𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞

"Detective Graves?" A voice, annoyingly cheerful, breaks the silence.

I look up, and there he is - Theon Donovan. I've seen his byline enough times to know he's a journalist with a reputation for getting under people's skin. He's smiling, as if he doesn't notice the dark circles under my eyes or the tension in my shoulders. Great.

"Donovan" I acknowledge briefly, not bothering to hide my annoyance. "What do you want?"

"I heard about the disappearances," he says, stepping into my office uninvited. "I think I can help."

I raise an eyebrow. "Help? How exactly do you think you can help, Mr. Donovan?"

He sits down without waiting for an invitation, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. "I have sources, Detective. People who talk to me won't necessarily talk to you. Plus, I have a skill for finding stories that others miss."

"Fine," I say reluctantly. "But you follow my lead. And if you get in my way, you're out. Understood?"

He grins, a flash of white teeth. "Understood, Detective. Let's catch some bad guys."

𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚍 : 06/12/2024
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