58: Chapter 58 Parting?

As Shaun was soaking in the atmosphere, Ballard spoke up: "The station called."

"I got one too."

"White's case is closed."

"Right."

Ballard nodded.

The two were silent for a few seconds.

Shaun took the initiative to ask, "When are you leaving?"

Ballard glanced at the sunlight outside the window. "Now. I've got everything packed."

Shaun was stunned for a moment.

The "killer" hadn't even been dealt with yet, and she was already leaving?

He couldn't help but ask, "Now?"

"Yeah," Ballard said. "The case is closed, so it's time for me to head back to my place... Los Angeles."

The parting came somewhat abruptly.

Shaun opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

Ballard looked at him and suddenly smiled.

It was a faint, light smile, but Shaun saw it clearly.

"Thank you for these past few days."

Shaun shook his head. "No need for thanks."

"It is necessary," Ballard said. "You saved me, more than once."

Shaun said nothing.

Ballard picked up her suitcase and walked toward the door.

After a couple of steps, she stopped and reminded him, "Shaun, that manor... take good care of it. It's a good place."

Shaun nodded.

Seeing this, Ballard pushed open the door and walked out.

Sunlight poured in, making Shaun squint.

He watched her back as she walked into the sunlight, her steps still just as quick and steady.

The suitcase in her hand seemed as light as if it were empty.

She got into the car and started the engine.

Standing at the door, Shaun watched the black SUV drive out of the driveway, through the iron gates, and disappear at the end of the road.

Ballard had settled White's case, leaving behind the mole in the Fifth Precinct, the vampire Countess, the witch's treasure...

Well, though these things no longer had anything to do with Ballard.

But...

It felt like a mess had been left for him to clean up.

Just as Shaun was grumbling to himself, Madison's voice came from behind.

"She's gone?"

Shaun turned his head and saw Madison standing on the stairs in her pajamas, her hair a mess and looking like she had just woken up.

Shrugging, he said, "She's gone."

Madison walked over, leaned on his shoulder, and looked at the empty driveway outside. "She seems cold, but she's actually quite nice."

Shaun didn't say anything.

In front of Madison, it was best to avoid praising others.

Otherwise...

One might end up putting their foot in their mouth.

Madison leaned there for a while longer, then let go. "Oh, by the way, your old man is awake. Queenie is watching him."

Hearing this, Shaun turned and walked inside.

Madison shouted from behind, "Eat breakfast before you go!"

Shaun didn't stop.

He went to the guest room door on the second floor and pushed it open.

Frank was sitting on the bed. His face was still a bit pale, but he was in good spirits.

He was holding a cup of coffee, while Queenie sat in a nearby chair with a bag of chips, looking at him with disdain. "So you came here all by yourself just because you heard there was treasure?"

Frank took a sip of coffee. "I wasn't the only one; that cop went too."

"And then?"

"Then..." Frank saw Shaun at the door, and his eyes lit up. "Officer Sean!"

Shaun walked in.

Frank set down his coffee and looked at him, a rare serious expression appearing on his old face. "I heard. You saved me."

Shaun had no time for his nonsense and said instead, "Your daughter is waiting for you. Pack up and head back."

Frank was taken aback. "Back where?"

"Hill Manor. Fiona is there."

Frank's eyes suddenly reddened slightly.

But he said nothing, only nodding.

...

When the car pulled up in front of Hill Manor, before Shaun even turned off the engine, he saw Fiona standing on the porch.

She was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, her hair tied back in a ponytail.

The sunlight shone on her as she stood with her arms crossed, her expression...

Seeing that expression from the car, Shaun's heart skipped a beat.

That was Fiona Gallagher's standard look before she lost her temper.

Frank, sitting in the passenger seat, saw it too.

He whispered, "She looks really angry."

Shaun didn't say anything.

Your daughter has been worrying every day if you were dead, and only now do you say "she looks really angry"?

Shaun turned off the engine and pushed open the car door.

Fiona walked down from the porch.

She didn't look at Shaun; her gaze was fixed squarely on Frank.

Frank got out of the car, smiling sheepishly. "Fio—"

"Shut up."

Frank shut up.

Fiona walked up to him and stood still.

She was a head shorter than him, but her aura made it seem as if she were the one looking down on him.

"Frank Gallagher."

Frank shrank his neck.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Frank opened his mouth.

"I asked you, do you know?" Fiona's voice rose.

"...I know."

"Know what?"

Frank lowered his head. "I caused trouble."

"Caused trouble?" Fiona's voice grew even louder. "You almost died! Do you know that? You were kidnapped and locked in a basement. If Shaun hadn't gone to save you, you'd already be—"

Her voice caught.

"Do you know how worried I was?" Fiona's voice suddenly dropped.

But that low tone was more painful than a shout...

Frank looked up at her. "Fiona, I..."

Fiona stared at him. "You what? Are you going to say you did it for this family again?"

"Are you going to say you were looking for treasure again?"

"Are you going to say it's different this time?"

Frank didn't speak.

"Every time is different," Fiona's voice trembled. "Every time you say that, every time you make us worry, every time..."

Her eyes were red, but she didn't cry.

She simply continued, "And every time, I'm the one who has to come out and find you."

Frank stood there, motionless.

Shaun stood to the side, watching this familiar scene, and shook his head. "Fiona."

"Take a break first. Everyone's tired."

Fiona was taken aback for a moment.

Shaun glanced at Frank.

"And you, stop talking. Go inside, take a shower, and get some sleep. If there's anything else, we'll talk about it tomorrow."

Unfortunately, Frank had no intention of stopping. He only said, "Fiona, you're right."

"I'm a bastard. I haven't done much good in my life. I raised you kids... no, I didn't raise you. You raised your brothers and sisters."

"I owe you, and I can never repay it in this lifetime."

Fiona felt something was off, and her brow furrowed. "Frank, you..."

"But I don't want to owe anymore," Frank interrupted her.

He looked into his daughter's eyes. "You have Shaun here. He's ten thousand times better than me. He'll take care of you, and you won't have to clean up anyone's mess ever again."

He paused and took a step back, saying something shocking:

"So... Fiona, I'm going back to Chicago on my own! You don't need to worry about me!"