CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

David sat in a restaurant, sipping wine. His errand boy had brought information about a notorious killer, and David had come to meet him.

The killer sat across david was talking to him. "So, let me ask you one more time," David said, his voice firm. "Can you do this job?"

The killer looked at David, a hint of a smile on his face. "As long as you pay me well, I'll do it."

David slid his phone across to the killer, displaying a picture. "I want him eliminated tonight. He's taken more than he can chew."

The killer's smile grew wider. "Consider it done. You have my word."

David nodded, seemingly satisfied. The killer stood up, brushing off his pants. "I'll be heading out now to prepare."

David nodded again. "Okay."

The killer left, and David remained in the restaurant, sipping his wine.

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Julian sat in his office, attending to some pressing matters. He felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, having recently become the CEO. However, he was aware that not everyone was pleased with his promotion.

In fact, he suspected that some individuals might be plotting against him, seeking to harm him or undermine his authority. This thought sent a surge of determination through him.

"I'll take action," julian thought to himself. "I'll destroy anyone who dares to stand in my way."

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At the police station, ava sat staring blankly into space. Suddenly, a bag dropped onto her table. She looked up and saw ethan,eat this. I felt you wouldn't come out to eat, so I got you this instead."

Ethan sat down in the chair beside her.

"How's your hand?" Ava asked, concern etched on her face.

"It's fine, it's fine. I'll be fine. It'll heal in a few days, and I'll take this bandage off," he reassured her.

ava nodded and changed the subject. "About what my mom did... I'm really sorry about it."

Ethan choked back a laugh. "You don't have to be sorry. She didn't do anything bad to me."

But ava insisted, "No, I am sorry. Didn't you see the way she was checking you out? Like you were a product she wanted to buy or something."

Ethan chuckled. "Come on, I'm fine."

ava wouldn't let it go. "Don't tell me that. I saw how uncomfortable you were."

Ethan sighed. "Okay, fine. I agree, I was uncomfortable. But that's gone now, so let it be. Bye, gone."

Ethan pushed the bag towards ava and said, "Okay, so look at this. I got it for you - food, snacks, and drinks. I didn't know what you'd feel like eating, depending on your mood."

ava smiled and said, "You didn't have to go through all this."

Ethan just smiled back.

The other detectives gathered around, whispering among themselves. "Do you think they're dating?" one of them asked.

"I think so," another replied.

"Well, I won't blame her," a third detective chimed in.

"His hands are always on her," another observed.

"And Ava is pretty," someone else added.

Thompson, seemingly annoyed, intervened. "Enough, all of you!. If you're not going on break, then find something to do. Don't stand there gossiping."

With that, Thompson walked away.

The detectives resumed their whispers. "Do you think Thompson likes Ava and is just being jealous?" one of them asked.

Ryan strolled over, chiming in, "I don't think so, but who knows? Nobody knows what's in people's hearts, do they?"

Chief Michaels burst in, his eyes flashing, and the room fell silent. "I see you've all decided to do something else," he said, his voice stern. "Why is nobody talking about the Shadow Killer case? Has everybody forgotten?"

Ryan spoke up, "Chief Michaels, there haven't been any recent deaths, so we think the Shadow Killer might have lain low for a while."

Another detective nodded in agreement, but Chief Michaels sighed, "I don't want to hear excuses. Investigate this case, now."

Ava stood up, her face red with frustration. "With all due respect, Chief, why don't you just go out and investigate it yourself?" The room fell silent, shocked by Ava's outburst.

Chief Michaels' mouth hung open, stunned by Ava's boldness. Ava continued, "We've been tracking the Shadow Killer for years, and we've gotten nowhere. He's not going to surrender willingly. And what's with the sudden urgency?..

The other detectives watched in awe as Ava confronted Chief Michaels. They knew she had been frustrated with the case, but they hadn't realized how much.

Ava's voice trembled with emotion. "You know I was kidnapped because of this case. I almost got killed. I don't know if it was the Shadow Killer who sent those people, but I'm done. I'm submitting my resignation letter. I can't do this anymore."

The room erupted into chaos as the other detectives gasped and whispered to each other. Ryan tried to intervene, but Ava shut him down. "Just shut it, Ryan."

The room remained frozen, with everyone in shock. Chief Michaels, known for being strict and intimidating, stood stunned, his expression unreadable. Ava, still fuming, stormed out of the room, leaving the others in silence.

As she reached the hallway, Ava received a call from Kira. She hesitated for a moment before answering, her mind suddenly remembering Kira's previous message about her father's accident.

Ava quickly wiped away her tears and picked up the call. "Hello?" she said, trying to compose herself.

Kira's voice sounded sad on the other end. "Hey, Ava."

"What's wrong, Kira? Is your father okay?" Ava asked, concern creeping into her voice.

Kira replied, "Yeah, he's okay... I think. They need to do surgery."

Ava's expression turned worried. "What's wrong? Is it the money?"

Kira reassured her, "No, it's not the money. I'm just worried."

Ava asked, "Where are you now? Which hospital?"

" Green Specialist Hospital. Ava immediately responded, "I'll be right there."

Kira expressed concern about Ava's work, but Ava dismissed it. "Forget about that. I'll be right there."

Kira nodded, even though Ava couldn't see her. "Okay."

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Chief micheals hastily retreated to his office, avoiding the stares of his colleagues. He was still reeling from the unexpected confrontation with Ava.

The other detectives began to gossip and snicker among themselves. "I think that serves him right," one of them said.

Another detective chimed in, "Yeah, that serves him right. Why does he always have to be so condescending?"

The female detectives were particularly vocal in their criticism. "He deserves what he got and much more" one of them said.

Another detective added, "maybe he should just go out and investigate the shadow killer,I don't think that man knows how we are risking our life to investigate"

Another detective spoke up, "If the Shadow Killer can kill people without leaving a trace, what makes us think he can't kill us and get away with it?"

The conversation was interrupted by Thompson, who stood in the hallway and shouted, "All of you, back to your departments, now!"

The detectives quickly scrambled to return to their departments,leaving the hallway empty.