Rosa used her light from the phone as a guide running after the man. She wouldn't have known there was another door leading to the outside if the unknown man had used it. Rosa chased him out and the man ran and entered into an alley and she followed.
The man smiled as he hid at a corner watching how Rosa looked tired and confused while looking for him. He had looked everywhere for her. For the past 15 years, he had searched everywhere but never thought he would find her here in Blue Town. She wasn't the small girl anymore. She was now a beautiful woman who studied law and became a prosecutor.
An apparent smile appeared on the man's face the more he watched Rosa from the corner he was hiding. Rosa held unto her knees for support as she exhaled in and out tiredly. She looked around and didn't see the man.
Rosa knew it was a wild and useless chase she did because in the dark, she didn't see the man's face and he wore black. After looking around in the alley she still couldn't find anything because a lot of the people that were busy going to and fro wore black so it was difficult for her to identify him.
Rosa's phone buzzed and she looked at it. the call was from investigator Hanson.
''Hello, Mr. Hanson, can you come and pick me up?'' Rosa said as soon as she answered the phone.
A few minutes later, investigator Hanson pulled over in front of Rosa and rolled the windows saying ''Rosa, how did you get here? The lights in the building went off and I came down to find you but you weren't there?''
''Is a long story''. Rosa said and got into the passenger seat.
''What happened? Why did you come here?'' investigator Hanson spoke as he drove out of the alley.
The unknown man walked out of his hiding and smiled saying ''I have waited for you for 15 years. Now you are a grown woman already, my love''
.....
''What?' investigator Hanson stopped at the traffic light and turned to look at Rosa worriedly.
''Rosa, are you alright? Why didn't you call me before running after him? It was dangerous to go after someone like that without backup. Did you see him?''
''I didn't see him. It was too dark and he wore a mask. But, his voice. I don't think I will ever be able to forget his voice. It was different. It was like there was something stacked in his throat as he spoke'. Rosa said as investigator Hanson drove away after the traffic turned green.
''So? What are you going to do now? You know for a fact now, that Carlos isn't the killer. What decision are you going to make?''
''I don't know. Don't ask me anything for now. My head is about to explode''. Rosa said and closed her eyes.
She had told investigator Hanson about meeting the killer, but Rosa didn't tell him about the conversation she had with him. She felt it would rise suspicions if she said it. It wasn't because she didn't trust investigator Hanson. But, somethings were just better left unsaid.
''How did it go? Were you able to find some clues and evidence that could help you win the case? Let me tell you? Carlos Ryan's lawyer was here to meet you. He left some few minutes ago after waiting for so long''. Prosecutor Tim was the first to speak as soon as he saw Rosa and investigator Hanson come in thought the door.
''I am still working on it, Prosecutor Tim''. Rosa said and went to her desk. She barely sat down when the office phone rang.
''Yes, sir. I will tell her to come up right away''. Miss Jane was the one who received the call. She turned to Rosa and Rosa understood her.
....
Rosa sat down across the chief prosecutor. The chief prosecutor poured a cup of tea for both of them saying ''drink this Prosecutor Ann. This tea has a calming effect and is able to help one relax after a tiring day''.
''Thank you, sir''. Rosa said and politely sipped the tea before putting the cup down.
''I heard you visited the crime scene with investigator Hanson today? How was it?''
''Yes, I did. But, I will still have to go back there again and study the scene some more''. Rosa told him.
'Yes, that is the right attitude. Prosecutor Ann, you know that this case is not an ordinary one, right? The whole town is watching closely. The mayor and other high profiled individuals are all interested in the case and the outcome of it. You know that, there is a lot on your shoulders' right?''
''Yes, sir. I know''
''In that case, you need to work hard at it. Make sure you find strong evidence that will be able to put killer in prison and request a high sentence for him. If possible, you can request a life imprisonment for him. That will bring satisfaction to everyone. The mayor, our prosecutors' office, the families of the victims. Just this afternoon, I received a call from the Mayor. He said that he would like to meet with you this evening. Are you free for a dinner with the mayor?'' The chief prosecutor said expectantly.
''Sure, I will free my evening schedule''. Rosa said.
''Good, good. You can go back and do your own things. I will let my driver come and pick you later on''
''Yes, sir''
ROOFTOP.
Rosa screamed and tussled her hair into a mess as she stood alone at the rooftop of the building. Scarlet walked to her with a cup of black coffee and spoke.
'Here, I brought you black coffee, since you are going to stay and work overtime'. Rosa took the cup of coffee and sipped before speaking.
'I won't be working overtime today because I have dinner plans with the mayor'.
''What? The mayor of Blue Town? Thomas Green?''
''Yes, Thomas Green. The chief prosecutor just told me about it now''
''So? Are you going?''
''Do I have a choice?'' Rosa asked.
''No, you don't. But, why do I feel that they are trying to corner you?'
''They are trying to corner me. Pressure me and make me lose my mind even before the day of the court gathering. I think I have aged another 25 years more already, Scar''
''People don't even know the pressure on you and they are spouting nonsense already''. Scarlet said.
''What are you talking about?''
''That whatever Piper that was sent to the chief prosecutors' office with you? I saw him telling the other juniors that you are riding on your mentor for early promotion. Is he high on crack or what?'
''He must be high on something. He is high on imagination. Why doesn't he just be a writer? If he has such a wild imagination? Riding on my mentor for an early promotion? Yeah, right!!''
''What's the time? I left my watch in the office?''
''Is almost 18:00PM''.
''Time for me to prepare for dinner with the mayor then? Are you ready to knock off? Let's go home together?'' Rosa said leading the way.
''Sure, let's go''.
OUTSIDE THE BUILDING.
Rosa and Scarlet chatted as they walked out and met Jung Lee. He was waiting outside because the security didn't allow him to get inside. The moment he saw Rosa, he rushed to her and spoke.
''Prosecutor Ann, right? I am reporter Jung Lee. My sister is Jung Anyong, one of the victims''
''Oh, I am sorry for your loss''. Rosa stepped back and said to him.
''Please, Mr. Lee, don't you think is rude to come at a prosecutor like that?' Scarlet said and looked at Jung Lee.
''I'm sorry'' Jung Lee said.
''Is okay. Scar, let me speak with him alone. He seems to have something to say to me''.
''Okay, I will wait at Muse café. Make sure you come there right away. Don't forget your schedule'' Scarlet said and Rosa nodded her head.
''Mr. Lee, you can speak freely now. What can I do for you?'' Rosa asked Jung Lee.
''I know is wrong for me to see you outside because of the case, but I just couldn't stay back. The thing is, I have found evidence that Carlos Ryan killed my sister and those girls''
''Huh?'' Rosa looked at him shocked.