CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Ava was hesitant to go to work, but she decided to put her pride aside and head to the police station with Ethan.

As soon as they arrived, they were briefed on a shocking development: Julian, the new CEO, had been stabbed.

"Was it the Shadow Killer again?" Ava asked.

James, the officer in charge, shook his head. "We've secured the footage, and I don't think it was the Shadow Killer. The height and build of the attacker were different. I think someone tried to kill Julian and frame someone else, but they didn't succeed because Julian is still alive."

Just then, a police officer rushed in, looking urgent. "We've located the hitman who tried to kill Julian!" he exclaimed.

Ava sprang into action. "What are we waiting for? Let's take some men and go!"

But before she could move, Thompson. Stopped her. "Hold on, Ava. Chief Michaels wants to see you."

Ava's eyes narrowed. What did the Chief want now?

Ava turned to Ethan and said, "Go with the officers."

Ethan nodded. "No problem, I will."

**********************

Ava entered Chief Michaels office to find him staring out the window. She greeted him, and he turned, saying, "Oh, good morning. Sit, please."

Chief Michael sat down as well, his expression serious. "I'm actually sorry for yesterday. I know I was wrong. But you can't just tell me you want to resign..You can't just resign like that."

Chief Michael leaned forward, his eyes locked on Ava's. "You are an exceptional, hardworking officer, and I commend you for that. Resigning will do you no good, so I won't accept any resignation from you. You can keep investigating other cases, including the Shadow case, whenever you're ready."

He paused, studying Ava's reaction. "I want you to know that I value your skills and dedication. You're one of our best officers, and I won't let you go that easily."

Alva didn't feel proud; instead, she bowed her head and thanked Chief Michaels. She stood up and said, "Okay, so I'll join the officers to capture the hitman who tried to kill the CEO of TM Corporation."

Chief Michaels halted her. "No, no, no. I have another case for you."

Alva's eyes narrowed slightly, curious about the new assignment.

Chief Michaels continued, "It's about a little girl, around nine years old, who was allegedly abused. The neighbors reported that the girl is being abused by her father, and her mother is nowhere to be found. The girl is currently at the hospital. I want you to investigate this case, speak with the girl, and gather information to confirm the allegations. If true, we'll obtain a warrant to arrest the father."

Chief Michaels continued, "You can take one or two officers with you, whichever you prefer."

He handed her a file containing the case details. Alva took the file, nodded, and turned to leave...

*********************

The police arrived at the old, abandoned-looking apartments and Hithen asked the officers, "Are you sure this is the address?"

The officers confirmed, "Yes, this is it.

Ethan and the officers knocked repeatedly, but there was no response. They continued knocking until a weak voice finally said, "Who is that?"

The police remained quiet for a moment. Then, the Hitman peered through the cracked door and saw the police. He began to mumble to himself.

Realizing he was trapped, with only one small window and no escape route.

Ethan shouted, "If you don't open this door, we'll break it! We'll break it!"

From inside, the Hitman yelled, "Go away! I don't know you. I don't have any business with you. What do you want from me? Go away!"

Ethan lost patience and began hitting the door with an iron bar. The officers watched in surprise, wondering what he was doing. The Hitman shouted and yelled, but Hithen kept hitting until the lock broke.

The officers rushed in, covering their noses at the foul smell. The apartment reeked like a barnyard, with blood everywhere, tissues soaked in blood, and bottles scattered around.

Ryan shook his head, "Oh gosh, this looks like a place where animals live. Even goats wouldn't stay in this environment."

They found the Hitman, cuffed him, and one of the officers suggested, "I think we should take him to the hospital first, so he can get treated. If we take him to the detention room, he might die."

They agreed and took him to the hospital, with police guarding him to ensure he didn't harm himself. They wanted him to recover so he could tell them what happened.

**************************

Ava arrived at the small hospital with two junior officers. Inside, she approached the nurse at the counter and asked, "I'm looking for a little girl named Lina handa."

The nurse looked up, slightly wary. "Sorry, who are you to her?"

Ava pulled out her badge and identification card. "I'm Detective Ava. I'm investigating a case."

The nurse nodded, picked up the phone, and dialed a number. After a brief conversation, she hung up and said, "Okay, the room is just down that way – go straight, then left. You'll see it."

Ava nodded, thanked the nurse, and headed off with the two officers.

Ava followed the nurse's directions and quickly found herself outside the hospital room. She knocked softly on the door, but there was no response. She slowly turned the handle and entered the room.

Inside, she saw a young girl lying on the bed, looking dull and unhappy. Ava approached her calmly and said, "Hi."

The girl ignored her. Ava tried to reassure her, "Hey, don't worry, I'm a nice person, okay?"

But the girl continued to ignore Ava, refusing to acknowledge her presence. Ava tried again, "I'm here to help you. Tell me what happened. I promise I'm here to help you."

Despite Ava's gentle tone, the girl remained unresponsive, shutting Ava out.

Ava didn't give up. She gently urged the girl, "Talk to me, I'm your friend. What happened?"

The girl continued to ignore her. Ava tried a different approach, "Do you want to take a walk outside? Or go to a nice restaurant?"

The girl remained unresponsive. Ava nodded, "Okay, it's obvious you don't feel like talking right now. I'll come back later, okay?"

As Ava turned to leave, she heard a tiny voice, "Ma'am."

Ava's face lit up with excitement as she turned back, "Are you ready to talk now?"

The girl nodded, and Ava signaled the two junior detectives to leave. They nodded and stepped out.

The girl sat up, and Ava encouraged her, "Talk to me, what happened? I'm here to help you."

The girl began, "My...my...dad.."Ava's expression turned sympathetic, "Your dad did what? Tell me, I'm here to listen."

The girl's voice trembled as she revealed, "My dad tried to kill me."

Ava quickly pulled out her phone to record the conversation. The girl continued, tears streaming down her face, "He always hit me and my mom. My mom ran away, but she didn't take me with her."

Ava's expression turned sympathetic as she calmed the girl down. The girl composed herself, then said, "Later, my dad started blaming me for his misfortunes. He didn't send me to school or take care of me."

Ava asked gently, "Where is your dad now? How did you end up in the hospital?"

The girl explained, "The neighbors heard me screaming and came to save me."

Ava pressed for more information, "Do you have any idea where your dad might go?"

The girl nodded, "Yes, he goes to a place to gamble."

Ava asked, "Where is that?"

The girl provided the location, adding, "Sometimes, when my mom was still around, I'd see him gambling there. Other times, he'd go to a bar to drink."

Ava asked, "Do you know the name of the bar?"

The girl shook her head, "No, I only know where he gambles."

Ava reassured her, "Don't worry, everything will be fine. We'll handle everything."

The girl smiled weakly, and Ava suggested, "Do you want me to take you to a nice restaurant to get some food?"

The girl agreed, and Ava took her to a restaurant, getting permission from the hospital first. The girl seemed to relax.

After the meal, Ava took the girl back to the hospital and bid her farewell. Ava then hurried out of the hospital with her two officers, heading to the location the girl had provided.