Oliver and I spent the whole morning reviewing hours' worth of CCTV footage. They all came from the establishments around the school. So far, we haven't seen anything out of the ordinary, which frustrates me even more. We wasted precious time that doesn't have to watch those videos.
"Damn, my eyes hurt," Oliver complains after watching the last CCTV footage. He buried his head in his hands and slumped on his reclining chair. Who could blame him? Even my eyes hurt a bit.
"We didn't find anything that could help us, shit!" I wanted to throw all the things around me out of frustration. As I stood up to get some coffee, one of our rookies saw the video playing on the monitor."Hey, I know that van." Oliver and I both looked at him immediately. "My dad used to work on the toy factory that owns that van." He said to both of us.
"Toy factory? The last time that a toy factory was opened in Burton was—"
"Twenty years ago." I cut Oliver off when I remembered the toy factory that got bankrupt. "The McCullough family owned it. But all of their vans were sold years ago. How could there be—"
"Exactly." The rookie said before leaving. My mind went on an overdrive. What does he mean? What does he—
"Play the footage, go!" I took out all the hard drives from the establishments around the school. We have to watch the footage one more time. We're missing something.
And so Oliver and I watched all the video footage again, one by one, frame by frame. We focused on everything. I noticed something that I didn't see earlier.
"Look at this, man." I pointed out to the same van going out of an alley near the back of the school. I printed that specific shot and played every footage again, trying to look for the same van. And I was right.
"Hey, look. This part of the street is the right turn to the alley where that van came from. This footage is about ten hours worth. That van is nowhere in this footage." Oliver pointed out.
"So we have this van coming out into view, but we don't have any footage of it entering the alley. It means it's been there for some time." I stated almost to myself. "This is not a random abduction. I remember that alley. There's a small passage somewhere in that alley that leads to the back gate of the school."
"Dang! You're right. Remember when we used to jump that fence because the gate was locked?" Oliver said. I stood up and walked towards the officers' area.
"I need people at the alley next to Burton's Grill. There's a small passage that leads to the back gate of Burton Primary. If that back gate was opened, then I think we have a lead." I announced before going back to the CCTV footage. "Let's see where this stupid van went."
We are both busy reviewing all the CCTV footage trying to map the route of the van. One of our officers called me to say that someone's looking for me. When I came out of the detectives' office, I saw the missing student's teacher.
"Can I help—"
"Where's my student? Have you found her yet? Or you're just sitting there at your waiting for your salary?" I didn't even have the chance to be polite when she cut me off talked to me as if she understands our job.
"We're doing the best we can—"
"What's the best you can? To be useless? To sit all day?" She's starting to shout.
"If i were you, miss. I'd watch my mouth. Why are you being acting as if we're the reason why the child was missing? Didn't you have a good night's sleep because your conscience is eating at you for being irresponsible? Or maybe—"
"Shut up and listen to me—"
"No, you shut up, miss, with all due respect, Madame teacher. Our department is working nonstop to find the kid. We are doing the best we can to bring her back home. If you don't have anything that could help us find her, I suggest you leave because you're wasting my time. You have no right to blame us or me for your mistakes. Now, Madame teacher, do you have anything that could help us find the kid that went missing because you didn't report a stranger roaming around the school?" I don't fight with ladies, but this teacher is really getting into my nerves.
She was stunned by everything I said. That's obvious with how her lips are moving like she's about to say something, but she can't. I know that she feels terrible for the mistake she did but shifting the blame to somebody who's doing everything to help is not fair.
After a few moments, I turned around and left her standing in the middle of the station. She's shaking, maybe because of anger or humiliation, I don't know. But she asked for it. I'm not going to let her belittle us, especially me, in front of my colleagues.
"Look at this. I finally mapped his route based on the CCTV footage we have. It looks like he headed to the highway out of town." Oliver announced the moment I came back.
"Headed out of town? Where was he headed?" I asked.
"South." He pointed to the map that he used.
Damn it! If the abductor is already out of town, this is going to be a lot harder. Goddamnit!
"Come on, let's retrace his route."
Oliver and I both walked out of the detectives' area and were about to leave the station when an older man came into the office. He looked like one of that homeless men I see downtown.
"I have information about the missing kid." He said to one of the officers who's standing near him.
Oliver and I looked at each other then walked towards the older man. After interviewing him, we learned that he's looking for a place to sleep that day because he was not feeling well. He said that there's this old cottage in the middle of the woods near the southern border. He used to sleep there during winters because the interior is warm. But when he arrived at the spot where the cabin is, he saw a navy blue van parked outside. Then a skinny man came out carrying a girl who happened to look like the girl in the missing posters.
We asked them to accompany us and show us where the cabin is. And he was right; it was near the southern border. There's a right turn that is eady to miss because it's almost covered by the huge trees. And there it is. The blue navy van we saw at the CCTV footage a while ago.
Half of the Burton Grove Police Department came to the southern border to secure the area and ensure that the kid will be rescued. We tried so hard to keep the media out of it because we don't want to tip the abductor that we already found them. That will put the kid's life in danger. I ordered every police officers to position themselves around the cabin. I wanted to make sure that he won't escape.As soon as I receive the confirmation that everyone was in position, Oliver and I walked towards the house. I hide below the window as Oliver knock on the door. I volunteered to go to the back of the house because I saw a small window that looks like a basement, and Oliver is too fat to fit in. Besides, Oliver is always a great distraction because he's quick to think of reasons and lies that are believable to those who don't know him.When I finally heard the front door open, I quickly ran to the back and used my combat knife to open the window. When the little girl saw me,
Sunday, my family's favorite day. I specifically requested this to be my day off because I wanted to maintain a semblance of everyday life. This is the only day that our parents require us to wake up early to attend the first mass at six.As we enter the church, people from all over the city greeted us. We are not rich but are respected—especially my parents, Judge Anita Leone Angeles and Judge Lorenzo Angeles. They may be retired, but people still remembered how they put a corrupt politician behind bars. This politician almost ruined our city. And despite the death threats that my parents receive daily, they still did their best to put him in jail."Good morning Judge Anita, Judge Lorenzo!" I feel so proud of my parents. People still call them 'Judge' even though it's been three years since they retired."Hi, Ron, Letty. Please, Anita and Lorenzo would be fine." My mom, gracefully, responded to them.After the mass, we went to the Burton Grove Rese
On my way to the station, I felt thirsty, so I decided to stop at the first grocery store I saw. When I entered the store, I saw some of my high school friends. We exchanged some hellos and continued finding what we want to buy. I went straight to the drinks section and picked up an energy drink. As I was about to turn around, I heard two ladies talking. "That detective is really making a name for himself. I saw the trending post on F******k about how he saved a child at Reserve last Sunday." The woman in a red dress said. "Yeah, I heard about it. And guess what, he's single." The other woman in a floral dress responded. "He's practically a hero and a handsome one at that." The third woman in tight jeans and tank top added. "He's not a hero; that's his job. Besides, that man is a jerk." The voice of the fourth woman was familiar, so I walked towards them. And there I saw the teacher of Krishna. "Good morning, ladies." I greeted them. T
"What the hell, Jeffrey! Why here?" I was on my way to our backyard when I heard Mark yelled at Jeffrey."It's not my fault, bro. She doesn't like you! Why don't you just accept that?" Jeffrey yelled back."How could even have the chance to court her if you already stole her from me!" Mark yelled again.Wait, are my brothers fighting over a girl?Mom and Dad left early for the convention, that they were invited to be a guest speaker. I didn't even know that my brothers have an issue."I didn't steal her from you! You never had her, Mark! Why don't you accept that!" Jeffrey's voice is more hostile now."Damn you, Jeffrey! Damn you!" When I heard the noise like things are already falling, I decided to go out. I saw Mark wrestling Jeffrey. What the?"Hey! That's enough, damn it!' I tried to separate them, but they just kept coming, especially Mark."I said enough!" I hit Mark's with my left elbow and Jeffrey with my right. "You're
Today is one of those days that we are not so busy. It looks like the criminals of Burton Grove take a day off too. Oliver and I decided to have lunch at our favorite music lounge. It's been a long time since we visited that place.We were joking and laughing when we arrived at the Burton's Music Bar and Bistro. Oliver was quick with our favorite food and drinks while I look for a comfortable spot. But as I walk towards the corner, I heard an obnoxious voice of a man rumbling about his achievements and how great he is. His companions are obviously bored and irritated but were polite enough not to interrupt him."And that little b*tch who sued Albert for rape? Only a fool would believe her. She's using the victim card to screw Albert. I'll bet you my whole year's salary; she and her family are just after Albert's money." The man bluntly said.It's a spark ignited inside of me when I heard him say those words about my goddaughter. I remembered him from Sig and Fre
Theodore Burnett was invited to a convention by his old colleagues. He felt so entitled and recognized even though he was just requested as a guest like the others. His narcissistic behavior always gives him a sense of importance. Like he is always better than everybody else.But in reality, Theodore is haunted by his flaws and imperfection. He despises seeing people around him accomplish things that he couldn't. He's never happy when someone else takes the spotlight."Welcome one and all to the annual Engineer Convention." The host announced as the convention started.Theodore scanned his surroundings. He was studying his surroundings and the people around them. He watched as the top Engineers from all over the country chat with each other about their accomplishments, newly purchased properties, and so on. Theodore scoffed.As he scans the area, Theodore saw a woman who caught his attention. Her beauty is simple yet, elegant and sophisticated. She looks
When are you bringing a girlfriend home, Chris? When do you plan on getting married, Chris? Blah, blah, blah.Why is my love life a part of their problem? I haven't met the woman who would capture my heart, that's all. I don't want to be that guy who gets married this month and files a divorce six months after. When I get married, I want it to be permanent. Not just a phase that will pass.My morning started not so great because of Melanie's questions about my love life. Our mom and dad started asking me, too. They wanted to see their grandchildren. And Mark finally having a girlfriend didn't help my situation.Mark had a few girlfriends in the past. Jeffrey always has a girlfriend. Melanie is in a long-term relationship with her boyfriend, Andrew. While me? Nah, never mind."Hey, Chris!""Morning, Chris."My colleagues greeted me as I entered the station, but I just nodded at them. I'm not in the mood."Hey, bro. What's the matter?"
I don't why, but I feel happy. Oliver has been teasing me about this for the whole week. He kept asking me why I an being happy. Serious? Is there something about being happy? Why does it have to be a big deal? Honestly, I don't even know why I am in a good mood these days. All I know is that I feel great. "Hi, Chris! Good morning." Mary Sue greeted me. I almost bumped into her while buying some drinks before going to the station. "Hey, hi! How have you been?" I smiled widely. "We just saw each other yesterday. Are you okay?" Mary Sue responded, laughing lightly. "Huh? Oh, yeah! Haha! Duh? Right, uhm. Will you come to our house tonight?" I hesitantly ask while scratching the back of my head. "Oh, sorry. I have a date tonight." My smile disappeared with what I heard. "What?" I asked, trying not to sound too disappointed. "Yeah, I have this suitor who is so persistent. Anyways, see you around?" When Mary Sue left, I sighed.