She smiles and reaches inside the shopping bag, gasping.
"Alexei, no. I can't take this. The cost of this bag is equivalent to a car note payment; it's too expensive for me."
The young law student takes the baby blue purse from her hands, sliding it onto her arm.
"That's where it's to be worn, darling. You've done so much and I know this department barely pays, so please, accept this."
Nia smiles down at the purse, before looking back up at Alexei, giving him a warm smile and hugging him.
"Thank you so much, Alexei! It's a beautiful purse!"
"You're welcome, darling. There's also something extra inside; buy yourself something nice." he replies, kissing her hand.
Putting a hand over her mouth, she widely smiles and shyly turns away from the young law student.
"Um, well, I should get back to work now."
Alexei nods.
"Yes, that reminds me, we have one more stop to make, Mr. Cizetto. Goodbye, Mrs. Ellison. Stay safe."
"See you tomorrow, Nia." Kazimir adds, following Alexei out of the door.
She waves at both men, a smile still plastered across her face.
"I don't think she's going back to her husband anytime soon." Kazimir says with a chuckle.
Alexei smiles, opening the exit doors to the building.
"That's alright. He's a bastard for hurting her anyway. If you don't mind, I have one more gift I'd like to drop off."
Kazimir shakes his head.
"I don't mind. May I ask who's the special person?"
"An old lady who unknowingly helped me track down Ian Felker. I read in the paper that her only son was recently killed in a logging accident and she immediately retired, so I wanted to check up on her. She can be a bit talkative, but I can tell her heart is in the right place."
About fifteen minutes later, the young law student pulls into the driveway of a cottage-styled house.
Alexei rings the doorbell and it slowly opens to an older woman standing on the other side.
"Oh my goodness! Alex, it's you! I'd recognize that handsome face anywhere!"
She quickly opens the door wider and cups his face.
"Please, do come in for tea and cookies!"
The two men walk in and Alexei turns to Kazimir.
"I hope it isn't a bother, but I've brought a friend of mine along."
Extending his arm, Kazimir shakes the woman's hand.
"My name is Kazimir. I'm a detective for the Claiza City Special Forces Department."
The old woman smiles and nods.
"Any friend of Alex is a friend of mine! You two boys have a seat while I go fetch the tea and cookies."
"Please, let me help you, love." Alexei says with a smile.
"I thank you kindly, Alex! Sometimes, I'd like to think of you as my guardian angel!"
Kazimir watches as the two head into the kitchen and takes a seat near the fireplace.
He looks around at the room, before hearing the sound of a tea plate being placed down on the small side table beside him.
"You have a very cozy home, miss." the young detective says as the woman pours his tea. "It feels as if I'm in a fairytale."
The old lady warmly smiles.
"Why thank you! I try to make this home as lively as possible!"
She sits down in front of the two men and Alexei grabs the shopping bag from the floor.
"I've heard the news about your son and I'd like to give you my deepest condolences. I just lost a few people dear to me as well, so I know it's hard. Also, I'd like to give you this."
He hands the gift bag to the lady.
"It's a thank you gift for keeping me company at the banquet the police department held a few weeks ago."
The old woman reaches inside and smiles.
"It's one of those luxurious clutches; Chanel, if I remember correctly. It's extremely pretty, but you didn't have to get me something that cost so much."
Alexei softly laughs.
"I couldn't resist. A pretty clutch for a pretty soul."
The old woman blushes and puts the shopping bag aside.
"Thank you, Alex. I don't think I'll ever be able to take my eyes off it now."
She sighs and looks down at her teacup.
"My son used to buy me luxury clothes like this, too. His father was killed in the Korean War when he was still a baby. We didn't have much, but in my son's words "I still found a way to make it work" and he wanted to repay me by buying me things I've only worn once or twice. Now that he's gone, it's just me and my little house."
She begins to cry a little and Alexei hugs her.
"Seeing you reminds me of him; he was a sweet and gentle fellow."
"I'm sure he's watching over you as we speak. Ah, what's this? I think I can hear him telling me to get away from his beloved mother." Alexei says, with a cupped hand near his ear.
The old woman laughs and nods.
"Oh yes, he was a very protective man. I tried to re-marry when he was younger, but every guy I introduced to him, he'd scare away. Even as I got older, he still somehow managed to shield me."
She looks over at the two young men.
"I think you two should start looking into a new career path. With all the law enforcement deaths going on, I don't think it's really a safe place to be as of now. You both are handsome young fellows, I think modeling would suit you just fine."
The young law student chuckles.
"I've thought about a few times."
"Uh, I don't really know. I'll think about it." Kazimir adds, rubbing the back of his neck.
The woman smiles.
"You must deal with confidence issues. Is it because of your hair and eye color?"
The young detective looks up.
"Well, I do sometimes wonder what I'd look like if I had normal eyes and a normal hair color for a person my age."
"That's what makes you special, Kazimir. You're a beautiful boy, don't change your special appearance for the rest of the world. Everyone was made to be different, but only a few of us stay true to our word."
"Thank you, miss." Kazimir says, blushing a little. "So, uh, how's the police station dealing with the death of chief Brookstone?"
She shakes her head.
"Last time I checked, they seemed to be doing fine. If you ever go in, you can tell that the atmosphere has changed, but everyone seems to be doing okay."
The old woman turns to her fireplace.
"As for me, I don't know what to feel. When I was in my 30s, Mr. Brookstone had became the new police chief. Everyone loved him, but something always seemed off about him. Well, one night as I was walking to my car, someone grabbed me and took me behind a building. It was Mr. Brookstone. He told me that if I attempted to scream or tell anyone about the situation, then he'd kill me and my son. After that, he proceeded to rape me."
The young law student frowns.
"That's horrible. I deeply apologize for that traumatic situation. I can't even imagine the anger, sadness, and frustration."
The woman nods.
"Tell me? Am I a bad person for feeling just a bit of happiness now that he's gone?"
Kazimir shakes his head.
"No, you have every right to feel relieved. I'd say he got what he had coming for taking advantage of you."
"Of course not. The justice system here is useless anyway, so it's not a surprise the citizens of Claiza City would take matters into their own hands." Alexei adds.
She smiles.
"Thank you. I was hoping someone would agree with me. It's very unfortunate that people in high positions tend to get away with horrendous actions like that, but hopefully that'll change in the upcoming future."
The law student nods.
"I have lots of hope that it will. I strongly believe most of the citizens of the city will strive to make a change."
Looking down at his watch, he sighs.
"Oh, it's getting a bit late. I really do hate to cut our conversation short, but I have a five-hour drive to make. I'll be out of town for some time, you see."
The old woman gasps.
"Five hours? Well, why didn't you tell me earlier, I don't want you driving after dark, so it's if you best get a head start before the sun goes down! Wait, I have something extra for you both before you go. Please, follow me."
The three head out to the backyard, where the old woman leads them over to a car shed.
"This is my son's car, he used to cherish it like it was his own child." she says, removing the covering from over it. "However, I'd like you two boys to keep it for me. Don't worry, everything's paid off, so you'll only have to care for it now."
"Are you sure, miss?" Kazimir asks, as the old woman steps back from the car.
She nods and smiles.
"Well, it certainly won't do any good sitting out here. In the words of my late son, "she's meant to be driven, mama." Please wait here while I go get the keys."
The two watch as the old woman goes back inside and Alexei turns to Kazimir.
"Looks like you get to have a new car."
"It's the same as the other one I had. How coincidental." the young detective says, looking over at it.
"Well, here you boys are!"
Extending his hand, Kazimir takes the keys from the older woman.
"I don't understand any of the buttons in it, so you two will have to work with that."
Alexei nods.
"We thank you very much, love. I'll stop by again as soon as I can and if you don't mind, I'd like to bring my little sister along. She loves houses such as yours."
The old woman smiles.
"I don't mind at all! I love meeting new people, especially children! I like to consider them as grandkids!"
After saying goodbye to the older woman and taking a few more cookies, the two young men head their separate ways.
Pulling into the driveway of Dréy's house, Kazimir steps out of the car, being greeted with the sound of loud music coming from the backyard.
Not even bothering to ring the front doorbell, he walks around to the back, multiple young men surrounding a grill and chatting with each other.
"LOOK, THE RED-EYED MAN CAME!"