“Completely understood, sir,” Phillips responded with grave professionalism.

“Should this investigation include Tamara as well?”

“Absolutely,” Eric confirmed without hesitation. “Begin with her background and activities. Once we have definitively cleared her of any involvement, you can enlist her help in examining the remaining suspects.”

“Got it,” Phillips acknowledged, fully grasping the life-or-death stakes of the task. With Hadley’s safety hanging in the balance, there could be no margin for error.

Having delivered his instructions, Eric turned and started toward the stairs. Just as he reached the base of the staircase, the sound of hurried, light footsteps drifted down from above.

“Eric? Where have you gone? Eric!”

It was Hadley.

Eric picked up speed, taking the stairs two at a time as he rushed to the second floor.

Waiting at the top, Hadley stood still. As soon as she spotted him, tears welled in her eyes. A small pout formed on her lips, her voice gentle but tinged with quiet frustration.

“Where did you disappear to?”

“Phillips brought me some clothes,” Eric explained, motioning toward Phillips behind him, who followed with a suitcase in each hand. “I went downstairs to get them.”

“Hadley.” Phillips gave her a polite nod and a faint smile. “I’ll leave the suitcases here and be on my way.”

“Okay,” Hadley replied with a small tilt of her head.

Eric stepped closer, wrapping an arm gently around her. “Why are you up right now? Did I wake you when I left? Couldn’t fall back asleep?”

“I just needed the bathroom,” Hadley muttered, shaking her head slightly. Her voice softened, laced with a touch of complaint. “But you weren’t there… and I didn’t feel brave enough to go by myself.”

Earlier that night, she had seen something that wasn’t there—just before falling asleep, a hallucination had shaken her in the bathroom.

S? ? ? gov.con

The moment Eric noticed the way she leaned on him so delicately, something in him melted. His voice was gentle. “I’m sorry I left. I’m here now… Do you want me to walk you to the bathroom?”

With a hesitant glance, Hadley pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry… I must be such a burden.”

Knowing she couldn’t even manage something as simple as that made her feel small and helpless.

Eric didn’t respond right away. His expression tightened into a frown, his chest aching at the sight of her like this. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You’re unwell—this isn’t your fault. And besides…”

Lowering his voice, he added with lingering warmth, “I want to be the one to care for you. So if you need something—anything—lean on me as much as you want.”

Hadley’s features slowly softened. The weight on her chest began to ease as a shy smile broke through. “Alright.”

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