"I beg your pardon?" Natalie’s voice trembled, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Haven.

"I should have told you as soon as I arrived," Haven began, but he hesitated, his gaze softening. "I missed you, and I know you still care about him."

"I'm meeting him at 8," she whispered, her tone heavy with resignation.

"What?!"

"He came to the Globe today, saying he needed my help and that I’m the only one who can untangle his problems. He asked to meet at his flat. Honestly, now I can see why he thought so."

"Nat, why are you going to his place?" Haven’s eyes darkened with jealousy, and Natalie could feel the intensity of his gaze.

"Stop being like this," she said, her voice firm yet pained. "You know I don’t love him anymore. I just want him to be okay. I never knew it was this messed up."

"He killed a girl, Nat. Her name was Tania Melinsky. She was 24, Russian, with striking red hair. She was found in Simon's office, brutally stabbed. Her clothes were torn, her wrists bruised, and her back was slashed. It looks like she tried to fight back, but he was relentless."

"How do you know he did it?" Natalie’s voice rose with anger, defending Simon despite the pain he had caused her.

"You’re already defending him. I can’t believe it!"

"I defend the truth. If he really did kill her, I won’t back down from writing about it. But I need to understand the whole picture first. Simon may be a massive jerk, but I don’t think he has what it takes to kill someone."

"You’ll find that many killers don’t fit a neat profile. It can happen to anyone."

"Tell me more. Let me investigate with you. I promise I’ll prioritize the truth over my past with him."

"Okay, but you can't use my name as a source or anything like that."

"Never did," Natalie assured him.

"I’m just being careful. I tend to be reckless around you."

"I’m sorry if I’m a bad influence."

"Here’s what we know: Tania Melinsky was found dead in Simon’s office. Her coat was ripped, and the scene was chaotic. She had multiple cuts on her back, which indicate she might have been attacked from behind. After stabbing her in the stomach, he finished her off by slashing her throat."

"Why do you suspect Simon?"

"Here’s the thing—he was found next to her, covered in her blood, with his fingerprints all over the murder weapon. His hands were bruised and cut. The police found him high on ecstasy, so much so that he was unconscious when they arrived."

"Maybe he was drugged and framed. Everything could have been set up to make him look guilty."

"He admitted to using drugs, but he claimed he doesn’t remember much of that night. He said he didn’t see Tania that day, but his story is inconsistent. There’s also a motive we haven’t fully uncovered yet."

"And that is?"

"I don’t know. The coroner might have had more details, but I suspect Simon's father bribed him. The report wasn’t complete. The Chief said, ‘It’s the Thompsons; they always have a scandal.’ With Rick running for City Hall, this could hurt his campaign. So now we’re looking for additional suspects because the Chief doesn’t want Thompson’s issues affecting the Chicago Post."

"Corruption at high levels. Stay out of it, Nat. They’ve targeted you once, and you survived. Why risk it again?"

"You don’t know for sure he did it. Your judgment is clouded by jealousy. You want to arrest him because of this, but deep down, the detective in you knows it’s not professional."

"Maybe. I’m afraid you’ll run back to him."

"No, Haven. Nothing will change how I feel about him or the fact that I want you. I want the truth, and I can’t stop until I find out who killed Tania. She deserves justice. I need to write about this, and I can save the Globe if I get the story. You have to set your jealousy aside and work as the detective I know you are. Simon isn’t going to take me away from you. If I run, it will be because it’s who I am, not to him."

"Yes... I love you, Nat. I just want you to stay away from him. He hurt you."

"Yeah..."

"They’ll check his apartment tomorrow. It’s just a routine. I find it dangerous that the Chief is pushing to solve this case so quickly. It feels like a nightmare that you can’t wake up from."

"I’ll talk to him tonight and see what I can find out. I’ll keep you updated."

Natalie left the kitchen, shedding her Metallica shirt as she went. "I have to go. I’m already late, and I don’t want to arrive after the police. I need to see that apartment first."

"Okay," Haven said, smirking as he watched her change into a black shirt and fix her lipstick in the mirror. "Sorry about the lipstick, Nat."

"It’s forgiven, detective," she giggled, buttoning her shirt.

"Will you come back tonight?"

"Not sure. But I’ll definitely be here tomorrow, I promise."

Natalie stood on her toes and gave him a quick peck on the lips before hugging him tightly. "Sorry I had to cut it short. I really missed you and feel terrible for breaking your heart so many times."

"I forgive you—only if you come back with blueberry muffins from Starbucks next time."

"You’re such a child, but I love it."

"Take care out there, okay?"

"I’m a big girl. I can handle a little danger."

Natalie slipped her coat over her shoulders and held Haven’s hand tightly, as if afraid she might lose him. "See you tomorrow, Muffin Man."

"Bye, Fiona," Haven laughed, kissing the back of her hand before she left.

Natalie walked through the dark alleyway, heading towards the apartment she once considered home. As she prepared to meet Simon, she hoped that the truth would prevail, but deep down, she knew she still cared about him. She wanted him to be innocent, but that wouldn’t cloud her search for the truth.

Or would it?