100 Ways to Solve a Murder-Chapter 150: The Reunion VIII
Outside the Octagon, Queen Mary University
Davies stood beside Levi, who was nursing his jaw by the ambulance with an ice pack. He dare not ask what happened; he could already tell. He had witnessed her throw a punch at the blond Irishman after all, and he did not dare even greet her, seeing as she was fuming. While the psychologist was bent over, holding his bleeding lip 10 minutes before.
The Detective inspector turned to the slicked blond with his hand in his coat pockets. "I know it’s you," he said as the two of them watched in a distance as David Fletcher was taken into custody for possession of illegal drugs after the bomb-sniffing dogs detected it on him on his way to exit the premises during evacuation. His arrest and bail process will give them enough time to process both the search warrant and an arrest warrant for the murder of Olivia-rose and Evelyn. If the same drug is found in his property, it will not only support his involvement with their deaths but also add another criminal charge on his already long list.
"Yeah," Levi confirmed, earning a groan from the older gentleman; he would have preferred it if the slicked blond denied the accusation. At least he could lie to himself by taking the man’s word blindly.
Levi turned to look at the shorter man, still sporting his magnificent black Tuxedo. "Well, will ya?" he challenged, confident that the man would not say a word of it. That, yes, it was he who anonymously called the authorities, threatening that he left a bomb and will blow up the location if his demands were not met. The emergency services took it seriously enough to send the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team to the said location. Better safe than sorry.
He did just get him a killer/drug dealer (even though he’s a small fry) in a silver platter, didn’t he? "Dr. Forrest, the Pathologist, by the way, eliminated that both deaths are accidental based on the abnormal amount of the drug found in their interstitial tissues." Davies shared, it meant that someone pushed so much of it in their system that the veins collapsed, fluid entering the interstitial tissues is painful, causing it to bulge due to the drug pooling around the area.
Ergo, not self-inflicted.
The Irishman scoffed, "Better late than never, I guess." he said, taking the ice pack away from his face and throwing it on the ambulance gurney. "Carol?" he asked.
"I had Palmer in charge of taking her official statement, and my team is working double time on getting a search warrant to his property." "I take it you’ll make sure her videos are secure?" Levi clarified, making sure he kept his words at least. "I’ll take care of it" Davies assured he knew too well many opposing politicians would pay big bucks for it. Levi nodded satisfied, "Happy birthday, Davies." he said, walking away.
......
Fifteen minutes later, 7 Eastbourne Rd.
Levi collapsed on the Agency sofa. Marco, Joe, Alex, and Mike watched him as he peeled the tuxedo jacket off of himself, then unbuttoned his vest with a huff.
Marco sent the Irishman a stern look. After delivering Carol Corden safely to Davies’ people, he reflected on the Reunion incident, and he came up with a realization. "Levi, I know what you did," he said, tone disappointed.
"What?" the slicked blond asked, feigning ignorance. People should be more specific, he always thought. Marco huffed; he recognized that expression on his face. He was acting. "I know it’s you who anonymously called 999 about the bomb threat", he said.
"Good job, Marco," Levi praised patronizingly.
Marco rolled his eyes in response while the boys chewed their food, watching the two. They bought Drive-thru on their way back, missing dinner while they sat waiting at their boss’ orders. They were all starving; there was just so much they could take inside the cramped car. But taking a piss was the most challenging of all during surveillance.
"It’s not the best way to do things, Levi." the bearded man reasoned; he knew the Irishman made sure it wouldn’t be able to be led to him, most likely using a disposable phone or something. But the bearded man never really agreed with the Irishman’s methods; there were so many things that could have gone wrong in his so-called theatrics. Perhaps people could have gotten injured during the evacuation.
Levi groaned in annoyance; he had enough of the night already. He was tired, and his face hurt like a bitch, and people who use ’you punch like a girl’ as an insult, sure as hell never been punched by Sam. He was sure that the redhead was still pissed at him, understandably so, but that was better than the alternative of her distancing herself from him after what he did. He sure as hell knew that the thought of him fancying her romantically had crossed her mind then. And the fear in her eyes before told him that she wasn’t ready for it; he knew she hated complications. And what he wanted indeed was complicated. Also, if she weren’t ready, any attempts he will do in the future would be unsuccessful if she was on guard. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
The Irishman would have preferred the direct approach; it would have been less troublesome in his opinion. Tell her what that kiss truly meant, and push his luck of asking for more. However, he’d just have to choose the alternative approach based on the psychological profile he had created on her.
According to her relationship history, she had not once been emotionally involved with any of her past sexual partners. It was a clear sign that she has a reluctance to commit, possibly rooting from either her childhood, or a developed fear of being vulnerable, and most of all, the fear of getting hurt.
He was very aware that Sam had been guarded from the start, even though she appears to be very open to most people on most things. In reality, when it came to what really mattered to her, she’s reluctant to let people in, territorial even. Evident by the fact that she doesn’t let just anyone invade her space, especially at work. Work--that she committed her life to.
Considering all these facts, he knew better to play the long game. He already has a list of things he plans on doing there on forward.
How did the metaphor go? ’If you put a frog in a pot of boiling water, it will instantly leap out. But if you put it in a pot filled with pleasantly tepid water and gradually heat it, the frog will remain in the water until it boils to death. He decided to take this approach dealing with the redhead. That’s the only way he could guarantee a chance for success.
Levi shot Marco a tired look, "Does it matter how? We got the right guy, and I think that’s justice." he retorted.
Changing topic, Levi looked at Joe," Make sure to inform Davies that he better make sure they don’t delay their payment like last time; or I won’t be consulting till he begs on his knees." Joe nodded, "Okay boss," he replied.
Levi propped his legs on top of the coffee table and loosened his bow tie. He glared at it, recalling the redhead was the one who tied it for him. He was still pissed; he can’t seem to forget that image of her in the Library. While Marco made his way towards the slicked blond, handing him a cup of tea. His eyes narrowed at the man’s chiselled face, more so on the obscure cut corner of his lower lip.
The GP’s eyes then darted around, realizing something very obvious he was surprised he didn’t realize the second the Irishman arrived. "Where’s Sam?" he asked suddenly, wondering why the Irishman was alone in the first place. He expected they would want to celebrate tonight after getting the guy. Levi looked at him with narrowed eyes, "Wind your neck in, Marco." the Irishman instructed, earning surprised looks from the boys and Marco. Shit must have happened, they all thought based on the man’s reaction.
Sam leaned back in the bathtub, submerged shoulders down in warm water. Her hair tied up in a messy bun that evening. Her mind wandered back to hours before, when her heart pounded against her chest. The feel of his arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and his fingers wrapped around the side of her face. And his lips brushing against hers.
She shouldn’t have kissed back, she thought. But her body responded before she even realized what was happening. And all that was simply to make a fool out of her. A little voice at the back of her mind was Relief, but something deep within her was an ounce of disappointment.
Sam’s jaw subconsciously clenched when she gazed upon her right knuckles, slightly reddened. And an urge to punch Levi again enveloped her.
