"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 seriously fighting over a woman? Do you think Mom and Dad would be happy to you see the two of you like this? God! What the hell is wrong with both of you?"
"You don't know anything, Chris. Stay out of this." Jeffrey seemed to calm down, but Mark still looks like he's ready to attack anytime.
"I don't have to know anything, Mark! You're hurting our brother because of a woman who, by the way, is not even your girlfriend. I could understand you if she's your girlfriend but no! Yes, you like her, but she's not yours! You don't have the right to be mad at Jeffrey." I tried to explain to him.
"Since we were kids, I've always been the odd man out. I never had an alliance with any of you." I was shocked by what Mark said.
"How could you say that?" It was Melanie who looked like she was awoken by the commotion earlier. "Don't you remember how Jeffrey's nose got broken because he wanted to avenge you? Or when Chris almost got expelled for beating the crap out of your bully classmate who destroyed your art project? He knew how much you needed that project. You were failing. Have you forgotten how Jeffrey and Chris sacrificed their own attendance just to help you fix that project? Do you even remember how Jeffrey was willing to sacrifice his own life just to save you? You almost by a car, but Jeffrey jumped in, saving you. How could you say that?" Melanie was crying when she finished. I looked at Jeffrey, and his eyes were already swollen, trying to hold back his tears.
"We love you, bro. You were never the odd man out. We always pull pranks on you because we wanted you to play with us. We wanted to be friends. If I know that Chelsey likes you, I will walk away. I would never do that to you, bro." Jeffrey failed to stop himself from crying.
"You're our big brother, Mark. We will always look up to you." I said as I smile at him while my left arm is wrapped around Melanie's shoulder.
"If you want her, she's yours. I won't give up my big brother over a woman."
Mark started crying when Melanie pulled him into a hug. Damn! That's early for my taste.
After that dramatic morning moment with my siblings, I quickly took a bath and went to the station. I had to work hard on finding that rapist engineer. I promised Calvin that I will find him and put him behind bars for my goddaughter, and I intend to keep that promise.
"Chris! Have you find your goddaughter's rapist?" Should I promise to break his neck? It's still too early, but the narcissistic voice of Kevin Guzman already ruins my mood.
"Shut up, Guzman." Oliver hit his abdomen to make him stop before he approached me.
"Why? You think you can stop me from saying what I want to say?" Kevin intentionally spoke louder. I already have my back on him when she continued. "Maybe the kid deserves—"
Kevin did not get the chance to finish his sentence because I could get to him within seconds and punched his face, sending him back to the ground. 'Wrong move.' I said to myself when I walked over to him and grabbed his collar to lift him.
"I already beat you into a pulp once. I can easily do it. So watch your mouth." I warned him before pushing him, which made him fall backward again.
"I told you to shut up." Oliver pushed him as he passed him by.
"You know what? I am so full that Guzman's craft." I said as I tried to calm myself.
"Don't mind him, man. I've got good news for you. Albert Humphrey was spotted last night at a seedy motel two towns away from here." Oliver showed me a print photo of CCTV footage.
"That's him," I exclaimed.
"Don't worry, bro. I already sent a copy of his pictures to the police stations around us. He won't get far. We will find him." Oliver assured me.
And just like that, as if Oliver's words were like a wish granted by a genie, an officer called us to say that Albert was spotted on Nicolson and I now being chased by the police.
We wasted no time and drove to Nicolson with six of our officers. It's a town four hours away from us, but if you take the shortcut in the forest, you can reach Nicolson in just one and a half hours. I wanted to be there when they catch him, so I drove like a maniac and reached Nicolson in just 45 minutes.
When we got to the Nicolson Police Department, Albert Humphrey was already cornered. He took a whole restaurant as a hostage, using the civilians as a shield. As we stood outside the restaurant, I saw Albert holding a gun in his shaking hands to keep the civilians down. I thought of something when I noticed the door on the far corner of the restaurant.
"I'm going in," I announced as I took off my jacket.
"What?" Oliver's shocked expression is written all over his face.
"Sir, with all due respect, but I'm not putting the people of my town in danger." A tall man approached me. He looked like someone in position.
"I'm taking him down, and him alone." I took out my gun and run to the alley located at the back of the restaurant.
I was right, there's a backdoor in this alley, and it was not locked. Albert Humphrey is not a professional criminal; that's why he didn't mind the small details. I snuck into the kitchen and watched as Albert paced back and forth. One of the customers saw me, and I immediately signaled her to stay quiet.
It was not the only thing she did. She kept Albert's attention on her as I quietly crept into the counter. I waited for a few minutes, and when I had the chance, I threw a tray into the far left of the restaurant, away from the civilian. And when face that direction with his gun on the ready, I shot his hand which caused him to let go of the gun.
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.
My good mood has wholly disappeared, and I don't know why. So what if Mary Sue is entertaining a suitor? Why do I care? We're not even that close.I feel like I'm not in the mood and just wanted to go home, but I can't. I have a job and a town to protect. I can't let my personal problems hinder my capability as a detective. I need to act professionally.When I got to the station, I noticed so many people, and they were all trying to grab one person. The one being held by some of our officers. The left side of his head is already bloodied. It looks like some actions happened before he arrived."What the hell happened?" I asked Oliver when they finally took the suspect away from the finally"The guy molested their nine-year-old son. Totally sick, dude. I almost wanted to punch him myself." Oliver responded, breathing heavily. Right, Oliver hates pedophiles more than anything else."Good thing he got arrested," I answered sincerely. I just hate crimin
The Muller case proves to be a hard case to solve. We can't find any trace of the boyfriend that everybody is talking about. It's been three days but we still have to clue about the killer's identity. Whatever DNA was left on her body has been washed away by the river."Chris! Captain wants to talk to us." Oliver called my attention, the reason for me to snap out of my thoughts."Okay!" I replied as I lock my computer. This talk is about the Kendra Muller case for sure.As soon as I entered Captain Hansen's office, the tension rises. Oliver and I felt the captain's stress for not having any development about the case. I even feel disappointed with myself."What the hell is happening, McKnight, Angeles? It's been three days." Captain Hansen asked. He didn't even try to hide his frustration."We've been doing our best, Sir. But this mystery boyfriend is like the wind. Everyone knew that Kendra had a boyfriend but no one knows who he is. They all said
Captain Hansen had a nagging feeling in his gut so he pushed us to investigate Bolton. He wanted to make sure that we don't miss anything about him. No matter how many times we told him, he is still unconvinced that Bolton is not the killer of the second woman.So Oliver and I spent two days quietly investigating him. Fortunately, we were right. There is no possible connection between Kendra Muller and Mr. Bolton. We didn't find any evidence that he's been in Burton Grove before he killed his daughter."Damn it!" I turned to Oliver when he cursed. He's been like this for the past few two days. Always frustrated about the smallest of things."Easy man, you're going to break your computer." I tried to lighten up his mood but all I got was a dagger eye."Shut up, man." He then said angrily.I just shook my head and sighed. Oliver really doesn't do well with disappointment. Especially if it himself that his disappointed to. Oliver is a very positive pe
Theodore Burnett already heard about Kendra's body being found in the riverside. He knew that sooner or later, the police will find a connection between him and Kendra. But Theodore is not a fool, so he already prepared his alibi.As he entered their company's building, Theodore saw two detectives sitting on a couch in the lobby. He smirked at the sight of them."Detective Angeles, Detective McKnight. Burton Groves' finest." Theodore greeted them with a hint of sarcasm."Theodore Burnett, we are here to ask you a few questions about a woman named Kendra Muller." Det. McKnight stated."Ah, the police and their questions. What do you want to know?" He asked confidently."We saw your name on the list of attendees on a convention where Ms. Muller also attended. Can you tell us if you ever had an interaction with her?" Det. McKnight inquired."Oh, you saw my name on the list among all other attendees, and somehow, you thought to waste your time o