The quiet breeze brushed gently against the leaves, making them sway in a soft, rhythmic dance. But after the long, exhausting run, Paul barely felt it. His eyes darted across the unfamiliar-yet-familiar surroundings, searching for the suspicious figure—but there was no sign.
"Damn it," he muttered, rubbing his temples in frustration.
His phone rang, breaking his focus.
"Hello!" he answered, breathless.
"Where are you?" Jeck's voice came through, sharp and insistent, catching Paul off guard.
"Still at the hospital. Anything new I should know?" he asked, scanning his surroundings as he spoke.
"Yeah… something big."
"How big?"
"Another body has been reported," Jeck said, and Paul froze for a moment.
"At where?"
"At the post-center station—the usual place."
"Alright, I'll be on my way," Paul replied.
"Don't bother. I just got a text—body's already at the ST Morgue."
"Alright, I'll meet you there," Paul said, hanging up quickly.
"Why me? You can send someone else," Jeck complained.
"You have to. No whining," Paul said firmly, rolling his eyes before the line went dead.
He dialed again, calling Mia. She picked up almost instantly.
"Hello, Boss!" she saluted, and Paul chuckled.
"No need for formalities," he said.
"I'm calling to inform you I'm leaving the premises. I need you and your partner to protect both the victim and… the lawyer," Paul continued, calm but firm.
Mia nodded. "Understood. But where are you going, Boss?"
"Something big came up. I'll fill you in once I have all the details," he promised. "Hope you won't disappoint me."
"I won't. You can rest assured," she replied.
Paul hung up and continued forward, only to almost bump into an older man who steadied himself quickly. Dressed in a neat pastor's robe, the man looked like he was in a hurry.
"Are you alright?" he asked, worry threading through his voice.
"I think so," Paul said, still holding his chest, his eyes clouded with concern. He stepped forward, leaving the man behind.
🌹 In the Hospital 🌹
Samuel rushed through the hospital, heading straight for the reception desk, his heart pounding. A small hand tugged at his trousers. Looking down, he saw his grandson, Barnabas.
"Grandpa!" the boy called, a smile lighting up his face.
"Barnabas! How are you here?" Samuel asked, bending down in surprise.
"Daddy!" Barnabas pointed to his left, where Moses was approaching.
"Moses!" Samuel exclaimed, his eyes immediately noticing the bandaged arm. Panic rose within him.
"Dad!" Moses called, equally surprised. Their relationship had always been strained—Samuel often disapproved of Moses' choices, and Moses rarely agreed with his father. Arguments were the norm.
"What are you doing here?" Moses asked, cautious.
"I came for you. I heard what happened," Samuel said, careful to hide the relief he felt at seeing his son healthy.
Moses was quietly pleased at his father's concern, though pride kept him from showing it. He nodded awkwardly, still wondering how Samuel had found out since he hadn't called. Perhaps his wife had, but he hadn't even told her yet.
Samuel's gaze fell on the small purse Moses carried.
"Grandpa! Mommy got hurt!" Barnabas said, making Samuel look at Moses for an explanation.
Moses stayed silent. Barnabas, oblivious to the tension, began explaining every detail of his mother's accident before breaking into tears. Samuel hugged him gently, comforting the boy.
"Moses!" Samuel wanted to ask if what he'd heard was true. His daughter-in-law had been in an accident too, and fury mixed with anxiety churned within him. For now, he just needed to know she was safe.
"Don't worry. She's in good hands. The doctor has already performed surgery, and she's resting," Moses said, his hands sweating. Guilt gnawed at him. He had always feared his father's strictness, which had driven a wedge in their family years ago. Yet seeing Samuel now, changed and calmer as a pastor, surprised him even more.
"Surgery? That serious? I hope she didn't break any bones," Samuel muttered. His angry expression made Moses shiver with guilt, unable to mention the near miscarriage.
"She's fine now, resting," Moses assured him.
"Have you informed your mother-in-law?" Samuel asked, and Moses frowned. Both his father and wife knew too well how narrow-minded she could be.
"Not yet," Moses admitted, calm on the outside but inwardly frustrated.
"How can you not inform her? She has every right to know what happened to her child, as do I," Samuel scolded. He had always thought Moses slow with family matters but meticulous in work.
"I'll call her," Moses muttered.
"I think we shouldn't. Anita's condition is already better," Moses suggested. Samuel gave him a stern look.
"Nonsense! That would be rude. She's Anita's mother, first and foremost," Samuel said firmly, dialing the number.
"She agreed to come," Samuel said after the call, looking at Moses with concern.
"I want to see Anita," Samuel added, but Moses frowned, remembering the doctor's instructions.
"I wanted to as well, but the doctor refused. We'll have to wait longer," Moses said, remaining calm.
"At least she's fine—that's what matters. You should rest too," Samuel said.
"I'm not seriously hurt," Moses assured him, though his half-torn sleeve and tired eyes told a different story.
"You're a patient—you need to rest," Samuel insisted, his warning look silencing Moses.
"Dad, since you're here, could you take care of Barnabas today?" Moses suggested.
"No, I won't leave," Samuel said firmly.
"I'm not asking you to leave—just care for Barnabas. I won't be able to leave the hospital, and neither can he," Moses explained. Samuel sighed but nodded.
"And besides, your mother-in-law is coming," Moses added. Samuel nodded, smiling faintly.
"Alright, but call if you need anything," Samuel instructed. His gaze softened at Barnabas, whose tears made him look both pitiful and endearing.
"Barnabas, stay with Grandpa tonight. Don't cause trouble," Moses warned. The boy nodded, drying his tears before looking back at his father.
😁😁😁😁