INTENTIONAL CHARADE
Since Troye is no longer part of the police force, his connection to the affiliated organization of criminal justice has also been cut out. Thus, he cannot make it by himself to examine the thing he found out, unless someone inside from the police will do it in his behalf.
He already has someone in mind, therefore, before he could waste a second, he then rushed to the café in which he will meet this person. To make things easier for him, this would be also the same café where he will buy what he was told.
“Inspector.” Troye greeted the newly-arrived man.
“It took me to make up some reason to meet you here.” He chuckled and pulled out a chair to sit across Troye.
“I found a lead.” He didn’t beat around the bush, and threw out the bomb instantly. Inspector Ryan halted for a moment, and then crossed his fingertips together to listen to him intently.
“I could have told you about this earlier in front of the others, but I would lose my contact with this lead once I do.” Troye went on, pertaining about how strict the new sergeant could be. Troye took a pause and released the plastic cellophane from his pocket which contained with a phone. A phone from deceased—the culprit.
“Hmm…” Inspector Ryan examined the plastic with his keen eyes. “It would lead us in vain if this is a burner phone.”
Troye shook his head, “it’s not. Take a look at the phone cover at the back, there’s a photo of someone in there which could mean this is his personal phone. And the fact that the culprit threw it on the trash means there’s something in this phone.”
“…Alright, I will let you know the result once this phone is cracked open. Thank you for this, Troye.” The inspector muttered warmly, which Troye just responded with a smile.
“By the way, inspector, what about the thing I asked for you a few days ago?” Troye asked upon remembering his last favor.
“Ah, right… about that… seems like they really are associated with the suicide case in something deep. It’s still on going, though. I will also give you a head up for this one.” Troye had his looks transitioned to a serious one.
It seems like investigating this death threat case isn’t the only thing that he’s working on.
Their conversation didn’t take long as the inspector is still in the middle of working, while Troye also has to fulfill the order of Hailey. The two bade goodbyes to each other, and finally, Troye bought the coffees for his boss and her visitor.
As he was about to get inside the car provided by the Dixon, he received a call from his boss.
“Yes, ma’am—” his greeting was cut short when Hailey’s words drowned it.
“I thought you wouldn’t have the initiative to also buy a good match for the coffee, so I ought to say it. Add two medium-sized croissants, and one blueberry cake—oh, and cookies as well, I might crave it later. And hmm…” silence occurred on the second line, and Troye was about to make his response, when once again, she beat him first.
“And also, a cinnamon roll, take the whole of it and not just a slice.” With all the blabbers from her as though a shotgun mouth that don’t cease, Hailey then dropped off the call. She didn’t even give him a chance to reply.
But anyway, for the days that he’s working for her, Troye is already used to it.
If not for the allowance given by Mrs. Dixon to provide Hailey the miscellaneous things, Troye would be absolutely broken with an empty wallet. Good thing, the Mrs. has the consideration in this matter.
After buying everything on the list, Troye then proceeded to go on his way back to the company.
“Took you long enough.” Hailey greeted him as soon as he opened the door of her office to let himself in. Although he heard it clearly, however, his attention was paid to someone else. He dilated his eyes at the other guy for a brief moment, not enough for Hailey to notice them.
Meanwhile, the guy whom Troye recognized just gave him a subtle smile.
“I will now excuse myself, ma’am.” Troye gripped his hand on the knob and was about to open it when…
“Hey,” Hailey muttered, and gave him a piercing look. “Are you going to leave me with this stranger?” she mouthed at him to prevent the other person for eavesdropping.
To be frank, after the incident that happened earlier, Hailey became cautious and vigilant of her surroundings. She may act all cool and unbothered but internally, she is not. In fact, she’s becoming frightened, thinking that it may happen once again. And now, a stranger came to her office and introduced himself as a potential investor, she couldn’t help but to be skeptic.
And this led her to make an excuse just so Troye could be somewhere near to her, yet he took his time.
Troye was kind of surprised. He didn’t know that Hailey would be like this. After all, he fell to her outside façade which shows an unaffected version of her. Although, he needed to be by her side all the time, he couldn’t as he still has things that he needs to do.
“Trust me on this.” He mouthed back and gave her a reassuring smile. For the time that they started their companionship, Troye finally knew something crucial about her. Hailey is the type to hide her real emotions just to look strong and independent, when the actual is, she needed someone to lean on.
Probably, Hailey didn’t realize that yet as she could be really in denial about her feelings at most time, but Troye isn’t that dense not to notice that.
Hailey halted and looked at him in the eyes. She swallowed a lump in the throat. Although it’s difficult to hold onto the words with no certainties, still, she decided to hold onto him. Hailey broke the gazes and averted them to the potential investor.
She cleared her throat first before saying something that would vanish the awkward atmosphere. “Anyway, have a bite, Mr. Luke.”
Just as the door was gently slammed, Hailey’s heart also skipped a beat. Her bodyguard has already left, leaving her with this stranger. She made a side eye at the door’s direction, and whispered in the back of her head.
I believe I can rely on you, Mr. Police. Don’t disappoint me, please.