The Silence it Carries

Chapter - 11.5: How Catch the far away prey ?

All those 15 years ago, when Robin fled the shores of Canada, Chips was the most devastated one. She blamed herself for being his only opening to the idea of fleeing; she felt that she had brought freedom to the most notorious criminal instead of justice.

Even though the entire CBSA knew Robin's destination and promptly relayed this information to the Russian authorities through INTERPOL, it proved futile. Robin was so far off the grid that the bureaucratic system, bogged down by international protocols and jurisdictional challenges, failed to track him down. It became a case of one single man eluding the combined efforts of two powerful governments.

As the years passed, the relentless pursuit of Robin Miller took its toll on the team. Many inspectors, detectives, and officers began to lose hope, their determination waning in the face of countless dead ends and false leads. The once fervent drive to bring the notorious criminal to justice gradually faded, replaced by a resigned acceptance of his escape.

However, Detective Jacob Lee stood as a stark exception. Unlike his colleagues, Jacob's resolve never wavered. He clung to the pursuit of Robin Miller with a fierce, almost obsessive determination. For Jacob, this case was not just another unsolved mystery—it was deeply personal. Robin was the murderer of his late daughter, Sara Lee, and Jacob could not rest until justice was served.

Jacob's single-minded pursuit became his life's mission, a final semblance of purpose in the aftermath of his daughter's brutal death. His colleagues watched as he tirelessly combed through evidence, revisited old leads, and meticulously analyzed every detail of the case. He was the embodiment of tenacity, refusing to let go of the hope that Robin could still be caught.

As the stress and frustration mounted, Jacob's smoking habit, already a coping mechanism, became even more chronic. The sight of him with a cigarette perpetually between his lips became a familiar one around the precinct. Day by day, the smoke swirled around him, a testament to his unwavering focus and the heavy burden he carried.

Jacob's office was a stark contrast to the rest of the department. Where others had cleared away their case files and moved on, his space was a shrine to the pursuit of Robin Miller. Walls were plastered with maps, timelines, and photographs, creating a visual representation of his relentless quest. Every lead, no matter how minor, was scrutinized and reexamined in the hope that it might offer a breakthrough.

Despite the passage of time, Jacob's dedication never faltered. His health and personal life suffered as a result, but he remained undeterred. For him, the case was a constant reminder of his failure to protect his daughter and a relentless drive to atone for that perceived failure. Each drag of his cigarette was a silent vow to Sara, a promise that he would never stop seeking justice for her.

Jacob's determination kept the case alive, a beacon of hope for those who still believed in the possibility of Robin's capture. His colleagues, though they had moved on, could not help but admire his persistence. In the darkest moments of doubt, they found inspiration in Jacob's unyielding resolve, a reminder that justice might still be within reach, even if it seemed elusive.

Sergeant Charlotte "Chips" Peterson walked down the dimly lit corridor towards Detective Jacob Lee's office. She knocked lightly on the door and heard a faint, hoarse voice from inside, interrupted by a fit of coughing.

"Detective Jacob, may I come in?"

"Please, come in. How can I help you?" Jacob's voice was strained and weak.

Chips entered the office, carrying a new case file. "A new case file just arrived. They've assigned it to you."

Jacob's eyes widened in surprise and frustration. "What? But I'm still in the middle of an investigation!"