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This problem is apparently impossible to solve

- Shouldn't we stop at the hotel first and get ourselves together? We're exhausted from the trip... – Neva wasn't one to complain, but all the delays they faced from leaving Istanbul to reaching Mardin really sucked all her strength. Ilgaz, however, was urgently requesting a car, not wanting to wait another minute to reach the mission site. 

- Eren left the Chief of Police and the team on alert for our arrival, they have been waiting for us all this time. It wouldn't be fair to leave them planted there. – the prosecutor then nodded, thinking how considerate Ilgaz was, but she caught an awkward exchange of glances between the commissioner and him, as if all that consideration was... something else.

She didn't like the feeling.

The day was an ordeal on its own, the June heat at full power making the sun shine above the car as if it wanted to roast them alive in the vehicle, the air conditioning barely keeping up with them four – another Mardin police officer assigned to drive them to the border driving, Eren in the ride plus Ilgaz and she in the back seat, but while she just wanted a shower and rest, the closer they got to their destination, the more excited he seemed to get. Anxious, tapping his fingers on his knees, even laughing at the relaxed conversation between the commissioner and the policeman. Ilgaz didn't laugh easily, but why did that bother her?

- We're coming, Sayın Şefi. – the policeman said and she heard Eren mutter: – "I hope you keep your tongue in your mouth and don't drool like you used to." Ilgaz nodded and sent his friend a murderous glare.

- Sus, Eren, sus. – two huge Jeeps were parked in a guardhouse at border, Ilgaz and Eren got out soon to meet their team and the prosecutor waited for dust that the car raised to settle before getting out of the vehicle. She didn't want to look more messy and dirty in front of the cops, but a couple was arguing so intensely they didn't even hear them arrive. And as she got closer, Neva understood that it wasn't an argument: it was a massacre.

- But the gendarmerie şefi... –  the boy looked scared as he argued.

- Umutcım... even if Erdogün himself came in person, I wouldn't keep them here. We're tired, we have other things to do in town, and there aren't many of us. Who this man thinks he is? – that woman must be the Chief of Police of Mardin, because nothing justified the boldness of speech by any officer. – I don't have a bootlicking team, they're serious men. – Neva let her chin drop a little before glancing at Ilgaz and finding him chuckling silently, but so much that he threw his head back and she didn't understand anything at all: 

- My shoes are also serious, they cost almost ten thousand lire at Vakko. But don't worry, I won't offer you to lick them, Ceylin Hanım. I learned my lesson. – instead of scolding her, a joke! Neva saw the woman's expression completely change. Narrowing her green eyes, Ceylin lost her fighting posture and stared at Ilgaz like the last person she expected to see there, but not with embarrassment: it was as if she were seeing a ghost and the air between them burned as if they were alone in the middle of desert.

- My queen, how long! – Eren broke the tension by opening his arms to her, who hugged him back shyly. – I've missed you, little one, seni çok özledim, Allah Allah!

- Eren... Merhaba! – then she noticed the badge he kept around his neck: – Komiser? – he nodded, proudly. – Tebrikler!

- Chief of police, you! – Ceylin lowered her eyes, humbly. – The best Mardin could have, I don't doubt it. – Umut disagreed, but seeing their interaction, he preferred to keep quiet and under her radar. Neva then cleared her throat, and the commissioner hurried to introduce them. – Ceylin Hanım, Neva Savcı, responsible for our civil investigation.

- Pleasure to meet you. – they exchanged a polite handshake and measured each other, discreetly, until Ceylin's attention returned to Ilgaz, standing with his hands in his pockets, and Neva frowned. "Who was that woman?"

- I apologize for our delay, there was an issue with our flight. – the prosecutor gave a weak smile, and Ceylin nodded, but didn't lift the frown.

- I understand it was beyond your power, but I couldn't keep my men here after such an intense vigil on the border, so I've just sent them back home. – Ilgaz took off his glasses and she held in a sigh of... lust? How could he be so much more... manly? The years spent by the ex-commissioner have only done him good.

- Dismissed the men without consulting us, being that you were ordered to – his tongue did not brake in time – expressly instructed that we should see them on our arrival? 

- I did. You can sue me if you didn't like it. – she returned, curtly, and Eren laughed at them both, nostalgic.

- It's like being at the Istanbul station again, Ceylin hasn't changed a thing! – "So... is it an old friendship?" Neva still wondered herself.

- I wish I hadn't changed, but... – was the only answer.

- Well, it looks like nothing has really changed, since I barely arrived and you're already doing things for your head. It was important to find them now, Ceylin... –  her name flowed with the intimacy of one who already knew the other fully and she shivered. But Ilgaz couldn't have that much power, not that long later, and Ceylin couldn't let him get too close, not when there was the past between them and all the consequences... It was too risky... So protect herself with her tough personality was the safest way: 

- As well as their shift change, Sayın Şefi. And why not dismiss them, since we've been looking for something without success for two weeks? At least today, see the situation according to their needs and not just yours, we're not going to solve anything anyway... We must escort you to the city now and tomorrow I will introduce the team assigned to your mission. –  and with a poor wave to Neva, Ceylin took her leave. – Come on, Umut, we're not done with our work yet. – she took two steps towards the jeep, until the thundering voice made her stop in place.

- Ceylin Hanım. – with all the ill will she could muster, she turned to Ilgaz, clenching her fists. He'd loosened his tie and opened his jacket, as if he were getting ready to pick the fight she wanted. – Do you know what this operation is about? – Ceylin frowned, remembering that the Prosecution's Office had sent out a statement about it two weeks ago, but something in Ilgaz's expression chilled her bones.

- Traffic. – Neva sighed, condemning herself for the lack of details in her email.

- Evet, traffic. But not drugs, Ceylin. People.

- Ne?! 

- At this very moment, a convoy full of women trafficked into prostitution or something more serious is on verge of crossing the border. If we lose them, it's your fault.