POV (3)

Barb: " I'm curious to see her home setting. I think a visit is required."

Chris: "Let's go."

At Dria's house

Knock, knock, knock, knock. "Chris, you're sure we at the right place?" Barb asked.

"I know right! But this was the address given..." replied Chris as the door opened to a stoic looking butler asking how he can assist us.

We showed our badges and ask to speak with the head of the household.

" I'm afraid Madam is busy at the moment entertaining guests" the butler stated.

"Well, I'm sure she would like to know how her granddaughter is doing"

"Her daughter? Young Miss is also entertaining guest with Madam!"

Barb and Chris shared a look of confusion as Dria has not yet been released.

"Her granddaughter?" asked Barb.

"Dria is in the hospital right now. We were under the impression that the only grandchildren were the twins, is that not so?" inquired Chris.

"James? Grandmother is inquiring the reason for the delay?" a voice asked.

All heads turned to the voice and two faces showed great confusion as the person they saw was no other than the victim of the case they are working.

"James?"

"Young Miss, this two officers came to speak with Madam about you saying that you're in the hospital!"

"Well officers as you you can see I am doing fine."

Barb steeped to the side to make a phone call and the news she got was so shocking that she lost her speech.

"Chris, we gotta go. Thank you for your time, here's my card. Should you remember anything, you can give me a call." Barb said in a rush as to get a move on.

After the officers left the mood in the household changed. "James, grandmother shouldn't know about the visit as I fear she might not be able to take it. Also throw away this card. After your finished remember grandmother is waiting on you."

"Yes, young Miss." he replied.

The only officers left the house with more confusion that they went in with. The call made by Barb was to confirm is Dria was still at the hospital, could there be a third child that is not known which is not entirely impossible as the family is one that keeps to themselves and not even a whisper may pas through.

But the news was debilitating to hear that she is not there as she was checked out by her brother. Based on her state of mind at the time she would not have recovered as yet, leading to conclusion that there is a third child. But why hide? Does it has something to do with the fact that her face is the same as Dria.

Tried as we might there wasn't any information forthcoming about the case as such the Mayor's son, Demetrius, was released.

Three weeks after the twins came to update themselves about the case. The sadness on their face told everyone that they really cared for her. But there was nothing that can be done. The Mayor squeezed my boss hard for the case to be dismissed, it was like the file never existed.

Barb was transferred to another department and I was given a new partner. But it was known that the partner was there to watch me as I know that they knew that I continued my investigation.

There is no plausible explanation other than there being a third child that could account for a girl that looks exactly like her, answers to her name walking around fine and dandy opposed to the person I saw in the hospital. A girl who was terrified and looked like she had lost everything when she heard about the betrayal of her friends. To know that she was just a means to an end. What magic pill could cause something to be alright so quickly after being assaulted.

I couldn't comprehend, so I decided to get the viewpoint of those not yet questioned.

I'm driving and my new partner is beside me questioning where we're going. I haven't warmed up to him as yet as we both know he is only here to keep an eye on me. I'm like people always be saying that cops cover for cops, but they don't know that ain't true. Cops cover for cops when it's beneficial to them. A girl was brought to a party by her friends, or those she thought were friends, knowing her personality and how vulnerable she was forced her to drink, set her up with a boy that meant her no good and left her alone. If that is a crime on all sides I don't know what is. Our mandate as officers is to protect, well I and my conscience is asking "where is her protection? where is her justice?".

As officers how can the life of one be nothing in the sight of money and benefits.

"Hey Chris!" I heard my partner ask.

"What's up?

"Where are we going?"

"I have a question that wasn't answered and I'm curious."

As I said this I saw the person I wanted to answer my question. Maybe when my partner hears the answer hell change his views. Now don't get me wrong I don't know which side he's on whether justice or benefit. But if no opportunity presents itself how am I supposed to know.

We had rushed to the hospital to get an interview with her brother hoping to stimulate some emotions for his sister. But was disappointed to know he left with her like nothing happened. No one knew where, when, how and why they left but they just disappeared and can't be found.

The Mayor's son was quite adamant that he thought she was forced Kay with being with him and it was just a game she was playing that she didn't tell the twins about. Her brother had even given him the okay to date her as it was to her benefit to finally be someone and she will be doing something for the family.

But no one can say with a definite that this is so, as the party was held on the last day of school, a lot of the students were sent overseas for the summer break. That also includes Alexandria's look-a-like and Alexander.

I wonder what crime I had committed in my previous lifetime to be apart of an organization that is concerned with promotion and what they can get instead of how they can give. It coming to the end summer break and rather than solving the case, I am being kicked off the force for "not solving the crimes happening but focusing on the one that was already solved because, I am not satisfied with how things play out". Yes after 35 years in the force where I swore am oath to uphold and maintain law and order, to protect from domestic and foreign threats. I am being pushed out due to the pressure of a domestic threat. Am I angry? Yes. Am I disheartened? Yes. The one person I thought I could count on my chief; my brother by blood; but he said that he is protecting me. How can you protect me when you are sending me out of what I've known and love for so long and leaving me defenceless.

Flashback

Chris: "Chief. This case is being taken apart and put together so smooth to ensure that the Mayor's son is in the right and the reputation of the victim destroyed!"

Chief: "Victim? What victim? You saw her and she's okay, right?

Chris: " Yes, but..."

Chief: " And the statement given point to the fact that Demetrius was given permission to date her, everything that happened was just a misunderstanding. So what is holding you to the case to think otherwise?"

Chris: " The person I saw liked perfect, with the bruises she had and her constitution, she would not be able to stand and talk with us for so long. Therefore it must not be her. The statements showed that at least two of her friends had it out for her and deliberately planned the evening and the actions that took place. They deliberately gave her alcohol knowing she can't drink and left her with someone she would and have never spoken to due to the fact that he was was her brother's friend and she and her brother did not get along. The house was packed but there was ko other statements, were they the only persons at the party. At the same time the victim was in the hospital Barb and I were interviewing her, does this makes sense? Barb got transferred as we were getting close. Alexandria wasn't ready to be discharged and she and her brother disappeared, Demetrius disappeared and there is a bottleneck on the case. Open your eyes! Something is wrong!"

Chief: " Enough! The order has been given. You are dismissed immediately. Hand in your badge and your gun! (sighs) What am I supposed to tell your sister, she had asked me to look after you?"

Chris: [Looking at his badge with pain in his eyes] "Tell her I regret nothing except having a chief that is not willing to fight for what is right."