Love's So Contagious

Gun

Gulf had dealt with numerous outbreaks throughout his career. He had handled cases of Legionnaires' disease and managed clusters of HIV. He once traced an outbreak of Hep-C back to a dirty tattoo parlor in Samui, but it hadn't posed much of a problem.

However, none of those cases had ever required a sheriff's deputy to be constantly by his side. None of them had involved murder. When Mild Korapat passed away at seven in the evening, the day after being brought in, it became clear that this was different.

"It's strange that his parents never made it here," Gulf said, turning away. He couldn't fathom why they hadn't come immediately. Perhaps they couldn't find a flight to Phuket on short notice or maybe they couldn't afford it. He didn't feel it was his place to judge. Heck, maybe Mild's parents were even in jail. Gulf had seen his fair share of that, hadn't he?

"They got the message, didn't they?" Mew placed a hand on Gulf's shoulder while observing the orderlies removing Mild's body from the ICU.

"Yeah. The chaplain from the school called them. We should probably give him a ring." He paused. "I can't wrap my head around why someone would do this. The perpetrator must have known. If they were aware enough to release the bacteria in a place where meningitis is expected, they must have known that some people would die."

"Exactly." Mew embraced Gulf, offering him some comfort. "That's the distinction between first- and second-degree murder, just so you know." He gave Gulf a reassuring squeeze. "The victim is still deceased, but legally, it makes a difference."

Gulf shut his eyes. At that moment, he wasn't a doctor but just an omega seeking solace. He might not feel deserving of comfort, but he needed it. Recognizing Mew as an alpha, Gulf naturally responded to him. It didn't have to be a significant event. "Yeah. I suppose. I just can't comprehend why, you know? I guess I don't have to, I can still carry out my duties, but I'm a scientist."

Mew led him out into the hallway, away from the orderlies. "I mean, I can't really understand their motives either."

"I can sort of comprehend it with some of them. Maybe the victim did something to provoke the killer, in their twisted perspective." Gulf stepped back and started walking towards the elevators. He had a report to file and a notification to send. "I don't have to agree with it, but I can at least see the reasoning behind it. I can connect the dots. But this? The killer couldn't have predicted which victim would die, yet they knew someone would."

Mew was familiar with the hospital layout by now, at least the parts that were relevant to Gulf's work. He pressed the button to go back to the emergency department and Gulf's office. "Sometimes people are just plain evil. I know it's hard for you to believe that, but it's the truth."

Gulf shut his eyes, contemplating the fact that even the most wicked individuals possess a glimmer of goodness within them. "I once knew this awful guy, scammed thousands of elderly women out of their life savings. He wasn't struggling to escape poverty or anything, he was born into wealth. He was just greedy, and he didn't care about the less fortunate. But let me tell you, he never missed a single event in his children's lives until he was caught. He was present at every baseball game, every dance recital, everything."

Mew gasped. "Gulf. I remember that name."

Gulf turned his gaze elsewhere. He couldn't deny the pain, but most people reacted the same way. Mew wouldn't be any different. "It's not a common name."

"No, it's not." Mew held the elevator door open for him. "How did you manage to avoid prison? I thought your entire family was locked up."

Gulf glared, not caring who witnessed his anger. "I managed to stay out of jail because I didn't do anything wrong. I discovered what they were involved in, avoided getting tangled up with their money like the plague, and refused to help cover up their actions."