“James, tell me you didn’t just let them take her!” Roman’s voice cut like steel as he stormed into the precinct, his coat still wet from the sudden Manila downpour.

James stood against the wall, jaw clenched, fists stuffed in his pockets. His normally sharp composure was fractured after hours of panting through the precinct corridor. His eyes burned with restrained fury.

“Do you think I wanted this? My father called the police before I even knew what he’d done.”

“Your ...