Chapter 10

Crossing the police line, Gabriela glanced around the crime scene, her sharp eyes scanning every detail. She tilted her head, her brows furrowing as she observed the chaos. Broad daylight, and yet such a violent crime had taken place—just two blocks from the Cantonal Police Station, no less.

Approaching where the crime scene technicians were taking photos, she pulled on a pair of gloves and crouched by the body. Her gaze lingered on the multiple stab wounds and deep lacerations. Standing back up, she noticed broken bottles scattered nearby. She moved toward them for a closer look, but a sudden commotion broke her focus.

Someone was rushing toward her.

Gabriela spun around just in time to see a figure charging her, a knife glinting in their hand. Her breath hitched, and she stumbled back, barely dodging the wild swing aimed at her face. The blade grazed her left cheekbone and left eyebrow, and she groaned, clutching her cheek as pain flared hot and sharp.

"Ah, shit!" she hissed, her voice tight with frustration.

"Lab Queen!" Ashley's familiar voice rang out. Gabriela blinked, adjusting her focus. The assailant was already being restrained by several officers, thrashing and shouting in vain.

"Detective Amosa," Gabriela muttered, her voice laced with sarcasm as she examined her bloody hand. "Great timing."

Ashley's brow furrowed. "You're bleeding," she said, concern flashing across her face.

Gabriela laughed dryly, rolling her eyes. "Well, no kidding, Detective! I just got attacked, duh!" She shook her head. "And I still have a class to teach at three this afternoon," she added, as if the injury was just a minor inconvenience.

Ashley's jaw dropped. "You're not seriously planning to go to Briar University and lecture with those wounds on your face, are you?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"Of course I am!" Gabriela grinned despite the stinging pain. "Can't miss the chance to see the—ow!" she yelped as Ashley smacked the back of her head.

"You're unbelievable, Gabi!" Ashley snapped, grabbing her arm and dragging her toward the medics. "If you weren't my friend, I'd leave you bleeding on the pavement! But, unfortunately for me, you are my friend—and a Samoan, too, which makes you my responsibility," she muttered, clicking her tongue.

Gabriela scoffed but let Ashley lead her. As the medics began treating her wound, Ashley gave her a sideways glance. "Did you manage to contact your family?"

Gabriela stiffened, her smile turning brittle. "Contact them? Oh, you mean the people who couldn't wait to kick me out of the house? Yeah, no. Not exactly rushing to call me back," she said, her laugh hollow. "Who would even want someone as weird as me hanging around?"

Her voice softened, and she sighed, her words more for herself than anyone else. "Maybe I'll drop by someday. You know, see how they're doing, see how life's treating them. Not that they care, but..." She trailed off, her mask of nonchalance slipping just enough to reveal the loneliness underneath.

Ashley's expression softened. "You're not weird, Gabi. Never have been," she said firmly, offering a warm, reassuring smile.

Gabriela clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes to mask the ache in her chest. "Of course I'm not weird to you. You're my friend—that's your job," she teased, though the edge in her voice betrayed her true feelings.

Ashley just shook her head, determined to get through to her. "You're not weird to anyone who actually matters, Gabi. Don't forget that."

For a moment, Gabriela's lips twitched, the ghost of a smile playing there. "Thanks, Detective Amosa. Now, can we focus on getting me patched up so I don't terrify my students?"

Ashley smirked, shaking her head as the medics continued their work.

Gabriela sat on the edge of her desk, one foot resting on the floor as she continued her lecture. The dull throb of her injuries pulsed beneath her facemask, making her wince occasionally. Still, she pushed through, her tone steady as she wrapped up the discussion.

"Alright, class dismissed! Don't forget to submit your research papers by next week," she reminded, watching her students pack up and file out of the room.

"Professor," a student lingered behind, approaching her hesitantly. The student gestured to Gabriela's bandaged brow. "Did something happen at work?"

Gabriela blinked in surprise, then chuckled softly. "Unfortunately, yes," she admitted. "Being a forensic investigator has its perks, but it's not all fun and games. There's always the risk of hazardous materials, trauma, and the occasional death threat," she said with a casual shrug.

The student's eyes widened slightly. "You must be a really cool officer, then," they said with a smile. "Take care, Professor. Hope you feel better soon!"

Gabriela waved them off with a scoff and a faint grin, her gaze lingering on the empty doorway as the last of her students left. Alone now, she pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number, placing it against her ear.

The line rang and rang, but no one picked up. Gabriela chuckled bitterly as the call ended. "Still the black sheep, huh?" she murmured to herself, staring at the screen before slipping the phone back into her pocket. With a resigned shrug, she stood, tidying her desk before leaving the classroom.

Heading toward the restroom, she stopped abruptly, her heart skipping a beat when she spotted Vien and Matthew in the hallway. She quickly ducked out of sight, taking a few steps back to avoid being seen.

From her vantage point, she caught a glimpse of the university grounds through the window. Her eyes narrowed when she noticed several uniformed men lingering just beyond the premises.

They've been here for days now.

A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. "They've been hanging around ever since you joined, Gabi," Ingrid said, her tone casual yet tinged with curiosity.

Gabriela turned to see Ingrid standing nearby, her gaze fixed on the men.

"Do you know them?" Ingrid asked, tilting her head.

Gabriela glanced at the men, then back at Ingrid, and shrugged. "No idea."

Ingrid's expression hardened. "Well, just be careful. Our work outside the university is dangerous enough—you don't want to end up as someone's target." She gave Gabriela's shoulder a light tap before walking away.

Gabriela sighed deeply, muttering under her breath. "Not my first death threat."

She turned back toward the restroom, relieved to see that Matthew had left. As she reached for the door, it swung open, and Vien stepped out. Gabriela froze, her eyes trailing after Vien's retreating figure, but the other woman didn't seem to notice her.

With a shake of her head, Gabriela entered the restroom and moved to the sink. Pulling down her mask, she examined the bandage on her cheekbone in the mirror.

"Great. My face, ruined again," she muttered, clicking her tongue in frustration.

As she turned to leave, her gaze fell on a pouch sitting on the edge of the counter. She frowned, picking it up and inspecting it. "Is this Vien's?" she wondered aloud.

Glancing at the floor plan near the door, she tried to recall Vien's office location. "Right... fifth floor," she murmured, stepping into the hallway and heading for the elevator.

"Better hurry," she said, checking her wristwatch. "Hope she's still around."