CHAPTER 21 : MISSING

[ At the meeting ] [ James's p.o.v ]

" HIM ? " I asked as I stared at the picture that was projected on the screen .

" I kind of expected this , but isn't he getting too involved in our case ? " Asked Johnathan as he rubbed the stubble on his chin .

" I know , but he knows a lot of things and a plus point , he knows the building like it's written in the back of his hand . "

" The one the party is about to be held ? " Asked Syl , confirming her doubt as Anika nodded at her .

Rick had become a good friend of Anika's even though they only knew each other for a very short time. . He was always there to help even when he didn't need to and he was very intersted in the case and of course no criminal record , is a certified human as well . He was short and he was a perfect addition to the group .

Fixing my glasses , I slowly moved my hand trying to avoid inflicting pain on myself .

" So I want someone to contact Rick , better if you meet up with him personally and talk about this . I have already recieved a sanction to add him , if he is willing . " Anika spoke again as she took a seat .

" Wait , you got her to sanction a permission , again ? " Johnathan asked as he eyed me .

I stared back at him , not loosing towards a slenderman doppleganger like him.

" I didn't really expect it too . " Came out Syl high pitched voice . Now that took me by surprise .

" You too ? " I blurted out , moving my gaze to the Syl who sat there , smiling straight at me .

' Did she just call me idiotic indirectly and start smiling ? '

" I don't think she is indirectly calling you idiotic , James . " Anika's voice sliced the air , as I turned toward her before squinting my eyes one last time at Syl .

" What ? "

" I said , I don't think she thinks that you are idiotic. "

' What the fvck ? How did she know what I thought ? So it was true , afterall Anika indeed was a witch .

" You are one creepy colleague . " I spoke out loud .

" You know I can't read minds right ? You just said the sentence out loud and I just stated what I felt like . " Anika continued , confusing me .

" Yeah bro , you just started talking to yourself . " Johnathan came up now backing up Anika's words.

' I can smell something fishy. ' I thought as I stared at Anika .

' Wait that's weird , I can smell something burning and that definitely was not fish . '

Coming back to my senses , I jumped from my seat , wiping the drool off my face as I darted outside my room .

Smoke . Smoke had filled the building .

Immediately coughing , I crouched down onto the floor , trying to stay as low as possible .

Crawling towards where I could see the most amount of light , I saw Syl staring at the building horrified and terrified .

Shit .

" James . " She cried out as she saw me , immediately helping me .

" Hey . What happened here ? " I asked as I stood outside panic surging as I thought about the people who could be in potential danger.

" Someone started a fire . Don't worry everyone's safe , miraculously , but we may have lost a few files . " She explained .

" What do you mean someone started ? " I questioned .

How did she know someone started a fire ?

" Its quite common sense , a fire doesn't just start in the file room , but again thankfully only a few files are destroyed.

Syl was calm , eerily calm .

~

A fire . Someone started a fire and lucky them had escaped .

They tried everything they could , nope , nothing they could find were enough to specify on one or more specific names .

It has been three days since the fire and Anika knew it was not an accident , everyone knew .

And now they also know that they have a mole inside the headquarters and ofcourse to add more weight to her shoulders , it is related to her case.

Because someone found it was the best time to steal the files about her case while she was not in her room .

A perfect distraction . A fire just enough to keep everyone busy and on their heels and now everyone was busy assuming the fire starter and here she was stupid , not having anyone to assume .

And any name she even had her mind dive through immediately found other points that kept her away.

Taking out her phone from her pocket , she looked at the last call .

" Ava . " She whispered to herself .

She needed to know what Ava knew .