The Heart System Chapter 569

"...I know you're worried about me," Jack continued, his tone softening. "But... yes, I know, I am usually the cautious one. Still, I am tired of it. And I missed you. Let's just meet tomorrow and spend some time together."

A silence ensued, as if he were listening to a response.

"I know, I have been selfish," he added. "Always refusing to meet. I understand I have hurt you. But... just this once, alright? Let us meet."

More silence followed. A few moments later, the sound of a lock clicking reached me.

I instantly stood taller, turning away and heading back towards the main area as if I had just reconsidered entering. Slipping a cigarette between my lips, I approached a table occupied by a couple and their two beers.

"Hey, sorry to bother you," I said, offering a casual smile. "Do you have a lighter?"

"Sure, man," the guy responded, retrieving one and using it to light my cigarette.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

I nodded and stepped aside, taking a quick puff as I cast another glance towards the bar. Jack had returned to his seat, positioned precisely where he was before, as if nothing had transpired.

Robert. Tomorrow. Meeting up.

That was indeed something.

I let the cigarette dangle from my lips for a moment, contemplating the information. I lacked a specific location, but I possessed a name and a timeframe. It was already a significant advancement from my previous lack of leads.

Turning, I made my way back to our table, sliding into the seat opposite Cora.

"Well?" she inquired softly, leaning forward slightly.

"I heard enough," I replied, taking a slow sip of my beer. "He is meeting someone tomorrow. A man named Robert."

Cora's eyes widened slightly. "Robert?"

"Yes. It sounded... intimate," I added, choosing my words with care. "Not merely a friend."

Her gaze widened further as the implication dawned on her. "Oh..."

"Precisely," I confirmed. "And he has been keeping it a secret. Likely due to his family's influence."

"So... what's the plan now?" she asked.

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling in a long breath.

"Now, we follow him," I declared. "Tomorrow. I need you to watch him again. The instant he makes a move, you call me. Wherever he goes, whoever he meets, I want to know."

Cora nodded without hesitation. "Understood. I can manage that."

"Good," I murmured. "If we can discover their meeting place... we might finally have concrete evidence."

She offered a small, resolute nod, her hands clasping her glass.

"We'll catch him," she said quietly.

I glanced back at Jack one final time, observing him seated as if he owned the establishment, completely oblivious to our plans.

"Yes," I responded. "We will."

For now... all that remained was to wait.

⟁ ⟁ ⟁

Sleep eluded me completely after the night's events. Forsaking the sensible choice to rest, I found myself sprawled on the couch, a movie playing idly in the background while I chain-smoked and worked my way through a bag of chips. The on-screen action held no interest for me; scenes flickered, characters spoke, events unfolded, yet nothing registered. If questioned about the movie's plot, I wouldn't be able to offer even a guess.

Still, it served to fill the oppressive silence, and that was sufficient.

At some point, my gaze shifted to the clock on the wall. Five in the morning.

The snow had ceased hours prior, replaced by a persistent rain tapping rhythmically against the windows. Occasionally, a gust of wind would sweep through, causing the glass to rattle subtly, a constant reminder of the late, or perhaps early, hour.

Finally, it seemed sleep was gaining the upper hand against my obstinate mind. My eyelids felt heavy as lead, growing weightier with each passing second, and I slowly surrendered to the encroaching darkness. But just as I began to drift, a sudden, jarring burst of sound from the movie shattered the quiet, yanking me back to full awareness. I flinched, my eyes snapping open, and I rubbed them vigorously as if to physically erase the fatigue.

Shaking my head, I attempted to clear the mental fog. Damn, I had truly crossed a point of no return; proper sleep was desperately needed. Earlier, I had convinced myself that a strong pot of coffee in the morning would suffice, but facing the heavy lethargy in my limbs now, I acknowledged that was a futile hope. No amount of caffeine would remedy the hollow ache behind my eyes. The anticipated morning-after rejuvenation simply wasn't going to happen this time.

"This isn't working..." I mumbled to myself. "Not at all."

I reached for the remote and extinguished the television. The room was instantly plunged into silence, the sudden quiet almost more pronounced than the movie's volume. I remained there for a few moments, lying flat on my back, gazing at the ceiling, allowing my thoughts to wander against my will.

Then, with an exhale, I pushed myself to sit up.

The crinkling sound of the empty chips bag, discarded into the kitchen trash, seemed to amplify within the silent apartment, a sharp, lingering sound. A parched throat prompted a trip to the sink for a glass of water, downed in a single, quenching gulp.

Following this, a slow, deliberate progression led to the master bedroom door. Unlocking it with practiced quiet, I stepped inside to find Jasmine deeply asleep on the right side of the bed, her breathing a steady, even rhythm.

The door was gently eased shut behind me.

Shedding my clothes for something more comfortable, I slipped beneath the blankets, careful not to disturb her slumber.

"Mmh..." A soft murmur escaped her as she shifted, turning to face me with eyes still closed. "Hello, handsome."

A slight smile touched my lips. "Hey... did I wake you?"

She offered a faint smile, her eyes remaining shut. "Yes."

"Sorry."

She showed no signs of annoyance. Her leg settled over mine, and she drew nearer, her head finding a resting place close to my shoulder. Her warm breath brushed against my arm. After a brief pause, she opened one eye, glancing at me through the haze of sleep.

"You drank beer at this hour?" she inquired, her voice a soft whisper. "And ate chips... wow, Evan."

"I know, I know. My apologies. I just... couldn't fall asleep," I admitted in a low tone. "I’ve been awake for some time. Got out of bed about... three hours ago."

This statement piqued her interest. Her other eye fluttered open, and she lifted her head slightly. "Three hours... like... two in the morning? What? Why? What happened?"

With a sigh, I adjusted myself for better comfort. "I mentioned Cora, right? She tracked Jack down to some bar tonight. I went there... and eavesdropped on him."

Jasmine blinked a couple of times, the sleepiness receding from her features. "And?"

"I overheard him speaking with someone named Robert," I went on. "The tone of their conversation... it didn't seem like a casual chat. I'm quite certain Robert is his boyfriend. They're planning to meet tomorrow, though I couldn't catch the location."

Jasmine nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "So Cora can follow him again and find out where?"

"Yes," I confirmed. "Cora’s... adept at this sort of situation. If anyone can uncover it, it’s her."

She studied my face for a moment before giving a slight nod. "Alright... that’s some progress, at least."

"Yeah..."