DETECTIVE SANCHEZ
My head is about to blow off from lack of sleep. I’m camping inside my office while the Media camp outside. I don’t want to talk to those people. Aside from being no help, they cause trouble. Despite of me agreeing that they film the briefing, they are still bothering the station.
Kathy’s case has me questioning if I’m really good at this job. You know that when you want to call a superior to help you solve something, but you remember that you are the superior? This is exactly it.
Someone’s knocking at my door. It even made me more irritable. “What!?” I shouted.
The door opened. It’s Archer. “I just want to let you know that we’re visiting Mira today.”
I slammed my head on the palm of my hand. I forgot about that. “You know what? Just please guard my office and I’ll go there alone, okay?” I don’t want him to go with me. I need sometime alone for refreshment before I go back to Kathy’s case.
“What time will you be going?”
I look up the clock. “In 2 hours.” Then I go back to the papers.
“Okay. Let me grab you some donuts.” Then he closed the door.
I lean my head on the table. It’s like my head is full of polluted air. When all of this ends, the City will be quiet again. No more murders.
I look outside the window, then I raised my middle finger on the media van. “Why are you still here?” They’re not going to get any answers right now, even I don’t have any idea who killed Kathy. They all should go home or find interesting stuff someplace else.
“I need more time.” I whispered. My desk looks like a chicken danced on it. Papers are everywhere, there are pens on the floor, and there is a lot of burger wrappers on the side. I stand up, placed my hand on my hip. “All right, let’s clean up.”
I took the trash bin with me and just shoots whatever trash I grab inside it. What’s taking the boy too long? There’s a donut house just around the corner.
“Det?” Cruz opens the door. “The media’s trying for you again.”
I sighed. “You know what to do.”
“Yes, Det.” Their duty for today is to shield me against the Media. Also, they need to close their mouths and never said a damn thing about the Case.
Earlier, they pissed me off. They are still asking about Ocean’s murder. That damn investigation is already close, yet they keep asking me about it. Are they not satisfied with the drama they received from the celebrities? Will they ever stop bothering me? I should’ve stick on my job back in my hometown.
Someone’s knocking on my door. Again. “What!?” I shouted.
Archer opens the door, he’s carrying a box of donut and a cup of coffee. “Here you go.” He let himself in. “Looks like you cleaned, it looks good.”
I little eyed him to indicate something.
“Of course. I’ll go handle the media.” He gave me an awkward smile before exiting my office.
There is a reason why I don’t want him to come with me today. He always want to have a conversation. Maybe it’s because her girlfriend left her. If only I knew that she’s going to runaway that day, I would’ve stop her.
My phone rings. “Rufus, what’s up?”
“What’s up with the thing that I talk to you about?”
I slammed my head on my palm once again. Why do I keep forgetting things? It’s the damn media’s fault. “Of course I’m on it right now, but I need to go someplace else, all right?”
“Okay. Just please don’t let Jax leave the station. It is not safe.” He’s been telling me this for the past times he’s called me since our talk.
I nod, even if he couldn’t see it. “All right. I just need to do something.” Then I hang up. I lean my back on the chair, not knowing what to do first. “Get it together, Det. Mira first.”
I gather all the important papers I have on Kathy’s investigation and threw it under my desk. I don’t want anyone to touch it.
When I exited my office, the office became quiet. Someone speaks. “Where are you going, det? They are still outside.” He pointed at the Media.
“It’s Mira’s visitation check today. I need to go.” My officers are smart to escort me outside.
The Media’s asking me about Kathy’s investigation, and Ocean’s case. With Kathy, I understand why they are still asking me. But with Ocean? Come on, that’s already solved. In fact, I’m visiting his possible murderer. Possible because there is a new motive that points out to Denise. It’s another meal on my plate.
Speaking of Denise, we can’t get a hold of her. Her manager said that he haven’t seen her either.
A tip, folks. If you don’t want to look guilty, never ever runaway.
“What the f*ck?” The gate’s open, as well as the door. The drive way’s empty and the entire house is quiet. My gut is already convince that something happened here. I took my gun out while I roam inside the house. All I can hear is birds chirping, and the sound of the leaves hitting each other because of the wind. “Where’s the security?” I ask myself.
Whenever I can, I call Mira to check in. She told me last time that she’s still in her house and that there’s nothing for me to worry about her obeying her house arrest rules. She told me that she’s hired a security for her. The reason? She likes to keep it a secret.
As I walk upstairs, I dialed Archer’s number. “Hello, det? You there already?”
“Stay on the line, Archer.” I said. I felt like he nodded because I hear the wire tapping something. It’s a mannerism then. “Something odd is going in here, Archer. Do you have your car keys with you?” He took a second to answer me, all I heard was his panic to get a hold or his car keys.
The door of her room is slightly open. “I’m outside her room. I’m going in, stay on the line.” I said. “I see her.” Is she sleeping? “Mira?” I called for her, she’s not answering. “Mira?” I tried again. I put my gun on my gun belt then slowly walk towards her. “I’m coming in, okay? It’s our visitation check today—“
Archer heard my reaction, and he’s asking me about what’s going on. “Det? Det? Is everything okay? Do you need back up?”
This is another meal on my plate, and my plate is full. My stomach’s full too, and I want to throw everything I ate so I can clean my plate again.
He’s calling for my attention for the past 2 minutes. Only now I’m able to open mouth. “I want you to shut your mouth, grab your keys, walk out of the station, and go straight her. Don’t tell anyone about this.”
“Why not? I mean if it’s that bad then maybe we should tell the team?”
“We will tell them, okay? Just go here.”
JESS
Why is he acting weird? All day in his phone, and won’t let me go near him while he talks to someone. Who is it? Why does he have to keep it a secret?
He’s about to go outside again to answer his phone. I threw a pillow on him. “Hey, can you stop running away from me every time you talk to someone? Don’t pretend like we don’t know each other’s mess.”
He rolled my eyes on me. “Do you know the word ‘PRIVACY’?” Then he walk away. Oh, he’s giving me attitude.
“Asshole.” I whispered.
I am so bored, and I have nothing else to do. I want to call Mira again, but I don’t want her to be annoyed with me. She’s helping me a lot. Should I try gardening? I think it’s fun because you’re growing something. You are a mama to plants.
I nod, agreeing with my idea.
I walk around the house. “Now this is a good spot.” The sun hits here, and the area’s really made for plants.
My phone dings. It’s my company’s app. I’ve read that they already created and published an app exclusive for our news and articles. Of course, I downloaded it. This way, I can see Alex and Perry’s work. Alex grew big in the job. He’s already got his own office, and since I’m MIA, he’s doing my job.
Alex and Perry’s been texting me, asking where am I and if I am okay. I’m glad to know that Relm knows how to keep our agreement. I’ve seen her Articles too. I’m glad that boss approved my wish to assign a major article to Relm while I’m out.
Jax never stopped texting me, except when it’s his work time. Muscle man told me that the station’s packed with media. They’ve been asking them about Kathy’s murder. I know it’s a bother to them, but I wish the Media will keep bothering them. I want an answer about Kathy’s case. Maybe that will give me some piece of peace.
My phone rings. Unknown number. I declined the call. Then the same number rings again. “What the f*ck?” I answer. “Stop calling m—“
“Hello, Ms. Jess.” It’s a boy— no, it’s a man. His voice is deep, and ringy.
“How do you know me? What do you need?” I ask.
“Nu-uh. I want to tell you who am I first. My name is Tale.”
Tale… the guy Denise hired to kill Ocean, right? “I don’t know you.”
“I know you do. You got all the screenshots in your computer, eh?”
“I’m hanging up—“
“Relax, relax. I’m not here to bother you. Really, that’s genuine. I just want to say sorry for your friend. I didn’t mean to, okay?” He laughs.
“What— which friend? You asshole!” Rufus heard me, he’s now walking towards me.
“Who is it?” He ask. He tries to get the phone out of my hand but I slapped it.
“Did you do something to someone, huh!?” My voice breaks, a continuous flow of tears make my eyes blurry. I’m losing my balance.
“Why don’t you try on the phone?” He made sure to give me the sound of his joy before hanging up.
Rufus grabs me, he’s asking what’s the problem. I just pushed him away and ran towards the telephone.
While dialing, “God, I hope it’s not Jax. Please, not him. Not him.” I murmur. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” I said, as if I’m talking to Jax. I should’ve known that she’s going to harm Jax too. That’s how far she’s willing to do.
The sound of ringing, and the wait made me anxious. Rufus stopped asking me questions, we’re both quiet waiting for Jax to pick up his phone. He’s just standing behind me, ready to catch me if I black out.
“Hello?”
I sighed in relief. My heart finally blew the pressure it’s been keeping. “Jax, oh my god. Thank you, thank you.” I look at Rufus. He nods at me while he rub back.
“Jess? Where the h*ell are you?” He’s worried too. Of course, all I left him was a note.
“I’m somewhere safe. Oh my god. I’m so glad that you are okay. Where are you?”
“I’m at the station, Jess. Something happened.” Now, I know this is it. This is what Tale told me about.
“What happened?” Rufus breaks the rub, he lean toward the phone.
“Jess, we tried everything to get you out of this situation.” He sighs. Rufus and I look at each other as we are both confused. “But don’t worry. Just come down the station and we’re solving everything together. I’ll be expecting you.” That’s all he said.
I guess, the creator’s not giving me my piece of peace yet.