Chapter 2

In a temporary workspace in the county police station, I sat before my computer, my fingers tapping the keyboard.

A freshly printed application for recusal lay on my desk.

It happened at the county police station in my past life as well.

David categorically asserted that the girl was a fool who knew nothing.

She trashed the police station, smashing everything in her way and even scratching three policewomen. The only time she would calm down was when I drew near to her.

The police chief gave special approval for me to be fully in charge of her psychological counseling and daily care.

That marked the beginning of hell for me.

I bought her clothes, fed her food, and patiently taught her to open her mouth to speak in an enclosed interrogation room.

All the blind spots that surveillance cameras failed to capture when we were alone in the room ended up being evidence against me of chronic abuse toward her.

The door was pushed open. Captain Jones walked in with a report in hand and a complicated expression on his face.

“Professor Lawson, the hospital couldn’t handle her. That girl was acting manic, breaking the IV bottle and waving the glass shard at her neck, refusing to allow anyone to come close. The nurse said that she kept making a sound that resembled your name.”

Captain Jones sighed.

“The chief wants you to rush over. She has a strange attachment to you, and you’re probably the only one who can solve this problem you caused in the first place.”

I sneered inwardly.

She was just being a venomous, scheming snake.

I handed my application for recusal to Captain Jones.

“I’m not going.”

Captain Jones was shocked. “This is a matter of life and death! If she were to take her own life…”

“She won’t,” I said, cutting him off expressionlessly. “Given the way she holds the glass shard, she won't be able to exert enough force to cause any real harm. She’s just threatening you guys.”

I stood up and pointed at the application letter.

“Captain Jones, I’m a psychology expert assigned by the provincial department, not her dedicated pacifier. As the person involved in this case is an underage girl who has been in long-term captivity, there is a great responsibility that she might suffer severe harm. From now on, I refuse any private, one-on-one and non-necessary interactions with her in any form.”

The captain was getting anxious. “We’re desperate, and desperate times call for desperate measures!”

“No.”

I picked up my phone and dialed the number to the provincial department, switching the call to loudspeaker mode.

“Hello, Chester Lawson here. I’m currently at Green County assisting with an abduction case. I’ve found that the key victim here is an underage female. I'm requesting a female psychology expert to be assigned here immediately, and also for surveillance footage to be captured throughout the entire process with no blind spots.”

A solemn reply came through the phone. “Got it, Professor Lawson. We’ll have it arranged right away.”

Captain Jones’ jaw hit the floor.

“Lawson, isn’t this… Isn’t this too much? If word were to spread, others might think that we’re not handling our cases according to the rules.”

I looked back at him.

“Rules are meant to protect the good. Even if she dies, that should only happen with all procedures followed.”