Chasing the Elusive 'H'

Chapter 9

(Abigail’s Point Of View)

Day Sixteen.

After the conversation with Robin last night, I couldn’t help to notice him sounding a little less confident than he normally is around me. In any case I prepped myself for a ‘breather’ day, as I’m sure that whatever information that Robin has to tell me, couldn’t be that game changing, right? Trusting him completely is still way out of the question, but I still have to hear what he knows. I unbandaged my hand again, after having it attached to a cool pack during the night to help reduce the pain and swelling even more. It was feeling a lot better since yesterday, I was able to outstretch and ball my hand with minimal pain so I was confident that my hand was healing just fine and probably didn’t need anymore attention from here onward.

Now I knew I should dress up this time, but I had no idea of what to wear. I ended up tearing apart my entire closet only to find a pair of boot-legged jeans and my sleeveless dark blue turtle neck, which was my late mother’s. My hair was let down for a change, as I would normally have it tied back in a high ponytail. My thick locks framed my face gently, caressed my shoulders and hung around my chest. Looking back at the mirror, I stared at the final figure before me. I looked okay, but I wasn’t really happy with my choices. Perhaps I should go shopping for new clothes in the near future? At the corner of my eye, I saw the bedside tables’ clock and realised the time.

“Well…It’s ‘this’ or nothing.” I muttered to myself. Soon after I grabbed my handbag and flew out the door, as I noticed that I would be late if I stayed a moment longer.

My taxi reached the rendezvous point just on time. At first glance I didn’t spot Robin as it was crowded with walkers and tourists, so I got out, payed my fair and took a second look around the immediate area. Walking past half on the walkway I finally saw Robin, he was focusing his attention on a sidewalk busker. I've seen Robin from this sort of angle before, but this time…he was simply breathtaking. He was so entranced with the entertainer that he didn’t notice me sneaking up to watch the performance by his side.

The entertainer was performing musical acts with a splash of comedy, he had a way with words as he sang and footwork as he danced. This man truly knew how to make the experience of watching him more enjoyable. His performance kept me in a trance long enough to distract me from watching Robin’s reactions. I don’t know how it happened, but all of a sudden the busker finished his performance and was starting to collect further funds by outstretching his collection hat to the audience. Many people came up to give him money, mainly shrapnel, and others continued their day without giving him further acknowledgement. Truly, a sad display of human nature.

But that was when I noticed Robin, he was still watching the busker and approached him when most of the generous people left to continue what they were doing beforehand. He clasped hands with the performer and had a small chat with him. I didn’t feel comfortable enough with Robin to disrupt their conversation, so I simply waited until the time was right. But then a familiar phrase caught my ears.

“Are you sure?” I heard the busker ask Robin.

*Flashback*

“Oh my gosh! A-are you sure?” The waitress grinned as she asked.

My eyes instantly turned to see the scene unfolding in front of me. I could see that Robin’s hand was placing his wallet away in his back pocket and the shocked look on the buskers face as he was holding a bill in his hands, nearly covering up the whole note. Judging by the scene Robin gave this busker quite a generous tip.

One thing is for sure is that ‘if’ we do officially date, he’s never holding cash. I’d be too afraid of going bankrupt or getting mugged…If he’s always giving away his money, I can see why he accepted the job from ‘H’ at least…

Robin turned his body to face the main part of the walkway again, to stop nearly instantly. He locked eyes with me. I admit, I did too when I actually saw what he was wearing…Well from the front at least. He looked ruggedly handsome, even though he was only wearing simple ‘street look’ clothes. A salmon coloured shirt which complimented his skin tone, not so baggy jeans, light sneakers and a dark hoodie with a smaller emblem on the front, than what was shown on the back.

He looked so handsome, that I couldn’t help but let my heart flutter at a time like this.

After a moment, he waltzed on over towards me with his smug smile now across his face. When he was only a hair’s breath away from me, he started. “Like what you see, Miss Abigail?” He teased. He then reached out to play with my hair hanging around my chest area, twisting it in between his palm and fingertips as he continued. “Cause I like what I see…” He whispered loud enough for me to hear.

All I could feel was my cheeks get hotter. Was I already loosing to his charms? I needed to take control of the situation and fast! “Really? How so?” I asked in a seductive voice. I thought that maybe if I placed the questions back on him, I could avoid answering them myself and therefore keep my head in the game.

Still playing with my hair, all he could do was shrug. “You just look good.” Well that theory backfired quickly…

“So…why the riverfront?” I asked trying to get him on a topic that isn’t me or the case.

He let my lock of hair slip from his grasp, as his eyes became quizzical. “Because it has a nice view and it’s a quiet place to get ‘acquainted’ with someone.” Just a hint of a suggestive tone came through his seemingly innocent statement.

He then allowed me to start walking with a simple ‘after you’ bodily expression by extending his arm, showing me the way which he intended to go. I complied. As we were walking along the riverfront trail together, we discussed normal dating topics, favourite foods, fears, strengths, schools, celebrities ect.

After an hour or so, going up and down the path, we started getting into the more serious questions about each other.

“So…what’s it like, being the mayor’s daughter?” Robin asked casually. I’m sure that this question has been on his mind for some time now, possibly since we first met. Nearly everyone I meet asks me the very same question eventually, but somehow I felt oddly compelled to bring down my walls and tell him what I truly feel.

I was now looking at the path ahead of us, avoiding eye contact with Robin as I answered.“My dad and I grew close when my mum passed away. He was worried that one day, he would lose me too. But as time went on, his heart healed and then he found a new purpose in life. Ever since he took office, he’s become quite distant. He still keeps in contact with me over the phone, but I haven’t seen him since Christmas. I appreciate that he’s very dedicated to running a fair government, but it’s just tough, you know? Because he’s all I have…family-wise.”

There was a brief silence before Robin added. “I know how it is, my aunty practically raised me. She took me in after both my parents died. She worked several jobs to feed, clothe and educate me back in the day, and now she works hard for her retirement.” I turned my head to face Robin’s, I noticed that he too was staring ahead. I could see he was hurting, reminiscing about his past experiences.

“Oh, I didn’t know that. I’m sorry for your loss Robin.” I tried to comfort him from his memories. “I didn’t mean to open old wounds.” My eyes met the path again.

I have no idea why I felt like sharing such an intimate part of my life with a man I barely knew, but I’m glad that I did now. Knowing that we both have gone through such loss, I think makes us relate more to each other.

At this point, I started to shudder as a cool breeze came through the air. I tried my best to rub my outer arms with my hands as we continued to walk, using the friction to warm myself.

Then, warmth caressed my shoulders. I looked towards Robin who I now noticed was without a jacket. Feeling my shoulders, then my eyes confirming the gesture, I realised that Robin had given his jacket to keep me warm.

“Thank you…But won’t you be cold now?” I met his eyes as I asked him.

He smiled his dashing, ‘catch off guard’ smile that he does so well. “If the jacket helps to keep you here with me longer, I’m happy to part with it.” He answered.

I couldn't help but blush at his words. I fished my arms through his jacket’s holes and pulled my thick hair out from underneath to make myself look presentable for him. We continued walking on the familiar pathway.

“Okay then…What controversial issue, social or political, do you feel strongly about?” I asked Robin. This sort of question would give me a clearer nature of Robin.

“I hate people who have a sense of entitlement. People who climb the ladder because they know someone already in the field. Or leaning on a family member to get them a better position above others. People who deserve the promotion or the job in general are pushed aside for these ‘types’.”

He took only a second to answer the question. He turned to look in our path’s direction as he was answering, but it looked like his words pained him in some way. I couldn't quite explain it.

“You feel strongly about this…” I observed.

His eyes met mine again, but all he could do was nod his agreement to my observation. “What about you?” He added shortly after.

It was a no brain-er. “I detest bullies, there is no excuse for abuse.” I flatly answered.

“I think everyone hates bullies…but I know you are capable to come up with a better answer.” Robin’s smug smile now showing again.

It took me a moment, but I tried to dig deep into my own experiences to come up with this answer. “People who judge others without getting to know them first, I guess.” I answered looking towards the path.

It became quiet for a while, my eyes continued to look at the path. I assumed Robin was quiet because he was thinking about another question to ask me.

I broke the silence after he didn’t speak for a while. “If you don’t mind me asking, why do you feel so strongly against nepotism?”

“It robs people of their time to shine. The less talented but more fortunate, get ahead. People should be able to prove themselves and shouldn't be judged on preconceptions.” Robin sounded almost angry.

“It sounds like you talk from experience.” I observed from his tone and phrasing.

“What makes you say that?” He seemed puzzled.

“I felt the same way, because I’ve been bullied at work. I guess I’m the opposite side of the same coin.” I confessed.

“What do you mean?” Robin asked.

“I didn’t ‘get’ the job because of my father, I worked hard for my degree. I’ve worked hard for my current position, but those around me only see me as daddy’s little girl, despite what I say or do.” I resented my aggressive tone.

He stopped dead in his tracks loud enough, that I noticed and stopped soon after. I turned to face a nearly wide-eyed Robin.

“So you’re trying to prove yourself with a missing truck case?”Robin queried.

“Something like that…Anyway I’ll lose my job on the 22nd if I can’t find ground breaking evidence concerning my case.” I admitted to Robin. I instantly regretted telling him about the conditions of my case.

“What do you mean ‘ground breaking’? You’ve found the truck already.” Robin seemed confused and I felt like I was being backed-up against a wall…metaphorically.

“It’s a little more than that.” I tried to bluff my way out of revealing more. That’s when I remembered our conversation from last night. “Oh, by the way, what was the information that you couldn’t tell me over the phone?”

“Oh…yes…that the truck will be towed off the I.T.G premises by the end of the working day, today.” He relayed the information so casually that I couldn’t believe it.

“What? Why couldn’t you just tell me over he phone?…Is that true?” I was getting a little distressed about the whole ordeal.

“Yes, it’s getting ‘impounded due to a complaint’” He confirmed with air quotation marks.

“I-I-I’m sorry Robin, but I ha-ave to go…” I turned on my heel instantly and legged it.

“Wait!” I heard Robin call for me, but I knew that I couldn’t turn back now.

After saying goodbye to Robin, I raced to hail a taxi. My destination? “The closest police station, please.” The need to check the truck for evidence before it became unattainable was crucial. Worse case scenario is that the vehicle is impounded before I get there, making any other evidence to find inside obsolete, ‘that’ or no other evidence to be found at all. But nevertheless I also had to know where the truck is going…for the sake of my case and presenting the truck itself as evidence at a later date.

Explaining the situation to the cabbie, he was willing to wait for me whilst I was inside the station. After thanking him I rushed inside the station, filling out the paperwork for obtaining a few investigative tools as quickly as I humanly could. Grabbing my items and throwing them into a duffle bag, I dashed back out the door to slide right back into the cab. I then instructed the cabbie to make his way to my next stop, I.T.G.

When we finally arrived to I.T.G, he offered to stay again. I told him that I had no idea how long I was going to be, so in the end I dismissed him. Approaching I.T.G’s dock area, I continued further towards the truck’s hiding area, I breathed a sigh of relief when it’s bumper came into view. Leaving nothing to chance I began my forensic investigation. Bringing out the dusting kit, I started to dust several key spots where contact touch-points normally would be. Door handles, the steering wheel, visors, seat belts, glove box, the built-in radio and mirrors. I was able to grab a whole bunch of samples that I could submit as evidence at a later date, but first they’d need to be examined. After dusting I began my search, looking for other clues. I cursed at myself for not doing this on day one, but it seems like this truck wasn’t disturbed during my absence. I began rummaging through the glove box and looking in the back again in case I missed something. As I began to search under the seats, I noticed a zip lock bag filled with a white powder that seemed to have fallen between the passenger’s seat and the gear stick.

“Is that…drugs?” I said aloud in disbelief. Curious I picked up the unknown package with my gloved hands and observed it closely. I couldn’t tell straight off the bat if it was indeed an illegal substance, so I took it in as evidence that would need to be examined further.

Giving the vehicle another look over, I became satisfied with my findings. I grabbed out my mobile phone and rang the Yellow cabs’ number saved on my contacts list. I ordered transportation to the police station I visited last, to return my items and submit the unknown substance for tests.

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