The Next Day
Danny went to the hospital to receive the report in person. Upon arrival, the nurse informed him that Dr. Lynn was waiting for him in her office to hand over the report.
Ryan had come to meet Lynn at the hospital to go shopping with her and help get some household supplies. She asked him to wait in the car outside, as she had a small task to finish and would join him afterward.
As Danny walked toward Lynn's office, he noticed her standing at the door, talking to a man whose face he could not see—he was looking from behind. Danny's eyes widened in shock when he noticed the man's wrist adorned with a red bracelet. It was the same man he had encountered near the stadium. Could it be him? Could all the suspicions point to this man as the killer?
Lost in his thoughts, Danny did not notice that he was walking straight into a nurse carrying medical equipment, causing her to drop everything.
Nurse: "Can't you see where you're going?"
Danny: "Sorry, I didn't notice you."
Danny helped her pick up the scattered items, but when he looked up again, the man had completely disappeared. He hurried to the spot where the man had been standing outside Lynn's office and scanned the area but found nothing.
Just then, Lynn appeared behind him.
Lynn: "You again."
Danny turned in surprise to see who was behind him.
Danny: "And you must be Dr. Lynn."
Lynn: "Yes, Detective. I'm the doctor responsible for the examination you sent yesterday. It's a critical test for you, especially since you came to collect it personally."
Danny: "Indeed. This report might solve the mystery."
Lynn: "Then let's fetch it without delay."
They headed toward the lab together. Upon arrival, Lynn opened a small box on a shelf beneath one of the lab tables.
"When the officer brought it," she explained, "he warned us to be extremely careful as it is a vital piece of evidence, so we stored it here."
But when Lynn opened the box, to their shock, the envelope containing the analysis was missing.
Lynn called out to the nurse: "Where did the report go? Didn't I instruct you to monitor this place?"
Nurse: "Yes, we did. I never left. I only went to the bathroom for two minutes and returned quickly."
Lynn raised her voice at the nurse, but Danny interrupted.
Danny: "I know exactly who took it."
Lynn: "What do you mean? Who took it?"
Without answering, Danny dashed toward the hospital's exit. Outside, he scanned every corner, running back and forth, questioning everyone he met about the man, but he was nowhere to be found.
Frustrated, Danny took out his phone and called sharply, his voice rising:
"I want all roads leading to the City Hospital blocked immediately. Set up checkpoints on every route and inspect all incoming vehicles."
Muttering to himself angrily, he said,
"This time, you won't escape me."
---
Danny failed to find any leads or capture the man who might hold the key to unraveling the truth behind the crimes. The disappointment was immense.
After the incident, Danny became consumed by the case, gathering many pieces of evidence about the so-called suicides but found no common thread among the victims. There was no apparent reason behind their deaths. He delved deeper, researching their pasts to discover if any had committed a grave offense that would drive someone to seek revenge in this manner.
Danny spent days at the precinct, arriving early in the morning and staying until late at night, sometimes not returning home at all.
One day, while at the station, Danny received a call from his friend Yaman. Seeing the caller, a faint smile crossed Danny's face.
Yaman: "Hello, how are you?"
Danny: "I'm fine. And you? What's new?"
Yaman: "I'm also fine but a bit upset."
Danny: "What's bothering you?"
Yaman: "Your sudden disappearance."
Danny: "I haven't disappeared; I'm right here."
Yaman: "But you're not the same. You've vanished completely — you don't meet or even talk to me anymore."
Danny: "Sorry about that. I've just been busy with work and always at the station. I promise to make it up to you once this case is over."
Yaman: "Life isn't just about work. You need to go out, see the world, and talk with friends. A friend once told me that." (He meant Danny himself.)
Danny laughed: "Okay, you convinced me."
Yaman: "So, since I convinced you, how about coming over for dinner tonight?"
Danny: "Sure, my friend. I'd be glad."
Yaman: "See you tonight then."
Danny: "Goodbye."
That evening, Danny arrived at Yaman's house, where Yaman was waiting outside.
Danny laughed, "Why are you standing here? I'm not a child; I can find the house myself."
Yaman chuckled, "I know that. I'm here to welcome the famous detective who humbly came to our home."
Danny laughed, "Stop talking and come here." Danny hugged Yaman warmly.
Yaman: "What have you been busy with all these days? You disappeared completely."
Danny: "I've been busy solving a case."
Yaman: "Have you found what you're looking for?"
Danny: "No, unfortunately, not yet."
Yaman: "Don't worry; in the end, everyone gets what they deserve. Now, let's go inside."
The two friends climbed the stairs to enter the house. As they reached the door, Yaman's phone rang. He asked Danny to enter first.
Yaman: "Go ahead; I'll catch up. Make yourself at home. I'll answer this call and join you."
Danny: "Okay."
Danny entered the house, where Lynn was preparing dinner in the kitchen. Hearing the door, she assumed one of the two had returned and called out,
"Which one of you little ones has come back?"
Danny was surprised to hear that, but what surprised him more was the voice — it was very familiar.
Lynn came out of the kitchen and approached him.
Lynn: "Why aren't you answering? Can't you hear me, you fools?"
She was shocked to see Danny standing there.
Lynn: "It's you! What are you doing here? How did you get in?"
Danny, equally surprised: "It's you! I didn't expect it to be you — Yaman's sister. I knew her name was Lynn, but I didn't expect it to be you. What a coincidence!"
Lynn: "Wait, wait, what do you mean? How do you know my brother?"
Danny: "I'm Yaman's friend."
Lynn: "Oh, so you're the friend who helped my brother out of his isolation. He talks about you a lot."
Danny: "Yes, that's me. Your brother is kind-hearted and deserves the best. I hope to be a good friend and help him out of his loneliness."
Lynn: "After all I've heard about you from Yaman, I'm convinced you're a good person and sure you'll be a great friend."
Danny: "That makes me happy."
Just then, Yaman entered.
Yaman: "Oh, looks like you've met."
Danny: "Yes, we've known each other for a while."
Yaman: "How so?"
Lynn: "What your friend says is true. Danny is a detective investigating a case at the hospital, where we met."
Yaman: "I see."
Lynn: "Shall we continue talking like this?"
Yaman laughed: "No, let's sit."
The three sat in the living room and exchanged conversations.
Danny: "When I came in, I heard you say 'little ones.' Is that right, Miss Lynn? And as far as I know, only you two live here, and Yaman told me you're not married. What did you mean by 'little ones'?"
Yaman (grumbling childishly): "But sister…"
Lynn (laughing): "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that."
Danny smiled at them both: "So what's the story?"
Yaman: "The little ones Lynn meant are me and Ryan. She's called us that since we were kids but doesn't see now that we've grown."
Danny: "No, I think you've grown up and are young men, but in her eyes, you'll always be little kids, right, Miss Lynn?"
Lynn: "That's true."
Yaman (annoyed): "Are you my friend or hers?"
Danny laughed: "I stand for the truth."
Yaman: "You betrayed your friend."
Danny: "What do you mean, Yaman?"
Lynn: "What is this talk, brother?"
Yaman laughed: "See? I tricked you both."
Lynn: "And you say you're not a child."
The three laughed, then Lynn turned to her brother and spoke about childish behavior.
Yaman: "Where is that fool? Isn't he supposed to arrive before you?"
Lynn: "I forgot to tell you — he was the one calling outside. Said he was delayed at work and would come soon."
The conversation and laughter filled the house.
Minutes later, the doorbell rang. Yaman got up to open the door, leaving Lynn and Danny talking.
Danny: "I wanted to ask you something, but didn't get the chance."
Lynn: "Go ahead, what is it?"
Danny: "That day at the hospital, I saw you with a man. Who was he?"
Lynn: "He is—"
Suddenly, Ryan and Yaman interrupted.
Danny stood face-to-face with Ryan, exchanging sharp glances.
Yaman said: "Let me introduce you to each other."
He looked at Ryan: "This is the friend I told you about, Detective Danny."
Then he looked at Danny: "And this is my brother, whom I told you about."
Yaman smiled, noticing both were eager to meet each other. But their eyes locked with sharp intensity.
Danny extended his hand to Ryan: "Finally, we meet. Nice to meet you."
Ryan shook Danny's hand: "Yes, finally. Nice to meet you too."
Danny squeezed Ryan's hand firmly and held it until Yaman laughed and said:
"What's wrong, Danny? Ryan isn't a criminal; he won't run away."
Danny laughed: "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
Ryan smiled: "Don't worry, people usually make mistakes."
Danny: "But not all mistakes are forgiven."
Lynn: "What's wrong with you two? You make me feel like I'm in court."
Ryan laughed: "That's because our detective friend is very witty."
Danny smiled: "Glad to hear that from you."
Yaman: "I'm sure you two will be friends soon."
Ryan: "I'd be glad. Your friend is my friend."
Danny: "I agree."
Lynn: "Okay, let's have dinner now."
At the table, Danny noticed the bracelet on Ryan's wrist — the same bracelet he saw on the man that night and at the hospital.
Lynn asked: "So, Danny, what happened with your case? Have you solved it or not yet?"
Danny: "I'm close to catching the criminal."
Ryan: "And what makes you so sure?"
Danny, suspiciously: "Because I finally found him."
Ryan: "Good luck catching him."
Yaman: "I knew you'd succeed and catch the criminal."
Lynn: "I remember that day at the hospital, you ran like you were chasing something important. What made you rush out like that?"
Danny (looking sharply at Ryan): "Because the criminal took the sample, and I was about to catch him, but he disappeared at the last moment."
Ryan (confidently): "I understand from your words that the criminal was very clever, so you couldn't catch him yet."
Danny: "No, he was lucky that time. But now there's nowhere left to run."
Ryan: "I hope you solve the case."
Tension filled the room as Danny and Ryan exchanged intense looks until a noise came from above — the sound of their neighbor, the man who beat his wife and daughter.
Danny: "What's that noise?"
Lynn (with a sad look): "That's our neighbor. He's always like this — comes home drunk and beats his wife and daughter every night."
Danny: "That's domestic violence. Why doesn't the wife go to the police to protect herself and her daughter?"
Lynn: "All the neighbors talk to her about this, but she always refuses, saying she has no one else."
Danny: "But that doesn't mean she should put herself in danger every time. Even if she has no one else, she can start a new life with her daughter and meet new people. That would be better for both."
Yaman (angrily, stamping his foot, holding a dinner knife helplessly): "I hope divine justice is served."
Ryan (placing a hand on Yaman's shoulder): "Don't worry. Justice will be served, no matter how long it takes."
Danny: "What Ryan says is true, Yaman. Justice will come."
They finished their dinner and stayed up late into the night.
Danny excused himself and left, and they asked him to visit again. Yaman walked him downstairs and took him to a taxi. Then Yaman returned inside to talk with Lynn and Ryan.
Life went on as usual, and sometimes the friends met.
A few days later, Danny called Lynn, asking to meet her. She told him she was at the funeral ceremony of their neighbor — the man who beat his wife and daughter — who had committed suicide.
Danny attended the funeral and found Yaman standing beside him. Danny glanced sharply at Ryan and muttered quietly to himself,
"(Killing the victim and then walking in his funeral.)"
After the funeral, Danny asked Lynn to accompany him to a nearby café to discuss something important.
At the café, they sat at a quiet table. Danny looked at Lynn and said,
"Whatever I say, promise me you'll listen to the end."
Lynn: "Okay, but what is it? Are you worried about Yaman?"
Danny: "No, no worries. Everything is fine with him."
Lynn: "Then what is it?"
Danny: "That man you were with at the hospital that day… Ryan, right?"
Lynn: "Yes, but why do you ask?"
Danny: "Because I found the killer."
Lynn: "But what does this have to do with Ryan?"
Danny: "Because Ryan is the killer."