Trial 2

''I ned your help, Ambrose Garcia''. Rosa said.

''I thought you would never call me? Where do you want us to meet then?'' Garcia asked.

''Where do you work best?' Rosa asked.

''My apartment. I will pick you up in ten minutes' time''.

''Sure''. Rosa hung up and turned to look at Scarlet. They were both getting ready to go to work. Rosa had told Scarlet about meeting Garcia and everything they discussed. Rosa trusted Scarlet and so did Scarlet so they always told each other everything. Even though Scarlet wasn't able to help in any way because of the nature of the case, she still provided significant advices and even prepared short notes on the case file to help Rosa in her investigations. Scarlet was someone Rosa was always grateful for.

''My babe is working so hard. Tell me, how can I help lessen your burden?'' Scarlet asked as she buttoned her light pink blouse. She was standing in front of the giant mirror in the room.

''You have done enough for me already. You chat with mom and help K with her assignments. That is enough, but, if you still want to help this friend, then, just promise to take care of me when I become jobless?''

''Hey, I told you to stop talking about that. Why do you think you will lose your job?'' Scarlet turned to Rosa and asked. Rosa sat on the bed putting on her black stockings. Rosa wore a blue blouse and a black pencil skirt. After struggling, she stood up and pulled the stockings up.

''Isn't it obvious where this is going? But, not to worry. I won't lose without a fight''.

''That's the spirit. You should hurry, that man would be here in no time. Is he handsome?''.

''He is. Which secretary won't be handsome? They are the selling faces for their bosses. He is handsome, but, he isn't my type''.

''Why is he not your type? He is helping you the moment you need it the most. Don't tell me he doesn't have ulterior motives? He must like you?'' Scarlet finished and picked her bag and they walked out.

Gloria George was still in the kitchen when they came out. She saw them and turned saying ''stay for breakfast, you girls hardly eat at home lately''.

''Mom, I promise to return for dinner. I am in a hurry. Let Scarlet eat my portion too. She had a big appetite lately''. Rosa said and pushed Scarlet to the table before running off. Scarlet looked at her back and glared at her before turning to face Gloria George with a smile.

''Don't worry, second big sis. I will eat her portion for you this morning. You can just give me some allowance if you are grateful?'' Kylie said walking out of her room with her school backpack.

Scarlet looked at her and shook her head.

Rosa got down from her apartment and saw that Garcia's car was already parked outside and he was standing beside the car.

Garcia opened the passenger door for Rosa to get in before joining her in the driver's seat. Rosa thanked him and buckled her safety belt.

''Why didn't you call me when you arrived?''. Rosa asked as Garcia drove out of her apartment.

''I figured you might be on your way getting down. I didn't want to rush you''. Garcia said. He looked at Rosa's side profile through the rare view and smirked. He clearly heard everything that she and her friend said inside their room. She said he wasn't her type. He really was curious to know who her type was?

''Such a gentleman''. Rosa muttered.

''You didn't eat breakfast, right? Let's get something on the way''. Garcia said.

''Sure''. Rosa removed the file from her bag and started studying them again. She didn't have anything to discuss with him and she didn't want things to get awkward between them. Garcia didn't disturb her. After all, all he had was time. He would slowly get to know her better. She was finally going to his house.

Rosa yawned after studying the case for 20 minutes. She looked up and realised they were in a serene neighbourhood. It was one of the expensive neighbourhood in Blue Town. It was called SKY SCAPE Estates.

Garcia pulled over in front of his apartment and turned to Rosa. 'This is my place'. Rosa got down with him and looked at the apartment.

'Follow me Prosecutor Ann'. Garcia opened the door with a card and Rosa followed him inside.

'How long have you stayed here?' Rosa asked as she inspected the interior of the house. It was so neat. There wasn't a speck of dust at all. Rosa wondered if he had OCD just like Carlos Ryan. Wait. Rosa stopped in her tracks. She wondered why she suddenly thought of that man at that moment. For some reason she was a little worried about him now that his thought came to mind.

Rosa wondered if he was doing alright? They never met again since that day at the holding room where he insisted that he wasn't the killer. His lawyer had come to look for her several times but Rosa never met with him. Rosa didn't know why she avoided that man's lawyer. It might have been because she felt guilty. She was guilty towards Carlos Ryan because somehow she was the one who brought this upon him. He was wrongly accused because of a crime another person committed. And she was in the middle of it all.

Rosa was lost in thoughts and didn't hear Garcia speaking to her. she stood behind the sofa and paced out.

Garcia folded his arms and stood at the dining table studying the woman. He wondered who she was thinking about and frowned. She dared to think of another man while she was with him. He found her actions displeasing but didn't show it on his face. His face was still expressionless when she walked to Rosa and called her softly.

''Prosecutor Ann, are you alright?'' Rosa came back to her senses and looked at him. He was standing very close to him. Too close for comfort. Rosa took a step back before saying ''sorry. What did you say?''

''I said let's have breakfast first before we start''. Garcia said leading her to the table and she followed.

At the table Rosa didn't waste time in eating the sandwich and milkshake that they bought on their way. She ate so hurriedly and almost choked on the sandwich and Garcia offered her a glass of water.

''Eat slowly, we have time to study the video''.

''I don't want to take up your time. I still also have to meet with the suspect's lawyer at the office today. I have been putting it off for so long I can't do that anymore. Today is the trial after all''. Rosa said and gulped down her milkshake and smiled sheepishly.

STUDY ROOM.

Garcia took Rosa to his study room. His study room wasn't a big one but was enough for a single person to use. He offered Rosa a chair and they sat beside each other and he opened the laptop. Rosa handed the pen drive to him and he inserted it and started playing the video as they discussed.

''What do you think of the killer's physique? He looks just like Carlos Ryan, right?'' Rosa asked and leaned closer pointing at the man in the video. She did it subconsciously and didn't realise how closed they were now. She was just concentrated on the video to care about anything else.

''He indeed looks a lot like the suspect based on the physique and height but don't you find it strange?''

''What is strange?'' Rosa asked.

''This person dragging the bodies seem to have a problem with his left shoulder. His left shoulder is a bit slanted compared to his right shoulder. He might have gotten hurt in an accident and his shoulder got fractured seriously so even after surgery that couldn't be corrected so his movement around there is imbalanced. Also, his left leg seems imbalance confirming the first prediction. His ankle movement isn't normal''

''Whoa. I didn't even notice all that. Indeed, someone with NCAVC background sees things differently''. Rosa commented.

''Actually, this type of case shouldn't be given to a novice like you. I wonder why you were given this case in the first place. Prosecutor Ann, you didn't do anything to hurt your superior. Did you?'' Garcia asked startling Rosa.