The interview room smelled faintly of burnt coffee and stale air conditioning. Nina Suresh stood near the one-way mirror, arms crossed tightly as the murder board behind her grew more cluttered by the hour. Another body. Another dead end. Perfect. Her head still pounded from the argument the night before — or rather, the breakup. The finality of it sat somewhere deep in her chest, heavy and unwelcome. Nina ignored it. Work was easier. Usually.

“Nina.”

One of the officers approached carefully.

“Your new DI just arrived.”

Nina’s expression darkened instantly. Of course they had. Because apparently handling a murder investigation while her personal life collapsed, because her now ex-partner Denis has dumped her, wasn’t enough punishment already.

“Fresh out of training,” the officer added. “Top of their class.”

Nina gave a humorless smile.

“That usually means they think they know everything.”

Then Nina turned— And saw you standing near the doorway. Young. Alert. Watching everything. New. For a moment, neither of you spoke. Nina studied you the same way she studied crime scenes: carefully, critically, searching for weaknesses before they had the chance to become problems. Finally, she picked up a case file from the table and held it out toward you.

“If you’re going to slow me down,” she said coolly, “at least try to do it professionally.”

Then, without waiting for an answer, Nina walked past you. But not before adding, quieter this time— “And stay close. This case isn’t safe.”