'Bryan said it is a blue door, but this is a wooden door,'' both Detectives stand on the staircase leading to a small building with a blue-painted paw marked Animal love.
''I just love the way you point out the obvious,'' Miles replies coolly, takes a dark sunglass. He puts it on then checks his reflection on his phone screen.
''Trust me, I have met a lot of pricks in my lifetime, and you Miles are the goddamn cactus. Where did you even get that from?'' She reaches for the sunglasses, ''it's sundown Miles, you will embarrass me! Take it off!''
''For the love of-''
''May I help you two?'' A female dressed in full blue appears in front of them with a growling puppy. She stares at the Detectives in amusement.
''Yes, we are looking for a Sophia Royce.'' Miles straightens his suit and runs a hand through his hair.
''Why? I don't see any pets-hey I remember you!'' She frowns at Miles. He casts his eyes to the ground with a small embarrassed smile.
'' I am not hard to forget, aren't I? I wish I could say the same to you-''
''Seriously? It's been like three days!''
Jayla looks between the two, confused about why Miles is squirming under her the girl's gaze. She isn't sure if she should intervene or just let Miles get some cussing. After all, he deserves some.
''Ah! I remember its Clare, right?'' He flashes her a charming smile as he moves a strand of his long hair behind his ear.
''Oh, so you remember!''
''It was the only thing I could remember that night..''
''I am sorry to interrupt this conversation, Cassandra. But we have something important to do.'' Jayla intervenes.
''It is Clare, are you his girlfriend?''
''Look, I don't have time for this Clare, How about you just tell us where Mrs. Royce is.''
''She is at the front desk, and I hope you still have my number so you could text and whatever.''
''yeah, I lost your number, must have happened when I had pressed delete,'' he smirks.
Clare narrows her eyes at Miles and pouts.
''Myers! You play with your pets later; we have a case to solve.''
[*]^*^[*]
''Will you two stop staring at me. It is kind of unsettling now''...
Sophia says in a jokingly manner, she is no different from her daughter, same color hair and eyes, and a bubbly personality. Sophia fixes her glasses in her hair as she writes down a note about the sleeping cat she is inspecting. Jayla pulls at a strand of her braid and shifts her weight on her right foot. Miles whistles softly as he looks around the small clinic.
''Do you have anything you want me to help with?'' she stands and brushes off her pants, ''I will be leaving soon,'' she stares at the Detectives who seems to be having a mental battle with each other. Sophia clears her throat.
''May we talk in private, Mrs. Royce?'' it is Jayla who speaks up. She stares at Sophia sadly. Miles gives her a reassuring pat on her back then whispered to her, ''the baseball field is a few minutes' walks from here. Wait for me by the car, and please try to get valuable information.''
Jayla inhales a sharp breath as she readies herself for giving the message. She follows an anxious-looking Sophia into her office.
Miles watches the two ladies walk off into the office. He rubs his face as the long day has finally started to set in. He walks back to the front door of the clinic when a set of bright colored flyers on a nearby table catches his eyes. Picking up one he starts to skim through it.
ANIMAL LOVE
Don't you love your pet? And when they get sick often, doesn't it makes you worry?
Well, worry no more ANIMAL LOVE has the best staff and medical service to treat your lovely treasures!
Snakes, dogs, cats, horses. We accept them all here!
Open at 10 am and closes at 6 pm.
Your pets are our pets, our trained staff that will do their best to help you and your pet.
You love them. We love
Call now 1 888 I-LOVE-MY-PET or visit www.AnimalLoveVets.com
Miles quickly folds the flyer and stuffs it into his pockets with a small frown on his face. He glances back in the direction where Jayla and Sophia walked off. Shaking his head, he opens the door and steps outside on the wooden porch.
It is now dusk. The air is chilly and refreshing. Miles pulls the jacket closer to his body and starts the journey to the baseball field.
After walking for 4 minutes, he finally reaches the wired fence that separates the field from the road. He opens the old gate, it rattles at the movement. Other than the few cars idling on the field picking up the players. Otherwise, the place is empty. The headlights are still on, lightening up the baseball pitch. A crisp gust of wind blows. Miles shivers and fixes his hat on his head.
He makes a beeline towards a small building in which he assumes is the coach's quarters. Before he could knock on the door, a slender man emerges with his hands folded and a grim expression on his bearded face.
''Who are you and what are you doing here?'' The stranger demanded.
Miles stares down at the stranger, he is tall, but Miles has a few inches over him.
''I'm looking for the coach for the Young Cubs' baseball team.'' Miles blows hot air on his hands; the stranger makes no move to invite him inside.
''I am the coach, Brandon Smith.''
''Detective Miles Meyers,'' he passes his badge to Brandon, who takes his glasses from his hair and starts to inspect the badge. He looks at Miles and let out a small laugh.
''Hmmm, Detective? Aren't you like 20?''
Miles snatches back his badge from Brandon. His eyes glisten with humor.
''My age isn't important right now.what is important is the murder of one of your players, Sasha-Gaye Royce.''
The color drains from Brandon's face, but other than that, he gives off no emotion of how he feels about the news.
''Murdered, huh? By who?''
''It's an ongoing case, Mr. Smith. This morning her corpse was found in LoneeBrook forest-''
''Eh, I have somewhere to go, Tyles. So could you just ask your questions and hurry up,'' Brandon looks over to the entrance of the field in anticipation.
Miles bites down on his tongue, the curse words are surfacing, but he tries his best not to say anything.
''When last did you saw Sasha-Gaye Royce?''
''Last training.''
''Where were you this morning?''
''Here.''
''Can you please answer my questions... as an educated person?''
''Yea- excuse me!'' Brandon stares at Miles, offended. He twists the knob to his office door close and takes out a cigarette.
''Look here youngster, I am going now, maybe I'll answer your questions another time if you have a little respect.'' He went to jab Miles on his chest, but Miles steps back.
''Don't touch me.'' Miles looks at the coach with annoyance written all over his face. A car horn breaks the two men out of their glaring contest. Brandon flashes Miles a set of perfect whitened teeth.
''That's my wife, I guess my time is over here... please visit when you catch the killer, Detective.''
Brandon trots off.