The Heart System Chapter 568

The doorman moved to intercept us as we approached, a hand casually resting on the doorframe. His gaze swept over us, finally settling on Cora.

"The young lady's identification, please," he stated plainly.

Cora promptly retrieved her wallet and offered it. "Here you go."

After a brief inspection and a small nod, he stepped aside. "Very well. Enjoy yourselves."

"Thank you," I replied, pushing the door inward.

A wave of warmth greeted us, mingling with the low murmur of conversations and the soft strains of music filtering from somewhere within. The atmosphere wasn't boisterous like a club; it was more subdued, possessing a cozy, albeit aged, charm.

Subdued lighting emanated from fixtures overhead, bathing the wooden interior in a warm, golden hue. A long bar counter, complete with stools that had clearly seen countless patrons, ran along one wall. Several small tables were sparsely arranged, most occupied by quiet patrons or solitary drinkers absorbed in their own worlds. The distinct aromas of alcohol and aged wood hung in the air, underscored by a faint trace of cigarette smoke that seemed to permeate everything.

And then, I saw him.

Jack Kuinn.

He was seated at the bar, leaning slightly forward, a drink held in his grasp. A cap was pulled low, likely an attempt to avoid easy recognition. Nevertheless, I would have identified him instantly. His demeanor, that subtle confidence, it was unmistakable.

I subtly inclined my head towards an unoccupied table. "Over there."

Cora followed my gesture and gave a nod. We proceeded to our seats, maintaining a discreet distance to avoid drawing undue attention.

A server approached us after a moment, a notepad in hand. "What may I get for you?"

"A beer," I said.

"The same," Cora added softly.

"Understood," he acknowledged with a nod before departing.

Once he had moved away, Cora leaned in slightly, her voice lowered. "Is he... a bad person?"

I directed my gaze towards the bar, observing Jack as he took a slow sip of his drink.

"Yes," I responded quietly. "He is. And I need to bring him down."

She nodded, though a flicker of uncertainty crossed her eyes.

A few minutes elapsed with no significant developments. Then, a woman slid onto the barstool adjacent to Jack, initiating what appeared to be a conversation. Jack turned his head slightly, uttering something inaudible to me.

The woman's expression shifted almost instantly. She let out a dismissive sound, rolled her eyes, and rose, walking away without further interaction.

I released a quiet exhalation. "Not interested, I see."

Our beverages arrived shortly thereafter. I offered a brief thanks and took a sip, the familiar bitterness on my tongue. Leaning back slightly, my mind sifted through potential strategies.

The 'Time Stop' ability would simplify this considerably, perhaps too much so. Its current cost, however, was prohibitive for such a speculative endeavor. Jack didn't seem the type to carry anything crucial on his person. Any information stored on his phone would undoubtedly be heavily secured.

I rubbed the back of my head and took another gulp of beer. Perhaps I wouldn't uncover direct incriminating evidence. But maybe I could find his boyfriend's contact information? Or at least a photograph? That could be sufficient.

"What's on your mind?" Cora inquired softly.

"Just contemplating the most discreet approach," I replied. "I want this to proceed without issue."

"I'm certain we can manage it," she offered, a hint of shyness in her voice, though she strove for a confident tone. "Right?"

I regarded her for a moment before nodding.

"Right."

Slipping my phone from my pocket, I angled it discreetly, capturing a quick photograph of Jack at the bar. The dim lighting proved advantageous, attracting no notice as there was no flash. I then lowered the phone, taking another sip of beer, the bitter flavor lingering as I kept him within my peripheral vision.

Before further contemplation could occur, someone approached our table.

"Hello, handsome." A woman smiled, holding a vibrant orange cocktail. I didn't recognize the specific drink, only that it appeared costly and potent. "I'm for hire, are you buying?"

I blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Hm?"

"Get lost," Cora's voice interjected sharply.

I turned to her, and for a fleeting second, even I was surprised. Her expression had transformed into something akin to a horror movie portrayal, her eyes fixed on the woman with a chilling intensity that seemed to thicken the very air.

The woman emitted a small, awkward chuckle, clearly unprepared for such a reaction. "Geez... fine."

She turned and departed, quickly engaging with another gentleman at a nearby table. Cora's gaze remained fixed on her until she was fully out of sight, then she exhaled slowly, her shoulders visibly relaxing.

"Um... you've really changed, by the way, Evan," she commented, her tone now softer.

"Meaning?" I inquired, glancing at her.

"You're not the same guy I saw at the gas station," she continued, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Much cooler now. Hehe... my Evan."

A suppressed sigh escaped me as I took another gulp of my drink. Her words, though repeated, still struck me as odd, and I no longer bothered to ponder them. My focus was drawn back to the bar as Jack abruptly stood, adjusting his cap before heading towards the hallway that led to the restrooms.

After observing him for a moment, I placed my glass down. "I'll be back," I announced. "Stay here."

"Okay. Be careful," Cora responded with a nod.

I proceeded at a relaxed pace, neither rushed nor lingering, making my way toward the men's room. The bustling crowd meant my movements went unnoticed. As I neared the entrance, I paused just before it, casually leaning against the wall as if simply waiting my turn.

Water sounds echoed from within, mingling with Jack's voice. The noise from the bar intermittently obscured his words, yet fragments still reached me.

"...did that," he mumbled. "But they’ll be gone. I promise."

The faucet ran for another moment before shutting off. I remained motionless, listening intently.

"They’ll be gone, Robert," he continued with assurance. "I promise. Besides, no one would suspect a thing. Just two friends enjoying some time together."

My gaze sharpened slightly.

Robert.

So, that was the name.