Detective Monroe rubbed his eyes under the harsh fluorescent lights of the precinct conference room. The walls were bare, save for a faded city map littered with pins and red string—his obsession mapped out in intricate, desperate patterns.
“Detective Monroe,” a sharp voice cut through the silence. Captain Hayes stood framed by the doorway, her arms crossed, eyes unreadable. “We need to talk about the Amara Sloane case.”
Monroe stiffened. “I’m still tracking Xavier De Luca. We’re close.”
Hayes’s lips pressed into a thin line. “With all due respect, Detective, you lost them weeks ago. Amara’s been missing for over a month. This is a high-profile case attracting media attention. The department has decided to reassign the investigation.”
Monroe’s jaw clenched. “Reassign it? You know how d
