The Man In The Picture

CHAPTER 2

3 Weeks Later.

The officer has a firm grip on my arm as he tugs me out of the station. I struggle to pull my arm from his tight hold and try to dig my feet into ground, which doesn’t help much as I continue to be dragged forward.

“I just want some answers okay? And I won’t bother you guys anymore.”, I yell at him through gritted teeth as I continue to twist in his grip.

His fingers establish a biting hold on my arm as he makes sure that I'm unable to wiggle away. So much for the police being your friend.

I’m unceremoniously tossed towards to ground but I catch myself, the gravel digging into painfully into my palms. I dust my hands and knees as I stand.

I glare up at him and place my hands on my hips.

“That’s not the way to treat a tax paying citizen”, I spit at him, he rewards me with a dry look.

“Ma’am, you can’t keep causing a scenes everytime you come here.” He sighs in exasperation as he runs his palm over his face. He plants his feet sturdier on the ground as if he’s bracing to grab me in case I make a run for it into the station.

Which is understandable as I’ve done that several times.

“Look officer...” I trail off as I squint at his name on his uniform

“Lannister”, he supplies gruffly

“Right. Officer Lannister. I just want to know more about the investigation on my cousin’s murder, then I’ll be out of your hair.”

His face remains stoic, “As you’ve been told ma’am, there have been no current leads and we’re doing everything we can.”

“I know that, but can I just look at the case files? You may need some fresh eyes.” I say, with what I hope is an imploring look.

“I assure you that we have all the fresh eyes we need. If anything else turns up you will be notified.” He concludes, turning away as he starts taking determined steps back to the station.

I jolt as the memory hits me.

"Kaiden Nikolaou", I yell to his retreating figure

He comes to an abrupt stop and marches towards me.

The sudden of it makes me stumble back.

"What did you just say?", he demands with a rigid posture.

"Kaden Nikolaou", I stammer

"Who is he?", I ask firmly , straightening my shoulders and lifting my chin so I maintain eye contact.

He grabs my arm and starts pulling me towards the station.

"Hey, hey! You can't just throw me around whenever you please"

He ignores me and I'm brought into the building.

My eyes roam the bustling interior once more. Printers humming in the background, the rustle of paper being passed around combined with the insistent chatter of different cops.

I shove out of the way, avoiding an incoming group of police men and women moving with urgency in their steps.

I try to glimpse as much as I can which isn't a lot considering I don't know what I'm looking for exactly.

I am then brought into a huge office. The smell of coffee and paperwork permeats the air, making it a little stuffy. The hard wood floor and the dark wood desks and chairs give it a sophisticated look. I browse my eyes taking it all in.

"Lannister, I hope there is an explanation for you dragging this woman into my office."

My eyes find the owner of the voice. A middle aged woman. Her brown hair is streaked with silver and gathered into a bun and her intelligent, shrewd eyes peer at me throw her glasses.

"She knows Kaiden Nikolaou", Lannister states.

"Okay, know is a stretch. I only said his name. But judging from your reactions, he seems like a big deal." I quip.

"Cassidy Perez, head detective", she says as she comes out from behind her desk. She stops in front of me and extends her hand for a handshake.

"Well I'm glad someone has some manners around here." I joke, giving her a handshake. "Daisy Jones"

Interest sparks in her eyes "Ahh, so you're Daisy that's been harassing my officers", a hint if amusement dances in her eyes.

I wince as I recall my previous behaviour of badgering the officers, sometimes even following them around. I've been tossed out one too many times.

I laugh awkwardly.

Lannister glares at me from over her shoulder but I avoid his gaze.

I'm led to one of the chairs. I sit and relax into it, tension seeping out of my body as I note it's comfortability.

"So, you mentioned Kaiden Nikolaou", she says leaning forward, her fingers steepled under her chin.

I bring out the picture I found in Callum’s notebook and offer it to her.

"I found it among Callum’s things, and I want to know who he is. Do you think it will help with the investigation of his murder?"

I enquire eagerly.

Cassidy stares at the picture, her brows are pinched in concentration. The head detective and officer Lannister share a look above my head.

Feeling the sudden tension, I whip my head between the both of them anxiously.

"What?", my chair creaks as i scooch to the edge of my seat, my fingers gripping the armrests.

My voice increases as I ask

"Who is he?"

Cassidy clears her throat, "Kaiden Nikolaou is a... complicated individual. Let's say he has a certain influence in this city." Her face arranges itself into a hard mask.

"And beyond this city." Lannister adds.

"Okay... so he's a business man, politician or?", I trail off

Cassidy releases a sigh, that doesn't loosen the rigidity from her shoulders,

"He's into organised crime", she states

The ensuing silence is so thick that I feel it suffocate me. My heartbeat echoes in my ears and I struggle to breathe as air gets trapped in my throat.

"Excuse me?", I manage to blurt out

"So what? He's a crime lord? Is that what your saying?", I force myself to take slow deeper breaths as my mind goes through all the dangerous possibilities of exactly who Kaiden Reed might be.

"Callum was an accountant. He had nothing to do with those sort of people." I continue, firmly.

Callum who never let me take an extra gummy bear when we shared a packet, was into organised crime? Give me a break. I roll my eyes internally at the ridiculousness of the whole thing.

"Apparently not." Lannister comments from behind me, I quickly whip around and pin him with an icy stare which he returns.

"Look, I'm not trying to alarm you Daisy. I'm just giving you the answers you sought. We keep tabs on what goes on in New York , and Kaiden Reed has a lot of influence here." Cassidy explains

I laugh scornfully at the irony of the police telling of the influence of a crime lord.

"Wow, so what's your job exactly? Are you guys just a figurehead to satisfy us civilians while the big, bad wolves run the show?", I grit out letting my anger show through my voice

"It's not an ideal situation, but we do keep them under control to an extent." She regards me through narrowed eyes, her displeasure clear

"Gee thanks, I've never felt safer" sarcasm drips from my tongue.

Cassidy's eyes flash with annoyance, she takes a deep, steadying breath and drops the photo onto the table that separates us. The silence stretches between us and I struggle to find words to fill it.

I get out of the chair and pace behind it, narrowly avoiding bumping into Lannister as I do so. I time my breath with my footsteps. My shoes making a staccato beat on the floor.

" Okay, let's say he was one of Callum’s clients, I'm sure he didn't know Kaiden Nikolaou was involved in the mafia. But then, maybe he found out and Kaiden had him killed." I smack my palms together, and turn sharply to Cassidy with a triumphant grin of my face.

"There, we have our killer, go get him." I insist

"There's no proof, Daisy."

"You have all the proof there is, he's a crime lord." I emphasize.

"That's not how it works. He's a very intelligent man Daisy. He isn't sloppy. Plus there's no evidence of his involvement in your cousin’s murder." Cassidy says, her voice laced with compassion.

My breath whooshes out of my chest and my body suddenly feels heavy. I stumble and grab the edge of my seat, steadying myself. My knuckles turn white as my grip tightens and I feel tears sting the corners of my eyes.

"So there's no hope then." I rasp dejected

"We'll look into it Daisy, this provides a new lead for us. Thank you for bringing it here."

Although I hear the strength in her tone as she tries to communicate her gratitude, weariness seeps into my being.

I nod, my head giving a jerking motion as if I'm held by strings.

I straighten my knees, grab the picture and leave her office. Behind me I hear Lannister trailing behind me. I exit the station.

As I step out into the hot afternoon sun, the hot air only adds to the suffocating feeling in my chest. The constant hum of car horns and chatter of a bustling city fill the background.

The air is permeated is with the smell of petrol and asphalt. I breathe it all in.

I flit through the information I know. Callum is dead. Kaiden Nikolaou is involved and the police pose little to no help.

To find out more about the death of my cousin, I have to go to the source. The link I just discovered, Kaiden Reed.

Later, as I get ready for bed. I get a text message.