The police station was unusually loud that afternoon. Phones kept ringing from different corners. Papers shuffled. Officers walked in and out with hurried steps, some carrying files, others arguing softly over reports. The air smelled faintly of coffee that had been reheated one too many times.
In the middle of all that movement, Liam Graham stood still. Too still.
His presence didn't blend in. Not because he looked out of place, but because his attention wasn't where it should have been.
His eyes moved constantly. Left then Right. Across desks, past people. As if he had come here for one reason and hadn't found it yet.
Noah spotted him from across the room. For a second, he thought he was mistaken. Then he blinked again. Nope. Still there.
"Dr. Graham?" Noah walked toward him, clearly surprised. "What are you doing here? Did something happen?"
Liam turned, as if pulled out of a thought. "Oh...no, no," he said quickly, adjusting his expression into something casual. "Nothing like that. I just… thought I'd stop by."
Noah folded his arms slightly. "Stop by?"
"To see how you guys are doing."
Noah raised a brow. "Me and Evan?"
"Yes—yes," Liam nodded a little too fast. "You guys."
Noah narrowed his eyes just a little. Why does this sound like a student giving viva answers… "But we still have time before the next session," Noah said.
"I know," Liam replied. "I just wanted to see your working environment. In case you need help."
Noah smiled faintly. "That's… actually really thoughtful of you."
And it was. But, then Noah noticed it. Again. Those eyes. They weren't resting. They were searching. Constantly. Noah tilted his head slightly. "You looking for someone, Dr. Graham?"
Liam paused. Just enough to be noticeable. Then, "Evan," he said. "How is he? Where is he?"
Noah answered casually, "At work. Where else would he be? I'll pick him up and bring him to your clinic."
Liam nodded. "Yeah… sure." Silence slipped in for a moment.
Then, "By the way…" Liam added, trying to sound normal, "where is Vict—I mean… Detective Kolon?"
Noah blinked...Once...Twice...
"…Vic?" he repeated internally.
"Detective Kolon went straight to the scene," Noah replied. "He's been working nonstop. Rhea's been missing for days… he's barely resting." Then he added, thoughtfully, "Though yeah… he has been acting a bit weird since we last came to your clinic."
Liam's lips curved slowly. A small grin. Almost… satisfied.
"Oh… is he?"
Noah watched him for a second. Why do you look happy about that…
But before he could say anything Liam stepped back.
"I should get going."
Noah nodded. "Yeah, sure."
Liam walked away. And Noah just stood there. Thinking. Wait… His brain finally caught up. Did he just say… Vict? Noah frowned. Victor? He blinked again. Hold on… since when are we calling Detective Kolon "Vict"? A beat. Then another thought hit him, Did I miss something?? Since when they started addressing each other on first name basis?? Did I miss some friendship arc show between them??
Noah almost scoffed. Impossible. He pictured Kolon in his mind...cold stare, zero tolerance, emotional range of a brick wall. That man doesn't even let people breathe comfortably around him… and this one is calling him "Victor"? Noah scratched the back of his neck. Either I'm missing something… or Dr. Graham is very brave… A pause. Then"…or very dead in the near future." He exhaled. Yeah, no. I'm overthinking. And just like that he let it go.
Liam walked down the steps of the station, hands in his pockets. A faint pout sat on his face. Almost childish. Almost… disappointed. He had come all this way and still hadn't seen him. "Unbelievable…" he muttered.
And then...thud.
He collided with someone. The impact wasn't hard, but enough to break his thoughts.
"Oh—sorry," Liam said immediately, stepping back.
The man in front of him looked annoyed for a split second. Sharp eyes...Tense jaw...But then, just as quickly his expression softened. A polite smile replaced it.
"It's alright," the man said calmly. "My fault too."
They both dipped their heads slightly. Respectful. Measured. Then stepped aside. Walked past each other.
Liam took a few steps then turned back. Something about that man felt… strange. But when he looked there was no one there. Gone. Just like that. Liam frowned faintly. Then shrugged it off and continued walking.
Kai walked in the station. Noah spotted him instantly and let out a small laugh.
"Okay, is today doctor's day?"
Kai chuckled. "What do you mean?"
"You're the second doctor I've seen in the last ten minutes."
Kai laughed lightly. "Well, I hope I'm the better one."
Noah smirked. "Debatable."
The ease between them felt natural. Then Noah leaned forward slightly. "Alright, tell me. Why are you here?"
Kai's smile faded just a little. "Rhea."
One word. And everything changed.
Noah's face fell. "We're still looking," he said quietly. "No updates."
Kai nodded slowly. "I see…" A pause. Then "And Hunter?"
Noah's hand clenched tightly. "That bastard," he muttered. "I'll find him." His voice hardened. "I know he's close. Somewhere near us. Watching everything."
Kai didn't react immediately. He just looked at Noah. Still. Unreadable.
Noah noticed. And forced himself to calm down. "Don't worry," he added. "I'll find him. I'll save Rhea. And Evan." He reached out, placed a hand on Kai's shoulder.
Kai flinched. Quick. Sharp. Gone in a second.
But Noah saw it. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you injured?" he asked.
Kai shook his head quickly. "No. I'm fine." Then stepped back. "Well… I just came to check on the investigation. But it seems like I shouldn't have worried." A faint smile. "I'll get going."
Noah nodded slowly. "Yeah… take care."
Kai turned. Walked away. Noah didn't move. Didn't speak. He just stood there. Watching Kai's back as he left.
Something about it, felt wrong. Not enough to accuse. Not enough to understand. But enough to stay. To linger. Like a quiet whisper in the back of his mind. Waiting...For the moment it would finally make sense.