Chapter 29: Vigilante

***

The sound of cutlery echoed through the room as Detective Harold broke the silence.

"Alex, you shouldn't play with your food," Harold pointed to the vegetables on his son's plate.

Alex, who is just a child, pouted and shook his head. Seeing this, Harold was about to warn his son when Dr. John Gray interrupted.

"Just leave Alex alone."

"He's been behaving this way ever since you arrived, John," Harold remarked.

Dr. John Gray glanced at little Alex, noticing his pleading expression. He chuckled before redirecting his attention to Harold.

"Never mind that. Have you heard the news?" Dr. John Gray asked, attempting to help Alex by changing the subject.

Harold recognized John's intention but decided to play along, responding with a weary sigh, "What news?"

"It happened again, Harold," John replied, frustrated.

"I know, John. I work for the police," Harold acknowledged. "Then why are you so calm about this? That bastard is trying to embarrass the entire police force."

John winced as a sharp kick struck his leg under the table. He shifted his gaze towards Alex and hastily corrected himself, "I mean, the criminal." He affectionately patted Alex's head and said, "You won't follow in your uncle's footsteps, will you? You're a good boy, don't imitate your uncle."

After seeing Alex nod his head, John turned his attention back to Harold. "This is the third incident this month, Harold. The third!"

"I know, but you also know that the entire police force is doing their best to catch him," Harold replied.

Doubt creeping into his voice, John suspiciously asked, "Are they truly doing everything they can?"

"Hah," Harold sighed. "Just because this criminal targets other criminals, do you believe the law and the police force would turn a blind eye?"

"I wouldn't know, Harold," John replied, frustration evident in his voice. "Perhaps they, too, share the same mindset as the newspapers and TV."

John asked, "Did you see the interview with the last victim's family? They thanked the so-called vigilante for giving them justice."

Harold responded, "John, you know how the police force operates. We are different from ordinary citizens. Our duty is to apprehend all kinds of criminals without discrimination, regardless of their intentions."

"I understand, Harold. It's just that I don't sense much enthusiasm within the police force regarding this case," John replied.

Harold snapped, "If that's the case, why don't you take charge? You're a criminal psychologist. Simply request to be assigned to this case if it bothers you so much."

John gently patted Harold's shoulder and replied, "No need to get angry, Harold. I'm not implying that you personally are like that too. I'm just making a general observation."

"I've known you long enough to understand the hidden meaning behind your words, John. You just want to ask how it's possible for me, the best detective in the police force who has effortlessly solved multiple cases, to have failed to catch that vigilante, right?"

Harold noticed the troubled expression on John's face and realized he had hit a nerve. "Just because I'm considered the best detective doesn't guarantee that I can catch every criminal out there."

"This time, this vigilante didn't leave any clues behind. He even captured the criminal I was pursuing before I could," Harold admitted.

"So I'm asking you, how do you expect me to catch a vigilante who excels at catching criminals better than I do?" Harold inquired, annoyance evident in his tone.

"Relax, man. I'm not accusing you of anything. I simply find it hard to believe that there's someone out there who surpasses your abilities," John reassured.

"There's always someone better out there, John," Harold replied.

Alex finished his meal, interrupting their conversation. "Dad, I finished my meal. Can I go upstairs?" he asked.

Harold looked toward his son's plate and noticed that he had left out the vegetables. He shook his head and spoke while accusingly gazing at John, "Go ahead, but don't play any games. Memorize the script that I gave you."

Alex nodded and bid farewell to Dr. John Gray before heading upstairs.

"Don't give me that look, Harold. There's no harm in skipping vegetables for one meal," John defended himself.

"John, are you seriously a psychiatrist? You know how important it is to develop healthy habits from a young age," Harold stated.

John felt embarrassed and guilty, so he changed the subject. "By the way, what script are you teaching him?"

Harold brushed it off, saying, "It's just some basic knowledge."

Then, John advised, "You may want to loosen up a little with Alex. He might not show it, but his condition is worsening."

Harold inquired, "What do you mean?"

John replied, "During our recent sessions, I noticed Alex's mental state becoming more unstable, and he has been displaying signs of depression and violence."

Harold asked, "Can't you prescribe him medication or try any other form of treatment?"

John assured, "I already did. I'm just saying it would be best if you took a little more care of him in the meantime."

John added, "After losing his mom, his condition had been improving with treatment. However, for some reason, in the past two months, his condition has started to deteriorate again."

Harold became saddened at the mention of his wife, but he replied, "Okay, John. I'll take better care of him."

John replied, "I know you will. Anyway, I should get going." John stood up and left after bidding farewell to Harold.

CREATORS' THOUGHTS
WriterOfEnd

This part of the story would be three chapters long. I've already written all three of them and will try to upload them today. This is the first chapter; the other chapters will be uploaded approximately every two hours, meaning whenever I finished editing them. Thanks for your understanding and support.

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