Zoey smirked, taking a sip of her drink. "Of course I do. And before you get any ideas, I'm not here for you."
Frank raised an eyebrow. "Then what?"
"That guy who's been following your subject? I'm here for him." She nodded toward Andrew Karl, who was sitting in a VIP booth, surrounded by girls.
Frank's gaze darkened. "So, chief put you on for his investigation?"
Zoey shrugged. "I followed him here, and since the department is covering my expenses… why not have a little fun while I work?"
She winked, raising her glass in a mock toast before taking another slow sip.
Frank sighed, shaking his head. "Of course you would."
"So, did you find anything?" Frank asked, leaning in.
Zoey's playful demeanor shifted as she got serious. "Not much, but your subject has attracted some really unwanted attention."
"Andrew William Karl," she continued. "Investment banker at Liberty Financial."
Frank frowned. "Does he have a record?"
"Technically, no." Zoey tapped her phone. "But there's a string of accusations—stalking, harassment, sexual assault. As far as I can tell, he's never been formally charged."
Frank's jaw tightened. "Fits the profile of a predator. And I think he's picked out Dr. Eliana as his next victim."
Zoey nodded. "That's what I thought too." She pulled out her phone and tapped the screen. "So, I did a little digging. Broke into his apartment."
She turned the phone toward him, showing several photos—Karl with different women.
Frank's eyes narrowed. "Who are they? His conquests?"
"Most likely."
"Any of them Eliana?"
Zoey shook her head. "No. I also went through his browsing history. He hasn't searched for her online, hasn't looked up her hospital or apartment address—nothing connects him to our doctor."
Frank's fingers drummed against the table. "So he's careful. Methodical."
Zoey smirked. "Maybe he wasn't always so careful." She scrolled through her phone. "Turns out Karl had an old college record that was expunged. Could tell us exactly what kind of man we're dealing with."
Frank's eyes sharpened. "Can we get access?"
"Already reported it to the chief. We should have something soon."
She leaned back. "That's all I've got. What about your subject?"
Frank exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Same routine—12-hour shifts at the hospital, then she's out all night. But why? What's driving her?"
Zoey studied him. "And that's what you're trying to figure out."
"Exactly." Frank's eyes flicked toward Eliana, who was downing another drink at the bar. "Something doesn't add up."
Frank ran a hand through his hair. "She works 12-hour shifts, stays out all night… Why? What's driving her?"
Zoey nudged him, nodding toward the bar. "Forget that for now. Karl's making his move."
Frank's eyes locked onto the man sliding onto the stool beside Eliana.
"Let's get closer," Zoey whispered.
Frank hesitated—he could read their lips just fine from here—but Zoey was already striding toward the bar.
"Damn it," he muttered, following her.
They took seats a few stools away, close enough to hear the conversation.
Karl leaned against the bar, signaling the bartender. "A Hurricane, Neil."
While waiting for his drink, he turned to Eliana.
"Long day, stressful job… Finally off the clock, just want some peace, but some clueless idiot keeps bothering you."
Eliana smirked. "Girl alone at a bar—what do you expect?"
Karl chuckled, shaking his head. "I wasn't talking about you. In case you haven't noticed, I'm beating them off with a stick here."
Eliana chuckled, amusement flashing in her eyes. "Is that so?"
"Whatever you do, don't offer to buy me another drink."
They shared a look—an unspoken challenge passing between them.
Karl raised his glass. "Andrew."
Eliana tilted her head, swirling her own drink. "Megan."
Frank stiffened.
"She's using a fake name," Zoey murmured.
"Yeah… but why?" Frank muttered back.
Eliana downed the last of her drink, standing up. "I was just about to step out for some fresh air."
Karl's lips curled into a grin. "Yeah? Mind if I join you?"
She hesitated—just a second—before nodding.
They walked toward the exit.
"Let's go." Frank pushed off his stool.
Zoey was already moving.
From a safe distance, they followed.
*****
Eliana staggered slightly, her movements loose and unsteady, as if the alcohol had finally caught up to her.
"I don't know… You look so good. What time is it?" she slurred, leaning into Andrew.
Andrew smirked. "It's 3 a.m. Town's pretty much shutting down." He lowered his voice, making it unmistakably suggestive. "But I know a place right around the corner. Full bar… comfy bed."
Eliana giggled, tilting her head. "Oh, your place?"
"Unless you've got a better idea," he said smoothly.
He took a step closer, fingers grazing her face. "Come on, we'll do whatever you want. Hang out, have some drinks… maybe something stronger."
Frank, who had been lurking just out of sight, tensed. His instincts screamed at him to step in, but he forced himself to wait.
Then, Eliana suddenly pulled back. "Mmm, tempting… but I have work in the morning. Maybe next time."
Andrew exhaled, disappointed but still confident. "You know where to find me."
Eliana smirked, blowing him a teasing kiss before turning away.
Andrew lingered for a moment before heading off into the night.
Then—just like that—Eliana changed.
Her steps straightened. Her flushed, playful expression vanished, replaced by something sharp. Cold. Calculated.
Zoey stiffened beside Frank. "What the fuck?" she murmured.
Frank narrowed his eyes. "Let's keep following her."
They trailed her at a safe distance, watching as she made her way up to a nearby rooftop.
What she did next left them both speechless.
From her bag, she pulled out a camera and aimed it at the opposite glass building.
Frank followed her line of sight and quickly took out his phone, zooming in on the same spot.
His stomach dropped.
Andrew Karl stood in front of his apartment door, entering a passcode.
"Wait a damn minute—" Frank muttered.
Zoey turned to him, eyes wide. "What? What is it?"
Frank exhaled sharply, piecing it all together.
"We had it wrong from the start."
Zoey frowned. "Hey—what did you see?"
Frank clenched his jaw.
"It's Karl." He turned to Zoey, his voice low and certain. "Karl's not stalking the doctor. She's stalking him."