Chapter 2: Chapter 2: A mentor's warning

Sky walked briskly down the corridor, his polished boots striking the tile floor with deliberate precision. His expression was unreadable, but inside, his thoughts churned. It wasn’t just the weight of the Thupa case that unsettled him—it was him.

Hirunkit.

The kid had been in Sky’s squad for nearly a year now, and Sky still couldn’t figure him out. On the surface, Hirunkit was quiet, obedient, and unremarkable. Too unremarkable, in Sky’s opinion. He never made waves, never pushed back, never gave anyone a reason to doubt him. And yet, Sky did doubt him.

Sky wasn’t sure if it was the kid’s overly polite demeanor, the way he seemed to shrink into the background, or the fact that he always managed to finish his tasks without issue—but something about Hirunkit didn’t sit right with him.

There was something… off.

Sky stopped outside Chief Sakda’s office, exhaling through his nose to center himself before knocking.

“Get in here, Sky,” Sakda called from inside. “And wipe that frown off your face before I start charging you rent for sulking.”

Sky stepped in, closing the door behind him. Chief Sakda sat behind his cluttered desk, surrounded by a chaos of papers, case files, and coffee mugs that looked like they hadn’t been washed in weeks. The man himself, however, looked as relaxed as ever, his round face lit up with his usual playful grin.

Sky stiffened, offering a respectful bow. “Chief.”

Sakda’s teasing faded, replaced with a softer expression. “Did you eat today, son? You haven’t been home in days. Your mom misses you, you know.”

Sky’s jaw tightened. “I’ll come home after I finish this case.”

Sakda sighed, leaning back in his chair. “You’re just like your father. Stubborn as hell. Fine, but don’t push yourself too hard.

For a moment, Sky allowed himself to relax. Chief Sakda wasn’t just his superior; he was family. After Sky’s parents had died in a fire when he was a child, Sakda had taken him and his Older brother under his wing, becoming their legal guardian. He had been more than a foster father—he’d been a mentor, a role model, and the reason both Sky and his brother had joined the police force.

Now, Sky was a captain, his brother leading a district in the north. They were often called the future of the Thai police, a new generation determined to bring change. Sky had no room for mistakes, and he wouldn’t allow any in his squad.

Sakda snapped him out of his thoughts. “So, what’s the update?”

Sky straightened, his tone turning professional. “After weeks of hitting dead ends, we finally have a lead. One of Thupa’s underlings was caught today during a sting. He’s in custody now, and Joong is handling the interrogation. We’re running his prints and DNA to see if he matches anything in our database. With some luck, we’ll get a breakthrough.”

Sakda nodded, but his face remained serious. “Sky, you know as well as I do that this isn’t going to be simple. Thupa has been a ghost for nearly fifteen years. No one’s ever gotten close enough to touch him.”

Sky frowned. “Then it’s about time someone did.”

Sakda leaned forward, lacing his fingers together. “You weren’t with us three years ago, but we almost caught him back then. It was the closest anyone’s come. But something happened—something big. He was betrayed by one of his own men. Word is, the betrayal nearly got him killed. He went underground after that, but he didn’t disappear. He rebuilt. Stronger. Smarter. And now, he’s out for revenge and rumors said he wants to find someone.”

Sky absorbed the information silently. He didn’t need a reminder of how dangerous this case was. His squad was trained for high-risk operations, but this was something else.

Sakda’s voice softened. “Just keep in mind, this isn’t just a drug bust. It’s a chess game. Thupa doesn’t play by the rules, and he’s always three steps ahead.”

Sky gave a curt nod. “Understood. I’ll keep you updated.”

Sakda smiled faintly, his stern tone slipping back into his usual warmth. “And Sky… about Hirunkit. Treat him a little better, will you?”

Sky’s expression hardened. “Hirunkit might be a good person, Chief, but he’s not a good cop. He’s too…” Sky paused, searching for the right word. “...green. He doesn’t belong in this squad.”

Sakda raised an eyebrow, amused. “You think that, do you? Then tell me, why do you think he’s here?”

Sky’s frown deepened. “I assumed it was your decision.”

“It wasn’t,” Sakda said, leaning back in his chair. “The order came from above my head. Hirunkit isn’t just a regular cop. He’s important to someone—important to us. I don’t have all the details yet, but I’m working on it. Chief Peeta might know more.”

Sky’s eyes narrowed. “So you don’t know why he’s here either?”

Sakda’s grin widened, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Not yet. But I’ll find out soon. For now, just keep an eye on him. And Sky…” His grin faded, replaced with something more serious. “Don’t push him too hard. If he’s in your squad, there’s a reason. You just don’t see it yet.”

Sky left the office, his mind troubled.

Hirunkit isn’t a regular cop.

The thought gnawed at him as he walked back toward the squad room. If Sakda’s words were true, then someone had gone out of their way to place Hirunkit in his unit—a decision that didn’t make sense. Hirunkit wasn’t an elite officer. He lacked the experience, the drive, the precision. He wasn’t suited for the kind of work the Special Investigations Squad handled.

And yet… there was something about him.

Sky hated to admit it, but Hirunkit was too perfect in his mediocrity. He never caused trouble, never stepped out of line, and never failed to finish his work. Most captains would kill for an officer like that. But to Sky, it was suspicious.

It felt calculated.

Hirunkit’s eyes—those dark, tired eyes—held something Sky couldn’t quite place. Something buried. It made his instincts scream. Hirunkit wasn’t just hiding something; he was hiding himself.

Sky clenched his jaw. If Hirunkit thought he could fly under the radar, he was wrong. Sky would figure him out, one way or another.