Their day started pretty normal—so normal that everyone was on the edge of their seats the whole morning, afraid to do or say something that might jinx their good fortune.
But of course, fate was just lulling them into a false sense of security.
By lunchtime, as Jhoanna and Colet were eating lunch at their respective desks, a call from the radio came in. As soon as it made a sound, Colet stopped munching on her jjajangmyeon, her chopsticks suspended in midair as she listened intently to the operator.
“11-10, all units, requesting backup for a hot pursuit. We have a 459 and 187 in 106-4, Samseongapateu, Oksu-dong, Seongdong-gu.” Colet cocked her pierced eyebrow at Jhoanna after the pause and waited for the rest of the information. “The DB has been recovered inside her apartment. The victim is an elderly female beta maybe in her late 60s, with her throat slashed and with multiple stab wounds to her chest.” Another pause. “According to witnesses, the suspect is a feral alpha, a male in his early 30s, about 173 cm tall, has a lean frame, wearing a white parka jacket, red shirt, and black pants, and could be armed. He might still be around the area. Proceed with caution.”
Colet swallowed her food hastily and grabbed the radio and her jacket. “10-4, Detective Vergara and Detective Robles on the way to the crime scene.”
“Copy that,” said the disembodied voice before it went radio silent.
“Canʼt catch a fucking break,” Colet swore loudly, eyeing her half-eaten bowl of jjajangmyeon with a bit of longing as she grabbed her handcuffs and her handgun.
“Well, you gotta suck it up,” Jhoanna replied thoughtlessly as she also grabbed her pistol and handcuffs, not realizing that she was talking to the god of sexual innuendos.
As if on cue, Colet responded, “Thatʼs what she said,” before throwing a suggestive wink and a playful smirk at Jhoanna.
“Please stop being gross,” Jhoanna replied with a disgusted look on her face. “I might hurl.”
“Oh, please, as if there is something to hurl. You barely ate your lunch,” said Colet with a roll of her eyes before they both rushed outside and climbed onto their designated patrol car.
Colet immediately turned the sirens on and drove them to the scene like the devil was hot on their tail, ignoring traffic lights and parting cars and pedestrians alike, just like Moses did on the Red Sea.
“Drive carefully, Col,” Jhoanna reminded the alpha, knowing how hotheaded she was. Jhoanna gripped the grab handle right above her head so hard as they weaved in and out of traffic, making her knuckles turn white.
“I am careful, Jho. Canʼt you see how I havenʼt run over a single person? Thatʼs quite a feat.”
Jhoanna hit Colet’s shoulder in annoyance. “Stop joking around, will you?”
“Iʼm not joking around, babe,” Colet replied with a straight face, not even realizing that the term of endearment made Jhoanna’s face flush red.
Jhoanna looked away and did not respond. She kept her eyes trained on the road while Colet drove like a maniac, hitting the horn violently now and again.
“Put on the vest,” Colet murmured out of nowhere, her eyes still glued on the road. “Canʼt take any chances.”
Jhoanna huffed. She hated wearing a vest; it was heavy and uncomfortable, and even though, technically, it could save her life from life-threatening injuries, she just couldnʼt get the hang of wearing it. “Iʼm fine, Col.”
Colet looked away from the road for the first time to stare at Jhoanna, her brows furrowed, her eyes narrowed into slits. “What?”
Jhoanna looked away and blatantly ignored the staring. She gently pushed Colet’s face away using her finger but to no avail. “Keep your eyes on the damn road!”
