Shane seems to have noticed Lucian’s inner conflict, knowing Lucian isn’t as gossipy as Faye and Morgan, but he’s more likely to slip up if Audrey asks him, saying sothing easy to misunderstand.
So, Shane told him, "When you go back, just say that I went with the police to follow up on the investigation. Keep an eye on them."
Lucian nodded, still preferring to believe Shane isn’t the type to cheat and abandon his wife and child.
Seeing Shane reluctant to reveal more, Lucian didn’t press further, "I’ll head back first then."
"Alright."
Erin exchanged a few words with Franklin, then called out to Shane, "Stop chit-chatting, it’s almost ti to change clothes."
Franklin gestured to Shane, "Co with ."
Shane followed Franklin to an empty office, where Franklin handed him a bag with clothes, saying, "Hurry up and change."
Shane took the clothes out of the bag, frowned at the style, and asked incredulously, "Wear this?"
Franklin laughed, "It doesn’t match your usual style, but Old Man Lowell loves these floral suits. Oh, by the way, there’s the tattoo sticker; Old Man Lowell has a tattoo from his back to his neck. Take off your shirt and I’ll help you put it on."
Shane frowned in disdain, "Can’t you find soone else?"
Franklin pulled out the prepared tattoo, peeling it off as he spoke, "If there were soone else, I wouldn’t have asked you. Hurry up, stop dawdling."
Shane had no choice but to take off his shirt, turn his back to Franklin and sit down, asking, "What mission are you executing?"
Franklin: "Capturing drug dealers, and there’s a wanted criminal who fled from Rivia to here. Plus, your two brothers’ stuff. Anyway, it’s all tangled together. Just stay close to Erin, don’t act on your own. She’ll ensure your safety, and our n will be outside the hotel to assist."
"Snap—" Franklin placed the mineral water tattoo gently on Shane’s back, revealing a large black dragon after peeling it off, "Almost done. With your clothes on, it won’t be very visible."
Franklin turned and grabbed a tissue, wiping the water off Shane’s back while asking, "You’re all here? What about my wife?"
"She’s at the hotel opposite."
Franklin paused his wiping, "The one just across the street? That’s where their eting was scheduled."
Shane was taken aback, thinking that if he walked into the hotel hand in hand with that policewoman, and Audrey happened to see them, wouldn’t it expose everything?
No matter how he thought about it, it seed imprudent. He should have let Lucian stay and leave this ss to him.
"Hurry up and change. I need to call my wife."
Though Franklin knew Laura was just a street away at the hotel, he felt the urge to dash over to et her.
But considering his mission, going would only make Laura worry.
It’s better to call and reassure her.
When Laura received Franklin’s call, her heart was in her throat, fearing that if she answered, it might not be Franklin’s voice but soone asking if she was Franklin’s next of kin.
Only when she heard Franklin’s familiar voice did Laura truly breathe a sigh of relief, "Honey, where are you playing?"
Laura’s first words were, "What have you been up to? Why haven’t you been replying to my ssages?"
Franklin stood by the second-floor corridor window at the police station, where he could see the hotel building clearly, "Sorry, it’s been so hectic these past days, I didn’t have ti to reply. You and our son are doing well, right?"
"Yes, we’re doing well. Just take care of yourself. Rember to stay safe, and don’t rush into things."
Franklin chuckled, "Got it, safety first. You’ve told so many tis."
Laura: "No matter how many tis I tell you, you never rember."
Franklin: "I rember. Once things settle here, I’ll co and find you two right away."
Laura: "Mm... we’re waiting for you."
Franklin: "I have a eting now. Hurry, give a kiss before I hang up."
Laura glanced around the room full of people, slightly embarrassed, she lowered her voice, "There are people here, how embarrassing. Go tend to your business."
Franklin: "Send so pictures of you and our son later; I miss you both."
Laura: "Alright, I’ll send you so shortly."
Franklin: "Don’t you miss ?"
His words were cut short as soone called, "Captain Sutton, Director Porter is looking for you."
Laura heard the voice on the other end and didn’t want to distract Franklin, so she said, "Go get busy. ssage when you’re done, even if it’s just a quick reply."
Franklin looked up at the building opposite, softly replying, "Alright, I’ll co find you later."
Inside the hotel.
Audrey ca out of the bathroom, carrying Anna, and saw Lucian coming off the elevator.
She looked behind him several tis, puzzled, and walked over, asking, "Mor, why are you the only one back? Where is he?"
Lucian hesitated, feeling inexplicably guilty for Shane, especially thinking of the scene he’d witnessed at the police station when he saw Audrey holding the child looking anxious.
"Shane... went with the police to follow up on the investigation."
Audrey imdiately followed up, "Is there news from Brother Xavier and Morgan?"
Lucian wasn’t used to lying, and when answering Audrey’s questions, his eyes couldn’t et hers out of guilt, "There’s... so leads, apparently."
Audrey: "Did he say when he’d be back?"
Lucian: "He should be back soon. He asked you to rest and wait here patiently."
Audrey felt a bit worried, "I’ll call him."
Lucian opened his mouth to stop her, but thought better of it, letting Audrey decide, thinking it’s a matter best settled between them.
Anyway, he’s caught in the middle, feeling uncomfortable no matter which side he helps.
Audrey returned to her room with Anna and picked up her phone, only to find Shane had sent her a ssage.
It just said he couldn’t co back for a while but didn’t explain why.
Audrey replied: How long will it take to get back? Is it sothing serious?
On the other end, due to the mission, Shane’s phone had been taken by Franklin, replaced with another phone used for missions, so he didn’t receive Audrey’s ssage.
Audrey waited for two minutes, but Shane didn’t reply.
She anxiously sent another ssage: It feels unsafe here. Please co back, okay?
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