STANLEY’S POV

It had been a long time since I returned to work. The familiar sterile scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, barely masking the faint aroma of old paper in my office.

As I looked through some paperwork, my secretary entered after a gentle knock on the door accompanied by Officer Collins.

That was unexpected. We hadn’t scheduled a meeting, and there was no prior notice.

I gave my secretary a subtle nod, and she quietly exited, closing the door behind her. I gestured for Officer Collins to take a seat.

Sunlight filtered weakly through the grimy window, casting long, uneven shadows across the floor.

I had an...