7 Colleagues and Disappointment

"What was that about?" Abel asked once they were outside of Clarke's office and the door was shut again.

"We want to do this smoothly, right? Then We need to not create a huge fuss about disrupting their schedules. Especially since we aren't even sure yet if our suspect is among them." Ray replied though it seemed to do little to ease his partner's irritation.

"You're not wrong, but if something like that comes up again motion me so we can discuss it and I will handle it since I have more experience in these matters." He told the younger detective as he walked ahead of him towards where the elevator was located so that they could go to the floor where Victoria's office was located.

Ray was a little surprised in how quickly his partner had gotten over something so small. He was unaware that there was some type of rules thing supposed to be going on between them that he hadn't been made aware of.

As he got into the elevator, he decided to hold his tongue though because he didn't think saying anything about it or asking right now would be very productive, especially since all that Abel seemed interested in was getting the case solved in as timely a manner as possible.

It didn't take long of the elevator to ding and open to the forth floor. Ray let Abel step out first and followed behind him. They were both taken off guard when they rounded the corner and saw that the door to Victoria's office which no one else was supposed to have a key to was cracked as though someone was inside.

Exchanging a glance, they both approached the door with caution not knowing who to expect inside. As they got closer, they could that there was definitely someone inside by the rustling noise and what sounded like someone was muttering. Abel motioned to Ray and the other took one step forward to carefully open the door to see who was inside without making too much noise.

"I'm sorry boss! I swear she gave me the key to come in here and get something for her!" The man had become frozen stiff as he stopped what he was doing and half shouted out the quick apology when he heard the door creak open.

When there was no reply, the man willed himself to turn around and see who was in the room with him. When he realized that it wasn't his boss but two strangers he didn't recognize, he relaxed slightly.

"Your boss?" Ray asked uncertain of what to make of the man's reaction. He to be about his age with messy dirty blonde hair and scruffy stubble covering his face as though he hadn't shaved in a few days. He was dressed in a dark blue hoody and black sweatpants which didn't make him look all that innocent.

"I apologize, I thought it was my boss here. He's yelled at me before when he thought I was entering people's offices without permission to take things." The man replied a little sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"What are you doing here then?" Abel asked as he stepped into the office so that he could get a better look at it. The office wasn't in a terrible state, but it did seem a bit messy when compared to Victoria's house.

The office was lightly furnished with a desk, work chair, and computer along with a guest chair positioned next to an end table. Two black filing cabinets rested on the back corner of the southern wall of the office next to a book case that was filled with books among other things.

"I'm Victoria's personal assistant, Ace. She had given me her key last night to her office and asked if I could come in this morning and pick up a few things that she had forgotten when she left last night and bring them to her house this morning since she was going to be working from home." Ace explained as he went back to rooting around on the desk.

"I don't think that will be necessary anymore. Do you know where he house is located though?" Abel asked, stopping the man in the middle of what he was doing.

"No, but not necessary anymore?" He asked confused as he turned back to look at the two men.

"Victoria Ingles was murdered some time in the early hours of this morning and we're trying to determine who the suspect might be." Ray explained. Upon hearing this news, all of the color drained from Ace's face and his knees buckled like he had just gotten the worst news of his life.

"Th-that's not possible.. who would want to do something like that?" his voice was weak as he spoke making it evident by his behavior that he was suffering from some form of shock over the news.

"We don't know, but we are trying to figure it out. Anything you know could help us reach that point and it would be greatly appreciated." Abel explained as Ace leaned himself against the desk to help steady himself.

"Your both officers then I take it?" Ace asked after being quiet for a moment so that he could compose himself.

"Detectives actually, but similar rank. I'm Monroe and this is Gray." Ray replied as he motioned between himself and his partner.

"Now do you mind asking a few questions such as your relation beyond a personal assistant to the victim, if you've noticed anything strange or unusual about her in the last few days or if anyone had been upset with her be it colleague or client?" The first question seemed to catch Ace's attention as he turned his head to look at Abel fully.

"My relationship with Victoria outside of being her personal assistant?"

"Yes, your response to hearing that she was murdered indicates to me that you two had more than just a work related relationship." Ace made a uncertain noise as Abel elaborated.

"Yeah, you could say that. But you'd be wrong if you think we might've been dating or anything like that." Ace clarified as he gathered his thoughts while still trying to process the information that he was just given.

"You'll find this out anyways if you look me up, but I've struggled off and on as a petty criminal due to money and family issues. Nothing serious just stuff that gets you a bit of time and stuck on parole. This last time when I got out and was struggling to figure out what to do, I met Victoria by chance and she helped me to get this job so that I could work towards getting myself in a better place." He explained, letting out a shaky sigh when he finished speaking.

"I honestly don't know where her house is because she's never invited me over. I suppose maybe she was worried I might try to steal something even though I've been trying to stay clean and straight since I have this job. As for work troubles, everyone here has their fair share of difficult clients, nothing out of the ordinary though I have only been here for two weeks myself. You might want to ask Marty though, he worked more closely with Victoria and might be able to give you a better idea of what's going on. Do you have any other questions, or do you mind if I leave now?" Ace asked after he had finished speaking. Abel nodded his head.

"You can for now, if there is anything else- I will follow up with you later." The man thanked them before he left the office with Abel watching as he did so.

"What a disappointment that he wasn't more honest with us." He mused as he turned his attention catching Ray off guard with his comment.

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