Chapter 14: Rumor

Harper’s POV:

“No, ma’am, we already checked everything. There really wasn’t anything else to find!” The officer, clearly distressed, clarified again while the new detective in charge looked on with a dissatisfied expression. I couldn't help but feel bad for them, constantly having to take her orders.

I scoffed, watching from the sidelines as officers scurried around, carrying out the detective's endless errands.

You might wonder why I’m back at the station so soon. Well, I was discharged a few days after Vivian’s sudden suspension. After seeing the chaos in the department, I realized the case wasn't progressing.

I knew better than to join in the case after Vivian got suspended, and watching how she works… well, I could say she’s quite the perfectionist.

I shifted my gaze to my paperwork, shaking my head to refocus my attention. Shortly after, a familiar voice called me over to my co-workers seated at the public table for lunch. I didn’t even notice that it was already afternoon, and since I was free, I wanted to take a break from work and so I strutted over to their table.

I pulled back the black breakroom chair to sit down, but I couldn't help noticing their wandering eyes fixed on something—or rather, someone. Before I even decided to look at the direction their attention was, I already knew that they were observing the new detective that was assigned to that cursed and unsolved case. I sneered, adjusting my black, round-wire glasses before finally taking a seat.

“So… what do you think about the new detective in charge? I heard she was assigned to that A-Z case.” Connor, my co-worker, inquired while they all turned toward him.

“I think she’s alright, and she gets the job done… at least.” Maya laughed, turning towards her drink and sipping from the straw. I sighed, letting them continue their pointless banter as I stared mindlessly toward the table, tapping my index finger while my mind drifted away to think once more.

“Hey, did you know there’s this rumor that’s been going around about her for months now,” Erika whispered slowly, cupping her mouth with one hand while her eyes followed the point of interest, which was none other than the new detective.

Connor and Maya both leaned in closer to listen to Erika’s gossip while I stayed resting back on my chair, clearly uninterested in their chitchat.

“I heard she and Detective Claymore were close, like REALLY close. Some even said she was the suspended detective’s mother.”

I coughed vigorously, caught completely off guard by their topic. Even though I was aware of that rumor, I preferred not to bring it up when she was around. How did Erika know about it?

“But didn’t Ms. Imelda say that she doesn’t have any children?” Connor denoted.

“Yeah, but they look exactly the same! Just look!” Erika pointed out, watching the person of interest with certainty, trying to prove a point. The woman’s hair was almost becoming gray; her mole, which was quite noticeable, was resting on the right side of her lip. I sighed, observing from the sidelines as her slight movements reminded me of the suspended detective.

“Listen, so what if she lied about her family background? It doesn’t matter anyway.” Maya commented that she was laid back and did not seem to care as she kept finishing her drink.

“No, but that’s where you’re wrong.” Erika shook her head in disapproval, standing up from her seat and moving towards her table, bending down as if she were getting something from her drawer, and in fact, she was. She returned, holding a paper article in her hand and placing it on the table for us to see. I peered over to the newspaper clipping.

The headline, "Imelda Chavez Arrested in The Gruesome Murder of Politician Benjamin Hackley," was written in bold.

I widened my eyes as I caught sight of the article, shifting in my seat. The article was written in careful detail as if I was reading a documentary.

“Where.... Where did you get that news clipping?” After staying quiet for so long, I decided to speak up.

“I don’t know, really; I found it on a park bench near a printing press, you know, in the square?.” Erika shook her head in dismay, answering my raised question.

If she had an article like that, why wasn’t it published to the public? Before, when I was paired with Vivian for the case, no one ever mentioned an article like that conclusive. Did something happen… behind the scenes? I was now raising my suspicions towards the detective.

“Can I have it?” I requested, wanting to look further about this article.

“Sure, I don’t mind. Besides, it isn’t my case to begin with. So, here.” Erika agreed, handing me the newspaper clipping with no hesitation. I thanked her immediately after receiving it.

“That’s… tough evidence right there. However, we can’t even verify whether it’s true or not.” Connor sighed in exasperation, doubting the evidence. But what if it’s real? What if… she’s actually the serial killer of the A-Z case?

After countless dead ends, detectives in charge, and speculations… we finally had a lead. However, our ‘rumored serial killer’ was currently leading the case. There was no way I could trust her after seeing the article.

Just before everything, I bowed not to enter this case again… but now, who else would help but me?

After debating with myself, I stood up from my chair, took the article, and strode towards the Chief of Detective’s office.

In a few minutes, I finally reached his office. I sighed, a little nervous, while clutching the article in my hand. I fixed my tie and coat before knocking and heard another voice from the other side come in.

I sighed in relief, thanking the gods that he was there. I placed my hand on the doorknob and opened it, wanting to reveal the news until I was cut short by the scene before me.

“Oh, welcome. Harper, was it?” Imelda Chavez, who was sitting in front of the Chief of Detectives, greeted me with a polite smile and faced me with curiosity.

I hitched my breath, not noticing that she had come here while we were chatting.