RESIGNATION LETTER

Numbers of people gathered outside the Orland Station when a policeman arrived with the serial killer with him who was on the run for three years. Most of them cursed and cussed at the criminal, while some shed tears and bawled out as being one of the bereaved families.

The policeman brought the criminal inside, leaving the people behind. He stood tall and proud of his achievement.

“Greg Albert, a serial rapist, an arsonist, and a pedophile. All evidence pointed to him without any piece left behind, which is also supported with his confession… after three years.” And after murdering twenty-eight people overall. What a piece of crap.

The policeman with a name Sergeant Troye Steve Gomez imprinted on his nameplate, remarked. He had his knuckle gripped tightly on the back collar of his shirt. As the criminal just lowered his head out of shame and guilt, the policemen on the other hand were throwing deadly glares at him.

“I should have expected this.” A man with a round belly heaved a sigh, his name’s Gilbert. After all, he knew very well the capabilities of the man who brought a serial killer with him. Troye just beamed at him. He knew what he meant.

This case had been investigated since the beginning, the time when Troye isn’t yet employed as a policeman, but as a graduating student. The former police who handled the case found no threads that would lead him to the murderer, therefore this was left unsolved.

Until the man named Troye Steven Gomez with astonishing wits and capabilities came to existence. He discovered the unresolved case months ago, and no single time was wasted when he began his investigation. With all of it, his hardship resulted in something fruitful.

“You never really disappoint us, Troye.” Tony said, the man who has the tallest and biggest body.

“Damn, how can I have a brain like yours?” A man with messy hair asked as if he's ready to throw tantrums. He has the name of Luke, and is a year older than Troye, who’s the youngest.

“I was right that I recruited you here in our station. You’re technically our ace, Troye.” Inspector Ryan muttered, smiling at him like a proud father to his son.

Their praise to Troye’s amazing talent halted, when someone among them scoffed. “Meh, anyone can solve that case, though. You’re praising him too much.” Bryan cut the moment. He casted a sideward glance at the man of the day who just gave him the same smile.

If most of them are amazed by Troye’s capabilities, of course, there will also be certain people or be it a person who cannot seem to appreciate it. One of them is Bryan. Well, despite that, they still somehow get along though. Troye is used to it already, too.

“Then, why couldn’t you?” Luke replied to him, which caused Tony to slap his shoulder. They might start a fight at any moment as they usually do.

“Alright!” Inspector Ryan clapped to get their attention. “We will bring Greg to the city jail now.”

As what has been said, they then instantly flew off the city jail with the specific name of the City’s Detention Center.

Afterwards, they took care of some of the documents needed and returned back to the station. Aside from the newly-closed case, they still have cases to solve left yet, one of which is a suspicious suicide case who was once a worker at Dixon Company. And that is what they’re focusing on from now on.

Meanwhile, Inspector Ryan left the station as he was called by the deputy chief all of a sudden. Despite the confusion, he still went on. Who could disobey the highest-positioned police after all?

“You took your time, Ryan.” The deputy chief was found standing in front of the glass wall.

“Forgive me for making you wait, deputy.”

“I know you’re wondering why you’re called here…” he took a pause. “And I’m not going to beat around the bush.” He turned around and met Inspector Ryan’s eyes.

“Pass this to Sergeant Gomez.” Deputy Chief Arnold handed him a piece of paper that made the inspector sink his brows deep.

“Why would I—I mean, why?” The inspector was reluctant to get the paper in his hand.

“It’s beyond the realm of your boundary to know.” The deputy responded. A few seconds later, he took a heavy sigh. “I honestly didn’t want to do this either…” he put the paper on the table instead, and returned his gazes to the glass window.

“Troye is one of our skilled and talented police in this city, and doing this is similar to gambling your queen piece that is cornered with the bishop piece and the rook from afar.” He gazed at the dazzling stars from afar.

“You have no other choice but to let your queen be taken by your opponent.” He added. Somehow, the inspector followed his analogy very well as he himself was also a player of the board game, chess.

However, there are still questions left in his mind.

“Why? Did something happen, deputy? You knew very well that we cannot easily do this. He’s our ace of this city! He has achieved milestones already, aren’t those enough?” he cannot help but to let out his thoughts regarding this strange matter.

“Those sure are enough, you knew that Inspector Ryan. There are just circumstances beyond our control.” He answered.

They took their time arguing about this sudden decision as to how the inspector made the deputy wait for him. And in the end, no matter how much Inspector Ryan wanted to side with his comrade, the decision of the deputy still remains untouched. He had no choice but to abide with it. It’s hard on his part, really, but what can he do as a chief?

Nothing.

“This is ridiculous!” the inspector exclaimed as he sat on the driver’s seat. He’s fuming mad, but not at the deputy chief, but at the decision that has been made.

He let out a heavy sigh to calm himself before deciding to make a call for someone.

“Are you still there?” he asked as soon as the other line picked up his call.

“Yes, inspector. Did you hear that boisterous laughter? Yes, that’s from them.” Inspector Ryan smiled faintly as he heard those.

“Alright, we will be having beer tonight. Come to the place that I’m about to send. It’s all mine, don’t worry.” He then ended the call.

This would be the last moment of them together, so they should be enjoying it with some beers at least before the unfortunate comes. This is the only thing that he can offer after all.

“Why the heck is this happening? They really want to lose someone valuable, don’t they?” he let out some frustration for a moment and drove through the beer place.

“I wonder what got Inspector Ryan all of a sudden and invited us here.” Luke remarked as if the inspector wasn't with them. He took one of the seats, and then the others followed.

“I just want to honor the achievement of our Troye.” He replied and opened the beer which the others found astonishing. He started pouring beer in each of the glasses and offered his remarks about Troye.

On the other hand, the city’s ace felt glad as ever upon hearing it from the inspector himself. However, with all those words that he let out, the mood that the inspector possessed didn’t escape from his notice. He can feel something odd in him as he looks at his face while saying good words towards him. There seems to be something wrong.

“But seriously, inspector, what’s gotten into you that you have to treat us to some beers? You usually don’t do this.” Troye cannot help but to open up as he was curious about the inspector’s real intention.

He had solved many cases already, and this is one of the few times where the inspector invited them to have some beers together.

“Why can’t you just be thankful instead?” Bryan murmured, which didn’t escape from Troye’s ears. Nevertheless, he just let it slide.

Silence occurred on their table and the ambiance seemed to get heavy. “Because… This is a different one. The case was a difficult one and still, you managed to prevail the truth.” He answered half-heartedly.

“Really, you’re a remarkable one, Troye. Should the day come that you’ll migrate to a different station, I would certainly bring you back here to us.” Gilbert said, making some to smile and laugh other than the inspector who seemed to be caught up by his remarks.

Troye could notice the inspector gulping repetitively.

They took their time talking about things about their personal lives, until the chemical of the alcohol started to kick in. Luke has started to speak something gibberish, Gilbert is cracking daddy jokes, and Tony is laughing out loud. That left the other three sober, though Bryan is a bit tipsy.

“Shouldn’t we bring them to their home now, inspector?” Troye asked. He only drank a few glasses of beer, so he didn’t really have the impact of the beer.

“I didn’t really want to do this, Troye…” Troye knitted his brows at the words of the inspector. Instead of answering him, he said something weird that somehow caught his interest. “But, damn it!” Inspector Ryan slapped the table.

He’s somewhat tipsy, too.

“What do you mean, inspector?” he leaned closer to him to get his answers.

“Argh! I don’t know the reasons, either. This just came out all of a sudden.” The inspector got something from his sling bag and put it on the table.

And what he revealed from that bag had Troye in surprise and confusion at the same time.

“W-What is this, inspector? W-What does this mean?” he asked nervously as he glued his eyes to the paper.

“For unknown reasons, the deputy just handed it to me to be given to you, Troye. I-I’m sorry if you have to… experience this mistreatment.” The inspector lowered his head as he felt ashamed to face the great police.

Troye slowly picked the paper which is formed into an envelope and opened it which revealed another separate paper that is a letter.

And he almost lost his voice to speak any more as he had read the header of the letter. His strength seemed to be dispelled when his eyes met the signature of the inspector, chief, the deputy chief, and especially his name on it.

Slowly, he raised his head and looked at the inspector in the eyes.

“I-Inspector… What does this resignation letter have something to do with… m-me?”