Faint dusting of red

Garfield blinked twice before comprehending the question, "Ah! Jenna, where is Alex and Blackjack?"

"Blackjack is sleeping in the storeroom, Alex left to visit his sick sister."

"True, I forgot his sister is still at the hospital, Captain, why are you asking about them?"

Arlen furrowed brows, relaxed a lot and he shook his head, "Nothing. Lead the way."

Ravi looked at the Captain, did he suspect that the scam might have been done by a member of this gambling center? It would make sense, after all, the only ones that know that Mrs Karen won ten thousand dollars were in this place.

Mr Garfield needed the reputation of a house that pays out cleanly to run this business well. He would not do something so stupid. He looked at the woman with piercings and the man with tattoos, it could be either of them.

Or maybe this Alex or Blackjack. Who stole the money?

"Officer West." Arlen's voice came and he looked up to see that Garfield and his Captain had walked a few steps forward. He coughed and naturally sped up to match their pace.

The gambling house was not large but there was surveillance footage covering everywhere leaving no blind spots. One of the monitors showed a room where a tall and huge man, Blackjack was sleeping, his body sprayed across a sofa.

"Pull all the surveillance footage from the day Mrs Karen won and the day after and copy it to a USB."

Garfield swallowed, his eyes reluctant for a second but he nodded at Jenna and she began to work. Ten minutes later, Ravi was holding a black USB and Arlen opened the silver handcuffs from Mr Garfield.

"Do not travel outside town until the investigation is complete.' He then turned to them and said again, "All of you should stay put in Davenport until we are done with the investigation." He then turned and left with Ravi.

Ravi looked back at the laundry room with the crisp, clean curtain and then at the Captain.

"You are wondering why I am not arresting him for illegal gambling?"

Ravi shook his head and opened the door. This time, Arlen sat in the passenger seat in the front, he smiled at Ravi, "If you want to know then you have to ask."

He waited for a minute but Ravi did not ask, Arlen looked a little betrayed when he looked at him, "Don't you want to know."

"If Captain wants to tell me, then do. I would not have to ask."

"You.." Before he could complain about his statement, a loud rumble sounded in the car and everyone looked at where it was coming from, Arlen's stomach. The Captain's cheeks had a faint dusting of red.

Ravi had forgotten that Arle had not returned home since yesterday. He worked overtime and had not had breakfast or maybe even dinner. He was still wearing the same police uniform, did he even shower?

"I showered, the bureau has a bathroom upstairs."

Ravi's lips twitched, "I did not say anything."

"You were thinking it."

"I was not."

"You were. It was written clearly all over your face, you even twitched your nose."

Ravi blinked, and twitched his nose. Was he a rabbit? His fists clenched tighter around the steering wheel. Was this man making fun of his nose?

He eyed a poll not far from him and his eyes focused on it, his feet ghosting above the accelerator when a rumble sounded in the car.

He turned to look at the Captain whose pink's cheeks had turned even redder. The faint red dusting contrasted greatly against pale skin.

Arlen coughed, "Please stop at that Eatery." He was holding his stomach, the previous argument all but forgotten, "I think I am going to die if I do not eat now."

"You should not worry so much, Captain. Humans can survive without food for three weeks."

A clear expression of disbelief appeared on Arlen's face and his body swayed from left to right, "I already feel so dizzy. Officer West, if I die in your car, it is going to be difficult for you."

There was a light smile on his face and his eyes twinkled mischievously.

Just a few hours ago he was frowning at him, now he was treating him the same way he treated Lisa or Draco, but somehow Ravi could not stop his lips from pulling up as he drove past the pool.

"I am a police officer, I know how to bury a body." The joke slipped out before he could take it back and Ravi tensed as he searched for words to explain.

"Hahaha!" Arlen bent his head down, his body quaking as he laughed loudly, "Good one."

Even his laughter sounded good to the ear, if he was tired of being a police officer, he would probably make it as a voice actor, or, Ravi's eyes would go to those strikingly handsome features, an idol.

"Hey!"

Arlen complained when they drove past the eatery but he did not speak again as Ravi soon stopped him in front of a small building.

It was working hours so the shop did not have many customers. A few ladies were hanging around the counter while chatting happily. The moment they saw the two of them, they quieted down before the chatter increased in higher frequency.

Ravi reached for his face, feeling the scruffy beard on his chin before he turned to look at Arlen, who stood tall behind him.

A young woman walked up to him with a red face after they sat down, "May I take your order?"

Arlen looked through the menu, "Officer West, have you eaten here before, order for the both of you?"

Ravi paused, "You want me to order for the two of us? We have different preferences." He liked spicy food and sweet foods. The last time he ordered noodles for Lisa, she had given him such a murderous look that he did not eat or drink anything she gave him for two weeks.

Arlen smiled as he leaned his face on his right hand with a smile, "You do not have to worry about that. I am not picky. I will eat anything you choose for me."