EKON: BLOOD TIES

Chapter 4

The alarm clock blared, piercing through the tranquility of the morning and jolting Claire awake. She blinked against the harsh light streaming through her window, the remnants of last night's revelations still echoing in her mind. The encounter with Drake, the strange connection to her father, and the ominous feeling that had settled over her like a storm cloud left her feeling both restless and anxious.

Sitting on the edge of her bed, she contemplated the events that had unfolded in the past few days. Drake's message weighed heavily on her, igniting a mix of hope and dread. Was her father truly alive, somehow connected to this world again? And what did that mean for her and the ongoing investigation into Salazar?

With a heavy sigh, she pushed herself up, shaking off the remnants of sleep and uncertainty. Claire shuffled to the kitchen, the familiar routine of preparing breakfast providing a comforting distraction. She filled a kettle with water and set it on the stove, her mind racing as she waited for it to boil. The rich aroma of coffee soon filled the air, grounding her as she fished out a mug from the cabinet.

After breakfast, Claire headed to the bathroom, where the invigorating splash of cold water helped to clear her mind. She stepped into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over her, washing away the lingering anxiety of the past few days. The steam filled the bathroom, and she took a moment to breathe, mentally preparing herself for whatever the day might bring.

Once she was dressed and ready, Claire grabbed her bag and headed out the door, the weight of her service weapon resting comfortably at her side. The brisk morning air hit her as she stepped outside, the hustle and bustle of the city enveloping her in its chaotic embrace.

The subway ride to the precinct was uneventful, filled with the usual mix of commuters lost in their own worlds. But as Claire rode, her thoughts drifted back to the mystery surrounding her father. She couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning—that everything she had been investigating was connected in ways she couldn't yet understand.

Arriving at the station, Claire took a deep breath, steeling herself for the day ahead. She walked through the familiar corridors, exchanging nods and greetings with her colleagues. The precinct was alive with energy, officers bustling about, the sounds of phones ringing and conversations blending into a familiar symphony.

Claire made her way to her desk, the weight of the investigation still pressing on her. Today, she needed to focus. Whatever was happening with Salazar and the potential link to her father could wait for later. For now, she had a job to do, and she intended to do it well.

The city was abuzz with energy as the election approached, the atmosphere electric with anticipation. Posters plastered the streets, vibrant colors and bold slogans vying for attention as candidates campaigned tirelessly. Local news stations had set up their mobile studios on street corners, broadcasting live updates about debates, polls, and the occasional scandal that seemed to bubble up with alarming frequency.

In the precinct, the buzz was palpable. Officers were stretched thin, dealing with the usual uptick in crime during election season, as tensions rose and rivalries flared. Claire could feel the charged atmosphere as she navigated the precinct, her colleagues' voices filled with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. There was a sense that, with the election just around the corner, everything felt heightened, as if the entire city were holding its breath.

Claire settled at her desk, flipping through case files while listening to snippets of conversations around her. "Did you see that rally downtown? People were packed in like sardines," one officer said, shaking his head. "And the protests? It's like the city's come alive overnight."

"I heard rumors that Salazar might be throwing his support behind one of the candidates," another officer chimed in. "If that happens, it could complicate things for us."