Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Nicole:

Alister Morette, Alister Morette!

Everywhere I turned, wherever I looked, that name was a constant, following me around like a curse on my back that I could for the life of me shake off.

" I think you should sit this one out Nicole," Mr Coleman said.

I sat up straight on the chair, my eyes widening slightly.

" Wait what? No, I can't sit this one out. We have to question Mr Alister and...."

" The questioning will be done by Ashley and Jacobs. I just think it's best you focus on getting better and maybe take a few weeks off. I can write off a send-off note for you to be allowed off for two weeks. How does that sound?"

I stared at my superior like he just grew a second head out of his shoulder.

" No. I don't want to take a second break. I am fine. You can call Tobias too and he will tell you that our meeting on Saturday went too smoothly in fact"

He hummed, shuffling in his seat.

" Well, what I was told is that you were having a meeting, you got a message, screamed the name Alister Morette, and ran out without looking back.

An hour later you were seen causing a ruckus because you were trying to force your way into the company of Mr Alister without a warrant!"

I slowly sank back into my seat.

Shit.

" Well I see how this is not helping my case but trust me, I was not causing a ruckus. The people at the gate..."

" The people at the gate were only doing their job, Nicole! Why would you think it's nice to go to the office of a suspect and start trying to yell profanities at him while threatening his staff with the full extent of the law?

Do you know you can get your badge retracted for misuse of power?"

That headache that I have been trying all weekend to avoid came back with full force and now I could feel my temple pounding.

I bit my lips hard, so hard I felt that metallic tingle hit my tongue.

" I admit that I was out of line sir, and I promise it won't happen again"

Mr Coleman nodded.

" That is right. It won't be happening again and that is why you are not allowed anywhere near Mr Alister Morette for now.

He is a suspect and from the findings I did, a very rich one. Which makes him a flight risk. I cannot have you jeopardizing the entire case just because you seem to have something against him"

I hummed internally.

I knew I could tell him about the video I got while I sat in Tobias office and tell him the name I heard in the background, but that will only solidify his position of having me under suspension for a while.

So I kept mute.

" I hope my stance on this has been cleared. If it has, please go and tell Jacob and Ashley that I asked them both to go interview Mr Alister and get his statement. You are to stay here"

I did not say another word, but I was fuming in my chest.

I should be the one interviewing him, I have to know what he had to do with my kidnapping. And that word he said when he saw me at the party?

What did he mean?

" What did the boss say?" Jacob asked.

I bit my lip.

Shit. I will be regretting this soon.

" He asked that you and I go interview Mr Alister. Ashley is to stay and look through the case files for any discrepancies or inconsistencies."

The minute the lie left my mouth, I knew my fate was sealed.

Ashley pounded the air with her fist, her eyes filled with gratitude.

" Oh thank the Lord. I do not see myself doing any field work today. Grab me a cup of coffee and a burger when you are coming back will you?"

I flashed her a sweet smile.

" Of course"

Was it really bad that I lied? She did not want to go anyway. So it's a win-win situation.

~~~

I did not know what I expected to see when we stepped back into his office but it was definitely not that grim smirk that plastered his face the minute he watched us walk in.

I could feel his eyes trained on me, reasserting my position that he knew something about me that he was not willing to let up any time soon.

" We are here to question you about the murder at the casino Mr Alister. Do you happen to know the casino in question?" Jacob asked.

He shrugged.

" It was one of mine. The noise of the murder made my business cash flow drop to twenty percent so I presume I have to know it"

Jacob jotted it down.

" Would it be okay if we start our questioning now sir? We would need to have your alibi and statement, including the deed of the casino in your name" he said.

But Alister was no longer listening to him.

Now his eyes were trained on me and that sly smirk had once again returned.

" I will only be answering your questions, if she is the one asking them" he said simply.

" What?"

His words caught me by surprise again, this time, not giving me enough time to recover before he shrugged.

" It's as simple as that. She is the only officer I want in my office for the questioning. And if that cannot be made possible, then I would have to decline your questioning session and send you away."

His voice was curt, sharp, and carrying that edge of power that I have heard a few too many times from men like him.

Men like him? I knew men like him. The runt and powerful of the society.

Jacob flashed me a worried look but I shrugged him off.

" Don't worry, I will be fine."

After all, we have much more talking to do apart from just what happened in the casino.