black cloud ¦ lee haechan

ch ; 04

- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒ 04 ༒ ˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -
Precision and Doubts

As Kory sat alone in the break room of the Hanyeong Police Station, the ringing of her phone shattered the silence like a gunshot. Startled, she fumbled for her device, her heart pounding in her chest as she answered the call.

"Hello?" Kory's voice trembled with anticipation as she held the phone to her ear, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Detective Seo?" came the voice on the other end of the line, crisp and professional.

"Yes, speaking," Kory replied, her voice steadying as she braced herself for whatever news awaited her.

"I'm calling from the Las Vegas Police Department," the voice continued, "Regarding your inquiry about Claude Anderson."

Kory's breath caught in her throat at the mention of Claude's name, her pulse quickening with a mix of anxiety and dread. She had been hoping for answers, but she wasn't prepared for what came next.

"I'm sorry to inform you, Detective," the voice continued, "but Claude Anderson was found dead earlier today at her condominium."

Kory's heart sank at the news, a wave of shock washing over her as she struggled to process the information. Claude, dead? It couldn't be true. She had been their primary suspect, the key to unlocking the truth behind James Anderson's disappearance. But now, with her gone, their investigation had hit a dead end.

"How...how did it happen?" Kory stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she fought to maintain her composure.

"The details are still under investigation," the voice replied, "but it appears to be a homicide. Her boyfriend found her body this morning and alerted the authorities."

A homicide. The word echoed in Kory's mind like a death knell, sending shivers down her spine. Claude's death raised more questions than answers, plunging their investigation into even deeper uncertainty.

"Thank you for letting me know," Kory murmured, her voice hollow with grief and frustration. "Please keep me updated on any developments."

As she ended the call, Kory slumped back in her chair, her mind reeling with the weight of the news. Claude's death had thrown their investigation into disarray, leaving them adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

But amidst the chaos, one thing remained clear: they couldn't afford to give up. James Anderson was still missing, and they owed it to him to uncover the truth, no matter the obstacles in their path.

As Kory made her way back to her desk in the bustling chaos of the Hanyeong Police Station, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Piles of files regarding the case loomed ominously before her, a daunting reminder of the task that lay ahead.

With a heavy sigh, Kory sank into her chair, her gaze fixed on the whiteboard beside her desk. It was covered in photographs and notes, a visual representation of the investigation that consumed her every waking moment. Among the images was a picture of Claude Anderson, now crossed out in red, a stark reminder of her untimely demise.

With a determined set to her jaw, Kory grabbed a red whiteboard pen and circled the silhouette picture of the unidentified "nephew" who had emerged as the prime suspect in James Anderson's disappearance. Two suspects out of the three were now dead, leaving only the elusive nephew to track down.

As she stared at the circled image, Kory's mind raced with possibilities. How could they track down a suspect whose face remained unknown?

She recalled yesterday's encounter with the witnesses who had claimed they couldn't see the suspect's face, their descriptions vague and unhelpful.