Frank reported this unnatural phenomenon to his chief, Layla, who immediately passed the details to her higher-ups. While waiting for further instructions, Frank continued investigating, determined to find a breakthrough. However, the very next day, Chief Layla called Frank and Jenny into her office. Her expression was unusually serious.
"An order has come down from above," she said, folding her hands on the desk. "You're to cease all investigations into the case immediately. Summarize your findings and hand everything over to me. This case is being transferred to a different department."
Frank's jaw tightened. "With all due respect, Chief, this is our case. We've been on it from the start. We're the ones who know it best."
Layla sighed, looking genuinely regretful. "I understand how you feel, Frank, but this decision is out of my hands. Orders from the top. Even I don't get a say in this."
Frank exchanged a glance with Jenny, who looked equally frustrated. "So that's it? We just hand everything over and walk away?"
"That's it," Layla said firmly. "I'm sorry."
Left with no choice, Frank and Jenny compiled their findings and handed over the case files. The sense of helplessness gnawed at Frank as he watched the files disappear from his desk. The case that had consumed his thoughts for weeks was no longer his.
Days passed, and Frank found himself drowning in routine cases—petty thefts, domestic disputes, traffic violations. The mystery of the phasing thief lingered in the back of his mind, but he forced himself to move on.
Then, just as the monotony was getting unbearable, a familiar chime rang in his head.
[Ding! New Mission Issued]
[Name: Eliana Rose]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 26]
[Unique ID: 4563 XXXX XXXX]
Frank smirked. "Finally. I was starting to think the city had gone peaceful or something."
[Hey! That's not exactly a good thing. I'd rather never have to issue a mission.]
"If that happens, I'd be out of a job, you know."
[You can find another job. People don't get another life.]
"Enough with the philosophy. I don't have time for that."
"Who are you talking to?" Zoey, sitting across from him, raised an eyebrow.
Frank froze. Was I talking out loud?
[Yep.]
'You could've warned me.'
"Oh, no one. Just thinking out loud. I just got another tip."
Zoey leaned back in her chair. "Oh? Your informant sure is talented. Mine barely gives me anything useful."
"Well, my guy specializes in this kind of work." Frank grinned as he stood. "Anyway, I need to head out."
"Alright. Let me know if you need backup. Your cases are always interesting."
"Will do."
With that, Frank made his way to the IT guy, Ajay.
"Hey, Ajay~ I need a favor."
Ajay spun around in his chair, smirking. "Oh? What's up, buddy? Need me to hack into the lottery system?"
"Not this time," Frank chuckled. "I need you to dig up some details on someone."
Ajay wiggled his eyebrows. "Oho~ Is this someone a he or a she?"
"She. Why?"
"Oh-ho! Hang on there, pal. I can't just go snooping into someone's personal records for your dating life."
Frank rolled his eyes. "Come on, man, it's not like that. I don't even know her. I just got a tip—she's going to be involved in some kind of crime."
Ajay crossed his arms, eyeing him skeptically. "You swear this isn't personal?"
Frank sighed. "Have we not worked on cases together? Have you ever seen me do anything shady?"
Ajay scratched his head, then shrugged. "Alright, alright. What's the name?"
"Eliana Rose. ID: 4563 XXXX XXXX."
Ajay cracked his knuckles and started typing. Within minutes, he leaned back with a whistle.
"Damn. Eliana Rose. Graduated top of her class from Greenwood Medical School. Works crazy shifts—80 hours a week at the hospital. No sick days since her residency started. Single, lives alone."
Frank frowned. "Anything suspicious? Complaints? Lawsuits?"
"Not a single one. No malpractice, no enemies at work. Checked her socials too—seems well-liked, friendly, normal."
Frank leaned against the desk, thinking. The system doesn't hand out missions for nothing. Something's about to go down.
"Well, guess I'll have to do some tailing." He clapped Ajay on the shoulder. "Thanks, buddy. I'll take it from here."
"Anytime."
Frank strolled into Chief Layla's office, only to find her… dozing off.
He smirked and slammed his palms on her desk.
"SMACK!"
Layla jolted awake, nearly falling off her chair. "Huh—wha—who?!"
"Good morning, Chief."
She blinked up at him, then quickly straightened her uniform. "Oh, hey, Frank. I was just… uh… thinking deeply about a case."
"Right, Chief. Very deeply."
She coughed. "Good, good. So, what brings you here?"
"I need a day off."
"No."
Frank sighed. "Come on, Chief. It's for a case. I need to do some off-the-books investigation."
Layla raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Since it's case-related, fine. But I expect a full report."
"Of course, Chief."
"Thanks, Chief."
With that, Frank arrived at the hospital where Eliana was working. He sat patiently in an examination room, waiting for his appointment.
After a short while, the door opened, and Eliana stepped in.
"Sorry for the delay—an emergency patient came up."
"Oh, it's alright," Frank said casually.
"Glad you understand. Some patients get all worked up over a slight delay."
"Well, you can't do much about those kinds of people."
Eliana smiled. "You're officially the sweetest patient I've seen today." She held out a hand. "I'm Dr. Eliana Rose. What brings you in?"
"Frank Miller," he introduced himself. "Been having some back pain. My job keeps me on my feet for long hours, running around all over the place. I think I might have sprained something."
"Oh? And what kind of job is that?"
"I'm a detective with the Daeton Police Department."
Eliana raised an eyebrow, grinning. "A detective? Then I better be extra careful. Wouldn't want to end up behind bars for a small mistake."
Frank chuckled. "I'll let it slide. This time."
She picked up a clipboard. "Alright, on a scale of one to five, how bad is the pain?"
"Hm… I'd say around a three or four."
She extended her hand. "Squeeze my hand."
Frank complied.
"Well, it's nothing too serious," she said after checking his grip strength. "I'll prescribe some painkillers. Should help."
"That'd be great."
"Alright, wait here while I grab my prescription tablet." She walked out of the room.
The moment she was gone, Frank quickly bugged her phone.
[Tsk, tsk. A cop doing something illegal.]
"Shut up," he muttered under his breath.
A few moments later, Eliana returned with the prescription. "Okay, take these for three days. If the pain doesn't improve, you'll have to come back."
"That's quite alright, Dr. Rose. I've got everything I need."
With that, Frank walked out of the hospital, his real investigation just beginning.