INFINITE TIES

CHAPTER 1 BRIBING HERWAY “Five million dollars if you can pin the crime on her,” the woman said confidently without any hint of pity in her tone. “Why do you think I'll accept such a task? Are you now trying to bribe me?” Inspector Peterson asked coldly as he relaxed and whined himself on the four-wheel chair in his office. “Mrs. Marcos, you know that I don't take bribes. Besides, this case has long been forgotten. Why do you want to bring it up again? And not only that, you want me to pin the crime on someone that was never a suspect from day one?” He scoffed. Mrs. Helen Marcos huffed. She gazed at the inspector sternly, unbothered about how he turned her request down. “Inspector Peterson, I'm sure you don't know who Helen Marcos is. I don't give up on things easily. And I always get what I want, so yours would not and can never be an exception!” She thought inwardly and smiled. “Fifty million dollars if you would agree to the task.” She declared. Inspector Peterson's eyes widened. That was too huge for him to quickly give a ‘no’ as an answer. He remained silent and pretended to be busy with a message that had just popped on his phone while they were discussing. But Mrs. Marcos knew that all was just an act. “I know you cannot reject this offer. I said it! Every law must have an exception.” She said inwardly while she waited patiently for a response from him. Inspector Peterson has been a man of integrity. He has always been the best inspector who was known for not collecting bribes. But throughout his years of service, this offer of bribe has never crossed his table. Most people that came with bribes offered amounts that are almost the same or even lower than his monthly stipend. But this: what Mrs. Marcos is offering now is more than his accumulated salary of three years! “You only have five years to retire, Peterson. You've faithfully carried out your task well; don't let your reputation be ruined after maintaining it for thirty years!” A soft voice in him whispered. “No Peterson. This is too much to pass you by. Others have been doing it, and you're no way better than them. Opportunity comes, but once, remember?” Another voice in him whispered again. Giving thoughts on the two contradicting voices, he decided to act according to the second voice. “Okay. Consider it done!” He declared after taking a deep breath. “Oh, I knew you would not let me down. Thank you,” Mrs. Helen Marcos said excitedly while she stretched her hands for a handshake with him. “Don't flatter yourself too much, Mrs. Helen. I just hope you don't mention even the first alphabet of my name when this action comes hunting you back." He remarked coldly, ignoring her hand, which was waiting to be locked into his. Mrs. Helen looked around the four corners of the office as someone who was looking for a write-up on the wall. “I don't think I can see anyone here with us, inspector. So if this should be known to a third party, then I'll probably say you're the cause, because you know I can never use my mouth to land myself into trouble!” She said, “So when do you want us to start? And while doing that, let me receive the alert before you leave.” He said it with all seriousness. “Next tomorrow. Her father's demise would be a year by then,” she suggested. In less than five minutes, inspector Peterson successfully received the alert, and he assured her of his capability to get things done the way she wanted before she took her leave. “Welcome ma'am. You actually came at the right time!” Ciara said excitedly as her mother-in-law stepped in and met them having dinner. Mrs. Helen reciprocated the greetings with a bitter look, one that was evident of disdain. But Ciara was defiant of her looks. It's not a new thing to her, actually. Her mother-in-law has always disliked her since the day she stepped her legs into that house. Yet, with much love and support from her husband, she was hopeful that one day things would change and her mother-in-law would get to accept and love her like a daughter-in-law. “Adrian and I were discussing my dad's memorial, which is tomorrow. We're planning to leave the home and visit the tomb by 10:00 am. Would that be okay by you, ma'am?” Ciara asked softly. “Mtcheew.” Mrs. Helen hissed. “I thought that by now, you should have learned to have some table manners, but no! You still can't keep your mouth shut while eating.” "Well; I don't blame you. That's typical of someone who was born by an ingrate father,” Mrs. Helen remarked. “Mum! That is too harsh! You would have just gone to your room if you didn't want to answer her!” Adrian cautioned his mother while he stretched his hands to hold Ciara's as he saw her countenance while his mother was spilling those harsh words on her. “You don't tell me what to say and what not to say, Adrian. I'm your mother! And I know much more than you do.” “And you, Ciara, do you really want to go and see your father's grave? Ain't you afraid of the Spirit's rage and vengeance?" She said slowly and dashed into her room. What the hell is this woman talking about? Ciara lowered her head; tears were beginning to gather around her eyes. But when she remembered something, she instantly forced those tears back. “You don't have to be crying for her always, Ciara. Besides, you're married to her son, not her. To hell with whatever she thinks of you!” She scolded herself, and a faint smile lit up her face as she raised it up. “Ciara, I'm sorry for what my mom just did now,” Adrian apologized softly. “Never mind. I'm not bothered at all. Because with or without your mother's approval and presence, I'm paying a visit to my father's grave. You can join her and stay back if you want,” she shrugged and declared with all seriousness. “I've lost my appetite!” Ciara dropped her spoon abruptly and left the table.