Phantom

May 1, 2013       11:47 AM

The sun seemed to smile brightly that day, unlucky for Andrew who hates nothing but hot weather. He sighed grumpily while leaning on his office chair. Their office’s air conditioner must be too old at times like this. His eyebrows scrunched up and his face made a scowl as he looked upon the papers piling up on his desk. Being an investigator with a case to solve for his lunch doesn’t ease the heat. Andrew groaned dramatically, that ‘Phantom’ irked his guts away.

“Hey, Andrew, lighten up a little y’know. Don’t let the heat get into your head.’” His friend/colleague, Harold told him. Ah, this guy’s cool, he looks like a cat in some angles. “Yeah, yeah. I’m trying hard not to blaze up and explode. It’s too hot!” Andrew complained. Just then, their Chief, or so he calls, ‘Coach’ came in. “Got any problems with our ventilation? You can buy a new one if you want.” She, Chief Rika Miller said sweetly. Those sweet words were laced with venom that sent chills to Andrew and Harold’s spine. This fine brunette is a gorilla inside a cute girl’s body.

 “I’ve got no complaints Coach.” Andrew said sheepishly. One wrong move and he’ll be dead.

Knowing not to argue with the lady gorilla, Andrew went back to his work and concentrated on it. ‘Walton Smith found dead in front of the Sunrise Grand Hotel.’ He read. ‘On the exact time and date, April 29, 2013, 10:02 AM, the new mall in front of the hotel opened, that means, there’s a crowd. ‘Andrew thought. ‘If the crowd was used for a cover, there’s still someone that should have seen the murder. Why did no one saw who attacked Mr. Smith? So, let’s say it’s a long ranged shot, but how did the Phantom’s sign, the crossbones, be tattooed on his neck?’ Andrew’s thoughts are overflowing and it seems to burst out of him any second. ‘Could it be that Phantom has alleys that work for Mr. Smith?’ Andrew looked at the paper again. ’His things are all fine except his company ID is missing.’ He read again. ‘Of all his things, why his ID? What will Phantom do with his ID?’

Sometimes, analyzing data hurts his head. Andrew grunted and mumbled incoherent words.

“…..rew!”

This Phantom’s good, excitement’s rushing through his body.

“Andrew!”

The said guy jolted hearing his name. He’s jumpy when disturbed in his concentration.

“What?” Andrew glared at the person who scared the sh*t out of him. “I was calling you a few times now, but you did not comply.” Rika said and smiled. Andrew gulped, wrong move.

“Go to the conference room!” the brunette said and marched out of the office. The two guys followed. Upon entering the room, they saw their coworkers very giddy. “What’s up?” Harold asked Shawn, another close friend and colleague of his. “I don’t know, but they said, we’ll be meeting a babe today. Or so what Chief said.” It seemed to excite Harold too. Andrew just snickered when he heard the word babe; he thought of a pig and came to realize, it was supposed to be a girl. It was rare to see girls in their office, except citizens that complains and specially, exception of Rika. They don’t really consider her as a part of the female population.

The room became noisy as if elementary students were there. “Quiet! Attention all of you!” Jun, the Sergeant and also the rumored boyfriend of Rika stopped all the fuss his colleagues are doing. Now, he has their full attention, good that Rika left first to fetch ‘her’. “Don’t get too excited you morons! We’re not going to meet a chick for our own convenience! As if that lady would do something like that! We’re going to meet one of the ‘Six Mercenaries’, you dumb heads!”

Six Mercenaries, six people who has etched their names in Police history. Though they’re not driven by money, they’re paid in high amount than the regular that they should receive. Initially because they’re one of the bests. They were the police who they say that has no mercy and even criminals and policemen would kneel down on them. Unfortunately, they were suspended in duty because they always ‘accidentally’ kill the criminal they’re assigned to. And so, the six were separated to each district department including theirs.

“Y-you mean those w-who…..” Harold can’t even complete his sentence; rumors said those people have attitudes. Andrew gulped, why of all departments in their town, one has to go to them!

The conference room opened. “Ju~n! Why did ‘ya kill the excitement?” Rika slapped Jun’s arm. “It’s not exciting at all!” Jun hissed at her. She only gave him a why-is-it-not-exciting look. Jun gaped at her. Like seriously?

“Ok! I’ll call her! Wait here.”

All of the men inside the room were in horror. They were expecting to see murderous aura, wicked smile or anything that would make her look weird, a scary woman. But then, the door revealed a normal looking lady, perhaps. Porcelain white skin, thin plump lips, long silky blue stripped black hair and innocent blue orbs. All in all, she’s a beauty. Everyone except Rika was shocked to see her, her looks were far from what they imagined.

“Hello, good noon. I’m Candace Morgenstern. Nice meeting all of you.” She said very politely. Unknowingly, her gaze landed on Andrew. They locked gazes. Andrew was absorbed by her eyes, like he was drowning inside her ocean eyes.

 Candace looked away after some seconds and looked at the other people inside the room. It seems like just by looking into her eyes, she could see the whole you. You really can’t tell with that stoic face of hers. “That’s all. Go back to your work people.” Rika broke the silence inside the room. Everyone groaned but went back to work anyway.

Andrew sat down on his chair and went back to work. He needs to get this done immediately. He reread his data again and remembered about the ID. “Why his ID?” he mumbled.

“Because they use their ID as a key to every door inside their building.”

Andrew froze. He did not expect to hear that girl’s voice. He looked at her, and again he was mesmerized by those blue jewels of hers.  They held their gazes as if they were the only ones in that room.

“H-huh?”

“I said they use their ID as keys.” Candace repeated herself.

Andrew snapped out of the trance and blinked a few times. He looked at her emotionless face confused. “How did you know about that?” he asked. She pondered about it and said, “I happen to have a case involving them before.”

Although he did not quite expect her to tell him that, he muttered “Thanks” to her. She smiled a tiny smile that’s almost not visible. “You are always welcome Andrew.”

Andrew was baffled. How did she know his name? He did not introduce himself yet! He was about to ask how but she was nowhere to be seen anymore. Andrew shrugged it off and concentrated on his work.

He called Mr. Smith’s secretary.

“Yes, yes. I would like to conduct an investigation there. Yes, thank you. Thank you.”

“I’ll be there. 1:30. Ok. Bye.”

He sighed and looked at his watch. It’s already 12:15 PM. He needs to eat his lunch before going to the Smith’s Corporation. “Jun! I’m going out!” Andrew yelled and went out not even bothering to hear his reply.

May 1, 2013        1:30 PM

“Are you Andrew Deply?” a girl, known as the secretary of Mr. Smith greeted him on the entrance of the building.

“Ah, yes I am.” Andrew said. “Please come in Sir.” She motioned him to go inside the building. He noticed that Candace was right; they really use their IDs as key.

They went to Mr. Smith’s office; the girl swiped her ID and pressed the password. Andrew memorized the code, 2440. It might be put to good use. Upon entering, he immediately searched anything that the Phantom would want. It might be a money vault, files, or illegal things.

He felt the secretary’s watching his every move intently. He continued searching as if he did not notice it. He opened Mr. Smith’s drawer and found deep within the files there, the ID that the victim ‘lost’. He secretly hid it inside his pocket and engaged the secretary in a conversation.

“So, why was Mr. Smith there in the hotel?” he asked, though he already knew the reason. “For a business meeting.” She confidently answered. Andrew continued searching. “Does he have anything that you think the reason Phantom killed him?” Andrew asked. The girl seemed to think. “I don’t think there is Sir.” She said. “Are you sure?” He did not believe what she just told him. “Mr. Smith is a very secluded person, if this case includes his personal life, I believe Sir I can’t be of any help. If it’s business, I don’t think this company has done any wrong. Maybe Phantom wanted money from the company?” she said. The answer was too specific, like it was really prepared to be answered, but she has a point. “Well, thank you for your time. I’ll be going now, sorry for the disturbance.”

Andrew went back to the office and went straight to see Chief Rika. “Coach! I found something!” he happily waved the ID in front of Rika’s face. Seeing the ID, it looked like a vein popped on her head. “It seems that it wasn’t stolen! Mr. Smith left his ID in his office.” Andrew grinned happily. “IDIOT! DON’T HOLD IT LIKE THAT! YOU DIDN’T EVEN USE GLOVES! THAT’S EVIDENCE MORON!” She shouted at him. Andrew stared at her like she grew another head. “Why?”

Rika face palmed, this guy’s purely an idiot! “Harold! Get this done now!” Harold immediately did what he was told with proper things. He doesn’t want to anger someone like Rika.

“Why do you even have to test it?” Andrew asked, very annoyed being insulted. “Are you nuts?! What if the Phantom returned it there so it would look like he just killed another random person?! Having that ID, the Phantom can get access anywhere in that building! Besides, Mr. Smith doesn’t leave his ID! I told you that! You didn’t take that down did you?!” Rika was totally furious. How could this idiot be a detective? “Well, no. I thought it wasn’t important.” He said scratching the back of his head.

“IDIOT!”

That word echoed in the whole office.

May 1, 2013              9:17 PM

Andrew was lying lazily on his bed and his face on the pillow. It was quite gloomy that night, a sudden summer rain occurred which surprised him. It was so hot that morning, so he did not expect it to rain. Because of the chill from the rain, Andrew slowly drifted to sleep. But before he gets to sleep he heard continuous knocks on his apartment’s door. Andrew grunted, who in the world would be knocking on his door at this time and weather?!

He sluggishly walked and opened his door. He saw that pair of hypnotizing blue eyes again. Because of shock, he slammed the door shut. “W-why is s-she here?!” Andrew whispered to himself. “Andrew! Open the door! What kind of manners do you have?!” loud knocks and that loud voice told him that Candace wasn’t alone. His landlady was there too.

He opened the door once again and let them in. They seemed to have an umbrella with them but Candace was dripping wet. “What happened to you?” he asked her. “I got kicked out of my apartment.” She said nonchalantly. Andrew sighed and searched for his smallest shirt and gave it to her. Andrew had a hard time finding one, because of his huge build which is exactly opposite with Candace. He let her use the shower and put all her clothes in the laundry. Everything she has with her is wet.

“You know each other?” his fat curly haired land lady asked. “Ah… yeah. I just met her earlier at work.” Andrew said. “She was asking me if I still had a room for rent, I told her Andrew Deply got the last one. She told me if I could bring her to you so I did.” Andrew gave her landlady a WTH look. Why does she need to tell her his name? “Oh well, take care of her. I’ll be going now.” Before he can even react, his landlady was out of his place. He sighed. Like he can do anything, he can’t send her away with this heavy rain, he’s not cruel.

Candace went out of the bath wearing nothing but the shirt he lent her. The shirt reached above her knees and her left shoulder exposed. Andrew was not a pervert and he’ll never be. Heck, he doesn’t even have any porn hidden in his place. But still, he is a man, he tried not looking at her for decency and of course he did not fail on that.

“Have you eaten yet?” Andrew asked her. Candace shook her head and held her tummy. “I’m starving.” She said bluntly. Since Andrew didn’t eat yet, he decided to cook dinner. Andrew lived alone since he was high school; so definitely, he needs to take care of himself. Ready to eat food won’t satisfy his big appetite. He really needed to cook.

“Candace, dinner’s ready. Let’s eat.” Andrew called her. She was looking around his place. For a guy who lives alone, his place’s neat. “You’ve got nice place.” She commented and sat down in front of Andrew. He eats greedily. Because his mouth is full, his ‘Thanks” came out muffled. Rather finding it disgusting, Candace found it cute. She giggled and ate her food.

He remembered her addressing him in his name though there was no formal introduction between them. He swallowed his food and raised his brow. How did she know him? Have they met? Andrew would recognize her if they did. Or not?

“Please don’t stare.” When those words entered his ear, he was out of his thoughts.

“Ah.. sorry. I was just wondering.” He trailed off. “About?” Sensing that she was curious about it, he decided to tell her. “Have we met before?” he said and ate another spoonful. Candace continued staring at him. Then, she gave a sad smile causing him to feel guilty. So they met already? Why the hell he couldn’t remember her?!

“We were batch mates back in high school.” She said and continued eating. “Ah, but you know, I’m not really sociable back then, sorry for not remembering you.” Andrew said, but no matter how he tried, he just can’t remember her. “Well, I know you wouldn’t. I was just hoping.”  She told him, still sadness lingered in her eyes.

 “So, we never talked before?” he asked curiously. “We did. Not that long enough though.” With that said, she closed their conversation.

May 1, 2013              11:45 PM

Candace sat down on the couch; she’s feeling it, to get comfortable with it. Small smile escaped her lips; finally, she could get close to him. The couch smelled so much like him, so manly. Such a pervert isn’t she?

“Hey. It’s late, not gonna sleep yet?” her train of thoughts were interrupted by Andrew’s deep voice. She looked up to him and nodded “I’ll be sleeping now. Here on the couch.” She said. Andrew looked at her like she grew two heads or something. ‘Does he want me to sleep on the floor?’ Candace thought.

“Are you nuts? Why would you be sleeping on the couch if you can sleep on the bed?” she blushed deep shade of red. “S-sleep there?” Candace pointed his bed. Andrew shrugged.

“Yeah. What’s wrong with that?” he cocked his head to the side in a cute manner. Candace thought her heart would explode, thank heavens it didn’t. “No. I’ll sleep here. Visitors sleep on couches.” Candace insisted. “Where did you hear that crap?!”

“I insist.”

“Bed.”

“Couch.”

“Bed.”

“Couch.”

“Bed.”

“Couch.”

“Whether you like it or not, you’re going to sleep on my bed.” Andrew rubbed his temples, this girl’s stubborn. “I…… can’t… sleep on that bed with you!” Candace said. Tomatoes would be ashamed on how red her face is.

Realization hit Andrew, hard. So that’s why she doesn’t want to.  “H-hey, that’s not what I mean!” he tried explaining to her. Crap, now she thinks he’s a pervert. “Y-you sleep here, I’ll sleep on the couch.” Andrew also blushed in embarrassment.

            Now, the said girl understood what he meant but still insisted in sleeping on the couch. . “I’ll sleep here. Visitors sleep on couches.” She repeated. Andrew smirked. “I wouldn’t let a girl sleep on a couch, would I?”

            Candace felt butterflies in her stomach. “O-ok.” Candace stood up and rested on the bed. While Andrew sat down on his swivel chair and study table beside his bed. He thought Candace was fast asleep. She looked defenseless, angelic, and peaceful. When she’s awake though, she’s too stiff and always alert with her surroundings. Even if he doesn’t know her that much, he can feel her uneasiness within herself.

May 2, 2013                      12:30AM

            An hour later, Andrew’s still wide awake. Sitting on his chair, he contemplates about the case he’s handling. Like always, he was drowned inside his thoughts again. ‘If I could just get the results of the fingerprints immediately, I think I can solve this. Tsk. But I have this hunch that Phantom’s motive on this is to have the company’s money.’

            Andrew’s forehead scrunched up because of full concentration. Candace found it cute; she was awake all along, observing Andrew in his work.

            Both were startled when a loud ring echoed inside the silent room. Someone’s calling Andrew. Fishing his phone inside his pocket, he noticed Candace staring at him. “Your awake?” he asked her still having a hard time getting his phone. “I haven’t slept yet.”

            Finally having the thing his fishing inside his pocket, Andrew’s eyes grew large seeing who’s calling him. He gulped, why is Coach calling him?

            “H-hello?” he answered.

            “What took you so long?” she asked immediately.

            “Well…. Because…” and before he could finish, Rika interjected. “Candace is there right? Let me talk to her.”

            He straightaway gave the phone to the girl beside him. He mouthed ‘Chief Rika’ to her.

            “Yes, hello?” Candace quietly answered the phone.

            After a few minutes of talking, the phone call’s finally done. “So, what happened? Why did she call?” Andrew asked. “Well, I texted her about me being kicked out of my apartment and staying here in your place. I asked before I came here if she could help me but she did not reply. She just asked if I was ok and said sorry about not responding quickly.”

Right after Candace spoke, everything went silent, and as well awkward silence dawned before them. Feeling that he has to sleep already, Andrew stood up and made his way to the couch. But, Candace’s voice stopped him. “I need to tell you something.”

The said guy looked at her with a confused face. “Yeah? What is it?” Candace inhaled deeply, nervousness completely written all over her face. “I…I…. liked you since I saw you back in high school… And… I still like you…”

Candace was extremely flustered because of her sudden confession. Andrew on the other hand, well, not that far with the girl’s face, they were both blushing because of embarrassment.

Andrew did not have any sleep that morning. After all that happened, his mind stopped processing everything.

May 2, 2013                8:15 AM

            Andrew came to work like a dead that came back to life. Walking groggily, eyes were heavy wanting them shut; his body only wanted sleep that he cannot give because work’s waiting for him and the lady gorilla of course. Candace in contrast with him doesn’t look bothered at all.

            “Hey Andrew! What the heck happened to you?” Shawn asked while laughing. Andrew just grunted and made his way to his working place. Candace soon followed him and sat beside him. Noticing this, Shawn came to a conclusion. “Hey! Why did you come here together? Don’t tell me, you two were together this morning?”

            “They were since last night.” Suddenly, Rika came to view. After stating the fact that the two were together, everyone went into a commotion. “What?!” ”Hey you’re fast huh!” “Why?!” “What did they do?” those questions were thrown by their colleagues.

            “Please don’t be malicious. He just helped me, I was kicked out of my place because the landlord heard about me being one of the Six Mercenaries.” Candace said and eyed each of them. Rika scoffed, “I only said you were together since last night. I did not mean anything.” Then, she walked out.

            The others were ashamed thinking of something frivolous about Andrew and Candace. So they all went back to their business. Muttering sorry and mentally scolding themselves for being malicious.

Remembering that Harold has something to give Andrew, he went to his drawer and fetches an envelope. This envelope holds the fingerprints from the ID, the possible lead to the Phantom. Results came fast because Chief Rika has this influence that she rarely uses.

“Andrew! I have the results. Mind looking at them now?” Harold said and gave it to Andrew. The said guy on the other hand was still out of his world and did not even grab the envelope being handed to him. He just dumbly looked at the hand in front of him. “Uhmm... earth to Andrew?” 

“H-huh?”

“I said if you could look at this now? Though, I don’t think you’re in the condition to do so. Maybe later bro, you need sleep.” Harold patted him on the back. He pitied Andrew. It really looked like he wasn’t able to sleep at all. What did Candace do to him?

Harold put back the envelope to his drawer. Before leaving to go to the second floor, he reminded his sleep deprived friend, “If you think you’re fine, just get it in my drawer okay?”

Andrew mindlessly nodded but he did not completely understand what Harold just said. His mind’s half asleep now.

Candace was just standing in the corner observing people inside the place. This is her favorite hobby, quietly watching people. What they do, what they usually talk about and what are the things that affect people inside the place they’re in.

Additional to this, she uses this as her skill in being part of the Six Mercenaries. And she will be using it now. Calculating the people who would look at her, sensing if Andrew would wake up she passed by him, or if people there by any chance would see her walking towards Harold’s drawer.

She walked confidently and talked to the people inside the office. Good thing there were few incidences happening around the area, residents doesn’t need to go to the police station. Though there is a little number of people, Candace was very careful. She made sure that no one’s suspecting that she’s planning something. Sometimes, she would glance around and pass by in Harold’s table. Then, she would listen to the complaints of people and at times, she gives them advices.

When the time is right, for her opinion, she walked towards Harold’s table. She swiftly got the envelope without anyone noticing her. She quickly went out of the office.

However, Candace thought that the only eyes who might look at her were the people inside the office and the CCTV cameras. She miscalculated. There is another pair of eyes looking at her, observing her every move, Chief Rika.

Seeing what Candace has done, she flipped her phone and pressed a certain person’s number.

“Max…I think I know….” Rika was completely cut off by the man on the other line.

“Rika~ How have you been?” he cheerfully intervened. Sensing that this guy, Max doesn’t want to hear what she has to say, Rika became furious.

“Will you please listen first?!” she shouted. “Just do what I always tell you. When it comes to the Phantom, just observe things.”

Max Hollens, another police in that department. He is one of the ‘Crownless Polices’ that gained fame before the Six Mercenaries became known. He would always be the guy who smiles every day without worry but is always asked for his opinion. When Rika needs help, she goes to him, just what she has done. Even if Rika doesn’t think it is the right thing to do, something inside tells her that Max’s right.  Now though, Max is in the hospital because of an accident in work involving the Phantom.

“I can’t just let this slip away! SHE TOOK A FILE!” Rika became restless and paced around her office. “But, something nags me that I have to follow you…again. Why are you always right? Do you have premonitions or something?” she sighed and sat down on her chair again.

“No, of course not. I don’t have special powers or anything.  Why don’t you just follow that nagging thing inside you?”

The line went dead. Guess she has to follow him. Again.

“Chief! Miss Candace…” a police man came running to her office. This police man is in charge of the surveillance. She already knew what this guy has to say. “Just let it be.” She said even before the police man says anything. Confused, the police man stared blankly at Rika.

“I said just let it be.”

 May 2, 2013               9:32 AM

When Candace finally got out of the office, she quite felt relief. She started walking towards some other place but a car stopped in front of her. A police car from a district near them to be exact. A woman with long curly blond hair that reached her shoulders came out from the said car. She’s very beautiful and has a good body. She smiled warmly at the stoic girl but Candace doesn’t seem to care that much about her.

“Keira, what are you doing here?” Candace asked the blond nonchalantly.

“To see you of course!”

Kiera Sheer is another member of the famous Six Mercenaries. If Candace’s specialty is observing people and helps them move in missions, Kiera’s specialty is her talking ability. She’s used in transactions with the other police and criminals. She’s good with talking and socializing which makes them use less violence. Which doesn’t comply with why they were suspended.

A brunette fine guy came out of the car too. He leaned on the car and lit a cigarette. He wears police uniform. Each Six Mercenary would have one companion wherever they go, and this guy must be Kiera’s companion. As for Candace, Andrew became her companion without designation. It just became like that because she practically lives with him for now.

“I’m in a hurry so please get out of here now.” She coldly said. Fake sadness can be seen on her. Feigning hurt. “So cruel Candace.”

Another ability of hers is acting and she uses it way too much.

“I need to go.” Candace said much seriously now. Knowing that Candace can see through her, she stopped acting and smirked. “Oh? Why in a hurry?”

Kiera saw the envelope she’s holding and quickly snatched it from her. Candace got pissed off her. “They let you hold cases? Huh... They’re really low. We’re not allowed to do such things and they let you? So incompetent, can’t they solve cases on their own?” the blond mockingly said. But she knew this wasn’t the case. She just wanted to add fuel to the fire.

 Looking inside the envelope, she saw the fingerprint results. “Phantom? You’re really interested with this criminal…”

Candace snatched the envelope back and hissed at her. “Mind your own business Kiera.” The said girl just shrugged and giggled. “Touché.”

Candace rolled her eyes at Kiera’s antics. “I know where you’re going. ‘Wanna have a lift?”

Hearing what Kiera said made her companion choke in smoke. “Hey! I’m not your driver and this car’s not your private vehicle!”

Kiera stared blankly at him and then laughed and winked at him. “It’s fine. It’s the same way back to the office.” With a lot of protests, he agreed and went off.

While driving to the Harrison Hospital, Kiera excitedly intrigued Candace. She likes hot and juicy gossips but Candace seemed to shrug her off and kept her silence.

“Oh c’mon! Why won’t you tell me? Your companion is that guy you like way back your high school days right? Right?” Kiera kept pushing her talking ability and wishing her friend to spill some. Unfortunately, the car halted. They arrived in the hospital.

“Oh look! Michie’s over there!” Kiera squealed and hurriedly went out of the car. “Michie!” she called out to the tall girl with eye glasses. The said girl turned around and gave a stern look to whoever called her. Though, there’s only one person who calls he that. “Hey-o! Michie!” Kiera ran towards her and gave a bear hug suffocating the other girl.

Michelle pushed her away and re-adjusted her glasses. “How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?!” Her nickname was just way too off for a tall girl like her.  She brushed off her blouse and sighed at the grinning girl in front of her. “Is there anything that you need?” she asked. “Nope, but the person who’s with me has.”

Michelle gave her a confused look and soon realized that Candace was walking towards them.  “Candace?” Michelle gave a discern look at her. “Hello.”

“Oh well, I need to leave. My companion’s seething with anger now. Bye~” Kiera skipped away from them and went back to the car. Before driving away, she bid goodbye again.

 May 2, 2013               9:58 AM

The two went inside the hospital.   “I suppose you need me for something.” Michelle seriously stated. “Yes.” Candace answered confidently.

They’re always like this, formal and straight. Michelle Ruess is the ‘hitman’ of the Six Mercenaries. If Kiera’s mischievous and good with communicating, Michelle’s uptight and good with shooting, whether long or short range. She’s the least friendly in their group though; she’s in good terms with Anikka.

“Can you please help me with this?” Candace gave her the envelope containing the fingerprint results. Michelle scanned the whole content and predicted what her ‘friend’ wants her to do.

“I know now. You want me to change the results?” she directly asked and without a flinch, Candace nodded. “Yes please.”

Michelle’s field is not all about shooting or being a police. She is also studying medicine because of their family’s legacy being doctors. Being a policewoman was her choice.

“Could you please stop this nonsense about Phantom? It’s not even worth it. You’ll just get caught up with sorts of trouble because of this.” True enough that Candace would be in trouble, but she can’t help it. She has the responsibility of not letting anyone know about who Phantom is.

“Since Anikka asked you of this. Please help me.” Another fact. Anikka ordered Michelle to help Candace to whatever she needs. “I know. Wait here in the lobby. I’ll get this done.” As soon as she said that she walked towards the elevator and left Candace.

Anikka Strauss is another member of the Six Mercenaries. They never defy what she wants. She has absolute power on them.

While waiting patiently in the lobby, Candace noticed a tall guy pacing around. He seemed to be waiting for someone impatiently. It was fun for Candace to see the guy agitated, he was cute like that. She stood up from her seat and walked towards the guy. The said man has a black hair a pair of gray eyes. When she was closer, she noticed the guy was wearing a police uniform. ‘Oh? A police from another district? Must be because of Michelle…’ Candace thought.

“Hey.” She called out to the man walking back and forth in the lobby. He was startled when a certain girl called out on him. “Ah…me?” he pointed himself and looked around him; he might be wrong thinking that it was him. But Candace nodded and stepped closer.

“Uh… can I help you?” he asked her. “Not really, I just find you cute pacing around here.” Candace said and immediately, the guy blushed at the sudden compliment of an unknown girl. “A-ah… ahm…” He was rather speechless too.

“Are you Michelle’s companion?” she asked. This seemed to get the attention of the guy. “You know her?”

“Yes. I’m a friend of hers. My name’s Candace Morgenstern. You are?” she offered her hand and the guy took it for a handshake. “Ah! You’re a member of Six Mercenaries too, right? Patrick Culkin’s the name by the way. Nice to meet you Candace.”  Candace smiled and said, “Yes.”

He was very polite and looks kind of cool in Candace’s perspective. Though she thinks Patrick’s having a hard time with Michelle, being not so social with people around her.  “It’s good that you can keep up with Michelle. You know, she’s a little introvert.” Patrick chuckled and grinned. “Not really. Besides, I really like her.” Candace’s mouth formed an ‘o’ and laughed. “True enough.”

After a few minutes, Michelle came back to the lobby and found her companion chatting happily with Candace. A certain part of her hurt but decided to ignore it. “Candace.” She called out. “Here, but next time, I won’t do any of this anymore.” Michelle gave her back the results but with altered contents. “Thank you.”

Candace bid goodbye to the two. “What were you two talking about?” Michelle asked. “Hmm? Me and Candace? I don’t know? Maybe it’s between the two of us.”

-

 May 2, 2013               10:45 AM

            “Where have you been?” Jun asked Candace when he saw her in front of the office. “Just outside.” She said timidly. But Jun doesn’t seem to believe her so he further asked. “Yeah? Where exactly? “Candace was caught off guard nonetheless she did not show it. Poker face says it all. “In a café, I met a friend of mine so she invited me out.” After answering his questions, she went inside straightaway. Candace needed to get the results back before anyone notices. She’s hoping no one has yet.

            Just as she sighted Andrew near the coffee maker, she heard him say, “Ah, before I forget. Harold, can I have the results now?” Her heart beats fast and her hands perspired. She quickly went to Andrew’s table which is quite far from where he is. She slid the results under the files piling up on his table.

            “Huh? I thought you have that already. It’s not in my drawer anymore.” Harold said. He went to his drawer to double check but it wasn’t there. “I don’t have it yet!” said Andrew.

            Candace suddenly talked. “Is this what you are looking for?” All eyes went on her. She pointed something under the stack of papers on Andrew’s table. Andrew went back to his table and got shock. There it is indeed. When did he get that? He doesn’t remember getting anything from Harold’s drawer.

            “Seriously Andrew, you need brain supplements.” Shawn said and shook his head. Others who witnessed the scene laughed at how idiot this guy can be. “B-but! I really did not get that from his drawer!”

            No one really cared. He just scratched his forehead and went back to work.

            Candace felt guilty but what else can she do? What she did was needed in that situation; she can’t falter just because she has feelings for Andrew.

            “Excuse me, is Mr. Deply here?” a middle aged woman came inside the police station. She looked rich and glamorous.

            Once when Andrew heard his name, he instantaneously went towards the lady. “Yes, can I help you Ma’am?” he flashed his charming smile to her. “I would like to withdraw the case of my husband.”

            He looked at her; evidently, he did not comprehend what she just told him. “Withdraw the case? W-wait… why?” he asked.

            The said woman is the widow of Mr. Smith who was killed because of the mysterious Phantom.

            “I just want my husband to rest in peace. I think everything will be more complicated if we dig in this case. So please, please stop the investigation.” Andrew clearly wanted to retort about having justice on their side but he knows he should follow what their client would say.

            “Alright…. My condolences with your husband Ma’am.”

-

  May 2, 2013               5:26 PM

            “Are you still disappointed?” Candace asked Andrew. Obviously, no one needs to ask. He was clearly sulking. He felt that he wasn’t good enough to provide the justice for Mr. Smith. But he wouldn’t say that. “No. I’m fine.”

            Jun went towards him and placed a coffee on the brooding man’s table. “No one thinks you’re fine.” All agreed with him.

            “Stop this nonsense at once.” Their Chief briskly headed to them. Because her extremely scary presence, all were stiff and quiet. “Go to Federal Street near the Spring Field Academy! A murder was reported. Go!”

            The said guys scrambled out of the office.

  May 2, 2013               5:39 PM

            Many people are crowding in one place. There seemed to be a commotion. Shawn walked towards the scenario. People made way upon seeing the man’s uniform. There, he saw a mad lying on the ground lifeless. Andrew soon came with some other police.

            “Is there anyone of you who saw what happened?”

-

May 2, 2013                6:19 PM

            “So you are saying that someone riding a black motorcycle ambushed him?” Andrew confirmed with the witness. “Y-yes sir. I was about to help the guy but the gun was pointed at me too. I-I d-didn’t want to die yet.”

            Andrew huffed and fell silent. The victim’s tattooed with the Phantom’s sign. Another innocent killed by that bastard.

            “What did the suspect look like?” the inspector, Andrew asked. “He….” ‘It was a guy.’ Andrew thought. “He’s tall. Very tall. He was also wearing black motorcycle suit and he’s wearing a half mask so I am not certain how he looks.” The witness answered. “Anything else? Recall anything that can be distinguished about him.” But before the witness could answer, Harold came.

“The sister of the victim’s here.”

All eyes looked at the middle aged woman. She looked gloomy-maybe because of his brother’s sudden death. Wrinkles already crept on her face and her clothes were a bit run down too. Her eyes were puffed probably for the reason of crying for her brother’s death.

She quickly went towards Andrew with anger emitted from her. “I know why my brother’s murdered. “

All chattering were hushed and everything listened to what she was going to say. “He knows who the Phantom is.”

From afar, Candace simply stared at the woman who declared that her brother knows who Phantom is. That woman whose she’s familiar with, the same lady who gave her a cold shoulder.

Candace can remember it well. There was a heavy rain that day, she and Anikka were searching for a shelter until the storm was gone…

A certain old looking restaurant came to their view. Quickly, they went inside to have some nice and warm meal but unfortunately, the eating place was closing. Closing and will not open again. 

---

TBC :)