VICTORIA

Two

Niall hands over some papers to me and a very old newspaper as soon as we step into my cozy apartment together. I take off my heels and rub my now cramped feet, so much for pleasing everyone…

“Why don’t you agree with the fact that your mom is dead?” He asks as I pack my hair into a makeshift ponytail.

“It is one of the rules that once a person has disappeared for more than ten years, the person should be recorded as dead. It has been more than twelve years since she disappeared, but that doesn’t mean she is dead. My mom loved me so much, even though she had graduated her marriage with my dad and she had just me… she did what both a mother and a father will do.” I reply as I sit.

“If she loves you as much as you claim she does, then why hasn’t she returned?” He asks and I sigh.

“You are the only one I ever told about me trying to find my mom… are you tired of helping me?” I ask and he shakes his head.

“No.” He replies as he takes out his phone.

“What if someone is keeping her, maybe the person that abducted her threatened her.” I say.

He gives the phone to me with a displayed goggle search showing the scandals from twelve years ago and I drop the phone on the center table and run to my room. I pull open my bed side drawer and take my mom’s file. Walking towards the parlor with the file in my hand, I take out the papers in it and put it next to his phone and the papers he came in with.

“You were sixteen as at the time it happened, did you know if your mom was involved in a fight?” He asks and I try to remember.

“No, but she had enemies. My half-brother’s mom was one of her enemies, but my mom never mentioned a fight between them.” I reply and he sighs.

“Where was the last place you saw your mom?” He asks.

“I left her at the apartment my dad gave my mom after they graduated their marriage. I had to submit a project in school then, she was so healthy. She even sang my favorite song with me before I stepped out that day.” I reply as I remember my mom’s smile from twelve years ago.

“Does she sing your favorite song to you every time you were to leave her for school?” He asks.

“No… I thought she sang with me that day because she was too happy. She literally smiled all through that day, she told me the code to her safe… oh no…” I trail off.

“Did you ever check the safe?” He asks.

“I didn’t concentrate on that, all I tried doing then was finding her…” I answer.

“Go through the papers, read through the newspaper and I hope you try to check that safe if you still remember the code. I need to go back home to my wife.” He says and I give him a nod.

“Thank you.” I say and stand up.

“Also, try to find out if your mom suffered from depression. You are smart with a very good memory and I believe in you.” He says and I nod.

“Thank you, I will.” I reply.

“Check with her friends.” He suggests.

“All of them avoided me after her disappearance.” I reply.

“It has been long, maybe one or two of them might talk with you.” He says and I nod.

“Thank you, Niall.” I reply and he nods.

I follow him towards the door and he pats my shoulder before walking out. Shutting the door, I walk back to my seat as I pull down my zip. I sit and take the papers. With the newspapers in my hand, I stand up to get a glass of water when my phone rings.

I walk over to it and tap on the answer icon.

“Nana?” I say and she sighs.

“I think you would have to go back to the crime scene, someone else was murdered in there thirty minutes ago.” She says and I strip of out of the red bandage dress.

“No one is allowed to live at the crime scene.” I reply as I take the phone and walk into my room.

“I think someone still lived there after all.” She replies as I tug on a denim trouser.

“Aren’t you coming too?” I ask as I fiddle with the buttons of my shirt.

“I have another case to work on. The chief won’t let it slide if I can’t report tomorrow.” She says and I sigh.

“I will go.” I say as I pack all the papers and place the TV’s remote on it before stepping out.

I step into the elevator and rest against its wall as I try to remember the code to my mom’s safe from twelve years ago…

“Aren’t you getting off?” A man I didn’t notice was in the elevator with me says and I force a smile to my lips.

“Thank you.” I say and run out.

Opening the door of my car, I drop my phone on the console and bend to tie my shoe lace before hearing a woman shout.

“He took my bag.” She shouts and I raise my head to see her pointing at a running man.

“Damn my goodness.” I say and get into my car.

Starting the ignition, I step on the accelerator pedal as I call the district police.

“There’s a bag thief, could be more. He is heading south.  Over.” I say.

“Copied, over.” He replies and I continue to drive.

After a forty minutes drive, I finally arrive at the crime scene. I get off my car and take my ID from the console.

“Detective Victoria.” I say and they let me in.

The new victim is wheeled out as I step in and I turn on my phone’s flashlight to look at the place.

“ What’s the case?” I ask the police official present and he gives me a written statement.

They all leave and I remain in trying to find a clue. I read through the paper handed over to me and it’s recorded on it that there’s no weapon involved. Walking into the kitchen, I cover my nose as a disgusting smell hits my nose. Moving my hands to open the cupboard where the stinking smell came from, I hear footsteps and withdraw immediately as I take out my g*n.

I point my g*n in defense as I step out of the kitchen and the lady who I collided with when I was leaving the station raises her hand.

“I am the prosecutor in charge and I am sorry about earlier.” She says and I put down my g*n.

“It’s fine.” I reply as I keep my g*n.

“Do you mind?” She asks.

“If you can look at the scene too?” I ask.

“Yeah.” She replies.

“Sure, I was about to leave anyway.” I say and she nods.

“Wait! The fact that you are the suspect’s attorney and I am the prosecutor doesn’t make us enemies, I am Cara.” She says and I smile.

“Cara? This is a case the city seems to be interested in, you know if you lose this case it will cause a dent on your career and it is same for me.” I reply.

“Do you want to make it a competition?” She asks.

“No, but I am on the supporting side and you are against. It’s best if we don’t become friends.” I say and she smiles.

“I need someone to talk to, but its fine. If you win this case, let’s grab a cup of coffee at the airport.” She says and I nod.

“If you win?” I ask.

“I wouldn’t bother trying to make peace.” She replies.

“See you at the trial tomorrow.” I say and walk out with the paper in my hand.