The Cop and the Princess - Chpater Twelve:- Second Move part two

65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tcTYE7JKs

Scene :- Headquarters

Back at quarters .

.Hope enters the interrogation room.

Hope remained silent.

She let the room stay quiet for a few seconds.

Then she spoke.

“So…”

“After stealing the Carter family’s sedan…”

“…what happened next?”

The young man took a deep breath.

“A man approached me a few days before.”

Hope raised an eyebrow.

“A man approached you?”

“Yes.”

Where?

“Near the Central Metro Station.”

“He handed me a bag.”

“There was ten thousand dollars inside.”

“And a photograph of the car.”

“He also gave me the owner’s address and told me exactly when to steal it.”

Hope looked at him.

“So…”

“A complete stranger walks up to you…”

“Hands you ten thousand dollars…”

“And asks you to steal someone’s luxury car.”

She tilted her head slightly.

“You didn’t ask a single question?”

The young man looked almost embarrassed.

“It was ten thousand dollars.”

Hope slowly nodded.

“…Fair point.”

Sean couldn’t help glancing at Hope.

She calmly continued writing.

“What happened after you stole the car?”

“He gave me another location.”

“A small town outside the city.”

“He told me to park the car beside the old community market.”

“Leave the keys inside…”

“…and walk away.”

Hope quietly wrote the location in her notebook.

Then she looked up again.

“…Then how exactly are you driving that same car today?”

The young man hesitated.

“Oh…”

“Two days later…”

“I received another message.”

Hope leaned forward.

“What did it say?”

“It only had one sentence.”

‘Your work is done. The car is yours.’

Hope didn’t interrupt.

The young man continued.

“I also received another location.”

“When I got there…”

“…the car was parked exactly where they said it would be.”

“I took it.”

“I’ve been driving it ever since.”

So how did that man actually communicate with you

“ Phone call”

“And let me guess that would be a burner phone isn’t “?

He noded in yes

Silence filled the room.

Sean finally broke it.

“So they returned the stolen car…”

“…to the man who stole it.”

Hope slowly closed her notebook.

“No.”

Sean looked at her.

“No?”

Hope looked back at the young man.

“They rewarded him.”

She stood up and walked a few steps before continuing.

“If they had simply abandoned him…”

“He would have spent the rest of his life wondering who hired him.”

She looked toward Sean.

“But they paid him…”

“…and then gave him the car.”

She looked back at the thief.

“You got exactly what you wanted.”

The young man lowered his head.

“I never tried to find him.”

Hope gave a faint nod.

“I know.”

“Because he made sure…”

“…you never had a reason to.”

Scene Six – The Delivery Point

An hour later…

Hope’s SUV rolled into the small town mentioned by the thief.

Unlike the quiet outskirts of the city, this place was full of life.

Street vendors called out to customers.

Children ran between the shops.

The old community market sat at the center of the town.

Hope stepped out of the vehicle and unfolded the map.

She pointed at a narrow lane behind the market.

“This is where he said he left the car.”

Sean nodded.

The two detectives walked into the alley.

It was quiet.

Old brick walls lined both sides.

A few trash bins.

Nothing unusual.

Hope slowly looked around.

“So…”

“He parks the stolen sedan here…”

“…leaves the keys inside…”

“…and walks away.”

Sean examined the alley.

“No witnesses.”

“No cameras.”

“No tyre marks.”

Hope didn’t answer.

Instead, she slowly walked toward the mouth of the alley.

As she stepped onto the main road, something caught her eye.

Across the street…

A grocery store.

Mounted above its entrance…

A CCTV camera.

Hope smiled faintly.

“There.”

Sean followed her gaze.

“You think it caught something?”

Hope nodded.

“Maybe not the car…”

“…but someone.”

Twenty Minutes Later…

The grocery store owner loaded the CCTV footage.

Hope stood silently beside Sean.

“Play it from three o’clock.”

The recording began.

Customers entered and left the store.

Children ran past the entrance.

Delivery workers unloaded supplies.

Then…

The thief appeared.

He walked out of the alley behind the market.

Crossed in front of the grocery store.

Never looked back.

Then disappeared into the crowd.

Sean leaned closer.

“There he is.”

Hope kept watching.

Sean fast-forwarded the recording.

Five minutes…

Ten minutes…

Nothing.

No mysterious man.

No one entering the alley.

Sean replayed the footage again.

Still…

Only the thief.

He finally sighed.

“So that’s it.”

Hope remained quiet.

She stepped outside the grocery store and slowly looked back toward the alley.

Then she looked up at the CCTV.

A small smile appeared on her face.

Sean noticed.

“What?”

Hope pointed toward the alley.

“The camera never sees inside it.”

“It only records whoever walks past the grocery store.”

Sean looked back toward the footage.

Realization slowly crossed his face.

“So the thief parks the car inside the alley…”

“…walks onto the main road…”

“…and that’s why the camera catches him.”

Hope nodded.

“But whoever collected the car…”

“…never had to come this way.”

Sean looked back toward the hidden alley.

“He simply drove the car out through the opposite exit.”

Hope folded her arms.

“He knew exactly where the cameras were.”

Sean shook his head.

“This guy plans everything.”

Hope smiled faintly.

“I know.”

She was about to leave…

Then something in the background of the CCTV caught her attention.

Bright flowers.

Wedding decorations.

Guests entering a banquet hall.

Hope immediately stopped.

Sean looked at her.

“What now?”

Hope pointed toward the wedding.

“See that?”

Sean shrugged.

“A wedding.”

Hope smiled.

“No…”

“A witness.”

Sean frowned.

“Witness?”

Hope nodded.

“The photographer.”

“They don’t just photograph the bride.”

“They photograph everything around her.”

Sean’s eyes widened.

“The alley…”

Hope finished his sentence.

“…is behind the wedding.”

“If he took wide-angle shots…”

“…he may have captured our man without even realizing it.”

Sean immediately reached for his phone.

“I’ll find the photographer.”

Three Hours Later…

The wedding photographer arrived at the station carrying two memory cards.

“I don’t understand, Detective.”

Hope smiled politely.

“You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“We just need to look through your photographs.”

The photographer nodded.

Ethan copied every image onto the investigation computer.

Thousands of photographs filled the screen.

Bride.

Groom.

Family.

Friends.

Children.

Dance.

Cake.

Sean rubbed his forehead.

“We’ve been looking for nearly two hours.”

“I don’t think he’s here.”

Hope didn’t answer.

She continued scrolling.

One image.

Another.

Then…

Her fingers suddenly stopped.

She slowly zoomed in.

Far behind the wedding guests…

Near the entrance of the alley…

A lone man stood watching.

Stylish black overcoat.

Expensive leather boots.

Long cap.

Black face mask.

Hands resting calmly inside his pockets.

He wasn’t looking at the wedding.

He was looking toward the alley…

Waiting.

Hope quietly stared at the photograph.

A faint smile appeared.

Sean leaned closer.

“We still can’t see his face.”

Hope never looked away from the image

Sean looked at the screen.

His voice became quieter.

“…Is that him?”

Hope didn’t answer.

She printed the photograph.

The printer slowly pushed the paper out.

Neither of them moved.

Hope picked it up with both hands.

For several long seconds…

She simply looked at it.

Almost as if she was trying to memorize every detail.

Sean quietly spoke.

“We still don’t know who he is.”

Hope slowly walked toward the investigation board.

She removed the empty space that had been waiting since the convoy attack.

Then…

Carefully pinned the photograph in the center.

The pin clicked against the board.

Hope took one step back.

The room fell completely silent.

She crossed her arms.

Her eyes never left the photograph.

A faint smile slowly appeared.

Not because she had solved the case…

But because…

For the first time…

The ghost had become real.

Very softly…

Almost like she was speaking only to herself…

“…I finally found you.”

Sean stood beside her.

Looking at the blurred figure.

“All this time…”

“…he’s been standing one move ahead.”

Hope kept staring at the photograph.

Then quietly replied,

“Not anymore.”

Sean looked at her.

Hope smiled without taking her eyes off photo

“You wanted someone worthy enough to chase you…”

A brief silence.

Then…

“…Be careful what you wish for.”

The room became silent once again.

On the investigation board…

The blurred photograph remained pinned in the center.

For the first time…

Hope Parker wasn’t chasing shadows anymore.

She had finally found…

The Second Player.

The Other end

Night had settled over the city.

A black luxury sedan rested beneath a lonely streetlight.

Inside…

A man sat quietly behind the steering wheel.

His face remained hidden beneath a long cap and a black mask.

A phone rested against his ear.

A nervous voice came from the other end.

“Boss…”

“Hope Parker arrested the thief.”

A brief silence.

For several seconds…

The man simply stared through the windshield.

Then…

A faint smile slowly appeared beneath the shadow of his mask.

He quietly spoke.

“Impressive…”

Another pause.

“She sees more than I expected.”

The caller hesitated.

“Should we change the plan?”

The man slowly shook his head.

“No.”

“Now I’m curious.”

He ended the call.

Without another word…

He reached toward the passenger seat.

A chessboard rested there.

His gloved fingers picked up a black knight.

He gently placed it onto another square.

Click.

The sound echoed inside the silent car.

He looked at the chessboard for a long moment.

Then quietly whispered…

“Let’s see your next move, Detective.”

The engine started.

A few seconds later…

The black sedan disappeared into the darkness.

Scene Seven – Home

The farmhouse was unusually quiet.

The grandfather clock in the hallway softly chimed.

1:02 A.M.

The front door opened as gently as possible.

Hope stepped inside, exhausted.

She quietly removed her jacket and placed her car keys on the small table beside the entrance.

She didn't want to wake anyone.

As she walked toward the staircase...

She stopped.

Sara was curled up on the living room couch.

Still wearing the same hoodie from dinner.

A book rested on her lap.

The television had already switched itself off.

She had fallen asleep waiting.

Hope couldn't help smiling.

A tired, genuine smile.

She slowly walked closer and crouched beside the couch.

Very softly...

"...You waited for me."

She looked at Sara's peaceful face.

"I'm sorry, Princess..."

"...I made you wait this long."

Hope quietly walked upstairs.

A few moments later, she returned carrying a soft blanket.

She carefully unfolded it and gently covered Sara.

Sara stirred slightly but didn't wake.

Hope sat down on the floor beside the couch.

For a long moment...

She simply looked at her.

The weight of the day slowly disappeared from her shoulders.

Her breathing finally became steady.

Then...

A memory flashed through her mind.

The convoy attack.

Sara's terrified face.

Her trembling hands.

The sound of gunfire.

Hope lowered her eyes.

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"...Don't worry, Princess."

She looked at Sara again.

"I'll make sure..."

"...that man pays for what he's done."

Just then...

Sara frowned slightly in her sleep.

A quiet murmur escaped her lips.

"...Hope..."

Hope immediately leaned closer.

"Hey..."

"It's okay."

She gently brushed a few loose strands of hair away from Sara's face.

Her fingers moved slowly...

Carefully.

Almost instinctively.

Sara's breathing gradually relaxed again.

Without opening her eyes...

She reached out.

Her small hand quietly found Hope's.

Then...

Held it.

Hope froze for a second.

She looked down at their joined hands.

A faint smile appeared.

She didn't move.

She simply stayed there.

Watching over her.

Minutes passed.

Eventually...

Hope rested her head against the edge of the couch.

Still holding Sara's hand.

Her eyes slowly closed.

Sleep quietly claimed her too.

1:30 A.M.

Rose stepped out of her bedroom.

She looked toward Hope's room.

The lights were still off.

She frowned slightly.

"...Hope?"

Receiving no answer...

She walked downstairs.

Then...

She stopped.

A beautiful smile slowly spread across her face.

Hope slept peacefully against the couch.

Sara slept above her.

Their hands were still intertwined.

Rose quietly walked back upstairs.

A minute later...

She returned carrying another blanket.

Carefully...

So carefully...

She draped it over Hope's shoulders.

Hope didn't wake.

Rose gently brushed Hope's hair away from her forehead.

Then...

She leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead.

A mother's kiss.

Full of warmth.

Full of gratitude.

Rose looked at the two sleeping girls for a long moment.

Her eyes became slightly watery.

A quiet smile escaped her lips.

She whispered...

"Thank you..."

Another brief silence.

Then...

"...for finally giving her someone who makes this house feel like home again."

Rose looked once more at Hope and Sara.

Still holding each other's hands.

She smiled to herself.

Turned off the hallway light.

And quietly walked back to her room.

Outside...

The night remained silent.

But inside the farmhouse...

For the first time in a long while...

Hope Parker wasn't carrying the weight of the world alone.

Scene Eight – The Morning After

The first rays of dawn slowly slipped through the farmhouse windows.

Outside...

Morning mist floated gently over the open fields.

The birds had already begun their daily songs.

The entire farmhouse still slept peacefully.

The old wall clock quietly read...

5:00 A.M.

Sara slowly opened her eyes.

For a brief second...

She didn't know where she was.

Then...

Her eyes landed on Hope.

Still asleep beside the couch.

Her head rested peacefully against the cushion.

A few loose strands of hair had fallen across her face.

Sara simply stared.

She wasn't thinking.

She just...

Looked.

A tiny smile unknowingly appeared on her lips.

Carefully...

Almost afraid of waking her...

Sara reached out.

Her fingertips gently brushed the loose strands of hair away from Hope's face.

Hope didn't move.

Sara smiled even more.

She whispered so quietly that only the morning could hear her.

"...Why are you so cute?"

She softly giggled to herself.

Still looking at Hope.

As if the whole world had disappeared.

A few more peaceful moments passed.

Then...

Knock... Knock...

Someone gently knocked on the living room door.

Sara immediately came back to reality.

She blinked.

Looked at Hope.

Then smiled again.

"...Hope..."

"...it's really you."

She slowly stood up and opened the door.

Rose walked inside carrying a basket of freshly washed clothes.

She was about to greet Sara.

"Good mor—"

Sara immediately placed a finger over her lips.

"Shhh..."

Rose looked confused.

Sara pointed toward the couch.

Hope was still sleeping peacefully.

Sara whispered,

"Please..."

"Don't wake her."

Rose looked at Hope.

Then back at Sara.

A warm smile slowly spread across her face.

Very softly she replied,

Look at her..."

"I don't remember the last time she slept this peacefully."

Sara looked at Hope again.

Rose gently smiled.

"I think someone finally gave my stubborn detective a reason to come home early..."

Sara lowered her eyes, trying to hide a smile.

Sara looked back at Hope.

She quietly nodded.

For a few moments…

Neither of them spoke.

They simply watched Hope sleeping.

Then suddenly—

CRASH!!

A loud sound echoed from the kitchen.

Someone had dropped a plate.

Hope immediately jolted awake.

Sara instantly closed her eyes in frustration.

Rose noticed Sara’s little reaction.

She couldn’t hide her smile.

Hope blinked several times.

Still half asleep.

Her messy hair covered one side of her face.

Without even realizing who was standing there…

She smiled sleepily at Sara.

“Morning… Princess…”

Rose folded her arms dramatically.

“I’m standing here too.”

Hope looked toward Rose.

Then laughed softly.

“I know…”

“Morning, Miss Rose…”

“…miss mayor Madam"

Rose chuckled.

“Morning, sleepyhead.”

Hope slowly stretched her shoulders.

Still rubbing her eyes.

Sara looked at her with concern.

“Are you okay?”

Hope smiled gently.

“I’m alright, Princess.”

“Just a little sleepy.”

She gave Sara one last reassuring smile before slowly walking upstairs toward her room.

The moment Hope disappeared…

Rose slowly turned toward Sara.

A mischievous smile appeared on her face.

“So…”

“You two slept here together?”

Sara’s eyes instantly widened.

“W-What?”

“N-No!”

“I mean…”

“No…”

“I don’t even know when Hope came back.”

“I was just…”

“…reading a book.”

Rose raised an eyebrow.

“Oh?”

“So you read books…”

“…while sleeping?”

Sara immediately looked away.

“I-I…”

“…love night reading.”

Rose couldn’t hold it anymore.

She laughed.

“So…”

“Princess Sara was waiting for Hope…”

“…and somewhere between chapter one and chapter dreams…”

“…she accidentally fell asleep.”

Sara covered her burning face.

“I wasn’t waiting…”

Rose leaned a little closer with a teasing smile.

“No?”

“Then why is your bookmark still on page three?”

Sara immediately froze.

Rose burst into laughter.

“Oh dear…”

“…your face just confessed before you did.”

Sara hid behind a cushion.

“I don’t like you this early in the morning…”

Rose gently laughed and walked toward the kitchen.

“Oh, Princess…”

“…one day you’ll realize…”

“…waiting for someone you care about is never something to be embarrassed about.”

Sara slowly lowered the cushion.

A shy smile quietly appeared on her face.

Without saying another word…

She looked upstairs toward Hope’s room.

Just for a second.

Then smiled to herself.

The farmhouse slowly filled with morning laughter once again.

65Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2D53AX2gY
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