“D-Detective! I can’t do it! N-not right now!”
“This might be the only chance you have to prove you’re innocent. You got this!”
Detective Merlin arrived at Precious Life Insurance Company. It was a small building, about five floors. Each of them were an office full of agents, auditors, consultants, advisors, and etc. All of them working around the hour, trying to sell their clients through phone, email, text, even on Zoom.
Merlin wanted to leave the elevator, but it wasn’t possible.
Not when Tessa Roads clung to the elevator handle bars. No matter how hard he tried to pull her out, it only sucked the detective back into the box. Whenever the elevator closed the doors in idle, he kick them back open.
“No panic! No problem!” Merlin grasped while he pulled at the suspect. “No one is gonna recognize you!”
“Of course they will! Just because I’m not in my work suit, doesn’t make me invisible!”
“You passed out during your arrest and we wheeled you straight into an ambulance. Even then, we made sure to cover up your face! There’s no way they would know it was you, at all!”
Merlin lashed a kick to step on the open button on the elevator as he leaned in to whisper. “Look, I did you a favour and left the officers back in their car. I’m in casual wear, no one will suspect a thing! Just walk in, pretend you forgot something on your day off. Act like you always do.”
“...In sweatpants!?”
“Trust yourself. You said you’re not the murderer right? Here’s your chance to prove it!”
Tessa Road froze up to those words. Her fingers gripped at the handle bars, white knuckles. She kept shaking her head, as if would be enough to wake her up from this nightmare. A few deep breaths and she relinquished her grip. Out of respect, Merlin helped her stand back on her feet, made sure her hair wasn’t all over the place and tugged on her sweater to adjust it – only for the woman to instinctively slap his hands from touching her.
“Breeaaathe. Breaaathe.” Merlin made Zen gestures with his fingers, ooouum. As he backed out of the elevator with his suspect he added. “Just pretend I’m your client, showing me around. We’ll smile and nod, make up some BS about why you’re here, and quietly step into Liam’s office. Okay?”
“...Did you really cover up my face?”
“100% positive.”
After a few deep breathes, inner turmoil, and a lot of ‘I change my mind’ Tessa was able to find it in herself to take the first step back into the office.
At this point she felt like she was walking into the mouth of a lion.
It was an odd sensation. She had been to and fro the office many times, for many years. No matter rain or shine, the feeling was always the same. Hi, bye; sterilize the desk; organize the schedule; check emails and phone messages; get to work; wait for lunch; etc.
Today she was living everyone’s worst nightmare: the sensation of walking in naked. She even had to tug on her sweater to remind herself it wasn’t true – but it felt realistic.
The office was quiet. Not silent, so that was a good thing. Sorting through paper work, having their team meetings, typing at their desks, or chatting over coffee and playing with their phones in the break room.
A few steps in, no one gave her the time of day. Tessa even saved her energy from saying hello and good morning. Instead, she kept her head down and traced her steps in places she knew would have very little people that day and---
“HEEEEEEEEEEY! TESSA ROADS! WELCOME BACK!”
“Crap Not that clown!” Tessa Road shouldn’t have swore, but she had to. All she could do was cover one hand over her face as she heard familiar foot steps. So familiar, she wanted to just shoot it on the spot.
Merlin jumped to the side – rather shoved aside as a fellow Agent rushed over from out of no where. Like a car, he drift around to stand in front of Tessa, honking with a clap of his hands. The flamboyant gesture, his raised voice, and forced laughter instantly caught the attention of the entire office. Also--
“HEY EVERYBODY! TESSA IS BACK! GIVE HER A BIG WARM WELCOME!”
The Drifting Agent slapped his hands together with a hearty chuckle. After a beat, one pair of hands awkwardly followed. Then two pairs...three pairs...and soon a full chorus of clapping. Some cheering in the back.
Merlin just stared, glancing at everyone with confusion.
The Drifting Agent then swept up his hands – the full stop of an orchestra conductor. When the silent hit Tessa, the man cheered. “Are you alright? How are you holding up?”
“Hello Bentley.” Tessa voice broke and she hated it. “I’m doing fine.”
“Reeeeally?”
Tessa tensed up and gave a side glance to Merlin. He just smiled and nod, waving like a certain British Queen to the others. Tessa swept her fingers through her hair to compose herself. “I’m on my day off, nothing special. Just forgot something. I won’t bother anyone so, if you’ll exc--”
“Day off?” Drifting Agent Bentley smiled as he intercepted her. “Aren’t you under investigation?”
“...H..how?”
Bentley flicked up his phone and gave the screen a few taps. He flipped it about turn to show the content to Tessa Road. Immediately, she choked and died (inside).
Confused, Merlin stepped over to get a glimpse.
MURDER AT DIAMOND HOTEL!
INSURANCE AGENT KILLS BOSS,
STILL FEIGNS INNOCENCE!
The front image was of Inspector Saul in the middle of addressing the press, catching his face in half-wink as if he sneezed. The corner had a mugshot of Tessa Roads, with a black bar over her eyes (of course).
“...Son of a--” Merlin facepalmed and cursed his boss with diarrhea.
Once Bentley made sure both of them saw the news, he tucked his phone away. “Don’t worry, Tessa. Even with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, even TikTok chatting up a storm – we haven’t said a single bad word about you. ISN’T THAT RIGHT!?”
Low murmurs responded, bubbling all around. Merlin opened his mouth, but kept quiet for now.
“Of course we know you’re innocent Tessa,” Bentley smirked. “No one here believes you did it. You’re innocent, as you claim!”
Tessa wanted to say something. Anything. But the adrenaline was running so hard in her body, her ear suddenly went superhuman and she can hear the tiniest of whispers around her.
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‘Like, O-M-G. Why isn’t she in cuffs?’
‘Tied up and straight jacket is more like it, the psycho.’
‘I heard she stabbed and shot Liam in the back, 10 times.’
‘Did she escape jail? Is she here to erase evidence?’
‘Where are the cops? She’s a menace isn’t she?’
‘Stupid. See that guy behind her – he’s a cop.’
Tess Roads whirled around. No matter how hard she stared, Merlin looked more like a hobo with a decent over coat. Completely normal...
...Especially that police lanyard hanging around his neck. Perfectly normal.
“...Oops.” Merlin coughed and shoved as much of his lanyard into his coat as possible. You saw nothing.
The suspect facepalmed herself. She brushed her hands to her ears to block the gossip and went straight for Liam Ferguson's office.
Only for the Drifting Agent to race over and swerve in between her and the door, blocking it with his body as a road block. “Whoa, hey. Liam is barely in the grave, and you wanna take over his office?”
Tessa groaned. “Don’t misunderstand. The police are asking for my help with their investigation. We need to look into Liam’s office. Isn’t that right Detective Merlin?”
“Hmm?” Merlin glanced between the Drifting Agent and the suspect, before a smile and nod. “Indeed yes. And she’s been very cooperative so far. So, if you would so kindly step asi--”
Bentley interrupted him, eyes on the suspect. “Now, not saying you’re the real killer or anything Tessa but, you’re still under suspicion of murder. Shouldn’t the police be holding you in a cell for 48 hours? You walking around like this is gonna make people think you bribe the police to set you free.”
“Bentley.” Tessa gritted her teeth as politely as she could. “You win. I don’t care anymore. This isn’t the time for our office politics. Please get out of my wa--”
“What do you think you’ll find behind this door, huh?” Bentley tapped a knuckle to the door behind him. “Motive for killing the boss? To take over his place? Well I mean. He DID always take a liking to you. Trained you as his protege even.” He threw a short hiss to the side. “Of course, not like I have the right bust-hip-waist ratio to catch his eye, right Tessa?”
“Bentley!”
“Ssssh. It’s alright Tessa. You and the boss were dating. Office romance happens all the time, so you really don’t need to keep it under your hat anymore! Not like we would judge you, right?”
Bentley shrugged as he leaned against the door to get comfortable. “Of course, you ARE a very capable woman regardless. You’ve handled tough clients left and right with distinction. With Liam out of the picture, it wouldn’t be difficult for you to take over his own clients and run us as your underlings right? At least no one will go starving here. HAHAHAAH!”
One hard laughter became two. Two became four. Four became a plaque. Tessa felt cockroaches crawling into her spine, nesting their eggs into her nerves. She wanted to rub it off, but it would only show weakness. There was nothing to hide against, no corner to feel safe in.
So she endured, eyes wide shut.
After Bentley had his fun, he finally noticed the Shaggy Mongrel to the side. “Ah you sir. You must be the detective. What’s your name?”
“Detective Merlin from C.I.D. Precinct 9.”
“Aaaah. Merlin. Like the wise wizard of King Arthur’s court. Hah, look at you rockin that Gandalf hair. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Bentley held out his hand to shake, Merlin shrugged back with his hands tucked in his pocket. “...Ahem. So, what can you tell us about Tessa’s situation. We are so very worried about her. Did she confess? Is that why she’s here, to re-enact the murder?”
Before Merlin could respond, a small wave of ‘oooh’ and gasps cut him off around him. When he felt it was the right time to speak he just brushed the wrinkles off his coat. “Sorry, at this time we can’t divulge any details. And the police respect Miss Tessa Road’s privacy. Now, if you could step aside and--”
“Are you sure one policeman is enough to handle her?”
“...I beg your pardon?”
“I mean – not saying she’s the killer, but if she was, look what happened to Liam! You should have brought a whole squad of SWAT to keep an eye on her. She isn’t wearing any cuffs. What happens if something triggers her – AND SHE ENDS UP KILLING EVERYONE WITH A STAPLER!?”
A short burst of panic ensured in the office. Everyone started to backpedal, gaining distance. As far away from one women wearing a sweater and sweat pants. No eye contact, no look of pity, no--
“Please stop—JUST STOP!!” Tessa snapped on them all. “10 years! From the bottom of the barrel to team leader! I know each and every one of you by heart – and you can’t even offer a SLIVER of trust in me!?”
She then started to scream, “How? How can you all do this to me? I helped you all, I taught you! I showed you the ropes and covered for you – DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA, HOW MUCH I SACRIFICED!?”
“See! See that officer!” Bentley yanked the detective over to carry him like a riot shield. “She’s losing it! Totally going schizo! Quick! Taze her! Pepper spray her! Anything! Before she--”
Detective Merlin brushed off Bentley’s grip from his coat. A few steps and he reached out to touch Tessa Roads on the shoulder. A small grip was enough to deflate the rage inside of her body. Remorse filled in the fresh gap, and she couldn’t help but hold herself with a shameful bow.
Merlin patted her on the back, before he turned to-- “You sir. In the pinstripes. What was your name again?”
“Er. B-Bentley. Bentley Simmons.”
“Mr. Simmons. Would you so kindly come with me to the station?”
“Huh?” Bentley froze. Everyone stared at him, as he himself couldn’t turn away from the detective. “Wh-what do you mean? I-I’m not the murderer, Tessa is! Wh-what have I done?”
Merlin pulled his police lanyard back out. A small turn on his heels, adjusting the straps, making sure EVERYONE could clearly see the words POLICE stitched into the straps. “Only a minute ago you believed the suspect was innocent. Now your saying she has violent tendencies and may be prone to kill others. You’re giving me strong reason to believe you know a lot about Liam Ferguson's murder. So I hope you would come with me to give me your statement – and act as a witness in the upcoming trial.”
“...HAHAHAHAHA! I-is it April Fools or something!? Th-that’s a good joke detective!” Bentley slapped a hand against Merlin’s shoulder – big mistake.
“Mr. Simmons. Murder is a serious crime. Life imprisonment of 25 years. It is your civic duty to stand forward and testify the truth in a criminal investigation.”
“W-wait. Th-there’s a mistake. I-I can’t come to court and--”
“I believe you may be a critical component of this case, a vital witness. If you refuse to cooperate with me, then I would have to personally request a Court Summon to legally bring you back to the station against your will.”
“C-Court summon!? I-is that really necessary offi--”
“If you still object to a Court Summon...Well, the law has no choice but to charge you for contempt of the court. The only way to escape this severe punishment, is to become a stained witness.”
“............HAHAHAHAHAHAH!” Bentley burst out laughing again, sweating. “Oh, detective. I humbly apologize.” Clapped his hands in smiling plea. “I was just talking out of my ass!”
“Aaaah. So from the moment you opened your mouth till now – it’s nothing but hot air?”
“Like a balloon. Yep! I-I was just...speculating on the case!”
“You were speculating rather loud, do you have trouble thinking internally?”
“NO! I-I just, I was being silly! R-right Tessa, I-I was joking!”
Horror had struck Tessa at what she was seeing, and it wasn’t a slasher film. To suddenly see the haughty Drifting Age bowing at her over and over again just...did she miss a scene in a movie?
Merlin scratched at his nose. “Well in this case, then we don’t have to worry about the finicky court procedures, saving everyone’s time and tax payer’s money! But.” He then pointed at Drifting Agent. “As an officer of the law, it is my due diligence to warn you – and everyone in this office – that false statements and fabricating evidence is an indictable offence. Maximum sentence of 14 years in prison under the Criminal Code.”
Everyone chose to shut up.
“Other than that, we gucci! No need to do any paperwork too. Win-win for both sides, right Mr. Simmons?”
“U-uuah—YES! Yes! Everybody wins! HAHAHAHA!”
“Now.” Merlin gestured at the door, which Bentley was blocking. “If you would so kindly--”
*VROOOOM*
The Drifting Agent swerved out of the way at 200 RPMs, standing aside and bowing like a butler. Satisfied, Merlin waved his hand to let Tessa Roads step in first. She staggered to the door, opening it...a stunned smile growing on her lips.
Once the two walked in and closed the door, Bentley let out a gasp. As he fumbled for his inhaler, the door cracked open. A Shaggy Mongrel poked his head out.
“Who are you again?”
“SIR! BENTLEY FARGO SIMMONS, JUNIOR! ID NUMBER A-202341955!”
“Thank you kindly.” Merlin closed the door, hiding a smirk.
Leaving the Drifting Agent as the center of attention in front of the office staff, simmering in embarrassment. “...WHAT ARE YOU ALL GAWKING AT! GET BACK TO WORK!”