Playing With Fire

Chapter2

"Detective…Detective!" I called out as I rushed behind him before his office door closed shut.

"What is it, Johnson?" He said with a sigh as he removed his weapon and placed it on the table. He looked at me with those bright blue eyes of his as he casually ran his fingers through his brown hair.

"I need you to help me out here…it's been months, and I can do this, I am sure of it." I convinced him strongly as he sat down.

"I made you second in command, despite your position." He reminded me as I frowned at his statement. I graduated with a pass and missed my last practical exam, indirectly a flop. Working as a trainee for two years was my best option and I took Detective Santiago's offer.

"The investigation is on one of the most powerful men in the country…the King family, is no joke. We can't use that to put him in jail, it's insufficient." He explained to me as I shook my head in denial, "But…we can bring him in for questioning!"

Santiago slammed his hand on the table in anger, "It is not enough!"

I backed away immediately as he heaved a frustrated sigh and added, "For f**k sakes Joanna. I am trying here. I can't lead my team into a wild goose chase where their lives can be at risk, because of your desire."

"You know what this means to me." I softly said to him. He looked at me with warmth in his blue eyes that I once loved and said, "I do…that's why I am telling you this. Ordinarily, I would have thrown the case out."

I nodded in understanding and rubbed my neck at the side, "Then I can get more evidence." I blurted out. He looked at me without emotion, only his ticking jaw made me know he was annoyed.

"Fine. Just don't get yourself hurt." He said in defeat as I nodded and left his office.

I rushed to mine while calling Rosalia my friend from the academy, who now worked with big-shot lawyers.

"Rosa…I need your help." I said as she sighed.

"I really love you, Jo…but, I don't want to get in trouble." She told me. I couldn't count how many times I asked for her help in a month, but it was a lot.

"Please…I am so close." I begged her as I heard her flip through some pages.

"That's what you told me the last time." She reminded me. I kissed my teeth and explained, "And it was the truth…Santiago agreed to further the investigation."

"He did?…that's good."

"But, I need your help still."

"Jo…"

"Please, Rosa. I promise not to stress you anymore on this." I pleaded as she let out a soft sigh.

"Fine. What do you need?" She asked me. My lips widened in a smile as I spoke, "Every current information on Lucas King."

"The last information I gave you was dated when?" She asked me while she typed aggressively on her laptop.

"Two years ago, and the last sighting was his ruby jubilee party."

"After which, the divorce and his appearance in the media were reduced. His aunt, took over most of that. And after the passing…he hasn't been seen." She said softly.

"What does that mean?" I asked her in confusion.

"No current images or news on him." She told me. I huffed and sat on my office chair.

"Like he's a ghost?" I asked while my annoyance brewed. This was the second time information on Lucas King was unavailable.

"No, Jo. I work with the prosecution, I can only give you information on his legal status. No case has been filed against him, most are in the past and are classified." Rosalia explained to me.

"Okay. Is there anything at least…anything you can tell me?" I asked her while I opened my laptop.

"Not really, but…I have a colleague…she um…gossips a lot." She said to me. I let out a soft chuckle and asked, So she has gossip about him?"

"I will have to ask."

"Alright, can you do that now?"

"Sure. I'll call you if she tells me anything of importance." Rosalia answered.

"Thank you so much, Rosalia. I owe you."

"What are friends for?"

I read through my emails and saw that my debts were still not miraculously paid for. I heaved a sigh of frustration and read through Jania's autopsy report for the seventh time that month. Multiple stab wounds on her stomach and arms. I winced as I looked at her face on the file which was brutally beaten and a sprain on her left ankle. She must have been trying to escape. There was no sign of struggle and no DNA evidence on her which confirmed that she knew her killer…very well.

My ringing phone brought me out of my thoughts as I answered Rosalia.

"Yes?"

"Jo…he is getting married." I heard her say as my eyes widened in shock.

"What?"

"His aunt posted it on her socials, the wedding is this week." She told me. I quickly went to search for his aunt's social media platform on my laptop.

"Lucas King is getting married?" I asked her.

"Yes… to a Jenny Green. The daughter of popular jeweler, Terrence Green." She explained as I clicked on May King. She was right, the bride was a beauty and a rich one for that matter.

"Terrence…they make watches?" I asked Rosalia while I looked at their company's page on i********:.

"Yes and every luxury jewelry item you can think of." She told me.

I scowled as my eyes met the date of the wedding, "But…it hasn't even been a year."

"I am so sorry, Jo, "Rosali told me as I clenched my fist angrily.

"Thank you. I owe you."

"Jo…don't do anything I wouldn't do." She warned me. I smiled to myself as I walked to Santiago's office.

"I know."

I barged in and met him addressing some officers. This was more important.

"I need your permission!" I exclaimed and walked towards his desk.

"Johnson!" He snapped angrily at me as the officers he addressed looked at me with disapproval.

"I am sorry for interrupting, but this is urgent," I told him. He strummed his finger on his desk and looked at me angrily. After a moment, he turned to the officers and said, "Excuse me…please."

"What is it, now?" he asked me while he picked up his cup of coffee as they exited, closing the door behind them.

"Lucas King is getting married," I stated, his movement stopped, and he calmly dropped his cup of coffee on the desk.

"What?"

"The wedding is this week. I can't…I can't let it happen."I answered and he looked at me with concern and pity on his face.

"What do you want to do…kill him?" he asked me. I shook my head. I didn't want pity from anyone…just revenge.

"No…No, I just can't let another woman be a victim. If my sister had known this was how she would end up, I don't believe she would have married him." I explained to him as he nodded.

"The bride was not coerced so we can't storm in. We have no jurisdiction over such matters." He told me.

"I am not asking for jurisdiction, I am telling you that I can't watch him be happy while my sister rots in a coffin." I snapped at him. He showed no reaction as he asked me, "What can you do then?… I am doing this for you."

I couldn't continue this way, I needed to pour this hate on that f*****g murderer. "No! Permit me. I can get closer to the target…I'll find a way." I persisted.

"I can't permit you to put yourself in danger, Jo. Why can't you listen to me?" Santiago asked as I scoffed.

"As opposed to being here…as opposed to being in a relationship with you?… I can do a lot, even if it's on my own terms." I snarled before walking away.

"Wait! I understand why you had to break up with me…but what I don't understand is why you want to drag yourself down with this revenge." He said as he stood abruptly. I turned to face him as he looked at me with pity. I always hated those pitiful eyes he showed me. I sighed deeply and closed my eyes.

"That's all I have. My sister is gone, Santiago. I have no one." I admit sadly.

"That's not…you know what?" I looked at him in confusion as he spoke.

"I'll let you go. Don't do anything stupid and I'll cover for you." Santiago added.

"What about your superiors?" I asked him. Since I needed to do this, I didn't want him to be in trouble. He was a good man.

"No one has to know about your private mission. Infiltrate his affairs and get sufficient evidence." He ordered.

"Thank you. I won't disappoint you." I said with a confident nod.

"Jo…don't get yourself killed." He stuttered as my anger dissipated.

"I won't …I'll go through the bride," I assure him, before leaving the office.