16 CHAPTER 14

JAYDEN'S POV:

We spent hours there in the control room, our eyes fixated on the screen. And finally, the truth hit us.

The girl with the blue clothing never entered the restroom with the same dress. We spotted her only when she exited the restroom; although her face wasn't much visible. Besides, there were footages of her getting into the elevator from the top floor to the ground, when she could've easily gone through the elevator that's on the same floor. Her movements from going-to-descend down the stairs to the sudden change into ascending to the top, when she spotted the cops, until the point where she fled were conspicuous enough for us to not notice. Therefore, Bianca was not abducted, but walked out on her own- with the help of an unknown woman - who is not unknown anymore. Our people are half done tracking her. From the cab she hopped in, the way she passed through and to the final destination, everything will be under the lights in no time. Thus, leaving a few members with Robert in the traffic surveillance department, we headed out to the station.

Tensed aura ruled our faces through the strange revelations along with the qualms it caused like, why would she get out on her own? If she goes out like this without protection, wouldn't it be too easy for the offender to get his work done? This is not something she's unaware. Then what's the reason she risks her own life, and what exactly is it that she considers more important than her own safety? Where in the world did she go? Somewhere that she didn't want the police to know;

My thoughts were interrupted by a phone call. "Jayden, I heard what happened. Is everything okay? How are things?"

"Dr Smith. What can I say? Things are not too favourable." I answered him.

"She didn't seem like she was in a state to walk out on her own. I'm sorry, I should've known." He apologized.

"No, it's not your fault," I continued, "But what do you mean she wasn't in that state?"

"When I went in to examine her, I tried talking to her, but in vain. She would'nt even look at any of us. She was glum and frail all along; more like traumatized." He elucidated and continued, "But hey, I did find something strange."

"What is it?"

"From the reports and from what I'd analysed, it doesn't seem like she's that young as she claims to be." He stated.

"Are you sure doctor? She's still in school."

"Don't take it too seriously. That's just my analysis. It can be a no too. You know me. I just wanted to make it clear, just in case." He said. This isn't the first time he's assuming something like this. He likes to get in depth with his work and is obsessed with human sciences, having acquired several ranks and degrees based on those. Sometimes his theory makes people think he's completely lost it; but the thing about Dr Smith is that he reveals anything and everything he finds to our department, despite the subject being accurate or otherwise. We're used to him, to be honest.

We reached the station, still scratching on the probabilities. As we entered the station, we heard someone say, "Now what? They look like they're going to explode." James commented pointing to our direction, "This was how we felt the other day when we couldn't find anything too." He had this look on his face that screamed 'I told you so! I knew I would win!'

I didn't bother to answer him, nor giving my comeback to him. But the person next to me couldn't let it go that easily, so he took out his phone from his pocket and dialed someone, "Colonel, it's Cole. We've found a lead." Cole stated. After a response from the other end of the line, Cole elucidated every single thing that happened sternly, his eyes never leaving James'. And after filling him with the information on the case, he decided adding toppings on it, "Altogether, the team that was sent with a team leader yesterday was a total waste. He couldn't even near a piece of fact. So incapable! I hate to even think about what would have happened if we believed that guy's absurd assumption! Anyways I'll call you if we find more." He hung up with a dramatic sigh along with a slight smirk on the corner of his lips.

We could sense James' clenched face filled with a variety of expressions, except for happy ones; without even looking at him.

Now if there's anything that needs to be done, it's interrogating Santiago. "Tommy, can you bring Santiago in to the interrogation room?"

"He's already in there, Mr Maddox. Ms Bretten asked for him." He replied.

"Turns out the only people with brains here are in our team. Don't you think so, Jay?" Cole commented as he walked past by James' desk. I followed him with a tee-hee.

At the interrogation room~

ZIENNA'S POV:

Santiago walked in as if nothing happened. He did not even seemed to show a sense of remorse or guilt. I gestured him to the seat and he sat down. Deja vu, man. The past two days had been the same; this guy confidently entering the interrogation room, taking a seat, staring at the cop in front of him with no emotion and denying every single allegation placed against him. He doesn't completely deny it, but instead says he doesn't know a thing, which is more frustrating.

I couldn't talk this with Jayden or Cole because of their hectic schedules in detecting a lead for the case. I have been busy with a different case myself, so I couldn't interrogate him personally; instead just watched the interrogation through the screen behind the glass wall. I've got to try it today. I heard Jayden and Cole will be signing in today, so things would be as easy as pie with more information since I'm not all-inclusive with the case.

Let's put an end to this today.

Santiago took a seat in front of me as gestured.

***