Joe kept glancing sideways at Hannah slumped in the passenger seat. He hadn’t started the engine. His gaze remained on Hannah , and as he stared at her, he noticed her cheek were rested against the cool glass of the window, and she looked utterly vulnerable in that moment, like someone who carried the weight of too many sleepless nights. Then gathering his words Joe spoke up. “I think it’s better for you to go home.” Joe said. “In this drunk state, the comfort of your bed seems to be—“ He was cut short as he heard her mumble. “I’m not drunk, Joe. Stop saying that. I know exactly what I’m doing.” Hannah spoke up. “You don’t,” Joe replied. He tried not to sound too firm as he spoke. “You don’t even realize what you’re saying right now.” Hannah lifted her head and turned to him, her eyes glassy. “I know I don’t want to be alone tonight. Please, Joe. Don’t leave me.” Her words hit him harder than he expected. He opened his mouth to argue, but the look on her face stopped him an

Joe didn’t head home after dropping off Hannah. His mind churned with frustration and questions as he drove. Without hesitation, he directed his car toward Victor’s location. It was late, but Joe didn’t care. He needed to speak to him. When Joe arrived, he noticed some figures were standing outside. He first thought it was victor’s men. To his surprise, he realized one of the figure happened to Victor. When Joe leaned forward he realized those other men looked nothing like victor’s men. Joe strained to hear what they were saying but couldn’t make out their conversation. He waited, patience wearing thin, until Victor’s visitors finally left, their black sedan disappearing into the night. Joe stepped out of his car and walked toward Victor. As Victor turned, he froze upon seeing Joe. A wry smile crept onto his face seconds later. “What are you doing here, Whitmore? I wasn’t expecting your visit.” “I know you’re not lying,” Joe said bluntly, stepping closer. “I saw the documen

"Get in, Joe!" Hannah said as she stared at him. He had a reluctant look on his face. Joe hesitated, glancing back at his office building. After a moment of a moment of thinking, Joe sighed and opened the door. Hannah smiled triumphantly as Joe buckled himself in. She drove off, the hum of the engine filling the silence. They didn’t go far before Hannah pulled into the parking lot of a small café. She parked and stepped out, gesturing for Joe to follow. Once inside, a waitress greeted them with a cheerful smile and led them to a cozy booth by the window. After taking their orders, Hannah leaned back and gave Joe a pointed look. “You are going to love the scones.” she said. Joe shrugged, looking out the window. “I guess so.” His mind was elsewhere and the last thing he wanted to talk about was the pastry he ordered. Hannah leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. “You are not thinking about the break in are you?” Joe sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I can

Joe stepped out of the cab, the bright neon lights of the club glaring against the night sky. As he stumbled forward, Timothy appeared, leaning casually against the wall near the door. “Joe!” Timothy called, grinning as he walked over. “You actually made it. And, uh, are you high?” Joe smirked, as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, maybe a little.” Timothy let out a laugh, patting Joe on the shoulder. “Man, I like this version of you. Relaxed, unfiltered. Come on, let’s head inside. Tonight’s about letting loose.” The two stepped into the club. The music was deafening. Multicolored lights danced across the room, illuminating the crowd of dancers. Timothy grabbed Joe by the arm, pulling him toward the dance floor. “Come on, man!” Timothy shouted over the music. “Let’s dance!” Joe hesitated for a moment, but the haze of the night loosened his inhibitions. Before long, he found himself in the middle of the floor, moving to the beat with Timothy by his side. “This i

Joe parked his car in front of the station, the morning sun glaring off the sleek surface. He rubbed his temples, as he stepped into the station, the familiar buzz of police chatter filled the air. Chief Ken was waiting for him near his office, a serious expression etched on his face. "Joe," Chief Ken greeted, gesturing for him to follow him into the office. "Thanks for coming in." Joe folded his arms as soon as the door shut behind them. "This better be relevant and accurate information, Ken. I don’t have time for wild goose chases." Ken raised an eyebrow trying to maintain a calm demeanor. "I understand your frustration, but this is significant. It relates to the first break-in." Joe leaned against the desk, his interest piqued. "The first break-in? Go on." Ken sat down and slid a file across the desk toward Joe. "After digging into the company’s records and cross-referencing with our investigations, we discovered something interesting. The van used in the first break-in