FrAcTuReD (Part One) (Completed continued in Part Two)

Chapter. 13

But Charla's words weren't accusing or blaming what so ever. It was just a knowing look, as if she knew full well as to the reasons for his actions. Even if it was ones she did not agree with the girl understood.

Some people would get angry and yell, but Isaac couldn't. He couldn't get angry at the girl for stating a fact that he himself was ignoring for a good while now. Or more like he acted like it wasn't there, and over time people just seemed to forget that it ever happened. Nina had become much more independent and Isaac just continued on with his work.

With a deep sigh Isaac exited his car and stood in the parking lot of the police station. Though now as he stood in the parking lot it felt all the more obvious that he used work to run from his own personal feelings. I really do use work as an excuse don't I? He thought to himself and sighed. If Johan were here I'm sure he'd chew me out over it... still, since I'm already here I might as well speak to Claude.

Though to Isaac's surprise it didn't take him long to find his partner, the odd man was outside taking a coffee brake near the front entrance.

"Hey," Isaac said as he walked over to the man. "I thought you'd be inside."

"It's too stuffy in there," he said as he took a sip. "But what are you doing here? I thought today was your day off."

"It is, just grabbing some food for the family tonight, thought I'd swing by and say hi, see how the case was going."

"You didn't need to make an excuse to find that out." Claude told him bluntly. "You could have just called, but my answer still would have been the same. Nothing different yet with these cases, the perpetrator behind the recent attacks on the illegal fighting, what's more though a few of the ones running the illegal fights seem adamant in leaving the town for good and some have. The remaining few are being brash saying they'll take on this new fighter, but that isn't anything new." He paused in looking at his notes to glance at Isaac. "But I am looking at someone of interest on this case."

"Is that so?"

He nodded. "Nothing concrete yet, by the way how's living with your Niece? Your daughter really seems to like her."

"You think so?"

"You aren't aware of it?" Claude asked with slight surprise but then his surprised expression became blank. "Well, you do tend to prioritize work so that's to be expected if you haven't noticed anything."

"It's not like I do that on purpose." He told the man sternly.

Claude noted his expression. "Something happen?"

"Charla commented on how I seem to use work as an escape for grief."

"Is that so? Then good for her," Isaac looked at his partner with shock. "Though I'm surprised it wasn't your daughter."

"I---!" Isaac began only to stop. "Why would you praise her for something like that? And if you were bothered by this why did you never say anything?"

"Because it wasn't my place too," Claude said simply, as he then took another sip of his coffee. "Certain issues in regards with family should be dealt with family, not outsiders. Although with that said, in other cases other people should get involved."

Isaac frowned at him. "What are you talking about now?"

Claude looked at him over the rim of his mug. "What do you know of your Niece's situation?" he asked as he put his mug down and then picked up his notepad.