CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY THREE – THE BIG CASE

"Is everything okay?" she asked during a lull in the conversation. "You seem distracted." Gordon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Jas. It's just this case. We're so close to cracking it, but there are still some missing pieces." "Anything you can talk about?" Jasmine asked, genuinely interested despite her slight disappointment at his divided attention. Gordon hesitated, then leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "It's a big one. Art theft ring, operating across multiple cities. We think they might be connected to some of the cases you've been involved with in the past." Jasmine's eyes widened. "Really? That's... wow. No wonder you've been so busy lately." "Yeah, it's been intense. But listen, I don't want to take away from your moment. This is about you and your success with your class. I'm really proud of you, Jas." Jasmine smiled, touched by his words even as she felt a familiar pang of worry. Gordon's work was important, she knew that. But sometimes it fel