The call made its first ring. Carlos eyes robbed her figure over in anger.
How dare her come into his house just after cutting off the victim's hand?.
Her guts makes him feel irritated. He grinded his teeth in rage and balled his fist.
At the third ring,his mind connected to something.
He glanced back at her but immediately looks away.
No,he must report her!.
*What if she is innocent?*his inner mind says.
"She can't be..."he said lowly unconsciously.
But,why would she head over to his abode when she knows fully well he is a cop?.
For a person who was bold enough to kill Mr and even cut his hand off,she must have attained a lot of professionalism.
Surely,an amateur can not perform such act.
He decided to get to the root of the matter himself,before handing her over to the police.
•Why did she come to his house?
•Why would she even sleep in the crime scene?
•What if she is actually innocent?
All this questions,he will get answer to soon,very soon.
He battled with his inner mind on not handing her over to the police right at that time.
The line connected as the phone beeps.
"Captain,"Mateo breathed out. He sounded distressed.
Carlos dug at his lower lips and allow his finger slide up to his hair,not sure of what to do.
"Uhmmm...I...the...no,I.."he stammered.
He slaps his forehead and cleared his throat.
He shouldn't get carried away with her innocent look.
She might actually be a snake under the green grass.
"I found the..."something's tugged at his heart suddenly bringing him to an abrupt stop.
He is a man that wants fair treatment to be accorded to citizens. If she is truly innocent,he try his best to remove her record out of his wanted list.
Handing her over to the police now, isn't a good idea. She might be innocent but they might not actually belief her on the ground that the hand was delivered to her and also,there are a lot of heavy hands in the police force. What if this all is done to cover up the culprit?
What if she isn't the real culprit and she is just a tool for their evil act?
What if she is being framed.
But keeping a wanted figure in his house is dangerous and could lead to serious punishment.
"Carlos?"Mateo's voice jolted him out of his thoughts.
He has made his decision now. "I saw the picture you sent to me. I promise to work my best on it"he won't hand her over just yet. Whatever comes after this,he is ready.
*
"You were caught with some illegal funds and you are asking about proofs?,when you were caught red - handed?"the prosecutor barked,his small eyes running the people before him over in disbelief.
Bryan took in some breaths and placed his left hand on the table at the center.
He paused for a long moment and finally said,"my client pleads guilty."
Lisa turned to him with a world - breaking glare.
Bryan turned to her and leaned in a little to whisper into in her ears.
"We have no choice. You were caught at the act. The possibility of you winning is below 50, should we decide to go on a trial."
Lisa sucked on her bottom lip and her eyes rolled to the side, unwillingly.
She threw daggers at the prosecutor with her eyes.
"Fine. I plead guilty."she let's out under gritted teeth.
*This dog isn't barking so well.*she bit her cheeks in rage.
Her long fingers pierced into her palm and she took in a sharp breath as the pain hit her.
"That went too easy. I never knew you will settle for that. Oosh,so bad."the prosecutor grinned.
Lisa smirks and slammed her hand on the table.
"You're so sure you're going to win the case if we settle for a trial, aren't you?"she asks.
The prosecutor found her actions amusing,instead of frightening, just as Lisa had hoped for.
He released a wry smile and slowly raised his hand to scratch his head.
"I..I am very certain,miss Lisa. This isn't the first time illegal funds would be found in your account. It has happened, severally and severally, you've been let out of the hook."
Lisa's face burned up in anger as she retreated back to her seat.
She gulped down a thick saliva and grinded her teeth.
The atmosphere became more deadly as the duo exchanged dangerous looks.
"Who plays around a lion, Jared?"Lisa asked, laying a warning message.
Both her cheeks and hands has turned into tomato.
"I like playing with its mouth, mostly." Prosecutor Jared replied.
Lisa laughs hysterically while rubbing her fingers against one another.
"Don't cross the line if you still value your job. My people are here. We both know I can easily get myself off this mess easily."she said.
"I will watch you try."
"Okay, enough of all these already. Jared, I'm sure you don't wanna give yourself so much headache because of a trial you're not sure of winning by hundred percent. Consider this a good one for both side,uh?"
Jared scoffs.
"I will submit the request to the court for approval tomorrow."
"Do that, please."Bryan stood up and extended his hand for a shake.
Jared slips his hand in and they both shook hands.
The chair made a screeching sound as it was pulled back violently by Lisa.
She stood up and kicked the table before stomping out of the room.
"Alright,I will see you later, prosecutor Jared."Bryan smiled and Jared nodded.
Bryan moved out of the room and went after Lisa.
They got to where her car was parked and as the door was opened for her by the driver, Bryan bowed,"Do have a nice trip, ma'am."
She paused and spun around, giving a lopsided smile.
"Let's have a word inside."she nudged her head towards the direction of the car.
"You know of Mr Rodriguez's case, don't you?"she questioned once they were both in the car.
"I do."
"Nice....try to get my name off the case."
*
Carlos's eyes pierced into Dora's questioningly.
"You've been staring at me for some minutes now. Those stares can kill."Dora dropped the bone of the last chicken she ate.
"That's rich, coming from you. You've been enjoying my chicken quietly for you to say that."
"You...you can take your..."she rasies her neck up as she peeks at the plate and saw that she has finished it.
"Chicken..."she added nervously.
He scoffed.
"I'm asking you for the last time. You sure you're innocent? If it turns out you tricked me,I...."
"You are going to kill me? I know. It's hard to belief. I...still find it hard to believe also.. it's.."she bursted into fresh tears.
He sighed with an eye roll then stood up and walked to a small table in the corner of the room and came back with a roll of tissue.
He proffered it to her and she collected it and tore some out of it and wiped her tears away.
"Was there any witness?"he asked and sat back on the couch before her's.
Dora cogitated about it and shook her head.
"No. There was not."
"That's too bad though. That could have helped greatly."
Dora suddenly snaps her finger.
"I think I have a witness!"
Curiosity filled his eyes up as he asked.
"Who?"
"Katie! She was there when all these happened. She even told me to run away. Katie,she was there."she breathes out in relieve.
"Alright. Just calm down and tell me who this Katie is. I want everything about her. Her family,her house,her relationship with you and the reason she wasn't arrested when you ran away."
"Oh,but she is only a cat."Dora pouted.
"Huh?"
"By the way,can you look her up for me? I wonder how she is doing. She must be so worried about me. I find her quite extraordinary,you know."
Carlos scoffed and pressed his lips together.
"A cat was your witness? That's preposterous! And,did you just say I look her up? You must be kidding me. I'm a cop,not a cat sitter. I see you used your Katie as an excuse to catcall me."
"Huh? Of course not! Katie was a.. she was a close friend."
"You should have a family."he said.
"Yes,Katie. She's been bedfast for quite a while now."
"Seriously?!"
"No,no. Katie is human. You can always go meet her at the central hospital. And, please if you do, bring Katie to me please,the cat."she gave a nervous smile and he just frowned.
*
In an inner room,a man was putting on a cloak and he had his face covered with the cap.
He brought out a table knife and looked down at the hand of the man on the table and stabbed it.
The man yelled out in pains.
"You said it was going to be fine. You said the girl was the perfect one to use. How come the case is still being prolonged? I want her in there!"he seethed in anger.
"I do not deserve to live but...but I beg for just another chance..pl.. please."the man stammered.
"Find and kill her, within twenty four hours."