The Eighth Case (5)

As the sun begins to dip lower in the sky, I spot a nondescript van pulling up nearby. A man in casual clothes steps out, carrying a large case. I recognize him as Officer Kim from our tech division.

I casually make my way over to him, nodding in acknowledgment. "Let's head to the mountain," I murmur quietly. "We'll have better coverage from there."

We make our way to the nearby hillside, finding a secluded spot with a clear view of the village. Kim quickly sets up the drone and its monitoring equipment.

"Ready when you are," he says, his fingers poised over the controls.

I nod, and the drone takes off with a soft whir. On the monitor, the village unfolds beneath us in crystal clear detail. Kim expertly maneuvers the drone, methodically scanning the rooftops.