BELLA'S POV
I am currently staring intently at my computer, checking all the CCTV footage and clips that were available during the time of the murder. After some time, I felt like someone was staring at me from the front view of my table, so I looked up.
"Are you not yet going home? "Riri asked while her one hand was on her waist.
I checked my wristwatch to see what time it was. It is seven in the evening already. Almost five hours had passed since I started checking all the footage and clips we gathered. Yet, I failed to see anything that could support Mr. Ramirez's claim of his innocence.
"Bella! "
I almost jumped out of my seat because of Riri's voice. She also slammed her hands on the folder I was staring at. I tried to calm myself by massaging my forehead due to the stress I was having because of this case. What if I was wrong when I trusted my sixth sense?
"You may go ahead, Riri. I will stay here for some time, then I will go home, "I said to her and let out a long sigh after.
"Are you sure that you are all right? What if you go home first, then have some rest? "Riri suggested, full of concern for me.
"Detective Gutierrez gave me this whole night as my deadline for this case. You can go home. Do not worry about me. I will not spend my whole night here in the office. I will go home later. "I said to Riri while smiling to assure her that everything was all right.
"All right, but do not go home that late, okay? "Riri reminding me.
"Yes, bye, bye. "I said while smiling.
Riri got her bag and walked towards the direction of our office's exit. Before leaving the office, she looked at me and waved her hands. She also raised her two hands and cheered me up using them while making cute faces. I shook my head because of what she did, but I secretly smiled because of it. She really knew how to encourage me. After the door successfully closed, I immediately turned my attention to the folder I was looking at earlier.
Moments had passed already, so I decided to take a break. I felt like I was losing much energy while simultaneously hoping that I could bring good news to Ryle later when I went home. My attention shifted to the door when I heard some noise coming from it. I tried to reach out for my gun that was in the back of my pocket. I let out a long sigh and released the tension I felt when Ced came into the office.
"Riri mentioned me that you are still here, so I went back, "Ced explained after he came closer to my table.
"Is that so? Riri did disturbed you, "I worriedly responded.
"Not really. It was also my fault why you are staying here, "Ced replied, so my eyes turned to him.
"Stop being guilty already. Besides, I hope you did not think I was not confident about your investigation. It is just there is something inside me pushing me to check it again, "I tried to calmly explain my side to him.
"Because of Ryle? "He asked, which made me shocked. After some time, I could not help but to shook my head.
"Riri mentioned about it to you, "I asked for confirmation of my realization and the way he nodded confirmed it. That girl, really!
"It is not because he saved Ryle; I would disregard the possibility that he can be the culprit in this case. It is just I could not saw the logic on how a man can possibly saved a person and kill another one in just a short period of time. "I tried to explain my thoughts to him once again.
"It is not like I do not have trust in your investigation. But the way you looked right now seemed you have not found anything that could support Mr. Ramirez' claims of his innocence, "He commented while putting his chin to his hand that was on my table. I could not help but to let out a sigh because of what he said was a fact.
"Stop frowning. You really seemed stressed out right now. But do not worry, I have something that could make you smile, "Ced said energetically, which made my right eyebrow raise.
"Surprise! "Ced said like a child while waving the paper bag he brought.
"Jollibee? "I asked while smiling.
"Yes, I bought this before I came back here because I was sure that you have not took your dinner, "He said while letting the food he brought out of the paper bag.
"Wow, thank you! How much should I pay you? "I asked while opening the food he had brought.
"Oh, wow! I bought that for free because you are hardworking team leader, "He said, smiling, then winked at me.
I shook my head while smiling because of what he did, and then we started eating. Since Ced brought my favorite, I felt like my exhaustion washed away, and my energy was restored. I know that eating fast food is not suitable for my health, but it is a different topic if it is Jollibee. After Ced and I finished our dinner, I started watching the footage from all the CCTV in the hotel. While Ced is silently watching me from behind. After a while…
"Wait, "I controlled the volume of my excited voice because of what caught my attention.
"Did you see that? "I asked Ced, but when I looked at him, it seemed he did not because he was frowning.
"Wait, I will zoom it more, "I excitedly said to Ced and moved my mouse to zoom the clip.
"See? "I said once again. He stared at the monitor.
"Is that a tattoo? "Ced asked in curiosity.
"It seems like. But according to the file I have read about his profile, he never had a tattoo, "I explained while could not hide my smile. Wait, why am I happy?
"But Bella, that is only indirect evidence. The preliminary evidence still has stronger hold, "he hesitantly said.
"Yes, I know what exactly you are saying, But this is the only evidence I should have for us to proceed for further investigation," I explained while stretching my arms.
"That is true if we can prove that he had no tattoo. If ever we proved that he had no tattoo, what is the next step? Aside from the CCTV footages, we are already hit the dead end, "Ced worriedly explained, so I tapped his shoulder to calm him down.
"Do not worry too much. Let us take one step at a time. Let us prove that Mr. Ramirez had no tattoo, and then we can dig into the profile and background of the victim to find a new lead. "I explained while smiling, and then I stood up.
"I will just print this one, then we could go home. "I said while not facing him.
"Bella, "Ced called me, so I looked back at him.
"Why? "I asked in wonder with his voice.
"I am sorry, "he said while looking at the floor. I tapped his shoulder once again.
"Do not worry about it too much. As the team leader, it is my responsibility to help and guide you. Forget about what I have told you earlier. I was just shocked at that moment because of what you did. I commit mistakes, too, so you should not be ashamed about it because we can fix your wrong judgment about this case through what we know right now. "I said while smiling to assure him that it was really alright.
"Thank you, "he said in sincerity, so I smiled back at him. I walked towards the printer to get the printed copy of the tattoo.
After I got the printed copy of the tattoo, I just got a folder with a sealed logo of our department, and then I went back to where Ced was. I immediately cleaned my table with the help of Ced. After I made sure that my table was clean, I put the folder I was holding in my bag.
"Let us go home, "Ced said, so I just nodded in response.
Ced and I walked together until we reached the headquarters parking lot. I let out a long sigh, not because I was tired but because I knew that my hard work for today had paid off big time.
"I will drive you home, "Ced offered, but I immediately shook my head.
"I have my car on me, but thank you for the offer, "I sincerely said while smiling.
"Okay, be careful while driving. I will see you tomorrow, "he reminded me.
"Okay, you too, be careful. See you tomorrow. "I said while smiling.
He nodded in response and entered his car. I just waved at him before I went to my car. Before I hopped in the car, I took my phone to send a message to Ryle and Riri that I was going home. Afterwards, I searched for the contact number of the person I wanted to call. Aside from Ryle and Riri, all my contacts' names are pseudonyms to protect their identity and safety. When I already found the contact number, I immediately dialled it. After a few rings, the person I was calling answered,
"Hello, I want to ask you to do something, "
TO BE CONTINUED!