CHAPTER FOUR

AVERY'S POV

I woke up from a call and it was Sasha. I slowly stood up from lying on my bed. I could sense that her voice is trembling while she slowly told me everything. While she was at it, I stopped for a moment. Am I hearing it right? Is this real?

"Peach is gone, Avery."

She then burst into tears while we are still on the phone leaving me speechless and currently lost at the moment.

"You're joking, right?"

"I wish this was just a joke but they found her body in a vacant lot. She was in the morning news earlier."

"I don't ... believe ... this."

I spaced out after everything I heard. I thought, Peach was just fine all this time. I thought she was just safe and sound and just enjoying her day off from work but my assumptions were wrong. Peach is gone.

(Memories of Peach)

"Avery! Sasha! If ever I'll get rich, I will take you to my mansion and we will always be together forever."

"Really?"

"Of course, I will take you both."

"We are looking forward to that promise."

"I am so lucky because I met you both. You guys are like family to me. You always have my back."

"Aww! So sweet."

"Hey, Peach. This coming school year, why not finish your studies so that you'll have a better future other than being in this industry."

"I don't know if I can pull that off."

"You can do it! We believe in you. Even boss will understand your decision."

"Okay! I'll give it a try."

(End)

My tears started to fall off. I just realize how young Peach is. She's just 21 years old, full of plans and dreams but she will not be able to fulfill that dream because of what they did to her. I could feel my legs tremble so I sat down because of this sudden news. So sudden that seems to be unbelievable.

TYLER'S POV

I already presented all the evidence on court to finally put Mr. Joffer for further questioning and trial. I could finally say that, from this moment on, Ms. Laranjo can finally rest in peace.

(Yesterday)

As I opened the recently deleted button, I saw some video clips where it recorded not their faces but only their conversation. The voices were recognizable and their conversation gave me a quick shiver. Maybe Ms. Laranjo hid her phone so that it won't be too obvious to be noticeable by Mr. Joffer that she's recording their conversation.

"Why?"

"Why??? Of course, I needed money for playing some poker at the casino later."

(Ms. Laranjo coughs and struggles for breathing)

"It seems the arsenic that you've taken is starting to kick in. Sooner or later, you'll find it even harder to breath until you run out of it. Then after that, I will stage your death to make it look like you committed suicide."

"I don't under ... stand."

"Goodbye hon and don't worry, I will still continue collecting the remaining balance of your debtors. I will be having some good time after you die."

"How ... dare ... youuuu!!!'

"At least, by letting me do this. I could say that for once, you have contributed something in our relationship."

(Video ends)

"Mr. Joffer S. Ramirez, the defendant is found guilty of the murder of Ms. Jeni T. Laranjo. With all the evidences gathered and carefully presented, you are hereby sentenced to reclusión perpetua or life imprisonment."

That strong evidence is the missing piece that will surely finish the case. I've already done my part and that's putting Mr. Joffer behind bars. Who would have thought that the culprit is just a breath away from the victim. I then realize that, maybe this is the reality of the world, that whoever's close to you are the ones that will hurt you the most. This is also the reason why other people find it hard to trust others.

"You did a great job, Ms. Salazar."

"All thanks to you, detective."

"Just doing the very best that I can."

"I cannot see other reason why I'm always this fascinated by you other than looking so smart as you solve each cases you handle. You're so good."

"Not really, just the average, Ms. Salazar. You are doing great with your field of expertise too."

"Come on, drop the formalities, we both know that we went through the same college. You can just call me by my name."

"Just getting used with my work. Can't blame me for that."

"Understandable. So, uhm, are you free tonight? Wanna grab some dinner?"

"I think I'll pass. I still have lots of things to do."

"Like always. Okay, see you when I see you, detective."

After the court trial, Patrick and I immediately went back to our office and grab a quick a rest. Our chief and the rest of our colleagues in the SPD District II congratulated us for a job well done but it didn't last long because there was another call for us. A dead body was found in a vacant lot so we immediately went to the said location of the crime scene. I am expecting a dead body but I didn't expect to see a familiar face in the crime scene. Avery was crying from a short distance and just before we even know it, both of our eyes meet and that made her to stop from crying.

AVERY'S POV

I'm with Sasha to the place where they found Peach's cold body. There are lots of people gathering around the area as well as the authorities. I can no longer hold my tears back and just letting it flow and ease the pain. I was just looking at the people around the area but suddenly my eye spotted Tyler and then, both of our eyes meet. Then I ask myself, why is he here? Don't tell me that he is a cop?

"Sasha. We need to go."

"Why? Let's have a closer look at Peach first. I just want to see her for the last time."

"Let's tell our boss first about what happen to Peach."

"Right."

Tyler notice that I was avoiding his cold yet curious eyes. I saw him walking towards our spot. What now? How will I behave infront of him? Damn it!

"Avery?"

"Don't get too close to me."

"You two know each other?"

"Yes."

"No!"

"Okay, which really is it?"

"We know each other."

"Okay. I know. Well, sorry to inform you sir but ... My friend here, has some bad impressions when it comes to men in uniform. She don't easily trust people easily."

"Mind telling me why, Avery?"

"I think we are not that close enough to tell you anything about me. Also, shouldn't you be doing your job at the crime scene? Why are you here and having some chit-chats with us?"

"Then why were you crying? Are you the victim's relatives?"

"Peach is our workmate at a bar and she considered us as her family. She's been gone for two days without returning to our dorm."

"By any chance, do you know someone that's she's been with the night before she was gone?"

"Well, the night when she left, she told me that she will be with some guy. She wanted to offer some one night extra service after working hours, for additional income. All workers here in this bar know that outside services are prohibited even if we are done with our working hours but Peach wants to have extra cash that's why she took the risk and offered these services. Unfortunately, I don't know who was the guys she was with."

"Okay. Thanks for telling me this. I will just give you a visit if I still have further questions to ask. We need to check your friend's body first."

"Okay. We will be there."

Tyler walk his way to the crime scene. Sasha on the other hand, was staring at me with her eyes that is obviously full of curiosity.

"Avery, why do you two know each other?"

"Well, the other night ..."

"Ssh! Before answering my question, can we just give at least 5 minutes of silence to show appreciation to Mr. Police Detective's handsomeness and hotness?"

"You're crazy, Sasha."

"He is so handsome, for real. He looks so smart and he obviously has a well-built muscle. Do you see his shirt? His biceps could explode from it anytime."

"Sasha, can we please not talk about that guy?"

"Right! Sorry."

I suddenly became silent and remembered the CCTVs at the bar. Maybe, we can find the answers that we've been looking for and to finally catch the culprit that killed Peach.

TYLER'S POV

Peach's body is currently been transferred to the laboratory for the autopsy procedure while I was still waiting for Patrick to finish his initial report about his observations to the crime scene. While we are still finishing our work, Avery came to us suddenly.

"Where are you taking her now?"

"We need her at the lab for an autopsy procedure. You know, to know how she died and maybe find some clues to her death."

"Is this the part that you'll take all of her organs and sell it to the black market for a high price?"

"Sell the organs? Goodness, no! The authorities will just do an examination to determine the cause of her death."

"Okay, I'll let you have it this time pero ... don't you dare do anything funny to our friend, Tyler!"

"I understand. I promise that we won't do something bad to your friend."

"I thought, you really don't know each other. So how did you two knew each other?"

"Well ..."

"Ms. Avery?"

"Yes? You know me?"

"Ahh! Yes. I'm Police Detective Tyler M. Gonzaga's intern. I'm Patrick Santos, future police detective."

"Okay."

"Hi Sir Patrick, I'm Sasha."

"Hi, Ms. Sasha."

"Finish your report first before anything else, Patrick."

"Yes, Sir. My apologies."

"I want to talk to you, Avery about your friend's case. Will a nearby cafe be good?"

"Cafe? Why not talk right here, right now? And also, Sasha was the one who last saw Peach that night because I was performing on the stage. Should you be questioning her instead?"

"Well, you have a point. So, Peach was with someone that night, right?"

"Yes, sir. She told me that she'll be accompanying a very important client."

"Anyway, if you really want the perfect answers, try checking the CCTV footage at the bar."

"There's a CCTV footage?"

"Of course, there are quite a number of CCTVs that are installed at the bar, for the sake of our safety."

"Thank you for telling me this. This will make our investigation a bit more easier. I guess that's it. We'll give you a call if we still have some follow up questions to ask."

I smiled while I tapped Patrick to leave the place and immediately head back to the office. While we are on our way to the office, I can't help it but think about why Avery doesn't trust people like us. I left Patrick at the office for the mean time so that I could visit the lab where Dr. Valdez was doing his autopsy.

"Bryan."

"Tyler. Are you here for the follow ups? I still haven't done it yet. They are still opening her up."

"No. I want to ask you with something else."

"About what?"

"How do you gain trust from people?"

"Why are you asking me this right now?"

"I just want to know."

"I trust people when I feel like trusting them."

"Do you trust someone like me?"

"Of course, I trust you. We've known each other for a long time already."

"What do you think is the reason why there's still some few people who doesn't trust people like us?"

"Hmm. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. I just had the thought of it."

"Damn, Tyler. We've been friends in college for a very long time. I know almost everything that's running in your mind. Is this a girl problem?"

"Of course, not. Why would you say that?"

"How ironic. The best detective in this city can't figure some simple questions like this."

"Okay. It seems that you really know a lot than me. So what could be the possible reasons why she doesn't trust others easily, especially to the likes of me?"

"Hmm, so she's a girl."

"Okay! Fine!"

"Hmm. Maybe, she was a victim of police brutality, maybe a victim of unfair justice system of the country or maybe her family is a victim of a tragic event involving police officers."

"You think so?"

"Hmm. Well, that's my guesses."

"Thanks for telling me this. I'll see you tomorrow and I hope, the autopsy report will be ready tomorrow."

I just smiled then leave Ivan behind as I repeatedly toss my keys in the air before putting in back in my pocket.

"HEY! WHO IS THIS WOMAN!?!"

I slightly grinned and never looked back at Bryan.

"Don't do that, Tyler!!! We are all busy people! Relationship is impossible to have for someone like us! HAHAHA!"

I was currently driving back to our office when I was having the thought of turning the radio on. As I was continuously listening, I was suddenly surprised after hearing a short news flash on the radio. Then suddenly, my phone began to rang and it was Patrick calling. As I answer that call, he then told me about a new dead body found and immediately reported by concern people.