Alter Ego

Fragment 2

What happened yesterday made me quite confused. Did someone entered my home while I was in my room? But Henry would have been barking at that time, if someone really did. Now to think of it, the house does have a lot of strange things going on for the past few days. I felt someone's watching me.

"Detective Foster, are you alright?" Detective Reyes asked. I immediately faced him.

"Oh yes, I'm okay." I answered as I sat down on my chair and start doing some paperwork. He take his chair and sat beside me.

"Well, you seem very strange today. By the way, what happened to your hand?" He asked as he pointed my right hand. I stared at my hand for a while and looked at him.

"A piece of broken glass cut my palm. But it's fine." I answered while slowly moving my hand.

"That must be still painful. Well anyways, have you heard the current hot case around this city?" Detective said and picked up his cup of coffee.
"What case?" I curiously asked.

"That's new! You never heard it. It's a case from New Marys. A unnamed men gave some important evidences on the police headquarters almost a month now. Does evidence are related to the anonymous killer that has not been caught up until now. " He exclaimed and grab the newspaper right in his desk.

"They re-opened the case again. Now, a few days later, one of the man came to report that his sister went missing. The officers added the new case as an extended part of the investigation. I think our station will help in this case." He said and handed me the newspaper which I accepted.

I read the newspaper. They publically announced the case. Well, for awareness.

"I already knew it." I claimed as I handed back the newspaper to him. He looked at me in confuse.

I just took out the envelope and simply wave it.

"They sent you letter, already? Okay. As I expected from one of the best detective in our station." He said and took a sip on his coffee.

"Detective Foster."

I turned my head where the voice came from and saw Head Chief Morales walking towards our direction.

I faced him completely the salute him and Detective Reyes immediately stood up and did the same.

As head chief approached, he also saluted then put his hand down. So did we.

"Good morning. Detective Reyes, could you please wait Chief Molina and Inspector Ramos outside? Also escort them on the way inside and head in my office." The Head Chief ordered to Detective Reyes.

"Absolutely, Sir. Then, I'll be heading out." He answered and started walking away.

"As for you Detective Foster, please come with me in my office." He ordered and walk towards his office which I followed him from behind.

"I believe you already receive the letter from Mister Atkinson. He specially requested that he will hire you to help investigate his case. What are your thoughts?" Head Chief asked as we enter his office.

He proceeded to sit in the barrel chair in the middle and I sat in the settee.

"I might decline it, Sir." I answered. Head Chief looked a bit surprised about my response. He immediately lean forward.

"This is a rare occasion that you would decline a case, Detective Foster. Do you know what this case is at stake? It's not just the client and his sister, but citizen's safety as well." Head Chief claimed and sat on his chair properly.

"I do know that, Sir. But I do have things I'm currently looking at. I think someone is accessing my house without my consent." I explained.

"Someone's coming in and out of your house? That person has nerve to barge in a detective's house. Well then, I will assign someone to take care of this joined case to someone on your behalf. Just make sure you send a response to Mister Atkinson and explain to him that you will not able to take his case." Head Chief said.

I stood up and fix my suit then faced Head Chief .

"I am heading out, Sir." I said as I salute to him. He immediately stood up and salute as well.

"But if you change your mind, the case is still open for you to take. Well then take care, Detective Foster." The Head Chief said and put down his hand so did I.

As I exited the office, I came across with Detective Reyes along with Chief Molina and Inspector Ramos.

"Good day, Detective Foster. You're heading out already?" Chief Molina asked.

"Yes, Sir. I do have a lot of things to do." I answered. Inspector Ramos came to me and put his arms around my shoulder.

"Look like our genius detective is handling a lot of cases lately. Well then do your best, Detective Foster. Just don't overwork yourself." He claimed and then remove his hands in my shoulder.

We bid each other goodbye and proceed on where we are all heading. I immediately sat on my chair and did my response to Mister Atkinson.

Dear Mr. Atkinson,

    I just receive your letter yesterday, June 6. Thank you for the encouragement. Knowing that someone admired my work as a detective motivates me to do my best in doing my job and provide peace in our city.

    This letter will be just short. To be frank, thing letter is not the response that you expected to receive from me. About the commission that you're offering me, I am humbly declining your case. It is not because of I don't want to take your case but, I have an urgent matter to take care of. I'm so sorry about your situation right now. About the paycheck that you gave me, I'll be sending it back with this letter, I won't be taking your case so I don't think I deserve to have it even if it is from you admiring my work.

    In behalf of me, the case will be handled by one of our top detective in our station. So rest a sure, Mister Atkinson. Even without my help, I am sure that the case can be solved and your sister will be save.

    I am flattered that you reach out to me to help you solve the case. That makes me feel that I can be a huge help. Again, I'm sorry for declining your case. I just don't think that I can focus and give my all in solving the case because of distraction. I hope you understand.

Appreciatively,
Liraz Foster

I just have to send this to the mail office on my way back home.

I lean on the back of my chair and looked up the ceiling. I really feel bad about declining this case but I have to. I need to know who came in and out of my property without my consent.