I stare straight into the forest green eyes of the beast in front of me. "Not that it is any of your business but she started it." I look away from his Liam's gaze and pretend to be interested in the weather forecast on the top right of the screen.
"You okay?" Liam's deep voice fills the silence, I don't want to reply but my mind is saying something else. Maybe he could help me but I need to ask indirectly.
"I'm fine thank you, I was just curious, seeing as you're a police officer, what department of work are you in?"
"Why are you interested? No offence Tink but you wouldn't last three days with the people I work with."
Well you're no cupcake either!
"I was wondering," I say looking down at my nails, damn they look terrible I need to redo them. "How easily do you find people when you search up their name? Does it come up with just their details or a full background check-"
The next words that leaves his mouth are not the ones I'm expecting.
"Have you killed someone?" His tone is dead serious, but his eyes hold amusement. He dips his head lower to me and some of his dark hair goes over his eyes, I wonder what it would feel like- no! I need to focus!
"I didn't kill anyone." Though you're making your way up the list if you keep that tone with me. "I'm just curious, I found something and I can't find anything online."
"Who are you trying to look up?" Liam seems more interested. The more interested he is the more I want to run away and turn around.
"Nobody, just someone I know. It's non of your business anyway." I ramble out so quickly in a high pitch voice. His eyes don't waver from mine. Challenge lurking within them.
"You kind of made it my business when you asked me what department I worked in."
Think of something!
"One, you've not replied to that question and two, I would have thought the people you work with are teapots and talking candles who are friends with clocks." God why am I like this!
"You have an unhealthy obsession with Beauty and the Beast Tink. I work in the detective department in field work."
"Don't call me Tink." I reply with venom. He just chuckles.
"At least I know you're not a robot, you can actually laugh." I start to pack my things up and turn to leave. A hand is on my elbow the second I leave the building, I turn to my left and see Liam.
"I'm sorry. What exactly do you need help with?" All mocking tone has left his body.
"Oh? And why would you want to help me?" I say staring up at him, my head falling back to see his face. He rubs his hand on his hair, clear sign he's uncomfortable, good.
"I....I'm sorry, for what I said about Jamie. You didn't deserve that." I stare at him blankly. Damn the way he was apologising was like I asked him to eat dog shit.
We stand there for a few moments more and I finally cave, hoping he doesn't judge me.
"I wanted to look up someone who is the boyfriend of my sister, Jamie's mother. He makes me feel uncomfortable around him, and some of his 'parenting skills' if you can even call it that are questionable." I walk over to the bench absentmindedly and sit and feel Liam's eyes burning into the side of my face, my blonde hair falls so I am quick to wipe it away.
"If he makes me nervous for a bad reason I can't imagine how Jamie feels, I want to make sure he's safe, if he really is going to be adopted by Michael I need to know I'm not playing a part in the trauma that could follow." I am scared to look to my left and see the judge swirling inside him.
"Let me see the papers." No judgement sounding in his voice. I take out my phone and he says he can take a look. "That's sweet of you but I, probably worrying about nothing right?"
"Never ever ignore your gut Emilia." He sounds regretful. It's our second meeting so I don't want to pry. The teenager in me is screaming because he said my name and it sounded better than I thought.
"I'll let you know if I find anything." I am fiddling with my hands I'm so nervous, from the Michael situation or if it's something else.
Must be the cold weather.
**********
Why am I trusting the beast to take care of this? I don't even know him! But he does have a way in which I need but I cant help but feel like I'm being too intrusive of Jamie and Maia's life. It's been three days and I've heard nothing. He said he'll text me but nothing. Should I step back and tell Liam to stop and not bother- BANG!
Son of a bitch, that hurt!
I am so busy worrying I walk straight into the glass door at my work. Great, my nose will be the same shade as a red strawberry, no doubt the same size either. Walking to put my bag away I hear a cheery voice.
"Want me to pretend I didn't see that?" Rosie's trying to hide a laugh. She is facing the computer, thinking if I don't see her I won't hear her laugh, her shoulders are shaking like she is freezing.
"No because you won't ever let me forget that."
"Definitely not, I'm watching it on the CCTV right now." Her high pitch voice fades into a wheezy laugh.
"Glad you enjoy my mystery Rosie." Her brown hair is in a neat pony tail today, so I yank on it.
That's what she said!
Another voice approaches, Lucas one of the vets comes over. "What's all the laughing and pulling of hair for?" Rosie says nothing but moves her hands to move the screen in our view, the shot has a perfect angle of me walking straight into it and the dogs already here inside jumping with fright.
I can't be mad anymore I'm so busy laughing. It feels good to laugh with friends, I've missed it.
My smile is wiped off and my heart drops when I pull my phone out. It's a text from Liam, it's quick and straight to the point. God he doesn't like the idea of details does he!
Beast: I found something.