Becca walked out of the interrogation room, following behind the police officer with her phone held to her ear. As they walked down the passageway, she peeped into each room that had its door opened, thinking maybe the policeman didn't know who she was looking for. She was sure her lawyer friend would be around somewhere, discussing Amani's case with the hunk.
"Hey, officer, excuse me..." She called after the police officer that was still walking ahead of her.
"Yes?..." He turned and asked questioningly
"What about the other officer?... I left my lawyer friend with him in his office when I came... You know, tall, blond hair..." Amani gestured with her hands as she described Nicholas.
"The lieutenant is no longer in charge of the case, I am and..."
"I just want to ask him some questions about the lawyer I brought because I don't understand why he could have left without letting me know!"
"Ma'am..." The officer said in exasperation. "He already left, there's no doubt about that. Maybe he had an emergency that he couldn't wait to tell you about? I don't know for sure! I'd suggest you call him and find out for yourself!" He replied and continued on his way without sparing her another glance.
'Yeah you told me he already left but why would he leave without telling me when we came together? It just doesn't make sense!' Becca thought and dialed the last number she called before coming down to the station. It rang for quite some time before it was finally answered by his answering machine.
[This is Steve, can't come to the phone right now please leave a message...]
[Hi Steve! Even if you had an emergency, you could have just said something... How could you have left me hanging and embarrassed in front of my friend!?...] Becca said furiously into the phone before she pressed the end button.
Then she felt she didn't make herself clear enough and called him again...
[If you didn't want to help you could have just said so, instead of stringing me along, coming with me all the way here only to leave me hanging!... You're an ass Steve!]
The phone was suddenly picked up from the other end...
[Stringing you on!.. The gall of you to say that to me!] Steve said into the phone angrily. Even Becca could tell from her side of the phone that he was furious. But why? She wondered to herself before she answered back
[What do you call you coming all the way, with me to help with my friend's case and then leaving without even a word to me!]
[Oh, and what do you call the fake affection you've been showing me!?... Telling me you like me and shit like that!... I'm just wondering, how long do you intend for this charade that you had going on with me to last?... Until the end of today when I'm done helping your friend!?....] He snickered
[Oh, I almost forgot the dinner you promised... Maybe after the dinner, then you can be free of guilt and move to your newfound hunk huh!?]
Becca's eyes widened with surprise when she heard him mention the word hunk... [W-What are you talking about?...] She stammered. What he said sounded like the conversation between herself and Amani. 'But how could he have heard?...' She was thinking to herself when his voice broke into her thoughts
[Oh, are you wondering how I knew about what you and your friend talked about?...] He laughed with obvious satisfaction. [Your friend was placed in an interrogation room Becca, how could you not have noticed?... Pity that I and your next hunk both heard your conversation so good luck with that!]
Completely lost for words. Becca was still looking with mouth agape at the phone in her hand seconds after Steve ended the call
~~••~~
Amani decided to sign the undertaking. He's her assignment for more than a month anyway so the arrangement was perfect for her plan. There won't be any questions asked if he ever catches her snooping around his house.
Becca came into the room just when Amani finished signing the undertaking, looking like someone took the wind out of her sails.
"Okay Miss Parker, my work here is done." The lawyer said while gathering the files on the table. "I believe the officer will be with you soon... Good day, Miss!" He said with a slight bow towards Amani and briskly walked out of the room.
Becca cast a brief hateful glance towards the two-way mirror before turning to Amani
"Amani I'm sorry! I don't know what came over him, and I couldn't even reach him on the phone." She lied as soon as the lawyer closed the door behind him, looking towards the two-way mirror again. Who knows who else was listening to their conversation now she thought to herself
"Well at least, we're not owing him dinner anymore... And you don't have to apologize, I already told you I don't need a lawyer, remember?"
"Yeah, you did!..." Becca replied with a weak smile. If you are done signing then can we leave already? I have something I want to tell you."
"We'll leave as soon as the officer returns... I guess." Amani replied sounding unsure
"I hope so... So what kinda paper did you sign anyway?"
Amani was about to reply when she was interrupted by Becca's phone that started ringing. It was her editor.
[Rebecca where the fuck are you!?...] Becca rolled her eyes when she heard her editor call her by her full name. Nobody calls her that anymore, not even her mom. Apart from the swear words, he can't do without using, he's always making her feel like he was the father she never knew.
[There'a is a hostage situation going on in downtown Chinatown!...]
[Yeah, Noah... I heard about that already! I'm on my way there as I'm speaking with you] Becca lied easily.
[You're a doll! Give me more than an eyewitness report and I'll remove the freelance from your name tag]
[Remove freelance from my name tag?... Are you talking about promotion!?] Becca asked excitedly
[Sure... Get me a video recording of some sort and it's done!]
[Will do my best... Gotta go, bye!] Becca ended the call and turned to Amani apologetically
"Ama... I'm sorry, that was my editor. There's a hostage situation that I have to follow up on...
"Then hurry... I'm almost done anyway. I'll see you later at home"
A few minutes after Becca left another police officer entered the interrogation room and led Amani towards the station's front desk. The police officer that brought the thin lawyer was already waiting for her there with a burly-looking man and Fluffy who was sleeping inside a pet carrier.
"Miss Parker you're now free to go." The police officer said and handed over to her, the pet carrier, her purse, car key, and phone.
"This is Mr. DeVille's assistant..." He indicated toward the burly man. I guess I'll leave both of you together" He said and left
"I'm Toni..." The burly man introduced himself. "Let's go pleased" He indicated towards the door. "Mr. DeVille is waiting for you and he doesn't like to be kept waiting"
"Yeah right!" Amani said under her breath as they both walked towards the door. They arrived at the car park, Amani quickly located her car where it was parked saw and walked towards it
"Ma'am... Toni who already had the back door of the car he bought opened called after Amani.
"Don't worry I'll take mine. I'll just drive behind you..." Amani said and forced a smile
"No, you have to..."
"Look, Toni... Can I call you Toni?..." Amani asked but didn't wait for an answer before she continued. "It's not as if I'm gonna run. I already sign an undertaking and aside from that I had an appointment with Mr. DeVille to... No, I meant the senior Mr. DeVille. I already have an appointment with him for an interview this morning. I was on my way there when this whole thing happened. So please kindly drive ahead and I'll follow behind." Amani finished and entered her own car without waiting for his response.
Toni hesitated for some seconds. Even though his boss said he should bring her to him, he couldn't force her right? he thought before closing the door.
They arrived at the towering building of DeVille Inc. and rode the elevator to the top floor where Leonardo's office was located.
"Please keep the dog here. Camille will take good care of him" Toni said when they entered the reception area.
"Camille..." He called to the receptionist "Please take care of the dog in the meantime"
"Yes sir!" Camille answered, "Who do we have here, hey boy!..." She said softly as she came out from behind the counter. "Hi..." She said to Amani before quickly returning her gaze back to the carrier.
Amani followed Toni and heard Camile coo softly "Awww,..." After she opened the carrier and brought Fluffy out.
'An animal lover' Amani noted to herself with a satisfactory smile on her face