57: Chapter 57 Suspension of Investigation

Cordelia continued her analysis.

"Agent Ballard, you are a police officer, and you have your duties, but in a place like New Orleans, there are some things the police cannot handle."

Ballard was silent for a moment before saying, "I know."

Cordelia nodded. "In White's case, the real culprit is already dead. When you go back to report it, just say it was an unknown creature attack and it was shot dead. This case will be closed soon."

Actually, Ballard was more familiar with the inner workings of the police station, but she still listened to Cordelia's suggestion quite seriously now.

She sighed. "White... he touched something he shouldn't have. Being able to avenge him is enough. If we investigate further..."

She didn't finish, but everyone understood.

If they kept digging, it wasn't something they would be able to figure out.

Seeing this, Cordelia also knew that Shaun and the others had worked hard today, so she stood up. "You all stay here tonight; there are enough guest rooms. You can leave tomorrow."

As she spoke, she walked to the sofa and looked down at Frank. "This person..."

Shaun interjected, "Frank Gallagher."

Cordelia nodded. "He's fine, just fainted from fright. He'll wake up tomorrow morning."

She then looked at Shaun again. "Shaun, come with me for a moment."

Shaun stood up and followed her to the other end of the hall.

Cordelia stood by the window with her back to him, but asked, "That Elizabeth, what did she say to you?"

Shaun thought for a moment. "She said I was handsome."

Cordelia didn't move.

Shaun continued, "She said I could live for a long time."

Cordelia still didn't move.

Shaun steeled himself and said directly, "She said she would wait for me."

Cordelia finally turned around and then said something that was a bit of a truism.

"Shaun, you've been targeted."

"Elizabeth is not Fiona. Although Fiona is dangerous, she has weaknesses. Elizabeth does not."

"What she wants, she will surely get. If she can't have it, she'll destroy it."

Holy crap!

What a psycho!

Destroying what she can't have!

Shaun's heart sank.

Cordelia saw Shaun's expression and asked, "Are you afraid?"

Shaun thought about it and said, "A little... but being afraid is useless."

Cordelia looked at him and smiled. "It's okay, you have great potential, Shaun."

"You just need... a little time."

Shaun didn't deny this.

Both were tacitly aware of the secrets Shaun held and didn't mention them further.

Seeing that Cordelia had nothing more to say, Shaun walked back.

...

In the hall, Ballard stood by the fireplace, watching the fire.

Madison sat on the sofa, keeping watch over Frank.

Queenie finally started eating potato chips.

Shaun walked over to Ballard. "Can White's case be closed when you get back?"

Ballard nodded. "Yes, the body is there, the killer is there, and the chain of evidence is complete."

She paused and then added, "Of course, the reporting channel will be a bit special."

This was for certain. After all, being killed by a 'non-human' meant the reporting method would naturally be different.

"As for that Elizabeth... I won't mention her."

"This case ends with me. The rest is not something the police can handle."

Shaun expressed his understanding; he didn't want to deal with this anymore either.

But the problem was being targeted by Elizabeth; that was also going to be difficult!

This matter...

Was it something that could be stopped just because he wanted it to?

However, Ballard didn't seem to intend to worry about it. After speaking, she headed upstairs as if to rest.

Reaching the stairs, she stopped and looked back. "Shaun, that Fiona... send her a message. She might not be asleep yet."

Then she went upstairs.

Shaun stood there, watching her back.

Madison walked over, leaned on his shoulder, and whispered, "She's right, Fiona definitely isn't asleep."

Shaun looked down at her. "How do you know?"

Madison rolled her eyes. "Duh, if my dad were kidnapped, I wouldn't be able to sleep either."

With that, Madison let go of him and headed upstairs.

After a few steps, she came back and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

She said, "I'll give it to you, you were impressive tonight."

Shaun stood there, touching the spot where he had been kissed.

Queenie passed by, chewing on potato chips, and said indistinctly, "You really have quite the luck with women."

Leaving behind that sentence, she also went upstairs.

Only Shaun and the sleeping Frank remained in the hall.

The fire in the fireplace crackled.

Shaun walked to the window, looked at the night outside, took out his phone, and sent a message to Fiona.

"Found him. He's alive. Returning tomorrow."

Three seconds later, the reply came.

Just two words.

"Waiting for you."

Shaun looked at those two words, put away his phone, and sat down on the sofa.

Frank was snoring nearby, which allowed Shaun's nerves to relax a bit.

At this point, White's business had finally come to a temporary close.

Only...

It was still far from over.

...

Shaun was woken up by the chirping of birds outside the window.

He opened his eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for three seconds before remembering that this was a guest room in Robichaux Manor.

He went over last night's events in his head: the Bat Monster, Elizabeth, Frank, and the body in the trunk.

He sat up and rubbed his face.

Sunlight peeked through the gaps in the curtains; the sun was already high.

He checked his phone.

8:00 AM.

Two messages.

One was from Fiona: "Are you awake?"

One was from the police station: "Shaun, call back when you get this message. Sheriff Brown."

Sheriff Brown looking for him was likely about White's case.

He immediately dialed back, and the phone was picked up after two rings.

"Shaun? Where were you last night?"

Brown's voice came through the receiver, sounding a bit anxious.

Shaun didn't know if he should share the details, so he said, "Out on a case."

Unexpectedly, Brown was already very clear about it. "Ballard already reported White's case this morning. She said it was an attack by an unknown creature. You guys shot the culprit last night?"

Shaun was silent for a second. "Yes."

"Good." Brown breathed a sigh of relief. "Then come back today and finish the report. This case is closed."

"Okay."

Shaun hung up the phone.

He got out of bed and pushed open the door.

The corridor was quiet.

He headed downstairs and saw that someone was already in the hall when he reached the corner of the stairs.

Ballard stood by the window, her back to him.

She was dressed in casual clothes: black trousers and a deep blue shirt. Her hair was still cut short to her ears and tucked behind them. A suitcase sat by her feet.

Hearing footsteps, she turned her head. Her tone was slightly different from usual. "Morning."

Shaun nodded. "Morning."

Ballard looked at him, her gaze holding something more than usual.

It wasn't indifference, nor was it tenderness, but something Shaun couldn't quite put into words.

Hmm...

For some reason, Shaun suddenly felt a sense of parting beginning to permeate the air...