Chapter Two

James: What do you mean I'm under arrested?! You literally just busted me out! Did you seriously free me just to arrest me again?!

Liam: Something like that. Actually, I just always wanted to say that. Seemed cool.

James: What?!

(This guy's I unbelievable! Is he really a detective?!)

Liam: However, I do want you to come with me. And if you resist, I'll have to use force. Trust me, it's for your own good. You don't want to end up with those guys again, do you?

He motions to the police station with his thumb.

James: Definitely not. Fine. Just tell me where your taking me. I've had enough excitement for one night.

Liam: Don't worry. We're going to my hideout. You'll be safe there.

He leads me to his car, which is parked nearby. It's a black car with tinted windows. We drive off to an unfamiliar destination. We come to what seems like an abandoned old building in a quiet area. It's surrounded by trees. The area isn't quite isolated. I can see other buildings in the near distance. Nonetheless, it seems pretty out of the way.

Liam: Well, this is where you'll be staying for a while. Just remember that it's my hideout. My place, my rules. You'll do exactly as I say for as long as your here. Understand?

James: Yeah...

(I'm too tired to argue right now.)

James: Anyway, I'd like to get some sleep. I'm supposed to go into work tommorow.

Liam: Ha! All this going on, and you think you're going to work?

James: But I have to! It's an important job!

Liam: You mean that office job? Yeah, you won't have to worry about that anymore.

James: Wait... What did you do?!

Liam: I already informed them that you'd be leaving.

James: Leaving?!

Liam: Yup. Handed in your resignation papers and everything.

James: Resignation?! No, no, no, you don't understand! I'm the assistant manager! I can't just leave!

Liam: You were the assistant manager.

James: What?! I don't understand how could you do this!

Liam: Because I have more authority than you. Besides, we can't have word of this incident going around and getting you in trouble.

James: Trouble? This whole situation has been nothing but trouble!

Liam: Yes, but right now, the only ones who know about that are me, you, and those guys who questioned you. I'd like to keep it that way. I think you'll agree.

James: Hmph. Well...

He's right. I can't have my reputation stained with accusations of murder.

Liam: In any case, you don't have to worry about your job. That's the first place the police wanted to investigate when searching for you. But I already informed them I took care of it. They don't need to know how.

James: So let me get this straight. You're with the police... But you're also against the police?

Liam: Yes, I'm a detective within the department. But I also prefer to work on my own directive.

James: So you're on my side... Right?

Liam: Let's go with that for now.

James: Hmm...

He walks into what I assume is his room and shuts the door. I'm left standing in the living room.

(Did he just leave me here alone?)

I look around, but all I see is a couch.

(I guess I'm sleeping here for tonight...)

=-=

Im rudely awakened by something slamming on the table.

James: AH!

Liam: I didn't bring you here to sleep all day. We have important things to discuss.

James: But it's only seven in the morning...

Liam: Regardless, I'd like to ask you a few more questions about the cops that questioned you. Did you notice anything strange when you were interrogated?

James: Hm... Now that you mention it, the younger one was kind of a jerk. I don't know if he was having a bad day or what, but...

Liam: Ah, Officer Alexander. Yeah, he's like that. Grade A jerk. A lot of people don't like him. But they all have to be nice to him because he's the son of the head of the police department.

James: Wait... You mean, Officer Robinson?

Liam: Yup. That's his father. Officer Aiden Robinson. Head of the police department.

James: Oh. That explains his childish behavior. I thought he was acting a bit inappropriately in the presence of the department head.

Liam: Yeah. He's an only child, so he's pretty spoiled. He also has some anger management issues.

James: I gathered as much...

Liam: Well, anything else?

James: Hmm... Well, it was pretty weird how they just left me there. A woman came in and gave them a folder of "evidence", and then they just disappeared.

Liam: Ah, yes. That was Ms. Charlotte Scott. She's an assistant officer in training. That's how I knew it was time to get you.

James: Wait, what? She knows you were trying to rescue me?

Liam: Hm, well, not really. Let's just say I had a way of listening in to confirm when she arrived in your detention room.

James: Do you mean... You bugged her?

He shrugs.

James: Wow... Detectives are really smart!

Liam rolls his eyes.

Liam: That's kind of the point. Anyway, we have alot of work to do.

Suddenly, my phone rings.

James: Ah! Sorry, I have to answer this. It's a text.

Now he eyes me suspiciously.

Liam: Who are you talking to? You realize in this situation, you need to be very careful about who you contact.

James: Oh, it's cool. Hes a good friend. I thought he could help me in this situation, considering he's covered a lot of strange cases.

Liam: Strange cases? Is he another detective?

James: No. he's a reporter.

Suddenly, Luke's face reddens in anger.

Liam: A news reporter? You told a NEWS REPORTER about this case?!

He smacks the phone out of my hands as he shouts.

James: Hey! Liam, calm down!

Liam: Do you realize what grave danger were both in?! And you contacted a reporter?! Someone who's job is to TALK?!

James: Don't worry! He's a good friend! He'd never spill our secrets!

Liam: That's not the point! The point is, you're reckless! I can't protect you if you go acting on your own like that. Especially while your in my hideout! If I get in trouble because of your carelessness... I'll hand your ass right back over them! From now on, you're not allowed to contact anyone without my permission. Am I clear?!

He storms out the room and slams the door.

James: Ouch...

Dammit. I already made him mad. Hes a detective who can either save me or destroy me. I shouldn't get on his bad side. My phone continues to buzz from where it landed across the room.

James: Ah... Maybe Liam's right. I should've asked him first. But I know that my friend can help us... I should answer the text later, though. First, I should probably try to make amends with Liam. After all, he holds my life in his hands.

I peek into the room where Liam went. He's staring out the window and looks upset. Or worried. I cant tell from this angle.

(Maybe I should let him cool off... He seems like someone to avoid when he's in a bad mood.)

I turn and walk away. I think I hear Liam sigh. I spend some time alone in my room to reply to my messages. Even though Liam isn't happy about it, I decide to meet my friend. Noah Caballero is a longtime friend and also a local news reporter.

James: I guess I can understand Liam's suspiciousness... But I respect Noah. I know him better than I know Liam, anyway. I trust him.

I managed to sneak out of the hideout. Now I'm waiting in a nearby park for Noah to arrive. I then saw Noah in the distance walking towards me.

James: Oh, hey Noah! Thank goodness you're here.

He looks tired.

Noah: What's wrong? I heard you got into a bit of sticky situation.

James: Oh, yeah... I didn't want to discuss it over the phone

I tell him about the whole ordeal. His expression changes as i tell him the details.

(I wonder if he's already heard about the incident? I guess he's a reporter, so it's possible.)

Noah: James.

James: Yes?

His sudden change in tone surprise me.

Noah: Do you know anything about the victim?

James: Oh, um... Yeah. Her name was Mia Yalden.

He grimaces as I say her name.

Noah: I knew it. You did know who she was.

James: Huh? Hold up. I didn't know her at all. The only reason I know that is because the officer said it.

He eyes me suspiciously.

James: You don't mean... Did you know who she was?

Noah: Of course I do. Don't you remember? Mia was my girlfriend.

James: Wait, what?!

Noah: Don't act like you don't her! I introduced you two at the Christmas party last year!

(Oh... Now that he mentions it, it's coming back to me. Maybe that's why I thought she was kind of familiar. But still, I never knew her personally. I didn't even remember her name after that night. I may have been a little drunk...)

James: Don't yell at me! How was I supposed to remember?

Noah: Hmph. Well how do I know you're not the killer? You stopped talking to me after I introduced her. You must've been really jealous!

James: What?! I can't beleive your actually doubting me! You were always too busy going on dates, anyway!

Noah: You never liked her anyway did you? That's why you stopped talking to me as much as we started dating. Isn't it? Or was it because you didn't like me anymore?

I can't even say anything. I can't believe he actually suspects me! I stand, mouth open in disbelief.

Noah: Well? Don't you have anything to say for yourself?

I sigh and shake my head.

James: No, Noah. I shouldn't have to say anything. Except, I can't beleive your suspecting me! I called you out here to confide in you and hopefully get some advice. Not to be suspected by my own friend!

He shuts his mouth and looks off to to one side.

Noah: James... I'm sorry I guess you're right. I guess you wouldn't have called me here if you were guilty, anyway.

James: It's okay, Noah. But I guess you also can't help me much, can you? Your involved in this case now too.

Noah: Yeah... I'm sorry I couldn't help you. But the truth is, I'm at my wit's end too. I'd love to get my hands on the real culprit and blast their face all over the media!

He pounds a fist into his hand and looks at me.

Noah: I just hope that isn't you...

James: Noah...

Noah: Oh, right. I'm sorry, but I come to think of it... If you really are a suspect for this murder, how are you able to walk around so freely? Wouldn't the cops be after you?

James: Actually, they already arrested me...

Noah: What?! Then how are you out here?!

James: Um... The truths is, another cop came last night and busted me out.

Noah: What?! He was a cop?! Isn't that kind of thing the opposite of what a cop should be doing?!

James: Well, technically he was a detective, but... He said he knew how to prove my innocence!

Noah: Huh? That sounds more than a little suspicious! Well, where is he now? Shouldn't he be protecting you?

James: Well, actually... I kinda escaped from the hideout to meet you...

Noah: What?! James, do you realize how reckless you're being?!

James: Yeah, so I've heard...

Noah: Listen, James, I really want to believe you. But if you get yourself in any more trouble, or worse... If you get me in trouble, things'll only get more complicated! Please, for both our sakes, go back to your hideout! I'll keep in touch if I hear any more news.

James: Okay, you make a good point. And I'll do the same.

Noah: Well, I'll leave first so you don't have to worry about me seeing your hideout. But promise me you'll run straight back before anyone sees you. It's pretty empty out here right now, so you should be safe.

With that, Noah heads home. I turn and walk on the opposite direction.

(Well, it didn't exactly go as planned. I was really hoping to get more information... But it turns out Noah is just as involved in this case as I am. The victim was his girlfriend... But that wasn't the information i wanted to hear. Anyway, I hope Liam isn't too upset when I get back.)

Just then, I hear footstep's running up behind me.

(Huh? Is it Noah?! Did he forget something?)

As I turn around, an unfamiliar man running towards me. Behind him is a woman. They're in uniform.

Man: You there! Stop!

James: Huh? Who are—

Woman: Stop right there!

Wait... They're both holding something out, arms extended. Police badges?

Man: Your under arrest!

(Huh? Oh no... not again!)