Landon gently placed Evelyn on the futon, but as he turned to leave, she grasped his hand, pulling him back. "Don't leave," she pleaded, her voice cracking.
Evelyn's eyes welled up with tears as she sat up, her grip on Landon's hand tightening. "Grandpa, don't leave me alone," she sobbed, her voice trembling. "I miss you so much."
Landon's heart went out to her, and he sat down beside her on the floor. He stayed there, holding her hand, until her tears subsided and her breathing slowed. Eventually, her eyelids drooped, and she fell asleep.
As strands of hair fell across her face, Landon tenderly rearranged them, tucking them behind her ear. He gazed at her peaceful expression, unsure of what to feel. He was caught off guard by the depth of her emotions and didn't know how to process his own.
In this quiet moment, Landon felt a deep connection to Evelyn, but he was uncertain how to navigate it. He sat there for a while longer, watching over her as she slept.
Landon sat on his bed, feeling the emptiness of his room as he thought about the moment Evelyn cried. His phone rang, breaking the silence. "Is she still there?" Caleb's voice came through the line.
"Yeah, she's asleep," Landon replied. "She appears to be drunk."
"She declined police protection," Caleb said. "Can't blame her, considering what happened. I'm sorry for troubling you, Landon, for asking you to make her stay at your home. With her there, I can relax."
Landon's curiosity got the better of him. "Does Evelyn have a grandfather?" he asked.
"Yeah, she did," Caleb replied. "He died two weeks ago. From what I have, he was the only family she had."
Landon was surprised. "What about her parents?" he asked.
"They're dead," Caleb said. "Landon, I don't know much about the details, but they died when she was a baby."
"You know, at first, I thought you two were dating," Caleb said, his tone casual.
Landon's eyes widened in surprise. "Yeah, Mei thought that too.
"Can't blame her, the way she speaks reminded me a lot of when you were young"
Caleb's tone quickly turned serious. "Now, about the thing I called you about - Mark's death will probably be ruled as a suicide."
Landon was taken aback. "What are you talking about? I told you someone wants her dead, you know it!" he exclaimed, his voice rising.
"I know, Landon," Caleb replied, "but there's pressure from higher-ups. My hunch says our police force has been infiltrated by their men."
Landon's eyes grew wider as the shocking revelations unfolded. "So, what's your plan?" he asked, his voice serious.
"I'm going off the records, leading the investigation on my own," Caleb said. "Till then, you have to keep Evelyn by your side, Landon."
Landon was hesitant. "What are you talking about? I have a job."
"For a little while ..I need this favor, Landon. We have to move quickly before another attempt," Caleb urged.
Landon's surprise turned to alarm. "Another attempt? Only the first attempt failed - what makes you think there won't be another?"
Caleb's words hung in the air, and Landon realized the gravity of the situation. "Okay, I'll try," he replied finally.
As the call disconnected, Landon lay on his futon, staring up at the ceiling. "What have I gotten myself into?" he wondered.