Twenty Seven

CHAPTER 27

Detective Martinez approached Alexander’s desk, his expression thoughtful but tinged with the weight of the case. Alexander looked up from his computer, a small smile forming on his lips as he greeted the detective.

“Detective Martinez,” Alexander said, leaning back in his chair. “You look like you’ve been busy.”

“I always am,” Martinez replied, placing a brown folder on Alexander’s desk. “These are the fingerprint results from the Foster case. I’ve already handed a copy to Cassandra.”

Alexander nodded, flipping the folder open. His sharp eyes scanned the documents, noting the sheer volume of fingerprints found at the scene. “It’s a lot,” he muttered.

“It is,” Martinez confirmed, crossing his arms. “Foster hosted a party the night before his death. Apparently, it was to celebrate sealing a deal with Antonio Franches.”

Alexander’s brow furrowed slightly. “Antonio again,” he said quietly. “That name keeps popping up.”

Martinez nodded. “It does. And while we don’t have solid evidence linking him to the crime, I’m hoping Cassandra can dig something up. I also need you to analyze these results and cross-reference them with our database.”

“Already on it,” Alexander said, tapping at his keyboard. “I’ve also been going through Foster’s bank statements, but so far, I haven’t found anything unusual. Just standard transactions—bills, groceries, nothing out of the ordinary.”

Martinez leaned against the desk, a hint of a smile breaking through his serious demeanor. “You’re efficient, Alexander. You and Cassandra make a strong team.”

Alexander chuckled lightly but didn’t look up from his screen. “Thanks, Detective. We try.”

Martinez paused for a moment, his tone shifting slightly as he asked, “Speaking of Cassandra… have you noticed something odd about her?”

Alexander stopped typing and glanced at Martinez, his brow furrowed in curiosity. “What do you mean?”

Martinez crossed his arms, his gaze thoughtful. “She’s been avoiding interrogating Antonio directly. For someone as dedicated as Cassandra, it’s strange. She’s usually fearless when it comes to facing suspects.”

Alexander blinked, the thought settling in his mind. He hadn’t considered it before, but now that Martinez mentioned it, it did seem odd. Cassandra was bold, relentless even, but her recent avoidance of Antonio didn’t align with the person he knew.

“I hadn’t noticed until now,” Alexander admitted. “But you’re right. It is strange.”

Martinez nodded. “Keep an eye on her, Alexander. Something feels off. I trust her, but I want to make sure she’s not in over her head.”

Alexander’s jaw tightened slightly as he nodded. “I will.”

As Martinez left the desk, Alexander stared at the fingerprint folder and Foster’s financial records on his screen. His mind swirled with thoughts about the case, but Cassandra’s uncharacteristic behavior lingered in the back of his mind.

For the first time, he felt a deep sense of unease—not just about the case, but about Cassandra and the secrets she might be keeping.

The afternoon sun dipped lower, casting a warm glow through the windows of the precinct. Alexander stretched in his chair, his eyes drifting to Cassandra’s empty desk across the room. It had remained unoccupied for most of the day, and now, as the office quieted in the late hours, her absence seemed more pronounced.

Martinez’s words echoed in his mind. “She’s been avoiding interrogating Antonio directly…”

Alexander leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. His fingers hovered over his phone, a hesitant urge building in him. Finally, he opened the messaging app and typed out a message:

Hey, just checking in. Still on for the Maroon 5 concert tonight? I can’t wait! Let me know when and where to meet.

He pressed send and set the phone down, letting out a small sigh. The unease Martinez had planted in his mind lingered, but Alexander reminded himself that Cassandra was capable and always handled her work with precision. Still, something about her behavior felt… off.

Minutes ticked by, and his phone buzzed. He grabbed it quickly, his eyes scanning her reply:

Hey, yes! Let’s meet at the venue at 8 PM. Looking forward to it.

A wave of relief washed over him, and he let out a small laugh. Of course, Cassandra was fine. She was always busy, always juggling ten things at once. If she said she’d be there, she would. There was no need to overthink her absence or her recent decisions.

With a smile, Alexander leaned back in his chair, feeling a renewed sense of calm. Tonight, he’d let go of work, enjoy the music, and—hopefully—share a rare moment of normalcy with Cassandra. For now, that was enough to ease his worries.

****

Cassandra and Antonio locked eyes in a silence that felt like an unspoken battle. Antonio’s gaze was sharp, as if trying to pierce through every layer of Cassandra’s defenses. Meanwhile, Cassandra struggled to maintain her composure, even as her heart raced.

Suddenly, Cassandra stood, breaking the intensity of the moment. “I need to go to my room,” she said flatly, her tone attempting to sound casual. “I need some rest.”

Antonio smirked, a satisfied grin that made Cassandra’s stomach churn even more. He simply nodded, gesturing for her to leave. “Of course,” he said softly, though his eyes held something unsettling. “Rest well.”

Cassandra turned and walked out of the room, her steps nearly trembling. Once inside her room, she collapsed onto the bed. Her hands clenched tightly, trying to suppress the overwhelming disgust that surged through her. Every touch from Antonio still lingered on her skin, making her want to scream. But she held herself together. She needed to stay focused.

Her phone buzzed on the table. It was Alexander.

Hey, just checking in. Still on for the Maroon 5 concert tonight? I can’t wait! Let me know when and where to meet.

Cassandra read the message, her breath still uneven. A small wave of relief washed over her. Alexander was the only part of her life that felt normal, at least for now. She quickly typed out a reply.

Hey, yes! Let’s meet at the venue at 8 PM. Looking forward to it!

She placed the phone back on the table and exhaled deeply. At least tonight, she could escape the chaos of her life for a few hours. But first, she needed to ensure Antonio wouldn’t grow suspicious.

Cassandra left the room and returned to the living area. Antonio was still lounging in his chair, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. When she entered, Antonio looked up, his brows slightly raised in curiosity.

“I need to go home,” Cassandra said bluntly. “I need to check on my parents. They’ve been unwell for a few days, and I’m worried.”

Antonio gave her a small smile, but there was something behind it that made Cassandra uneasy. “Of course,” he said quietly. “A dutiful daughter. But don’t forget, Cassandra, this house is your home too. I’ll be waiting for your return.”

Cassandra held her breath, forcing a faint smile onto her face. “Thank you. I’ll be back soon.”

She turned and walked out, trying to keep her steps steady even though her body felt weak. As the door closed behind her, Cassandra finally felt like she could breathe again for the first time since entering that room. Tonight, she would try to forget everything—Antonio, her lies, and the weight of her work. At least for a few hours.