➙ 2 hours earlier before the heist.

The tense hum of murmurs filled the room as officers shuffled papers, exchanged uneasy glances, and checked their notes. It was impossible to ignore the weight of the crisis hanging over them—the stolen case files had shaken the entire unit.

Then, Niwatchai's sharp voice cut through the tension.

"Everyone, I need your attention."

The authority in his tone was enough to make the entire room go silent. Officers immediately stood up, acknowledging his command. Only when he gave a slight nod did they return to their seats, now fully focused.

His sharp gaze swept across them.

"In an hour, we will be holding a critical internal meeting with the authorities regarding the stolen case files. I expect every single one of you to attend. This is not just about a security breach—this is about the integrity of our unit, our investigations, and the justice system itself."

Some officers exchanged nervous glances. Everyone knew the gravity of the situation, but having the higher authorities involved made it even worse.

Niwatchai's voice remained firm as he continued.

"Before we enter that meeting, let me make one thing clear; we are not treating this as an ordinary case of missing documents. This is a deliberate act, and until we determine whether the breach was internal or external, trust will not be given freely. That is why a routine check will be conducted across all divisions. I expect full cooperation from everyone."

A murmur spread across the room.

Captain Vachir was the first to speak.

"Sir, do we have any leads? How do we even begin to track this if there were no security breaches?"

Niwatchai exhaled. "That's exactly what we're going to discuss in the meeting. I want all of you to come prepared. Go through your case logs, security access records, anything that might give us a starting point."

The weight of his words settled over them. No one was going to leave that meeting without answers.

➙ 1 hour later.

The Crime Unit's main conference room was filled with officers, their expressions grim and serious. A long rectangular table sat in the middle, surrounded by chairs, and at the head of the table sat Niwatchai, his presence commanding as ever.

Across from him sat Deputy Chief Thanakrit, one of the highest-ranking officers overseeing their unit. Several other senior officials, including forensic experts and cybersecurity analysts, were present as well.

The air was thick with tension.

Thanakrit tapped his fingers against the table, then looked at Niwatchai. "Let's begin."

Niwatchai gave a firm nod. "As you're all aware, the case files for multiple high-profile investigations have been stolen. These files contain confidential information—suspect details, evidence reports, undercover operations. If they fall into the wrong hands, it could compromise months, if not years, of work."

Thanakrit leaned forward. "What do we know so far?"

Lieutenant Yotthakarn spoke up, flipping open a document. "The files were last accessed between 11 PM and 2 AM last night. However, security logs show no forced entry, no unusual activity on the surveillance cameras, and no reports of any suspicious behavior within the building."

Thanakrit's brow furrowed. "So, you're telling me someone with direct access took them?"

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Captain Vachir adjusted his glasses. "That would be the logical conclusion. But if it was an inside job, that raises another question—why now?"

Nani, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke.

"Exactly.." he muttered. "The files, both─hard copies and digital copies, could've been stolen at any time. But they were taken right before a major trial is about to happen. Isn't that too much of a coincidence?"

All eyes turned to him.

Thanakrit's expression darkened. "Which cases were in those stolen files?"

A forensic analyst, Jarin, stood up and handed out printed lists. "We've compiled a list of all the missing files. Among them—four stand out."

She began reading them aloud.

1. คดีแก๊งสุพจน์ (Khadi Gaeng Suphot) – "The Suphot Gang Case"

A major organized crime syndicate with connections to drug trafficking and illegal weapons trade.

2. คดีฆาตกรรมไตรศักดิ์ (Khadi Khatakam Traisak) – "The Traisak Murder Case"

A high-profile murder case involving the son of a powerful politician.

3.คดีเสียงกระซิบสุดท้าย (Khadi Siang Krasip Sutthai) – "The Final Whisper Case"

A serial killer targeting gossip columnists and paparazzi, blaming them for spreading false rumors that led to a celebrity's suicide.

4. คดีคำพิพากษาแห่งสยาม (Khadi Kham Phiphaksa Haeng Sayam) – "The Siam Verdict Case"

A lawyer-turned-killer executing rich businessmen who have bribed their way out of court cases, leaving a balance scale symbol on their bodies.

The room fell silent again.

Then, Niwatchai clenched his jaw. "So whoever took these files… they weren't just stealing random data. They knew exactly what they were looking for."

Arthit sighed. "That means we either have a mole inside the unit—or someone working for these criminals is a lot closer than we thought."

Thanakrit's expression was unreadable. "This situation just became more dangerous. We need to work under the assumption that whoever stole these files will either sell them, destroy them, or use them as leverage."

Vachir nodded. "Then our first step is to track down any suspicious movements within the last 24 hours. Who accessed what? Who entered the archives? And most importantly—who had the most to gain from this theft?"

Niwatchai leaned forward, his expression unreadable.

"The routine checks will start immediately. No one, not even senior officers are above scrutiny. I want backgrounds rechecked, keycard logs analyzed, security footage re-examined. We will find the traitor."

A chilling silence followed.

But amidst the tension, Nani felt something gnawing at the back of his mind.

"Routine check? Right after the theft? No forced entry, no external breach…"

"What if someone planned this entire thing to make us look in the wrong direction?"

"What if—"

A voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Nani?"

He blinked, turning to see Arthit watching him.

"What?" Nani's voice was blank.

Arthit leaned back, crossing his arms. "You're doing that thing again. The 'I'm-about-to-figure-out-something-and-burn-my-own-brain' thing."

Nani exhaled slowly. "I just have a feeling this isn't what it looks like."

Arthit gave him a long look before sighing. "I hope for once, your gut is wrong."

But Nani knew it wasn't.

The meeting had ended, officers pouring out of the conference room like a slow-moving tide. Some lingered, whispering amongst themselves, but most simply walked away, eager to shake off the weight of the discussion. Papers rustled, chairs scraped against the floor, and yet, amidst the background noise, Nani’s brain was still running at full speed.

Something wasn't sitting right.

His fingers drummed absently against the desk as his sharp gaze lingered on the now-empty seats. The Suphot Gang case had been haunting them for months, the trial looming closer. Every detail, every report had been combed through a hundred times, and yet—why did it feel like something was missing?

"Wait a minute…"

A chill crawled up his spine, something clicking into place like a flickering bulb finally sputtering to life.

The stolen data, the Suphot Gang trial, and now a security check scheduled to arrive at just the right moment—too precise, too well-timed. It hadn't even happened yet, but its mere presence in the sequence of events felt calculated, as if designed to mask something bigger.

Nani's mind sharpened as he began connecting the dots, each piece falling into place with unsettling clarity.

Beside him, Arthit, who had spent the last five minutes stretching as though he had just returned from a battlefield (when in reality, he had only endured another long meeting), shot him a knowing look.

"You've got that 'I-just-figured-something-out-and-now-I-won't-shut-up-about-it' face." He smirked. "Spill it."

Nani barely heard him. His brain was moving too fast, the pieces of the puzzle snapping together one after the other. A trail he hadn’t seen before. A pattern disguised as randomness.

His stomach twisted.

"I think we've got a clue."

Arthit straightened, blinking. "What? Already?"

"I need to check something first." He grabbed his keys. "Let's go to my apartment."

Arthit didn't even hesitate. "You and your dramatic hunches. Lead the way, Detective Genius."

They had barely taken two steps toward the exit when a voice cut through the air.

"Where are you two running off to?"

They turned to find Niwatchai standing by the door, arms crossed, gaze sharp.

"Sir, I think we've found something," Nani said, his voice steady despite the adrenaline beginning to surge through his veins.

Niwatchai's stare was unyielding. "Something real? Or just another assumption?"

Nani's voice was steady, devoid of hesitation. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't certain."

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken weight. Then, Niwatchai's tone dropped, firm and cold. "Then don't fail. And don't make me regret this."

"Understood, sir."

Nani didn't waste another second. Neither did Arthit.

Further, the black sedan wove through the city streets, cutting through the sluggish morning traffic. Sunlight streamed through the windshield, but inside the car, the air was thick—heavy with unspoken words.

Arthit drummed his fingers against the dashboard, breaking the silence first. "Are you going to tell me what's going on, or do I have to sit here in suspense?"

Nani kept his hands steady on the wheel, his knuckles tight against the leather grip. "You'd just make jokes the whole time."

"Okay, rude. But also true."

A pause. The city blurred past them.

Arthit sighed. "So? Any hints?"

Nani inhaled slowly. "If I'm right… we have a bigger problem than we thought."

That shut Arthit up.

• • • • • • •

The underground parking lot was eerily quiet as they stepped out of the car, the dim lighting casting long shadows against the sleek, polished concrete. The sound of their footsteps echoed faintly.

Arthit glanced around, shoving his hands into his pockets. "You know, every time I walk in here, I feel like I should be paying rent."

Nani rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up."

They reached the door. Unlike standard apartments, Nani's wasn't just locked—it was fortified.

A keycard.

A thumb biometric scan.

A six-digit passcode.

Swipe. Scan. Code entered.

A small beep. Then—

Access granted.

The door unlocked with a quiet click, and they stepped inside.

The marble floors gleamed under soft, recessed lighting. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the city skyline, the morning sun barely cutting through the glass. Minimalist furniture—sharp lines, monochrome palettes—was placed with deliberate precision.

But the real centerpiece?

Nani's workspace.

A whiteboard covered in scribbled notes. Stacks of case files spilling across the desk. Open reports, highlighted passages, scattered sticky notes.

A controlled storm of information.

Arthit let out a low whistle. "You don't just solve cases—you live like a damn millionaire."

"Shut up and help me find the file."

"What are we looking for?"

"A report I compiled before the data was stolen."

Arthit frowned, stepping closer. "And you think this proves something?"

Nani's fingers were already flipping through folders, sharp and precise.

He didn't just think—he knew.

Then—

His hands stopped.

A specific log entry.

A name.

A timestamp.

A secured login.

His breath hitched.

This wasn't right.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Arthit, sensing the shift in the air, moved closer. "What? What is it?"

Nani's fingers hovered over the page, his pulse steady but heavy. His voice came out slow. Measured.

"...This isn't right."

Arthit frowned. "Meaning?"

Nani turned to him, his expression unreadable. "The files weren't just stolen. They were accessed before the theft."

Arthit’s brow furrowed. "That doesn't make sense. Who else would've—"

Then—

A sharp thud sounded from outside.

They both went still.

The silence was suffocating.

Nani's fingers moved—fast—tapping a silent alarm on his phone. A direct distress signal to Niwatchai.

The door handle shifted.

Arthit grabbed a paperweight off the desk. His voice was barely above a whisper. "Tell me you've got a plan."

Nani inhaled. "Yeah. Don’t die."

"Wow. Fantastic plan."

The door burst open.

A masked figure stepped inside—gun raised.

But Nani was already moving.

A sharp kick—knocking the weapon loose. The intruder staggered, but another figure was already shoving through the doorway.

Arthit didn't hesitate. He grabbed the nearest object—a glass—and hurled it. It shattered against the second intruder's head.

"RUN!" Nani shouted.

They bolted.

Through the hallway, dodging furniture. The intruders recovered fast, footsteps pounding behind them.

A gunshot—too close—the bullet embedding into the wall just inches away.

"Shit!" Arthit yelled. "Any more bright ideas?!"

Nani's eyes locked onto the fire escape door.

"There!"

They crashed through it, sprinting down the metal staircase. More gunfire—bullets ricocheting off the railing.

Arthit cursed. "I really hate your hunches!"

"Shut up and run!"

They hit the parking lot—only to find another masked figure waiting.

No more running.

The first attacker lunged—Nani sidestepped, landing a brutal elbow to the ribs. Arthit tackled another, sending them both crashing against a car hood.

Another blow.

Another struggle.

Then—

Nani slammed his attacker against the concrete.

The man slumped—unconscious.

Arthit, panting, stumbled beside him. "Remind me… never to follow you home again."

Nani wasn't listening. His pulse was still racing. His mind was still calculating.

The files.

The theft.

Something was... wrong.

Arthit coughed. "So… now what?"

Nani clenched his jaw.

"Now?" He exhaled, staring down at the unconscious men.

"Now, we find out who sent them."

Because whoever it was—they wanted him dead before he got too close.

And he was close.

Very close.

Or...he's in a delusion.

Nani wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand, his breath coming hard and fast. A guy lay sprawled near his feet, groaning in pain. Another one a few feet away wasn't moving at all.

Arthit, equally disheveled but grinning, cracked his knuckles. "That was a warm-up, huh?"

Nani shot him a look. "Shut up."

He was about to say something else when—

Something clicked in his head.

The file.

His face darkened, eyes narrowing as if something sinister had just crawled into his thoughts.

"Wait a minute…" His voice was low, but the sharpness in it made Arthit freeze mid-step.

"…Nani?"

"The file."

Arthit frowned. "Yeah, the file. It's evidence. We need to get it before someone else does."

But Nani wasn't listening. His mind was racing back to what he had compiled. The details weren't adding up.

His stomach twisted.

"That file…" His fingers curled into fists. "That file was not the one I compiled."

Silence.

Arthit’s smirk faded. "…What?"

Nani turned to him, his gaze cold, calculating. His voice dropped to something almost deadly.

"The file we read before coming here—it wasn't mine."

The air between them felt like it had been sucked out.

Arthit stiffened, a shiver crawling up his spine. "Wait—what do you mean?"

Nani exhaled sharply, his mind racing. "The one I compiled wasn't a login report. It was a visitor log. The list of people who physically visited our department, not those who accessed the system remotely."

Arthit’s throat went dry. "But confidential data like that—how the hell did you even get—"

Nani's eyes flashed.

"It was planted."

Silence.

Arthit inhaled sharply. "Planted… but how? There's no way someone could've broken into your apartment without setting off an alert."

Nani ran a frustrated hand through his hair. "Exactly. If someone forced their way in, I would've been notified immediately.'"

A heavy pause.

Arthit leaned against a nearby car. "You think this is because you've been digging too deep into the underworld?"

"I think so…" Nani exhaled sharply, his mind racing. "The trial is in less than a week. Maybe they're not just after the evidence… maybe they want to get rid of me before I find something bigger."

Arthit frowned. "But whoever did this—if they got into your apartment, shouldn't their entry still be logged in your visitor list?"

A realization struck them both at the same time.

Nani's head snapped toward Arthit.

Arthit's expression shifted.

A cold, heavy weight settled over them.

"…That means the original file is solid proof of who did this.." Arthit muttered.

"And that's exactly why they needed to switch it.." Nani said darkly. His pulse pounded. "Maybe they planted that file one to lure me back into my apartment? Maybe the real goal was to erase the evidence and take me out in the process."

Arthit exhaled. "That… makes sense."

The realization sent a bolt of urgency through them.

"We need to check my apartment. Now."

Without another word, they sprinted towards Nani's building.

By the time they reached his floor, his respective apartment, Nani didn't hesitate. He scanned his keycard, pressed his thumb against the biometric scanner, and punched in the six-digit code.

The door beeped, unlocking with a mechanical click.

Arthit whistled low. "Your house is an AI itself. You've got a better security system than half the government buildings. No wonder you don't have a partner—you're too busy whispering sweet nothings to Alexa."

Nani shot him a glare. "Shut up."

Arthit chuckled, stepping inside after