Gone After the Wind

Chapter 24: Friendly Visit

Cara was rendered unconscious and disabled for minutes.

The impact of the solid wall on her head was utterly electrifying, her body seemed to lose all its function the moment the pain nullified her entire system. She fell on the floor with a profound thud, losing a grip on the gun and throwing it blindly into mid-air. A chilling moan of agony echoed across the room and it had taken moments before she realized that it came exactly out of her. She squirmed and tried to lift herself but the efforts were futile. That single attack had drained all her energy. Both from thinking logically and moving with efficiency.

As she lie there, fragments of uncleared visions started to display. She saw the silhouette of the attacker, leaning forward and caressing the left side of her face. The moment she blinked, the fit of darkness came back and it was gone. Attempting to capture the attacker's movements once more and get a good look at the face, Cara raised her head. All she got, though, was a spinning vision and an intolerable pang of pain cracking through her skull. Her back flattened against the floor again, and before she could stop her consciousness from retiring, everything darkened again.

When she regained half of her consciousness, no one was there anymore. Just her, sprawled on the floor, incapacitated and unable to separate what she had gone through from delusion. Pushing herself against the floor, she successfully retrieved the control on her wobbling knees. She was able to stand up, and the first thing that popped into her mind was the gun. She struggled to acquire but once its cold surface clashed with her palm, she rushed out of the room, eyes still cloudy.

The pain became more excruciating now that her full awareness is back. Her head was bleeding. A lot than it should. Blood trickled down her face. She wiped it off with the back of her palm and proceeded to the stairs, limping like a noodle and scrabbling like a blind. Unlike before, the house wasn't devoid of actual light anymore. She wouldn't have to consult her visionary map as some parts had been already illuminated. Though faintly, decelerating the stairs had become manageable.

If her calculations are on the mark, the attacker must not have gone far. She knew she had been knocked out for countable minutes. To completely leave the premises of this neighborhood, anyone would be required to waste fifteen minutes on the clock, either by foot or car. Cara didn't spot any suspicious car when they drove back in earlier so it was safe to assume that she still has the chance to capture him. There's a strong possibility that the bastard hasn't yet concluded an escape plan, and could still be figuring out how to left without paying for what he did.

Using the wall for support, Cara fished out her cell phone and dialed Eric's number. He picked up the line immediately. Cara breathed a sigh of relief.

"Cara?" he answered. "What's up? Did you receive my—"

"Get over here now. We had a break-in and I've been attacked. Gather a team, if you can. I'm pretty sure the freaking bastard is still here," she said, panting and bleeding. "And... bring an ambulance. He got me pretty badly."

"What? Wait a minute. Are you—"

Cara slammed the cell phone on the table, cutting him off, and employed the best effort she could storm out of the house without convulsing on the ground.

--

In less than fifteen minutes since the call, Eric and a bunch of officers were already rushing to the scene. Tailing behind the patrol cars were an ambulance and a forensic's van. Cara watched them diligently as people dressed in uniforms were propelled out of the car and various types of equipment get tossed to the lawn, feeling suddenly bad for the inconvenience she had to put them through. She wished to stand up, at least repay the trouble in a form of sheer courtesy. But it was futile to even attempt. The pain had rooted well in her system, and she practically couldn't do anything from that moment on other than letting them do what they had been paid for and stay in the background as the official victim of this case.

It was a blasting irony to call herself one wherein just several hours ago, she was interviewing a potential suspect. How the tables had switched was beyond her to discern.

"Cara!" Eric called, running briskly across the lawn and outrunning the paramedics on the line. When he got to Cara, his skin paled and the already evolved angsty expression on his face intensified. His mouth hung open. "What happened? Who did this to you? Are you—Oh, s**t, you're bleeding." He turned to the paramedics, panicking. "Can you please hurry?"

"Take it easy," Cara reminded. "Just a minor injury, Eric. You don't have to panic. Why don't you sit down first?"

"Shut it. I'm not going to slack where you're on the clear verge of collapsing and the bastard who did this is running out free." He inhaled deeply. "I already have my men searching the whole neighborhood. I'll join the hunt once we're done securing your house—"

"That would do nothing," Cara replied. "I've already ransacked every possible corner and route he might use to escape. I found nothing useful. He's gone. You're just gonna waste your time."

"You chased the attacker while you were in that state?" He scoffed in disbelief. "I don't know if I'm going to be pissed or amazed by that kind of heroic stupidity, Cara. Who knows what could've happened if you had reencountered him? I can't believe you've put yourself in such a dangerous situation." He followed that with a sigh. "I'll find him myself. And while I do that, you're not going to do anything other than sit there and let that injury be taken care of. I'll come back to you if we ever find out anything. And please, don't be stubborn and listen to what they say."

Cara fought the urge to complain, nodding silently as Eric turned his back to join the men he summoned. The paramedics then flanked her. While they busied themselves tending to her injury, Eric and several men hopped into the car again and drove past their house. The crime scene scenarios she usually witnesses started to unfold in her house. Forensics did their best to identify evidence, officers knocking on the neighbor's door to gather information, and their house retaining security that she had never had even before.

The paramedics were done completing their initial aid when Eric came back with the disappointing news that didn't strike Cara as surprising. Although unlike her, they managed to check the CCTV footage and they were able to glean additional information from the guards. The cameras revealed a green truck entering and exiting the main entrance. They didn't catch the driver's face or even the plate number as it rushed out like a hurricane, disappearing from sight before they could even process what was happening.

"You weren't able to notice the vehicle because he hid it on someone else's driveway, making it less suspicious in plain sight. We interviewed the couple who owned the driveway but they couldn't offer anything other than the mere fact that it was a male. As for the other witnesses, they've got nothing useful to share," Eric informed, leaning against the post of the porch. He rifled through the last pages of his notebook, the papers rustling as his fingers moved harshly. Withdrawing another frustrated sigh, he slammed it shut. "I'm sorry, Cara, that's all I can give you for tonight. We have yet to receive the reports of Smith and Duncan. But don't worry, I'll round up Garcia and Ralim again to look into the other side of—"

Adamant to dismiss that option, Cara shook her head. "Don't bother. You'd be wasting another attempt and set of resources for nothing. What about the forensics? Did they find any prints in my room?"

"Unfortunately for us, no. He was wearing gloves when he trespassed into your home and rummaged through your cabinet. No abandoned materials or substances were found in your room or other parts of the house. I think he was prepared to do this. Like he knew you'd be tracing back any spoiled clues toward him. It forces me to think that the motive wasn't robbery, at all."

Cara couldn't agree more. Just the fact that he had avoided unnecessary attention and he had executed the break-in almost unflawed told everything they need to assume it was premeditated. Not an impulsive robbery. Nor an eccentric case of a break-in. Most intriguing of all, he was driving a green truck—the very same vehicle that the culprit used to stalk Sandy Hupman and possibly used to even abduct her, and the current subject of interest in the investigation.

Was that a coincidence? Definitely not.

"None of the money and valuable items you've kept in the bedroom had been touched. The vaults weren't even pick-locked. He came here for a different reason."

For what, though? To scare her? Because she was digging far too deep near the truth?

"Whatever that was, it involved every possible harm," Eric replied anxiously.

The screen door burst open, and Nana Ryla slid out, carrying a tray of two coffee mugs. Her cautious and distressed eyes flitted across the porch, still bearing the intensity they had when she came out of the car earlier and saw the bunch of police cars parked on the sidewalk.

As Cara suspected, Nana Ryla had been indeed out for groceries when the break-in happened. She left the house firmly locked, not letting one lock slip away from her mind. She swore to have checked every corner before leaving. Cara believed her story. It took the intruder to break the window on the left to get in. Thank goodness that she wasn't here. Who knows what the culprit might have done to her if she was home?

"I prepared you some coffee. Sorry, it took me long to bring out these. Alex was so persistent to join you here. I had to cook some food to calm him down," she said dryly, setting the tray on the oval table sitting between Cara and Eric.

"How is he?" Eric asked, picking up one coffee mug.

Lips stretching for a weak smile, Nana Ryla retrieved the tray after pushing the other mug to Cara who enclasped it immediately with both of her palms. "Too bothered to reward himself even an hour of sleep. He kept asking questions about what happened, Cara. Particularly about you. He was extremely worried. I couldn't answer him because I myself, am still quite confused, you know. Oh, the poor boy. He must've thought he was going to lose you." She held her forehead.

"It would be best if it will remain that way, Nana," Cara said, her throat compressing as she re-imagined Alex's terrified expression when he saw the bandage on her head. It was remarkable, one distinct memory that Cara would never forget. The look he had on his face was eerily similar to the one he had cast two months ago. The night when his father's demise had been announced, and when the realization hit him that he had lost a parent.

Did he think I had left him, too?

"Lift yourself from that burden. I'll be the one to explain to him tomorrow."

Nana Ryla nodded obediently. "But what really happened here, Cara? Why did that man rob our house? And why did he have to do that to you? I don't understand it a bit. He could've picked another household to rob. Houses that looked more promising and more exposed to money! Why us?"

Cara slipped a meaningful glance to Eric which he returned with a hard look. She tore off the gaze, and smiled painfully reassuring Nana, and allowed her lips to mutter the lie that she had also used to convince Eric. "I'm also wondering the same thing, Nana. It can't be helped. But that's another mystery for us to solve. You don't have to concern yourself with that, as we have few evidence that suggested it was random, not a personally motivated one."

Of course, what she believed was the fully contradicting and plausible version of it.

Nana Ryla didn't press more. She waited until Cara and Eric emptied the last contents of their cups before she resigned for the night. Eric's strained expression didn't disappear, even after consuming a supposed levitating drink, his eyes remained sharp and warning.

"Don't give me that look," Cara warned half-heartedly, shifting in her seat. "You've already heard my explanation. A couple of times. I don't intend to add more because that's all there is, Eric. When I say this doesn't deserve further investigation, I mean it. Don't make me repeat it again."

Eric scoffed. "I will if you kept denying to discuss the truth with me. Can't you see yourself? Can't you see what that culprit had done to you and what he was capable of? Your job as a detective has been thrown away, Cara, the moment he decided to harm you. He couldn't care less about you or what you can do, as long as he completed the task he had been wired to. Doesn't that give you some realization, hmm? If that didn't bother him now, nothing would stop him from doing it again." He breathed a shaky sigh. "At least while we investigate this, you'd be put under protection. Until the investigation is over, your safety would be secured."

"Do you think I haven't thought of that?" Cara asked. "You know me better than anyone else. I don't easily make up my mind about something unless I've already weighed all my options and the repercussions of the steps I'd take. And this is an example of that. I won't ask the department to launch a formal investigation because you'd be wasting time, resources, and manpower on something less important than the case at hand. Try to view it from a rational standpoint, and you'd see my point. I'm not going to risk and compromise the current progress of the case, all because of a failed attempt of—"

"You're unbelievable."

"—a mere robbery." Her tone cascaded as she muttered those words. She gave him a point-blank stare that did nothing to influence and weaken his conviction. Releasing a stressful sigh, Cara set aside the numbing pain drilling her temples and rose up to her feet. Then she placed her hand on his shoulder and patted it softly. "Look, I know you're worried about the constitute of my welfare and I appreciate that. So very much. I also understand where it's all coming from. And honestly, I'd like to avoid further catastrophe as possible. But you have to take my word on this, Eric. You have to trust me. This case isn't worth the spotlight you seek for it. And certainly not fit to become a priority as you wish."

Now it was Eric's turn to stare at her. The incoming protests were getting close as he prolong his gaze. He seemed to have resorted to studying Cara's eyes as a way to dig up the truth for once before he'd declare his final decision. Cara attempted a warm smile, but it turned out as a weak and strained one. His eyes softened, finally giving in to the plea. Looking away, he grunted.

"Fine," he replied, deflated. "But I won't take back what I promised. You'll still receive access to protection services. Garcia and his partner would still be stationed here to ensure your safety. Not just for tonight. They'd be here 24/7 until I could no longer see you as a walking risk. Do I have your word that you won't interfere with it?"

"You do."

"And you will agree to get checked in the hospital tonight."

Cara almost rolled her eyes. If only she wasn't winning over his empathy and his side, she would definitely defy that in an instant. Showing up at a medical facility and requiring their services would not only jeopardize her goal for the incident to stay hidden, but it would also delay her second course of action, her response to the daring break-in meant as a warning. "Whatever you want, princess."

Sneering, he straightened up his back and unfolded his arms. "Pack up your things. I'll ready the car. We'll leave in fifteen minutes."

And so her fate for the rest of the night had been decided. She was admitted to the hospital just as midnight took over time and space. Aligned with the paramedic's first impression of her injury, the doctor's findings of her CT scan weren't as bad as she thought they would be. There was no internal bleeding or fracture in her skull which was utterly surprising, given how the attack had been carried out. It was, as though, the trespasser's only goal for slamming her head like a fruit was to temporarily immobilize her, not to suck the life out of her.

Of course, she'd be an i***t to believe that. Luck was the thing that kept her from succumbing to death. Not the suspect's alleged hesitation or mercy.

Because surgery had been flown away by the minority of her injury, the doctor advised a whole night residence in the ward. However inconvenient that may be to her already fixed plans for the upcoming day, Cara agreed without a complaint. Eric was more than pleased to see her abiding by his seemingly endless whims.

"It's not so bad. You just have to lay rest for the whole night, and you'd be free tomorrow. I don't see the need for you to be hostile towards me," Eric said as he sat on the cushion, folding the clothes that Nana Ryla had prepared in advance.

His underlying smile was so irritating, Cara couldn't restrain one curse from leaking out of her mouth.

"Go on, enjoy this while you can," Cara replied, glaring at him. "Once I'm over with this dull process, you'd regret that you ever showed your teeth while I'm here. Only my respect for you as a reliable partner is what's entirely keeping me from smacking your face. Right now, Eric. Right now. And I'm getting bad at controlling it. So don't push your luck, princess."

Eric held up his hands in the air, burying the smile. "Sorry. Just not used to seeing a hard-headed woman suddenly complying. Rare sight."

Throwing her back on the bed, Cara snorted. "Shut up. I'm doing this so you could stop nagging. It's to myself that I'm doing a favor. Not you."

"Whatever the hell it is, I'm glad you listened." Eric smiled, stashing away the last t-shirt he folded, and stood up. "I've organized everything you need for the night. Your clothes are right here. Essentials are inside the bag. As for the bills, it's already taken care of so... you can safely rest now and wait for the morning."

"Thanks, nanny," she said sarcastically.

"Your most welcome," he said in a mocking voice. "Well, now you can make snides, I think you're good and I can leave you alone." He walked around the hospital bed to pick up his jacket hanging over the side. "Expect me to drop by tomorrow morning. I'll go straight here at first before I'd report to Chief about what happened—"

Cara's shoulder tensed. Her heart ricocheted. "Don't bother. I'll tell him myself. In-person. Once I'm out of here, he'd be the first one to know."

Doubt lingered across Eric's face and if she hadn't been fast enough to cover her expression into a cold one, he would have definitely, at a bullet's pace, seeing the truth behind her unnatural heeding, her refusal to push the investigation of the incident, and her calm posture under the pressure of all the oddity that happened.

If nothing wouldn't be compromised for being honest, no lie would ever escape from her mouth. But she had to sacrifice it. For her job. For the case. For Alex's safety. And for justice.

Because if Chief Alman would get wired for the break-in and for the things she discovered, everything is done.

"Okay, I'll expect you to do that, anyway." Tugging the jacket, he gripped the doorknob and pushed it open. "Call me, will you? And don't even think about leaving. Goodnight, Cara."

The door closed, and Cara breathed a sigh of relief. She shut her eyes, massaging her temples. She counted how many times she lied to maintain her secret, and found it compelling that she managed to pull it off without raising suspicion. Pulling the blankets until they covered her chin, she listened to the silent hum of the machine nearby and embraced the deafening silence. Treating them like a hushed lullaby that would put her in the land of dreams. Minutes later, nothing of the sort happened. Her body still felt restless, and her mind was still on fire.

Figuring she wouldn't achieve it no matter she tried, she peeled off the sheets from her body. She swung her feet away from the bed and reached for the duffel bag where she secretly stowed the case files underneath the thick fabric of a polo shirt. Staring at it, she made a bold decision. If her body won't let her rest, then so be it. She'd use the energy to her advantage until it wears off, and she was fulfilled.

Hours passed like a whirlwind and the next thing she knew, it was morning. She didn't wait for the go-signal from the doctor and off she went outside the hospital doors, unconcerned and undisturbed by the consequences she might face for breaking the promise with Eric. His feeling was the last thing she ought to concern herself with. At least not while there are important tasks in the case she must check out.

Groggy and dazed from the injury, Cara graced the morning halls of the station with her tensed body. She was pleased the station wasn't deserted as it had been yesterday. A few officers and detectives were occupying seats in the bullpen, talking in modulate voices and typing some reports. When she entered the office, Agent Rose was already behind the desk, buried in a stack of files and consuming another yet cup of black coffee.

A lit cigarette was resting on the ashtray, its smoke slowly billowing in the air. Her head perked when she heard the door shut, her eyes rounding in delight.

"Oh, didn't you say you couldn't make it?"

Leaning against the wall, she smiled slyly and scratched the left side of her cheek. "Had to change it—"

Series of abrupt knocks interrupted her from speaking. The door moved, opened by Marissa who was unlikely anxious. Her disturbed eyes dashed from Cara to Agent Rose before she spoke.

"Sorry to disturb you, ladies. But a call just came in." She swallowed hard. "There's been another body."