Unsavory Ways

Kai's villa.

Kai pulled out a box from under his bed and sat on the bed. He opened it and brought out a frame. He touched the face of woman sitting next a high school student who looked just like Avery.

''Anita, I finally found her. I found your sister. The one you wanted me to meet so badly. But… she is nothing like you said. She is a little… rough.'' Kai chuckled as he stared at the picture.

…..

Avery's apartment.

Avery turned in the bed and opened her eyes suddenly. She let out a series of deep breath and muttered.

''Why am I having this dream again?''

Avery sat up on the bed and sighed. ''What is wrong with me? I haven't had this dream in years. Why is it suddenly coming back?''

Avery stood up and went to the hall. She opened her fridge and removed a bottle of water to drink.

….

Next day….

Hans Island District Police station.

Avery got out of her car and saw Kai standing at the entrance. He seemed to be waiting for her.

''Detective Sandas…'' Kai called.

''Good morning, Prosecutor Oak.'' Avery said and bowed slightly.

''Let's go and question the suspect together.'' Kai said to her.

''Alright!'' Avery nodded her head and walked inside along with him.

''Avery, you are here…'' Mariah walked towards Avery. She stretched her hand and touched Avery's shoulder, dusting off something. Her actions looked more affectionate.

Kai looked at Mariah keenly but didn't say anything.

''Constable Sanchez, good morning.'' Avery greeted.

''Mm, can I have a word with you?'' Mariah asked.

''I'm supposed to question the suspect with Prosecutor Oak…''

''Prosecutor Oak can question the suspect alone. The police department will do that later. You two don't need to be there.'' Mariah said.

''Constable Mariah, you do realize that this involves the two of us and we need to work together?'' Kai asked Mariah.

''Prosecutor Oak, why don't you go in first? I will join you later.'' Avery turned to tell Kai.

''Alright.'' Kai nodded his head and walked away.

''Let's go, Avery.'' Mariah held Avery's hand as she turned to walk away.

…

''Huh? You… you want me to stay out of the case? But… but… this involves me. I need to know why she mentioned me and who she is. I need answers.'' Avery said as her voice choked.

''Avery, I understand what you mean but this case… this case is dangerous. The Minister and a lot of the higher ups are involved because she disrespected them. If you insist, you are going to get involved and be pulled down along with her.'' Mariah said sincerely. She had a soft gaze towards Avery.

Avery bit her lips and clasped her hands under the table. She looked at Mariah anxiously.

''Trust me, Avery. I know you want answers but this woman is dangerous. What if this is something she has planned for a long time? What if this is a set up? I know you love this job, don't lose it because of someone else.'' Mariah looked at Avery and smiled. Her eyes were filled with a certain kind of longing.

The door to the meeting room opened and Chief Johnson walked in. He looked at Avery and nodded his head.

Avery sighed and leaned back, looking at no particular place.

Holding room…

''Miss Fiona, I am Prosecutor Oak.''

''Where is that wench?'' Fiona asked and leaned back with a smirk.

''Wench?'' Kai seemed confused.

''Avery, that little corrupted wench. If you don't get Avery here, I am not speaking to you or anyone.'' Fiona said.

''Unfortunately, Detective Sandas is out of this case. I will be in charge and I will be asking you a few questions along with Prosecutor Oak.'' Mariah walked in and stood next to Kai.

Fiona looked at Mariah and cocked her brows. ''Is that so? Then, just send me to jail. Because, without that little wench, I am not saying anything. there is something I need to ask her. Only she has the answer. When I'm satisfied with her answer, then I will tell you what you want to hear.'' Fiona leaned back and looked at them calmly.

''Look here, you are not just a suspect but you are now a known criminal and the whole City is interested in this case because your unsavory ways has attracted a lot of attention.''

''Unsavory ways?'' Fiona chuckled, cutting Mariah off. She looked at Mariah asking. ''Which part of my action is unsavory, detective? Kofi Satim, the foreign Minister smuggles paintings in and out of the country through his gallery Green Torch! Joco Freeman, the assembly representative of the GHH party. He is using a poor orphanage as campaign while providing them with expired goods. Those monies the public contribute for him to use in building the new orphanage home is what he is using to fund his presidential campaign.''

''Nicholas Sanchez, the Police Commissioner, your uncle, used Detective Avery to clean the mess of Denis Wu, promising to promote her. Only for her to finish the job and you suddenly pop up, taking the promotion she worked hard to get. Isn't that typical nepotism? Could you beat your chest and say that you deserve this position, Miss Sanchez?''

''What? Hey!'' Mariah held Fiona's collar and Kai pulled her back, separating them.

''Why? Are you angry? Or shameless? I haven't even finished and you already can't handle the truth? Listen here, detective, bring Avery here or I'm not saying anymore. Prosecutor Oak, aren't you curious? I thought you would be but I guess you are not.'' Fiona chuckled and sat back.

''Constable Sanchez, let's talk outside!'' Kai said and walked out.

Mariah glared at Fiona before turning to leave.

''What is it, Prosecutor Oak?'' Mariah asked after closing the door.

''What is your reason for taking Detective Avery off this case?'' Kai asked.

''Do I have to explain what goes on in my department to you?'' Mariah asked back sharply.

''You do know that this is a serious case that could turn into a dangerous situation, right? The lady in there is holding vital information that is crucial to the prosecution department.''

''What are you trying to say? Are you insinuating that I am trying to stop that criminal from spilling the tea on those higher ups? Prosecutor Oak, I take my work seriously and I know it involves a lot of important and powerful people. That is why I do not want Avery in this case. If things go south, she will be in danger. She will be made to take responsibility for everything.''

''So, are you saying that you want to protect Avery? What if she doesn't need your protection?'' Kai turned and looked at the meeting room and saw Avery sitting alone through the window glass.

''Mariah, tell me the truth! Why are you interested in Avery?''

''Do I have to answer that question? In any case, Avery is out of this case. I will not allow those two to meet.'' Mariah said with a determined gaze.

''I will apply for the case to be moved to the prosecution department holding room. I don't think I can work with you, Detective Sanchez.''

''What is your reason for wanting Avery in this case? I thought you hated her. You dislike people like Avery who sees dollar signs on criminals and use them for her own gain. Does she really have a connection to Anita?'' Mariah looked at Kai and chuckled.

''That's none of your business.''

''Actually, it is. Because she is my subordinate, and I have the final say in whoever gets to be on this case as the team leader.''

''That woman in there won't talk unless Avery is before her. So, good luck with making her talk!'' Kai said.

''Why are they fighting over you? This is strange, don't you think so, Senior?'' Suleiman whom was in the meeting room with Avery spoke.

''I really hate this. Why are they having a meeting about me when I'm clearly here? Why can't they just ask for my opinion? Am I that irrelevant?'' Avery looked at Prosecutor Oak and Mariah through the glass window and cussed.

''The suspect in the holding room is asking for you. Constable Mariah doesn't want you to question the suspect but Prosecutor Oak is also refusing to question the suspect with Constable Mariah if you are not there. I thought Prosecutor Oak hated you? Why do I feel that he is taking your side this time? You two looked like you were going to kill each other during the Denis Wu case. How did you suddenly become close?'' Suleiman turned to look at Avery.

''Stop asking me that. I don't know anything either.'' Avery said and frowned.

''Until Detective Sandas is allowed to question the suspect, I will have no choice but to request for the suspect to be transferred to the Prosecutor's holding cells.'' Kai threatened.

Mariah turned to look at Avery and sighed. She turned to face Kai and said to him. ''Do whatever you want. In any case, Avery is out of this case.''

Kai turned to look at Avery. They stared at each other for a few seconds before he turned and left the police station.

''Detective Sandas, do you mind have a drink with me?'' Mariah opened the door and asked Avery.

Avery looked at her strangely.

''Avery doesn't like drinking with other people…'' Suleiman muttered.

''After you!'' Avery spoke.