Shadows of Deceit | MilkLove AU

Ch9: The Weight of Secrets

The sterile scent of antiseptic hung heavily in the air of the hospital room, mingling with the soft whirring of machines. Pale green walls surrounded a bed where Captain Suthep lay, his body eerily still, save for the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. The fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow, illuminating the lines of worry etched into Pat's face as she stood at his side.

A doctor in a crisp white coat entered, his expression somber. "The antidote you administered only slows the poison but does not stop it," he explained, his voice steady yet laced with concern. "The second antidote is not reacting with living cells, so there's a big chance it might cause more harm than good if we administered it. We'll do more testing to be sure. For now, we'll need to put him in an induced coma."

Just then, Tinh entered the room, her brow furrowed with concern. "What happened?" he asked, eyeing Suthep's unconscious form.

Pat hesitated, deflecting. "I was investigating the captain's connection to the Jaguar Syndicate," she replied. Tinh's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wait...you...what?! You think he was involved?" Tinh asked.

"I had a feeling he might be the next target," Pat continued, her head spinning for the lie she was about to utter. "There were too many oddities—Suthep hiding something, his sudden absence... I managed to track him down to a location near...uhm...the river. When I arrived, I saw him in the car and...a hooded figure dropped the antidotes and ran when they spotted me."

Tinh absorbed this information, his expression turning contemplative. "So, the killer really is ahead of us, huh," he murmured.

Before Tinh could delve deeper into the implications of the figure's identity, Pat steered the conversation back. "The captain's condition is critical, but we need to focus on our next steps. Can you gather more background on Captain Suthep?"

"Of course," Tinh replied.

"And," Pat hesitated, gathering her resolve. "Can you also look for post-mortem reports on all the victims? I want to check for any inconsistencies that might connect them."

Tinh nodded. "I'll get on it."

As Tinh left the room, Pat clenched her fists, fighting back tears. She felt the weight of her decisions pressing down on her.

***

As Pat stumbled into her apartment, exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders. She dropped her bag onto the table with a thud, the sound echoing in the quiet space that felt too large for her weary heart. The stress of the day gnawed at her, and she sank onto the couch, rubbing her temples in a futile attempt to ease the tension coiling inside her.

As she leaned back, her mind drifted, a tumult of thoughts swirling like the city beyond her windows. The recent events flooded back: Suthep's condition, her confrontation with Pan, and the unsettling realization that time was running out.

Her gaze fell on a small painting hanging on the wall. It pictured a serene garden of white lilies, their petals soft and inviting. A smile flickered on her lips as she recalled the day Captain Pasu had gifted it to her, celebrating her promotion to Sergeant. It had felt like a turning point, a promise of new beginnings.