Cords that Tangle

Cambria stood near Adrian’s desk, looking around his new office.

Cambria: “You didn’t put anything personal here. Not even a coffee mug.”

Adrian: (glancing up with a small smile) “It’s my first day. Haven’t had time.”

Cambria: “Still feels very… you. Clean, cold, and serious.”

Adrian: “That’s one way to put it.”

She smiled, then her voice softened a bit.

Cambria: “So... how are you really? Being transferred back here, after everything?”

Adrian: (quietly) “It’s strange. Some things have changed. Some things haven’t.”

Cambria: “Well, you’re not the only one carrying stuff, you know.”

Adrian: “I know.” (pauses) “But thanks for checking in.”

Cambria: “Of course. You’re not just a cop to some of us, Adrian.”

The warm scent of coffee still lingered in the air as Cambria’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen, her smirk fading.

“Excuse me,” she said to Adrian, stepping out to take the call. Cambria came inside with tense look at her face and she said "I got a business to do i am leaving if you need anything just call me" she left after saying this.

Adrian watched her leave with narrowed eyes. She wasn’t one to be shaken easily.

Meanwhile, Adrian returned to the file on his desk—the woman in the alley. He flipped through her photos, rereading the report like he was peeling back each word.

Across the city, Dr. Selene Ward sat in her consultation room, legs crossed, a pen in hand. Her patient—a jittery man in his thirties—fidgeted in the chair.

“You’re not here to impress me, Mr. Lewis. I’m here to help you, not admire your lies.”

He froze, blinking at her calm stare.

Minutes passed. The clock on her desk chimed softly—5:33

Selene’s brow lifted.

“Oh.”

She picked up her phone and dialed Adrian.

Adrian reached for his coffee, cold now. He barely lifted it when his phone buzzed.

Selene Ward.

He let it ring once before picking up. “What is it?” His voice was quieter now, less rigid.

“You’re not even going to say hello?” came the familiar silk-threaded voice. “How charming of you.”

He leaned back in his chair, eyes briefly closing. “You called. I picked up. It’s efficient.”

“And here I thought you’d sound excited when I remind you that we have a party to attend.”

Adrian’s eyes blinked open. “Right… that’s tonight?”

“Yes. You forgot, didn’t you?” Selene’s voice carried the usual knowing smirk.

“I didn’t forget. I was busy,” he muttered, straightening in his chair.

“I’m sure your corpse appreciates your dedication.”

He sighed, a rare curve forming at the edge of his lips. “You’re coming too?”

“Do you think they’d throw a department party and leave out the only psychiatrist holding this unit together?”

Adrian chuckled. “Fair. You want me to pick you up?”

“Seven sharp,” she said crisply.

He smirked. “I should be the one saying that to you.”

“Oh, darling, you’ll learn I’m always on time.” And with that, she hung up.

Adrian stared at the silent phone for a second and put down the phone and called out, "Neil"

His assistant arrived, slightly out of breath.

“Sir?”

“Did anyone come to claim the woman’s corpse?”

“No, sir. Nobody yet. During the background check, we found she was an orphan. No spouse. But she was close to someone—details are here.” He handed the report.

Adrian scanned the page and paused. “Is she a professor?”

“Yes, sir. A respected one, apparently.”

“You can go.”

As Neil turned to leave, Adrian asked, “You going to the party?”

“Yes, sir. Everyone is.”

Adrian asked "Who is staying for the night shift ?"

Neil replied" Some officers are having the night shift they are staying sir".

Adrian said " you may leave now".

Neil said " yes sir and left".

---

That evening, Adrian returned home. His apartment was neat, clean, almost empty. He changed into a dark suit, fixed his collar, and checked his watch—6:55 PM.

The streets had begun to blur with amber streetlights by the time Adrian Rook pulled up in front of a tall apartment building. His car engine hummed softly under the settling dusk. He leaned over and tapped the horn lightly.

Moments later, the door to the building opened and Dr. Selene Ward stepped out, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement. She wore a midnight-blue dress that hugged her figure in a way that was elegant, not loud—like everything about her. Her dark hair was pulled back, loose strands framing her face.

She slipped into the passenger seat with practiced ease. “You’re early,” she said, settling in.

“I’m punctual,” Adrian replied, glancing at her with a small smirk. “You look nice.”

Selene arched an eyebrow. “That almost sounded like a compliment.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

She laughed under her breath. “You clean up well too, Inspector Rook.”

They didn’t speak much on the drive—both were used to the comfort of quiet. The kind of silence that doesn’t demand to be filled.

---

The department banquet was held at a private lounge attached to a local club. Soft music drifted through the air, and officers mingled under warm lighting. As Adrian and Selene walked in, heads turned. A few nodded in recognition; others simply paused, surprised to see the usually composed psychiatrist with someone by her side.

“Seems like we’re already drawing attention,” Selene murmured.

Adrian adjusted his collar. “That’s your fault.”

Inside, a few fellow officers greeted Adrian warmly. Selene peeled away for a moment, politely engaging with two junior agents who had once sat in on her profiling seminar.

Just then, Cambria Vale’s name lit up Selene’s phone.

She answered with a slight tilt of her head, moving toward a quieter corner. “Yes?”

“Are you two seriously enjoying the party without me?” Cambria’s voice came loud and dramatic.

Selene rolled her eyes affectionately. “Yes. And if I’m being honest, we’re enjoying it more now.”

“Oh, betrayal,” Cambria groaned. “I hope someone spills wine on your dress.”

As if fate agreed with her, Selene bumped into a tall man while turning, and a splash of red wine splattered on the lower hem of her gown.

She froze. “Seriously?”

The man blinked, clearly caught off guard. He was striking—tall, broad-shouldered, with a sharp jawline and a sheepish look now painted across his face.

“I’m so sorry,” he said quickly. “I didn’t see you.”

Selene clicked her tongue, her voice cool. “Then maybe you should start looking where you walk.”

Cambria, still on the phone, said, “What happened? Hello? Selene?” But the line had already gone dead.

The man cleared his throat, reaching for a napkin. “Let me—”

“It’s fine,” Selene interrupted. “Just watch your steps next time.” She walked off, head held high.

Across the room, the man’s friend approached. “Damien, you alright?”

Damien Kessler gave a half-laugh. “Yeah. Just met the famous Dr. Selene Ward.”

“Yup,” the friend nodded. “She’s known for making grown men feel like they’re five.”

---

Meanwhile, Adrian had joined a small circle of officers when someone tapped his shoulder.

“Inspector,” a fellow officer said, “this is Dr. Nolan Virek. Our new forensic consultant.”

Adrian turned. Nolan stood alone, sipping wine like the party was a background noise he barely acknowledged.

“No need for introductions,” Nolan said, setting his glass down. “We’ve worked together before. Remember Berlin?”

Adrian’s brow lifted faintly. “I remember.”

The officer smiled. “I’ll leave you two to catch up.”

They talked for a while—brief, clipped exchanges about old cases and recent developments. Then, Damien joined them, nodding at Nolan.

“This is Damien Kessler,” Nolan said, “a friend of mine. Detective. Just opened an agency nearby.”

Adrian shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

As the three men shared a drink, Selene reappeared, her dress changed into something even more elegant—sleek black with silver threads along the cuffs.

“You three look suspicious,” she teased, stepping into their circle.

Adrian smiled lightly. “Selene, this is Nolan Virek. And Damien Kessler.”

“Nolan and I have met,” she said with a small nod. “Damien, nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Damien replied, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

As the night grew older, Selene leaned close to Adrian. “Let’s go. You still have work to do, and I’m tired of dodging people I barely remember.”

Adrian nodded. “Come on. I’ll drop you off.”

They walked out together, the sounds of laughter fading behind them.

To be countinued.........

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