Chapter 9 A CRIME TO SOLVE
Nancy's POV
The past three months have been a blur of survival.
I've been trying to fight through it all, but it hasn't been easy.
My mum barely says a word to me these days, and Harry-God, Harry-has been driving me insane.
He kept his relationship going with that bitch, and though I did my best to avoid him, the pain still cut deep.
I couldn't even bring myself to tell my parents that Harry and I had called off the engagement.
At work, things weren't any better.
I was struggling to carry my new team along while Samuel smoothly settled into his new role as team leader of the Major Crimes Unit, Team C.
I thought he'd defend me.
I thought he'd stand up for me and make our boss see how unfair and downright cruel he'd been to me over the whole situation.
But who was I kidding?
I was on my own.
So, I did what I had to do-held my head high and did my best to lead my new team.
But it wasn't easy.
Most of them had only just been transferred to our unit and were still finding their footing-except for Linda.
She had been my anchor through it all, the only reason I hadn't completely lost my mind.
"What on earth are you thinking about that has you frowning so deeply and staring off into space?"
Linda's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
She was standing by my desk, her expression filled with concern before she sat across from me.
"Nothing," I murmured, forcing a breath.
"I'm just going through all the available CCTV footage from the area where the kids were found.
But whoever's using them to sell hard drugs at that nightclub... they're covering their tracks too well."
"I know you're stressed-we all are-but you need to ease up a bit," Linda said, her voice gentle but firm.
"I had Jacob go back to the club to question the workers again, but I doubt it'll give us much."
She handed me a file.
"Is this Mr. Reed's police record?" I asked, scanning the document, hoping-desperately hoping-for something incriminating.
But it was clean.
Not a single drug-related offense tied to his club since it opened five years ago.
"Yes," Linda said with a sigh.
"He's spotless.
At this point, we might have to let him go.
The CCTV shows he hasn't allowed minors into his club, and the kids are saying they went in by themselves.
That means he might genuinely not have known they were selling drugs that night.
It's... complicated."
But I wasn't about to give up.
Not yet.
"Someone must've let them in-maybe through that back door Mr. Reed claims is strictly for VIP access.
There's no way anyone could mistake those kids for rich partygoers.
They're clearly minors who were pushed into this.
It just doesn't add up," I said, exasperated, running my hands through my hair.
"Take it easy, Nancy.
You look pale.
Are you feeling sick?" Linda asked, reaching out to place a hand on my forehead.
"I'm fine, Linda.
Just a little under the weather," I replied quickly, brushing off any concern for myself.
"No, you're not fine.
You've got a fever," she said, frowning.
"You should see a doctor before the day ends."
But my mind was already elsewhere.
"I think I just figured out a way to find a lead," I said, my eyes lighting up with renewed determination.
I motioned for Linda to lean in closer, and she did.
"We might have to let the kids go."
Her face twisted in confusion.
"What? How on earth is that supposed to get us a lead?"
"There's no way they won't report back to whoever's behind this.
If we trail them, they'll lead us straight to our target.
And honestly," I said, my voice low and bitter, "I'm already sick of this case."
"It's a fifty-fifty chance, but I guess it's worth giving it a shot," Linda said, taking a deep breath.
I was relieved she didn't try to argue or drag it out with me.
"We're going to let Mr. Reed go-but that doesn't mean he's safe.
We need someone to get into his VIP section tonight.
Since we found nothing on him, he's going to assume he's in the clear," I said, biting down on my lower lip-a nervous habit I couldn't seem to shake.
"But won't he recognize us?
I bet he knows our faces by now," Linda replied, her brow raised with concern.
But I already had that angle covered.
"Then it's a good thing Anna's back in town," I said casually, keeping my expression neutral.
"She is?" Linda asked, clearly surprised.
"Yeah.
She doesn't want the chief officer to know until her vacation is over, but I'm calling her in immediately," I said with quiet certainty.
"Then we're set.
Anna's perfect for this.
She'll get past those security guards without breaking a sweat," Linda said with a smirk tugging at her lips.
"Exactly.
I just texted her.
I'll go report to the boss about our next move.
In the meantime, let the kids go-but make sure they understand there'll be strict consequences if they try anything funny.
Also, call Jacob back to the station."
Linda gave a quick nod and stepped out without another word.
I grabbed the file off my desk and headed straight to the chief's office.
It didn't take long to get his approval-he barely looked up from his desk before waving me off with his usual:
"Do whatever you must to get this case closed."
I left his office feeling even more frustrated than before.
The lack of real support stung more than I liked to admit.
My phone buzzed.
A message from Anna.
She wanted to meet at the coffee shop just outside the station's perimeter.
I glanced at my wristwatch-it was almost 4 p.m.
I made my way back to my office where Linda was already waiting, arms folded and eyes alert.
"Are we good to go?" she asked.
"Yeah.
I'm heading out to meet Anna.
You and Jacob keep an eye on the kids.
If anything suspicious happens before Anna shows up, contact me immediately."
She nodded without hesitation, and we both stepped out.
I'd been feeling off all morning-fatigued, slightly dizzy-but this case was weighing on me, and I needed it resolved.
So I ignored the discomfort and pushed forward.
The coffee shop came into view, and there she was-Anna-pacing around a table, clearly impatient.
But when I caught a full glimpse of her outfit, I nearly froze in place.
My jaw went slack.
What on earth is she wearing?
I knew I told her to dress like every other girl you'd find in a club, but I never thought she'd go all in like this.
"Anna?" I called out, drawing her attention as I made my way toward her.
"Nancy, what took you so long?
I feel like I've been waiting for hours," she complained, her arms crossed in mild frustration.
But I barely registered her words-I was too stunned by what she was wearing.
Her outfit clung to every curve with unapologetic boldness-a shiny black leather skirt, short enough to tease, tight enough to demand attention.
Her top was barely a crop tank, exposing her toned stomach like a deliberate challenge to subtlety.
Her eyes sparkled with an unnatural gleam-icy-blue contact lenses that turned each glance into a calculated dare.
Her makeup was a whole statement on its own: unapologetically loud and daring.
Smoky lids smoked with electric purple, winged eyeliner sharp enough to cut tension, and lips drenched in bold blood-red matte.
A dust of glitter shimmered across her cheekbones, catching the faintest light like stardust.
Her jewelry screamed defiance-dangling silver earrings brushed her shoulders with every move, a black choker with a crescent moon pendant circled her neck, a
nd her fingers glittered with layered rings that gleamed like armor.
Every single detail was intentional, calculated, and charged with the kind of energy that dared anyone to question her.
You have got to be kidding me.