Chapter 138: This Time, It’s for Real

Chapter 138: Chapter 138: This Time, It’s for Real

Everyone turned to look and saw a woman in a loose-fitting dress standing behind them. She held groceries in one hand and a black plastic bag in the other.

She wore a stunned expression, as if shocked by what she’d just heard.

"Shea, you’re back from getting medicine and groceries?" The older woman who lived next door to the Dawsons quickly greeted her. She then walked over and reached out to help with the bags, adding a concerned reminder, "You just passed the three-month mark, and you had a difficult start to the pregnancy. You have to be very careful."

"You shouldn’t go out if you don’t have to. For groceries and things, just let me know, and I can pick them up for you when I go, or you could just use a delivery service."

The older neighbor fussed over her, helping her inside.

It was only then that Captain Lee noticed the slight swell of a baby bump beneath Shea’s loose clothing.

Afterward, Captain Lee questioned Shea as a matter of routine. After confirming there were no issues, he had her sit in the living room to wait for an update.

But the search of the apartment left them stunned.

The master bedroom contained only men’s clothing, and it was obvious at a glance that they belonged to two different people.

Next to the bathroom was a small room where, aside from a bed, every inch of the remaining space was crammed full.

Clearly, the couple had been sleeping in separate rooms for a long time.

Aside from the inexplicable marks in the living room, this smaller room was spotlessly clean.

Dave and the man beside him both had soft, smooth hands, while Shea’s were much rougher. When her sleeve accidentally rode up, it even revealed some faint bruises.

Seeing the guilty look all over Dave’s face, Captain Lee put it all together.

’This son of a bitch wasn’t just cheating. He brought his lover home, made his own wife wait on them, and even hit her!’

"I’m so sorry, Officer. I must have had too much to drink while watching a movie and started hallucinating. I’m really sorry to have caused you all this trouble."

"None of it was real. I’m sorry you all had to come out here for nothing," Dave mumbled evasively as he stood before Captain Lee.

At the same time, he shot a glare at Shea, who was sitting across from him, signaling her to speak up immediately.

Shea got the message and hurriedly began to explain as well.

Since both husband and wife were saying the same thing and no one had actually been hurt, the police could only give them a lecture. They sternly informed them that filing a false report was a serious offense, and if it happened again, the matter wouldn’t be dismissed so lightly.

Seeing that the show was over, the surrounding neighbors began to disperse. Before heading home, the older neighbor gave Shea one last worried glance.

Shea saw Captain Lee and his officers to the top of the stairs.

Looking back at the damaged apartment door not far behind them, Captain Lee opened his mouth to say tactfully, "If you’re in any trouble, you can come to the police. We’re here to help you."

A gentle smile touched Shea’s face. She didn’t answer Captain Lee but simply nodded at them and thanked them for their trouble.

Captain Lee and his team had only descended a few stairs when they heard Dave’s shouting from the apartment above.

A young officer walking beside Captain Lee indignantly kicked the wall of the stairwell.

It was hard to say whether it was out of anger at Dave’s behavior or frustration at Shea for not standing up for herself.

Captain Lee paused on the stairs, his own expression grim.

But the victim herself had said she didn’t need their help, so there was nothing more they could do.

And so, the team returned to the station, seething with frustration, which led to the outburst in the office moments ago.

After listening to the whole story, Zoe Sawyer couldn’t help but gasp.

’No wonder Captain Lee just said it was a good thing Evan Keller’s team didn’t go,’ she thought. ’It really would have been a waste of their time!’

"Look on the bright side. At least no one actually died, right?" Heath Hale said, patting Captain Lee’s shoulder.

As for Shea, all they could do was respect her choices and let fate run its course.

Captain Lee hadn’t even had a chance to sit down and drink some tea to calm his nerves when the dispatch phone rang again. "Captain Lee, that guy who called in earlier saying his wife killed someone? He’s on the line again."

"He’s saying the exact same thing, but this time, we can hear horrible screaming in the background. We need you to go check out what’s happening."

"Damn it! If they’re filing another false report and wasting our resources, I’m bringing them in for a nice long chat!" Captain Lee slammed his hand on the table in a rage. He called over the same officers from before and told them they were all going back.

Zoe Sawyer, who had just come over to see what the commotion was about, was now intrigued. She tugged on Heath Hale’s sleeve, her voice full of excitement. "Heath, Heath! Let’s go check it out, too!"

Heath Hale glanced at Zoe Sawyer’s excited face and offered a very helpful reminder, "You’ve been working on that report for two days and still aren’t finished. Are you sure you want to go get in on the action?"

"I’m just warning you, if you go, you’ll have to write up a second one when we get back."

Zoe Sawyer thought about her half-finished report, then about the story she’d just heard. She gritted her teeth. "I’m going!"

’It’s just a report! I can write it!’

Heath Hale raised an eyebrow in surprise. ’He hadn’t expected Zoe to be willing to make such a big sacrifice just for a bit of drama.’

Soon, in addition to Zoe Sawyer and Heath Hale, Barry Quinn and Monkey, who were responsible for Zoe’s protection, also tagged along.

The four of them followed Captain Lee’s unit and quickly arrived at the scene.

The damaged door hadn’t been repaired yet. From inside came waves of agonized wails, mixed with Dave’s pleas for mercy.

The neighbors who had gathered to watch again no longer wore the casual, gossipy expressions from before. Now, every face was etched with a look of horror and pity.

Their gazes toward the apartment were panicked, as if something truly terrible were happening inside.

Some were even covering their mouths and frowning, looking physically ill.

And this time, the crowd of onlookers was half as large again as before!

As Captain Lee reached the doorway and saw the expressions on their faces, a terrible premonition washed over him.

’Don’t tell me something actually happened this time?!’

"Police! Let us through!"

Captain Lee flashed his badge, and the crowd of onlookers parted to make a path.

When they finally pushed their way inside and saw the scene in the living room, Captain Lee’s expression became incredibly grim.

’Shit!’

’Something really happened!’

The living room, which had been relatively tidy just a short while ago, was now in complete disarray, with items strewn all over the floor.

Deep gashes were visible on the cabinets, the coffee table, and even the television screen.

The man they had found with Dave when they first broke in was now lying on the floor. He was completely naked, and blood was pouring from his groin, staining the floorboards red around him.

His face was deathly pale, and he was completely still.

If it weren’t for the faint rise and fall of his chest, Captain Lee would have thought the man was dead.

Meanwhile, Dave, the one who had called 911, was clutching his phone and cowering in a corner, his terrified eyes darting toward the kitchen.

The moment he saw Captain Lee and his team arrive, he let out a choked cry and scrambled toward them, his voice thick with terror.

"Help me, Officer! She’s really trying to kill me!"