"So he really didn't come, huh," he said quietly.
Sara gave two soft knocks. "Boss's order," she said. "Nothing we can do."
"Yeah." Julian breathed out slowly.
The lock clicked. The door creaked open just enough for a boy to appear. About fifteen, maybe. Sharp eyes. Still face.
Julian gave him a polite smile. "Hey there. We're private investigators. The big guy probably told you we'd stop by?"
Daniel looked at them both, silent. His gaze moved past their shoulders, searching for someone else.
Simon wasn't there.
Julian noticed it. "We're here for your sister," he said calmly. "You already know that, right?"
Then he leaned closer to Sara and whispered, "What was her name again?"
"Martha," Sara said under her breath.
Daniel's stare hardened for a second. Then he stepped aside, opening the door wider, letting them in.
Inside, the air was still. The smell of polish and something faintly sweet lingered. A clock ticked somewhere in the distance.
Julian followed Daniel through the small hallway. "Saw our little guy yesterday," he said suddenly. "Coming out of the medical room."
Sara raised an eyebrow. "Why?" Her tone sounded casual, but it was more habit than interest.
Julian shrugged. "Didn't ask. Not like he'd answer anyway."
"True."
"Yeah." Julian's voice faded. "He saw me. I saw him. End of story."
Daniel stopped by the living room. He pointed toward the sofa. "You can sit here," he said.
Julian nodded and took the seat. Sara followed.
"I'll go get her," Daniel said. He took a few steps, then turned back. "You guys need anything? Tea? Water?"
Julian looked at Sara. She shook her head.
"No," she said. "We're fine. Just call her."
Daniel's eyes rested on her for a moment longer. Then he nodded and walked away down the hallway.
The silence that followed pressed lightly against the room. Julian leaned back into the sofa, looking around. The furniture was old but clean. Dust caught in sunlight near the window. Somewhere, a refrigerator hummed behind the wall.
Sara crossed her legs, resting her hands on her lap. Her eyes fixed on nothing in particular.
"Looks scary," Julian murmured.
"Has enough reasons," Sara replied quietly. "Anyone would. Father's gone. Then we show up asking about it, like we'll somehow make things better if they just talk."
Julian leaned back. "Feels like Hector's still walking around. Man can't even rest in peace because of us, huh."
Sara didn't answer right away. She could understand that kind of guilt, but the job was the job. If they started feeling for every family, they might as well go home and sleep.
Julian spoke again. "Hey…" He scratched his chin, eyes still on the door. "I'm thinking you lead the talk this time."
Sara turned her head toward him. "Alright."
"Yeah, I think maybe I'm overshadowing you."
"What?" She blinked at him. "You saying I can't handle a conversation without you?"
"No. Not like that." Julian made an apologetic face. "I just think you're getting less screen time. You're always here but the spotlight's on me."
Sara stared at him for a second, then sighed. "You and your out of the box nonsense."
Julian smirked, ready to say something else, but then a voice cut through the air.
"Who are you people?"
Both turned toward the sound.
An old woman stood near the hallway. Shawl wrapped tight around her shoulders, eyes sharp despite the wrinkles framing them.
Julian stood up first. Sara followed, polite, steady.
"I'm Sara," she said clearly. "And this is Julian. We're investigators. We came to speak with Martha. There are a few questions we need her help with."
"I asked who sent you. Why are you in my house?" Marina's tone was hard, every word cutting through the quiet.
Julian and Sara exchanged a quick look. Something was off.
"A few days ago another investigator came by," Sara began. "Maybe you remember him?"
"Yes," Marina said after a pause. "That man. Simon, I think." Her brows furrowed as if dragging the name out of a coffin. "So you people are with him?"
Sara nodded once. Julian followed.
"Then you're here to put false accusations on Hector, aren't you?" Marina's voice shook, but not from fear. From anger. "Why? Tell me why. Why can't you just let him rest? He's dead. Gone. Do you think you'll get anything from this? Please… please leave us alone." Her words cracked in the air. "We don't want to be part of your conspiracy. Let us grieve in peace."
Julian took a breath and stepped forward. "I think there's been a misunderstanding," he said quietly. 'And i exactly know what the fuck going on here.'
"I don't mean to disrespect you, ma'am," Julian said evenly. "We didn't barge in. We were invited. I think you're unaware of the situation. Just like we were. But I know someone who can clear this up."
Her jaw tightened. "Who invited you here?"
Julian didn't answer. His gaze shifted past her.
Down the hallway, Daniel was walking toward them. Behind him, a female about 23 in age followed quietly.
Marina turned. "Daniel, did you call them?"
Daniel stopped. His face gave away nothing. "No. He called me. Simon, that detective. Said he wanted have words with Martha. And i agreed."
"Why didn't you tell us?" Marina grabbed his arm. "Why meet with strangers? What if something happened to you?"
Daniel gently pulled her hand away. "I thought it was better to keep things quiet. I didn't want anyone else in danger."
Julian spoke from behind. "And that's the wisest choice you could've made."
Marina shot him a glare sharp enough to cut. Then she turned back to her son, voice trembling now. "But still you could've told atleast infrom me about this. What you are doing? Who's meeting with you? Am i just nobody to you... after your father's gone." Her voice dropped. Almost emotional. "I've already lost my first half, and i... I didn't want to lose the other half aswell."
Daniel stayed still for a few seconds, letting her calm herself. Martha stood behind him, clutching her phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. She had no idea what was happening, what these people wanted, or why they were in her living room. Her gaze jumped between the detectives and Daniel, lost in the silence.
Daniel finally looked at his mother. His voice lowered. "That's why I didn't tell anyone."
Marina frowned. "Didn't tell us what?"
"Dad discovered the truth, and couldn't handle it. That's why he's gone. I also knew, but i kept quiet. If i had told anyone about this..." He hold his breath. "Then i might've too... Didn't standing here."
Marina's eyes widened. Her hands trembled as she held onto him again. "What truth, Daniel? What did your father find? Tell me!"
Daniel didn't flinch. His hands covered hers gently. His voice stayed calm. "You'll know soon enough."
He turned his head toward Martha. "Go on, sister," he said softly. "Sit down. They're here for you."
Martha hesitated, eyes darting between them all. Marina watched her too but didn't move.
She wanted to ask, to stop this, but something in Daniel's tone told her not to.
So she stayed still.
And chose to believe him.
The room settled into a fragile quiet.
The kind that forms when everyone's waiting for someone else to speak first.
Julian and Sara sat side by side on the longer sofa. Across from them, Martha and Daniel. Marina rested in the single sitter sofa on the left, shawl drawn tighter around her shoulders.
Julian leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. His voice stayed calm, easy.
"Thanks again for understanding. And I'll promise we'll be quick." He glanced at Sara, a small signal passing between them.
Sara gave a slow nod, collecting her words. "So, I think the man who came before already asked everything about Hector, right?" She looked toward Marina. "How he usually was? And recently, before the accident. Friends, relatives—"
"Yes." Marina's voice was sharp, almost cutting.
Sara's eyes moved to Daniel, then to Martha. The girl's head was lowered, hair hiding most of her face.
"We've heard there was a small argument in the house before the accident took place."
Martha flinched slightly, but didn't lift her head.
Marina's voice came again, firm. "There weren't any arguments. Not even a little. Only if you count the usual lessons of Hector."
Sara's eyes lingered on Marina for a heartbeat longer, reading something between her words. So she's unaware.
Her gaze slid back to Daniel. He noticed it, shifted in his seat, and lightly shook Martha's shoulder.
"Sister," he murmured, "they're asking you something."
Martha looked up quickly. Her hands tightened around her phone, knuckles pale.
"Yeah. A little argument... That was all, actually. Nothing... serious..." Her voice faded at the end, like she was afraid of hearing herself.
"Could you tell us what that argument was about?" Sara asked, tone soft, careful. "I think your mother here is also unaware."
Martha's breath hitched. Her eyes dropped again.
"It was him," she whispered. "My... my boyfriend. Dad caught me talking with him. I know Dad was strict... and he just said that. Not to talk with him. Not with him. And it went on." She paused, voice trembling. "I tried to tell Dad that he wasn't that kind of guy. But... but Dad didn't listen..."
"And slapped you," Daniel said quietly from the side.
Sara's eyes flicked to him, then back to Martha. "So how many people were aware that you had a boyfriend?"
"Some friends from university. And Daniel... and Dad," Martha said faintly.
"And how many people saw you both together?"
"Only a few... maybe. When he came to pick me up from university."
Sara thought for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly in focus. Then she spoke again, tone steady. "What's his name?"
Martha's fingers trembled. The phone in her grip made a faint creak under the pressure. Her lips parted, and a soft sound slipped out, barely a whisper.
"...Paul..."
For a second, the air froze.
Sara's breath caught halfway, chest stiff. Julian's head turned slowly, eyes locked on Martha. The silence between all four of them thickened, pressing against the walls.
Sara's body leaned forward without realizing it. Her hands gripped her knees. She half-rose before Julian's hand caught her shoulder.
His voice came low, cracking at the edges. "What did you just say?"
His name...