin took the paper, slipping it into his pocket. "Thanks, Loren."

Loren tilted her head, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, is Nafisa just Hasib's friend? Or is there more to it?"

Kavin hesitated, caught off guard by the question. He looked down, smiling faintly. "Why do you ask?"

Loren leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Are you single, Officer?"

Kavin's face grew warm, and he laughed awkwardly. "Okay, let's leave that topic alone."

She grinned, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Alright, alright. Just teasing."

Kavin turned to leave but paused when Loren called out to him again.

"Officer!"

He glanced back. "What is it?"

"Can I get your number?" Loren asked, her tone soft but bold.

Kavin's smile returned, more genuine this time. "Sure." He recited his number, watching as she quickly jotted it down.

"Thanks," Loren said, tucking the note into her pocket.

Kavin gave her a small wave and headed for the hospital exit.

As the hospital doors hissed shut behind him, Kavin stood for a moment, his sharp eyes surveying the bustling activity outside. The sun was dipping low, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch and curl like unseen fingers across the pavement. The distant hum of traffic merged with the chatter of nurses and visitors moving in and out of the building.

"Everyone, in the car," Kavin ordered his team, his voice calm but with an undertone of urgency.

Anderson nodded, motioning to the others as they climbed into the vehicle. Kavin moved to the passenger seat, pausing briefly as if sensing something—something out of place.

A faint rustling sound reached his ears, almost too soft to notice. It could have been the wind teasing the bushes, or maybe just his imagination. But then, he felt it—an unmistakable weight, the eerie sensation of being watched.

Slowly, deliberately, Kavin turned his head, his gaze sweeping across the hospital grounds. For a moment, everything seemed ordinary. Three boys were laughing under a tree, their carefree voices echoing in the evening air. A nurse walked briskly toward the entrance, a clipboard tucked under her arm.

And then he saw it.

A figure stood in the distance, partially obscured by a column near the edge of the building. Draped in a black saree, the silhouette was unnervingly still, as though it were carved from shadow itself.

Kavin squinted, trying to make out more details, but the fading light played tricks on his eyes. The figure didn't move, didn't shift. It simply stood there, watching.

A breeze stirred, carrying with it a faint, sweet scent. It was floral, almost intoxicating, and yet something was unsettling about it—something that made the hairs on the back of Kavin's neck stand on end.

His fingers instinctively brushed the holster at his side, his heartbeat quickening.

"Inspector?" Anderson called from the car, his voice breaking the spell.

Kavin blinked and looked back toward the column.

The figure was gone.

He stepped forward, scanning the area, his sharp eyes darting from shadow to shadow. There was no sign of movement, no hint of where the figure might have gone.

Kavin's jaw tightened as his thoughts churned. Who was that? Why was she watching? And what did she want?

The breeze picked up again, carrying with it the faintest whisper of that same sweet scent, lingering in the air like a phantom.

The air inside the police car was tense. Kavin Peterson sat in the passenger seat, his sharp eyes fixed on the road ahead, though his mind was elsewhere. The black saree figure haunted his thoughts, the phantom-like presence lingering at the edges of his consciousness.

Who was she? Why was she there? What did she want?

He shook his head slightly as if trying to clear the fog of unanswered questions. Next to him, Anderson, with his wiry frame and perpetually curious expression, glanced sideways at Kavin, his thoughts unreadable.

"Inspector," Anderson began cautiously, "you've been quiet. Still thinking about her?"

Kavin didn't look away from the windshield. "Yes," he replied flatly, his tone clipped. "Something about that woman… doesn't sit right."

Anderson nodded thoughtfully, tapping his fingers on his knee. "You think she's connected to Nishat?"

"Possibly," Kavin said, his voice low. "But it's too early to say. I want answers, and I'll get them."

To be continued...