CHAPTER SEVEN

AVERY'S POV

The night is just getting started and I am now preparing for another performance tonight. After a few minutes of preparation, I went out on stage and started dancing. I caress my body like I was seducing every man that laid eyes upon me. My hair dances with every move I make. A loud cheering and a handsome amount of applauses are the only things I heard throughout my performance. With every sways of the hips and a few elegant spins, I could feel that all the men are smitten by my beauty. After dancing for almost an hour, I finally ended my performance and decided to go to the bartender's table to grab a drink. While I was enjoying my drink, I noticed that someone is behind me and before I even realize, he was already uttering my name and immediately look at him only to see a familiar face.

"Avery."

"Tyler?"

"You did great back there."

"Thanks. What do you want from me?"

"Do you have a minute? I just wanna ask you something."

"3,000."

"3,000?"

"Yes. I'm an expensive piece here at this bar, Tyler. You need to place a book on me first before you can start having a decent conversation with me."

"I ... I don't have that kind of money right now."

"Well, come back next time."

While I'm holding my glass of drink, I stood up so that I could leave this guy behind but suddenly, he mentioned Peach's name and then I froze for a moment before turning my head back at him.

"This is about Peach."

"Why are you involving her name?"

"I just want to ask if you could help me solve this case. I have a feeling that the person behind your friend's death, keeps coming back at this bar to pick up his victims."

"Automatic, no."

"Why?"

"First of all, that's your job and I have mine. You are paid by your work same goes with mine. Instead going to night clubs, why don't you just focus on doing your best on solving this case on your own."

"That's why I'm asking for your help on solving this case."

"Leave! I don't work with people like you because YOU ARE THE KIND OF PEOPLE THAT KILLED MY WHOLE FAMILY!"

With teary eyes, I ran as fast as I could and not for long — I burst into tears and cried. Even though it's been a couple of years that have passed since that tragic event happened in my life but the pain and hatred from that unfortunate event is still lingering inside my heart. I don't trust people like Tyler because they are all the same. They prey on the weak and the poor.

TYLER'S POV

I was stunned with Avery's reaction earlier. I was about to follow her outside and to say sorry if I ever did something that might have offended her but someone came to me and it was Sasha. She pulled me back to where I was sitting, stopping me from chasing Avery.

"Don't. Just leave her for a while."

I was clearly confused about what's happening right now.

"Just let her be."

"Why did she reacted that way?"

Sasha sighed before taking a seat next to me.

"I know it's not good to disclose informations like this but I guess this is the only way for you to understand her part and why she's behaving like that. She told me about what and how was her life before. Her father was killed from a police operation."

"How?"

"That night, they were chasing an escaping criminal, the police officers fired a shot hoping that they could pin the criminal down but unfortunately, Avery's father was the one who got shot and eventually, died. And to cover up that unwanted mistake, they manipulated the evidence and pointed out that Avery's father was an accomplice of the escaping criminal, they even reported that they found a gun from Avery's father when he was just only buying medicine for Avery's mom, which is unfortunately sick at that evening."

"How could they do that?"

"The police officer that killed her father even got a promotion because eventually, they captured the real criminal and put him behind bars. When Avery's mother heard about the news, she fell into depression and in a few weeks, her mother committed suicide. Avery was still young at that time."

"Now, I understand why Avery is mad about people like us. Even I would feel the same way if that ever happened to me."

"So, what do you want from her? Do you want to have a private room with her?"

"No, of course not. I was about to tell her about Peach's case."

"You already found the suspect?"

"No. Not yet, but I could feel that I am getting closer and closer on solving this case and knowing who the culprit is."

"I see. Let me talk to Avery about this, she might change her mind."

"Thanks, Sasha."

Then I noticed Sasha looking around us, like she is looking or waiting for someone.

"Patrick is not with you tonight?"

"He's home already. His working hour are over couple of hours ago."

"I see."

"Well then, I'll just pay you guys a visit if there's an update about your friend's case. For the mean time, be careful — the culprit might be here, around the area.

"Okay, we will. Thanks, sir Tyler. I will tell Avery about what you told me once she come back."

"Thanks. Here's my calling card, call me anytime if you notice something suspicious."

"Will do."

I was about to take my leave when I suddenly bumped into a someone. He was wearing a business suit like he just came out from his office. I must say, that he looks sophisticated and expensive. I also notice that he's carrying his people along with him. His security guards are also by his side and because I don't want to cause any trouble, I directly apologize before I formally excuse myself.

"Wait, wait, wait!"

I immediately took a quick glance to the man that I bumped into.

"You look familiar. Have we met before?"

"I think, not. This is our first time seeing each other."

"Oh! I remembered! Detective Gonzaga, right?"

"Yes."

"I knew it, you appeared on the national television after solving that Laranjo Case."

"I'm glad that you've notice it. By the way, to whom I am speaking?"

"Oh, that's not that important anymore. Just think of me as a huge fan because of your expertise especially in the field of investigation."

"I appreciate it."

"Well, I guess that I have nothing else left to say but I'm really impressed by your accomplishments with the previous criminal cases. By any chance, are you solving some new cases right now?"

"I'm sorry but I don't disclose any informations about my agenda."

"You really are indeed an outstanding detective. Keep up the good work at protecting and serving our city. I wish you luck in solving cases here in our city also but you should be careful on taking other cases, detective."

"Why would I be careful?"

"You never know, it could strike a match and start a fire."

"Thanks for your concern but I know what I am doing, sir."

"Understood. I shall enjoy the party here then. Looking forward on seeing you again, Detective Gonzaga."

The man was a bit weird but his face looks familiar. I think, I might have seen him somewhere, like in magazine or the television but I just can't remember his name. I finally got out from the bar and immediately tried searching for Avery, hoping that she's just nearby but I didn't see any traces of her. I decided to sit in my car and wait for either Avery or a any suspicious individual around the area.

"Come on, Tyler! You got this! Just focus! Think! Think! The culprit might be striking again tonight. Base on my assumptions, his victims are all in the 20s."

It's almost 11 in the evening but I haven't seen any suspicious person or activity around the place. After a few minutes of waiting and observing, there was a car that passed ahead of me. The car's windows were all tinted in black. Suddenly, there was a girl that came next to the door, obviously looking happy. I could also see the hand of a man seemingly pulling the girl inside. I feel that something was off about this car so I hurriedly took my camera and have a couple of shots to the girl and most importantly, the plate number of the car hoping that these are all the missing piece that will slightly give hints om solving this case.

AVERY'S POV

I already cried enough that's why I decided to go back and walk my way back to the bat. I didn't even realize that it's almost eleven in the evening. When I was almost at the building, I notice something odd from afar. There was a girl that entered an almost close vehicle. I just remembered what Tyler said earlier that the culprit might come here for his next victim. I ran as fast as I could so that I could see who was inside that car but it was too late, the car already drove away. I was slowly catching my breath when suddenly Tyler came to me and gave me a bottle of water which surprise me.

"Why were you running?"

"I thought I saw something."

"You mean, the suspicious vehicle a while ago?"

"How did you know?"

"I'm suspecting that car too."

"Oh, why didn't you do anything?"

"Of course, I don't need to do anything because as of now, I am only observing and gathering more data and evidences for this case. One more thing, I also don't have the right and authority to check that car."

"Whatever."

"I just want to say sorry if ever I did or said something that made you uncomfortable earlier."

"Just forget it."

"Okay. Well then, I'll take my leave. See you when I see you, Ms. Avery."

Tyler was about to open the car door when I suddenly called his attention which made him stopped and turned his eyes on me.

"Wait!"

"Why?"

"Tell me everything."

"About what?"

"About Peach's case."

"Sorry but I don't disclose valuable informations to anybody."

Just wow! A while ago, you badly needed my help but now, you're doing this to me? Oh my god! The audacity!!!

"Didn't you ask me earlier, the you wanted me to help you. Well, isn't this the right time to tell me everything you know?"

"I believe, yes but I'll only tell you everything I know, in one condition."

"What?"

"If from now on, you'll trust me."

"Jq16h(#iqj@#*-qjwb!*@(!!!!."

"Are you saying something?"

"Nothing."

"Okay. Have a nice evening, Ms. Avery."

"Can't you wait?! Are you that excited? Am I not allowed to think about it for a while before accepting your invitation?"

And he just laughed at me like some crazy dude. Even though that he is fully aware that I'm frickin' serious right now, he has time to laugh at irrelevant things.

"Okay! Okay! Fine! I trust you ..."

"Sure?"

"For now! I'm trusting you because I came to realize that I should be doing whatever I can so that I can give the proper justice that Peach deserves."

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

"That's it?"

"Why? Do you expect something else that's coming from me?"

"Nothing! That's all! You can leave now!"

"Okay."

Tyler already went in to his car and drive his way home. While I was looking at his car which is steadily moving away, I didn't expect my heart to act this way. My heart was beating so fast without any reasons. What is happening to me now? Is this because I cried for too long? Maybe I am just excited on catching the man behind Peach's death. Yes! That's right! I am just excited. This clearly doesn't mean that it's because of something else. I took a deep breath to ease my pounding heart before going back to the bar so that I could excuse myself and directly head back home to rest.