Gone After the Wind

Chapter 9: Agreement

IT TOOK only one call before Cara received the permission to drop by at the station, not that she needed it, by the way. She just doesn't want to offend anyone once she shows up uninvited and out of the blue. Her exit from the station two months ago hadn't been pleasant, after all. Many saw how she resisted leaving after Chief Alman announced the legalities of her invalid arrest of an innocent individual. It was a big scandal; anyone can agree to that. It wasn't the first time that it happened to the state police, but Cara's case was the messiest one so far. Not just because many had been enraged, but the state senator had also made himself involved in the matter.

Even if it was already eight weeks, the courage to face them had not yet fully developed, and she still felt ashamed of what she had done. She had planted a bad experience with her co-workers during her last days as a homicide detective, and the certainty that it would affect her now was on a full scale. All thanks to Chief Randy Alman's assuring words, she had gotten over the slight panic and successfully arrived within the station's premises without entertaining the idea of backfiring her plan and being a coward.

The station was abundant and spacious as it was the very first time Cara had seen it years ago. Sitting at the center of the land, the two-floor squared building still looked intimidating and durable. Its design was a standard one with the logo stamped above the entrance. The department responsible for its appearance had done a great job maintaining its orderliness and image. On the left side was a similar building but way too smaller. Even if that was the case, it had been enough to house the whole force of the forensic's team and the CSIs.

The parking lot was located under the line of trees planted on the right side, an oval space that was incredibly sufficient to sustain the number of cars visiting the station in a day. When she got there, it was half full, but she didn't have any trouble finding a spot.

As she parked her black Rover on the last lane, an avalanche of nostalgia instantaneously hit her back while looking up at the building. From the euphoria she had when she entered here as a rookie to the pain she carried the moment she left here against her own will, all of it attacked her so suddenly that she froze for a moment. She remembered how confident she was on the first day and had the mindset that all would be going in the way she wanted. But as she looked back now, she ascertained that it was ridiculous, a purely inane characteristic to have as a newcomer.

She climbed out of the car with little interest in her surroundings. But when she saw the newly trimmed lawn and the painted tiled floor of the entrance, she couldn't help but wonder what had changed here the past two months. Not just the outer exhibition of this reputable establishment but the current outlook of the people working inside.

She tucked in her brown jacket before stepping away from there. The parking lot wasn't full, yet some patrol cars and mobile were pulled up outside the entrance, giving away the impression that the station may be swamped. Her hunch wasn't wrong, though. When she got inside the lobby, it was swarming with officers and staff doing their respective businesses. Cara felt a sudden rush of embarrassment and disgust that she had to deal with such a crowd, especially at the moment when most of them looked her way and flashes of recognition came over their faces.

Cara couldn't determine if she would put on a smile or just continue walking, careless. One male officer from the far corner pointed in her direction, spilling her name like some sort of a legendary character straight out of a book or movie. The embarrassment grew more, and the need to run away just made itself known inside.

"Hey, it's Black. Look."

"Who?"

"Remember that cop who went ballistic after her husband died? That's her."

"Oh, the one who got suspended for arresting some young man?"

"Yep. Can't believe she has the guts to come back. Is she even allowed here?"

Her jaw tightened when it registered to her mind what those words were all about. She didn't mean to overhear that conversation, but it wasn't as if they were making an effort to hush their voices. Most of them literally talked without minimizing their voice as though it was included in their goals to have their conversation be heard by its subject. Had it not for the female receptionist behind the large oak desk, who was the only one who took the effort to stand up and greet her normally, Cara would definitely lose it.

Her name was Marissa Regal, and she had been working behind that desk longer than Cara had ever been here. She's a petite middle-aged woman with a bright personality and fabulous fashion. No one would ever think that she's already been married for twenty years and had three kids during that period. Her seemingly young beauty would be the factor responsible for that trick.

Despite the gap between their age, Cara never had any difficulties establishing a friendship with her. They both had shared a strong rapport, and to see her now, after two months looking well and still the kind woman she met, Cara felt more than pleased.

"My God, you've gotten bigger than the last time I saw you here at my desk," Marissa playfully said, smiling widely. "Vacation is spoiling you just right, isn't it?"

Cara's lips rose. "Nice to see you, too, Marissa. How are you?"

"Still stuck behind this crappy old friend, assisting those only-good-for-appearance young men to do their job accurately. It's a bit tiring, you know, these last few days. No one had ever done me a great deal to skip the paperwork other than you. They are all still babies," Marissa replied, shaking her head. She sipped on her black coffee before leaning forward. "How about you, honey? What have you been up to lately?"

"Can't say I have new things to get myself busied," Cara answered, her eyes roaming around the lobby, stopping in the hallway of cubicles and conference rooms. "But all hail to Chief, I have now something to push away the boredom. Is he in?"

"Yeah, just right in his office. He's been waiting for you since you called. And I tell you now; he's so fired up to see you again. He even educated everyone that you'll be coming by," Marissa informed, which made Cara chuckle a bit. "And as for your partner, he's down the hallway, orienting the new babies that arrived this morning. You might want to see him do that. He's getting excellent on teaching."

Cara nodded, already anticipating seeing Eric in front of inexperienced police officers, standing proudly as their senior and teaching what he learned within the years of serving the public as one of the accomplished Homicide detectives. "I really do. Down to the hallway, right? Which room was it?"

"The first one you'll see, of course."

"Alright, I'll be going inside. Thanks, by the way." Cara smiled.

"No worries," Marissa replied, staring at her with delight. She put up her right hand and made a salute. "Glad to see you again, Detective."

Taken aback by what Marissa said, Cara could only chuckle in return. It felt surreal to hear someone call that again. And she wasn't even officially reinstated. They asked for her help, sure, but what guarantee it had that they would give her that title again? She doesn't know and will never be unless Chief Randy Alman would tell her why they suddenly begged for her assistance.

After that short interaction with Marissa, she then sauntered along the spacious hallway. And true enough, once she reached the first conference room, she saw Eric pacing in front of a small crowd consisting of young police officers wearing their specific uniforms and casting a full-scale interest in what Eric was discussing. He was assisted by several detectives Cara also happened to know well in their unit. Everyone was too absorbed in the topic; no one seemed to see her walking beside the glass wall. She looked keenly at Eric as she passed by, studying every bit of his expression while talking. She felt proud that he was enjoying it. The satisfaction on his face was exceptional, for Cara had never seen such weight of positive emotion on his face. He led a lot of conferences before but not even once did he show utter confidence with the audience. His face constantly screamed impassiveness. That's why he earned the nickname 'ice man'.

As though Eric had sensed Cara was watching him, his eyes flitted across the room all the way to her. His eyes rounded a bit, and his mouth opened wider as the shock completely electrified him. Cara felt amused, and as much as she wanted to tease him for having such a flabbergasting reaction, she set that aside. She didn't want to ruin the moment, so she kept walking, signaling the office of Chief Alman located at the end of the hallway.

Assuming that he understood it, Cara doubled up her speed, and within only five minutes, she found herself standing outside Chief Alman's office, her body compulsive with the familiar energy and thrill that she had missed for two months. She would be a total hypocrite if she denied that this didn't feel quite good. Just two months ago, she was forced to surrender her badge and left the job that had fascinated her for half of her life in this very same office. And now, here she is again, but for the opposite reason.

From the collection of doors on the far corner of the hallway, the office of Chief Alman stood out from the others. It consists of a large brown door and his name etched on the golden plate screamed intimidation. Cara didn't hesitate to knock twice. Her hands were itching to twist the door knob immediately, but she knew better than being rude. She had already disappointed him a lot in the past. The least she could do to repay the chance he was willing to give was to be nice and polite.

After all, her fate to fully conceal her past relied on his hands now.

"It's open," Alman announced behind the door.

Cara pushed the door open and entered the room abruptly, her eyes stopping on the prominent human figure standing behind the metal table, rummaging through a pile of papers scattered around it. Once Cara made her presence known, Chief Randy Alman ceased what he was doing and straightened up his back. His round eyes widened as a flicker of recognition and delight crossed them. He immediately smiled and dragged his well-built body around the table, raising his arms to urge Cara for a small embrace.

"It's great to have you here again, Black." Chief Alman said, patting her on the back.

"I feel well more than ever. Thanks for taking me back," Cara responded.

"I have no reason not to. It's been two months after all," Alman added as they broke the embrace. Cara took the seat across the table, and Alman went back to his spot. "I'm grateful that you'd given this a chance, despite the last encounter we had. I was told by Eric that you declined the offer yesterday. What made you change your mind?"

Cara shifted uncomfortably on her seat, her eyebrows furrowing as she struggled to find the right words that would successfully cover up her true reason. She smiled a bit, maintaining eye contact with Alman. "I figured it would be best to give it a shot since I have no idea when my suspension will be over."

Alman nodded appreciatively, intertwining his fingers atop the table. His broad shoulders and wide chest overpowered the size of the table. Even though his age was already pushing sixty, there were still signs of great dominance and power over his body that he gained from serving for a long time in the army. His squared face had rough features that could be the blaming point for why most of the officers here were terrified of him. Not to mention that he had an outstanding record and reputation. Little did some of them know, Chief Randy Alman was a kind soul, a soft-hearted man with strong integrity and effectiveness of power. It may not show on his face, but his actions were enough to substantiate the pattern of his behavior.

"I don't want us to dwell on that," Alman said politely. "All of us made mistakes that we cannot mend up easily. Be it big or small, light or heavy. As much as we yield an effort to change that, nothing can be undone. But that doesn't mean our choices to correct it are permanently gone. It's not too late, Cara. You deserve a chance. Everyone does."

Cara couldn't agree with that wholeheartedly. Unlucky for them, she had foreseen the conditions associated with the offer. Her mind, as a keen explorer as it had been, wandered around the assumption that it had not for the fact that another victim had shown, they wouldn't consider involving a scandalous and presumptuous detective in a high-profile case. And if things get worse, even the FBI might become the third party in the investigation. For a case that had been widely identified across the state, no sane mind would ask Cara Black's help.

Either they had already hit rock bottom, and someone knowledgeable from the first murder was needed for the case to go on, or someone higher than Chief Alman had pulled up some strings so she could participate in the investigation.

"That's why you're here," Chief Alman added. "We've come to a decision to re-consider the conditions that we had set up as part of the disciplines we carried out. It's a topic that had been circling around the higher-ups for so long. Eric was the one who came up with this three weeks ago. Since then, I have been asking the permission of my fellow colleagues to take you back. Fortunately, it had been granted well."

Cara was about to ask for more details when the door suddenly burst open, halting their conversation completely, for their attention was shifted to Eric, who looked like he had been continuously running around, his face was covered with sweat, and his breathing was labored. His crumpled brown jacket that wasn't worn well and disheveled hair told Cara enough that he had rushed to come here. His curious eyes glanced around the room before they stopped at Cara, who was not surprised by his violent entrance.

"Am I being a bother?" he asked. "Sorry, I just had to check if she's really here."

"It's alright. Come in and join us instead," Alman instructed, which Eric gladly obliged. "How was the orientation?"

"Relatively great," Eric answered, glancing at Cara as he took a seat. "I enjoyed it, and so do the rookies. They find our previous cases very instructing."

"That's good," Alman answered, smiling broadly. Then he turned to Cara. "I told him to use your case files, so those newbies wouldn't grow lazy and ignorant to the real work. I wasn't wrong to think that it would be useful. I surely hope you don't mind that?"

Cara blinked a few times, unsure of how she would react after knowing that records of her work had been utilized for the purpose of learning. She shrugged after. "It's fine."

Alman nodded. "Let's get to the real business, then," he said. "Black, you know why you're here. The fact that you've accepted the offer means you're officially reinstated. I'm putting you back on the field to investigate the case that you know better than anyone. You'll be partnered with Eric, as I don't want to strip your comfortability in the actual work. However, there are rules and conditions that we strictly advise you to follow. In order for this to work, I need your cooperation and utmost sincerity that you won't be breaking any of it. Before we go to the bottom of this, I just want to ask you about something, Black."

"What is it?" Cara asked nervously.

Alman took a deep breath. His brown eyes stared directly at her. "It's not uncommon to know what we all went through in the last two months. Although I despised bringing it back, but I need your assurance that it won't distract you from doing your job. Of all the people involved, you were the one that received the most damageable aftermath. And we have no guarantee that nothing, in this case, will trigger the trauma you've experienced. But you have to set it aside and bring out your rational side. Are you ready to do that?"

Am I now?

Cara pondered on that deeply, searching for any tinge of doubt or fear in her system. She wasn't surprised to find herself asking if this would be the right decision. But then, her hunger for justice had overpowered it. Heaving a deep sigh, she stared back at Alman, her eyes reflecting the fire of determination in her heart. "I don't think I would be here if I wasn't done throwing tantrums to any of you."

Eric chuckled beside her, easing the tension a bit. Cara could feel herself loosening up.

Alman nodded with pure mirth on his face. "That's what I want to hear." From the piles of the folder on the side of his table, Alman pulled the thinnest one, and showed it to Cara. "Everything you need to know about the current case is right here." He tapped the folder. "I trust your own method and ways, so I'll step out of the border and let you do what you want. But you must know that Wilson still requires you to report to him, and I strongly advise that you'd do so. The last thing I want is to hear complaints from that man."

Cara took the folder, her mind racing back to the pompous supervisor of Homicide Unit. She wondered how he had reacted after knowing she would join the investigation. It probably angered him. He's a narcissistic and incompetent ass, after all. He would never admit that they needed the help.

"As of the conditions, the higher-ups agreed to transfer this temporary reinstatement to a permanent one if, within a week, this case would be closed, and the perpetrator responsible for the murders would be on his way to jail. But if," Alman raised his forefinger. "you didn't produce any good results to wrap this case up, your suspension would be extended into a year, and the case against you would be re-open by the court."

Cara stiffened at the mention of the case that was filed against her one week after she accused an innocent man allegedly responsible for Marco's murder. The Muellers, the relative of Gary Yolkins were strong-headed to continue the case, but the higher-ups of Albreska State PD did everything they could to cover it up to avoid the ruckus from falling over to the force. They succeeded. And in exchange for the agreement, Cara was put into an off-service state. She didn't expect that they would use that against her now.

"The Senator already reprimanded me by having you back on the case. But I won't take back my decision. I root for you, Black. I'm hoping there will be no problems this time."

"I understand," Cara answered, not thoroughly surprised that the senator had already put a foot in this matter. Of course, he will. That man is a hawk. Ever since Cara offended him, he never took off his eyes on Cara, monitoring her every move on the force and involving his name with every chance that would come up.

Alman nodded and rose up to his feet. He extended his hand. Cara humbly shook it, casting a glance to Eric, who stood up, as well, when the meeting had appeared to be ending.

"Welcome back, Detective. "It's nice calling you that again."

"Thank you, Sir."

"You could ask Eric for anything. He'd be happy to fill you in on details."

Cara nodded appreciatively, clutching the folder in her hands with excitement conquering her senses. With that, they exited the office. Cara abruptly opened the folder, scanning the pages with keen eyes as they walked back into the hallway. As much as possible, she wanted the whole picture of the case immediately. She wouldn't want to overwhelm herself with the massive details it has.

"So, where are we headed now?" Eric asked.

Cara slammed the folder back when she couldn't feel satisfied with what was there. "I need to see the crime scene."