Chapter 5

Then, a major figure emerged within a criminal syndicate we were tracking.

We raided one of his hideouts, and he retaliated violently: burning patrol cars, ambushing our officers.

One of our colleagues, Arthur, was staked out and spotted by them. He was stabbed multiple times and died on the spot.

Arthur had a five-year-old daughter.

A heavy silence fell over the department.

Based on the information we gathered,

This criminal syndicate was incredibly brutal, operating near the border, armed with advanced weaponry.

I lost five pounds in three days.

My captain patted my shoulder.

"Aubrey, don't feel pressured. We'll get these bastards."

I nodded, but my mind was already made up: I would personally bring those animals to justice.

"Here’s your transfer order. Tomorrow, you’re moving to the department’s archives. Pack your things and report there."

I froze for a moment but stubbornly refused.

"Captain, I'm not going back. I’m staying in the field."

"Don't argue. No woman stays on the front lines forever."

I hesitated. "Honestly, Captain, if you didn't say 'woman,' I'd forget my own gender."

Since childhood, I'd preferred uniforms to dresses. Especially after joining field duty, I'd cut my long hair to a short, neck-length bob because it was impractical for chasing suspects.

"Don't be stubborn, Aubrey. Arthur’s death had nothing to do with you. Don’t blame yourself."

I was silent for a long time. This had been weighing on my heart for days.

"If I hadn't taken that day off, he wouldn't have covered for me. He wouldn't have died. He died because of me."

That day, I was supposed to be on duty, observing from the corner store. But Julian called, insisting we meet because Celeste was about to give birth.

If I didn't agree, he threatened to come to my workplace to find me, as someone had seen me at the corner store.

To protect my undercover identity, I was forced to take that day off, and Arthur covered for me.

Arthur had been on the force for a long time and worked many cases. He was recognized by that group.

That very night, he was brutally attacked in an alley.