The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The lead detective's expression softened a bit, acknowledging the logic in the argument before him, and began to unhook the keys from his belt, ready to step forward.

Just as he moved, a young officer tugged at his sleeve, "You're actually buying this? Who knows if they're trying to trick us. This one's a serious felon. If he uses this chance to escape, who do we answer to?"

However, the prisoners didn't see it that way, "Even if someone's a serious felon, they still have rights, don't they? And with all these cops around, do you really think he could make a break for it from the station?"

Even in a place as tightly guarded as the precinct, with who knows how many eyes watching.

Thinking someone could escape from here was like believing in fairy tales!

The lead detective shrugged off his colleague's hand, "They're right. Especially because he's a serious felon, we need to be careful. If something happens to him, some cases could end up without any evidence."

"But wait a second..."

The young officer tried to interject, but his colleague had already moved to unlock the cell.

A flash of panic crossed his eyes, and he stomped his foot in frustration and hurried after him.

The officer who unlocked the cell had already approached Kipling, "Hey, wake up. You awake?"

"I told you he was out," the young officer mumbled, still not convinced. Seeing that Kipling wouldn't respond, he was about to pull his colleague away when suddenly Adam sprang to his feet.

His expression shifted from serious to urgent, "Call an ambulance! Someone's been poisoned. Hurry, call an ambulance!"

In the hospital corridor outside the surgery room, Leopold, accompanied by Vivienne and Percival, faced the weary, furrow-browed Chief of the Station.

Kipling was their key to unlocking the secrets of an ancient warrior lineage, and Percival had made arrangements with the local law enforcement to be notified immediately of any developments. They had thought that with Gavin's cautious nature, he'd at least wait for Harrison's trial to conclude before making a move.

Yet, less than a day had passed before trouble arose.

Percival's face darkened with a question, "What happened?"

himself at a loss for

He was puzzled himself.

incident under his watch was the last thing he needed, making his

turned his piercing gaze towards Adam, he demanded, "You were on duty today.

"It all happened so suddenly, sir. As you know, our meals and everything else here are standardized. If there was an issue, it shouldn't have just affected him. Could

"What kind of coincidence results in only Kipling getting food poisoning,

former key operative under Percival at the

kept his head down, his neck

commanded,

Chad's deference, and slowly raised his head. With just a glance, Percival

there was another

paused, his gaze

he pushed Adam, "This is crucial information, and you're only

indicating he didn't know: "I was focused on getting Kipling to

"Damn, that kid

He once risked disciplinary action to save an

not very familiar

Adam, "Whether it's him

to bring him

do you think

responsibility?!"

at the surgery room as the red light turned off, "Leopold, go with him. If Keith isn't at the precinct or his home, issue

"Got it."

Leopold, following Percival's orders, dragged him out before he could argue, "Enough. I know you care about your men,

in those words, followed without

elevator doors

room doors