BELLA’S POV
“All right, everyone listen up! Before I adjourned our meeting, I just want to remind you all about your assigned task, “I said as I got my co-workers’ attention.
“Again, team A will check once again the crime scene. Team B will talk to the victim’s family to gather information we can use to look for other possible suspect. And lastly, I were assigned to pay Mr. Ramirez a visit to het his official statement. As well as some answers to necessary question we need about this case, “I explained everything in detail once again so that they would not forget.
“If you do not have any more questions, you can start doing your task, everyone, fighting!” I energetically said to encourage them, and they eventually smiled at me before walking out of the meeting room.
I simply arranged the laptop I used before walking out of the meeting room. I also immediately took my backpack as well as my gun after going back to my work cubicle. I intend to finish talking with Mr. Ramirez as early as I can so that I will have plenty of time to bond with Ryle. Good thing. I also have a day off tomorrow. As I exited the headquarters, my cell phone beeped, so I paused for a while and checked who had texted me.
Sent by Riri: Ced and I were on the way to the family’s victim. Be careful about where you are going.
I could not help but smile after reading Riri’s message. She was really like an angel, guiding me. I just sent my reply stating that they should also be careful. Afterward, I hopped into my car.
CHRISTOPHER’S POV
After Bryle and I left the police station, we went to my condo right away. Bryle insisted on joining me since he wanted to make sure I would go to my condo directly so I would not have any chance of causing trouble. Tsk, he acted way too much more than my mother did. He is so strict. As we entered my condo, many lines started to be shown on my forehead because of what I saw.
“What are you two doing here? “ I irritably asked Andrew and Rex. They are both sitting relaxed on the sofa.
“Oh, you are here already. Welcome home,” Andrew said jokingly while Rex looked at me with no sense of life in his eyes. I could not really read what was in his mind. What happened to him?
“Tsk, can you just go home first. I want to have some sleep,” I tried to ask them to leave. However, they did not move even one inch. Even Bryle sat down beside them.
“Are you not grateful to ask for waiting for you here?” Rex asked. Weird, his mood shifted faster than usual.
“You two did not even pay me a visit yesterday, “I answered back to Rex, then sat down on the other sofa.
“ Tsk, tsk. Our handsome faces were not suitable there, bro.” Andrew responded in a relaxed manner, so I threw a pillow at his face.
“ You really think more about your image than my sake. Are you really my friends?” I asked irritably, but they just laughed.
“ Psh, we cannot joke to you now? We did not visit you because I joined Rex in visiting his father, “ Andrew explained, so my attention shifted to Rex.
“ Yeah, I remembered. How was the case of uncle?” I worriedly asked Rex.
“ Well, the evidence against him is strong enough that the persecutor did not let him bail. That is why Andrew and I apologize if we did not visit you yesterday, “ Rex apologetically explained to his side. I just tapped his shoulder.
“ It is okay, bro. I will ask some helps to great attorneys I knew to help you in uncle’s case.” I said to encourage him about what he is facing right now.
“ Do not mind, bro. You and your father might fight if you do that. You should focus on the case against you, “ Rex concernedly rejected my offer.
“ Psh, Bryle can take care of that,” I answered, then Bryle threw a pillow at my face.
“ Idiot! You should ensure that you are not connected to this case because this is making my head hurt so bad. “ Bryle said with visible tension because he kept massaging his temple.
“ Do not worry, Bryle. I would make sure to find whoever set me up on this case, and I will make him pay big time, “ I said with determination.
“ Do not do anything foolish, Toph. I hope you will not be back in jail after a few days. I am telling you, let me plan my wedding in peace,” Bryle threatened me. On the other hand, Andrew and Rex laughed together because of what Bryle said.
“ It maybe a sign, bro,” Andrew maliciously told Bryle.
“ What sign?” Bryle asked while frowning.
“ That your wedding should not push through,” Rex answered, then they laughed together again.
“ Stop messing with Bryle,” I rebuked them while shaking my head. These two idiots, really.
“ Psh, you are a killjoy. Is that what happens if you sleep in prison, you are becoming a good man, “ Andrew asked, sounding like he was mocking me.
“ It seemed like you want to sleep in prison, so you can know the answer to your question,” I angrily answered him.
“ Chill, bro,” Andrew said while laughing, raising his two hands in the air.
“ Stop messing with Toph. If he decided to punch you, we would not stop him, “ Bryle earnestly advised Andrew, so I could not help to grin. It seemed like Andrew was the chosen to joke around today. I felt it would be better if they kept asking me about the case against me.
“ Are you really my friends? “ Andrew commented in fake tears. Psh, he really acted like a child. No wonder why until now, he has not planned to settle down even though he is the oldest among us.
“ Stop that. It is gross, “ Rex replied while grinning. Bryle, Rex, and I exchanged high five because of what Rex said. On the other hand, Andrew continued to frown.
“ So, I am your chosen friend to joke around with, “ Andrew realized too. Tsk, he is so slow to realize it.
“ Let us change our topic, serious mode,” Bryle seriously started talking, so he caught our attention.
“ If it is about me killing the reporter or not, I am telling you once again that I did not do anything, “ I seriously interrupted Bryle.
“ That is not my question. I was just wondering if you know that female detective?” Bryle asked, which made me frown in wonder. Even Rex and Andrew frowned because of Bryle’s question. Maybe because he asked it out of nowhere.
“ I mean, I have heard what time she went home because of your case. Plus, she also made a declaration of not going home until she resolve your case, “ Bryle started explaining when he noticed everyone was frowning.
“ Woah, maybe one of your past girls, bro, “ Andrew maliciously commented.
“ I am not into detectives. They will make your head hurt, especially since they are workaholics,” I said to end Andrew’s assumption.
“ Ow, but in all fairness, she is a beautiful detective. Though, the problem is she is really brave, I think Toph could not handle her, “ Bryle commented.
“ Really? Do you have any picture? May I see? “ Andrew interrupted excitedly. Tsk, this playboy is the worse.
“ Wait, I did not have one picture, but I am sure the internet has,” Bryle said and immediately took his phone from his pocket, then started searching. On the other hand, I relaxedly leaned on the sofa and closed my eyes. When do these three leave? I am sleepy already.
“ Are you sure that is her?” I heard Andrew exclaim in surprise, so I immediately opened my eyes. They searched for her photo faster than I expected.
“ Maybe, it is what coming up when I search her name,” Bryle answered, then shrugged his shoulders.
“ Who is that? May I see?” I said since my curiosity started kicking in.
“ Here, she is the older sister of the young man you helped from the back the last time,” Andrew narrated while showing me the picture. I frowned after hearing what he said. Really? Why could I not remember?
“ May I see too,” Rex said, so I gave him the cell phone.
“ Is there a problem?” I asked Rex because his expression changed after he saw the picture.
“ Tsk, Amabella Soriano, she was the one who sent my father to jail, “ Rex irritably answered and then gave back the cell phone to Andrew with anger.
Bryle, Andrew, and I became silent after hearing what he said. Why it seemed like this was too much coincidence? We stayed quiet for a long time after what Rex revealed. We also did not know what we should say after hearing that revelation. The silence amidst us only broke down when the doorbell suddenly rang. I immediately stood up to open the door for so whoever on outside. When I opened the door, I was totally shocked when I recognized who my visitor was. Oh, great. Why did she come now? This is so bad timing.
“ Mr. Ramirez, I am Detective Amabella Soriano from the Homicide Department. May I talk to you?”
TO BE CONTINUED!