Gone After the Wind

Chapter 20: Kyler Santine

"His rap sheet isn't nearly as long as I expected. Two counts of petty theft, one for reckless driving, and three for s****l assault. Pretty much going on here. You think he fits our profile?" Agent Rose blatantly asked as she swiped on the glossy Ipad sitting on her lap. She rolled the window down and looked at Cara's way before casually leaning her elbow on its pane.

Cara, who was only half listening, squirmed uncomfortably on the driver's seat and gave a slight shake of her head. Guilt slowly crept upon her as she come to a realization that she had been dead most of the time they spent traveling. Her physical state may be visible but the presence of her mind can't be found anywhere else in the small space of their car. Though she never let Agent Rose's inquiries go unanswered, she couldn't keep the interest for long as she should. She'd become enthralled at every topic the agent would open but as the conversation progressed, she'd found herself slowly slipping away, her mind shutting off until all there is to think about was the blistering road ahead and how she'd survive this journey without having to occupy one hospital bed.

She knew she was being unprofessional for behaving in such an inexplicable way. But as always, there are some things that never stay under her control. Her thoughts and anxiety about the files back at the station were only two of those. How can she snatch Marco's file away from the agent's grasp was the question that she has been trying to answer ever since they left. The solution to it was rather simple if she'd put it into action. Sneak into the office, take it, act innocent and use the other files as an excuse/cover. Just like that, her problem is done.

Only, by doing that, the agent's curiosity might deepen to the most terrifying level. It would be particularly odd that the file she was reading hours ago had vanished and the only person who knew about it had the same second name. She must not forget that the agent isn't someone who can easily be deceived and who can fall into a trap without question. Her deduction skill is beyond exemplary, Cara could see that. It won't take too long for her to notice the commotion happening behind her back, and if she did, she might misunderstand Cara's vision behind the action. All the more she'd become intrigued to know the whole story.

And so she discarded that idea.

That left her with only two options. One is to own up to the responsibility of reviewing all the files, despite the exhaustion, she can get, and the other is to just plainly admit to the agent's face that her husband was killed under the same timeline as the killer they are hunting now was on the process of modifying his grim hobbies, and that the murder looked like a replica of his works. It's a whole lot easier that way, isn't it? That can save her so much time, and effort in explaining her side. But can she really handle the consequences she's bound to confront for choosing it?

"No? Why is that?" Agent Rose probed, after seeing Cara's opposition. Her voice sounded intrigued, almost turned out cheerful for hearing that her opinion didn't get any support.

"I stick to what I presumably think," Cara answered, still stiff and clouded by the contemplation she had done a while ago. She wetted her dry and cracked lips. She forced herself to come up with a nice answer. "That our perp would do his best to elude the police's radar as much as he can. Though he appeared to be bold in his recent crimes, I don't think he'll like any nuances to interfere with what he's doing."

"I suppose every criminal thinks the same way," Agent Rose added, switching off the iPad, leaving it alone, at long last. "But the ones above the average lines tend to have more eccentric thoughts so I agree with you. Not wholeheartedly, to be honest. Because we can't be sure until we meet the man. His records may just be a ruse to make us think the opposite. How long are we far at the diner?"

"Diner?" Cara asked. "We're not going straight to his address?"

"Nope. Let's settle in the diner first. This trip is making me hungry. And what wrong would it bring if we talk to the owner and fish for more information?" Agent Rose said lightly, slouching on her seat.

"It's only ten minutes away," Cara answered, maneuvering the GPS device. "Would that be enough to hold that off?"

"I don't much have of a choice, do I?" Agent Rose chuckled. She opened the small drawer on the dashboard. "It's not like I could eat these papers here. Even if they do start to look more edible the longer I hold it off."

Cara smiled, grateful for the agent's quirkiness. It had lessened the formidable tension that was prickling her stomach. She couldn't imagine if the agent wasn't as amiable as she was right now, and they were both stuck in a forty-five-minute drive on a deserted road with only tall trees around. It could have been boring and intolerable had Agent Rose been uptight like the rest of the agents that Cara had seen in movies.

Because Agent Rose has a strange fascination with keeping a conversation alive and magical, the remaining minutes they needed to consume before the diner passed like a whirlwind. Before Cara could grasp it, they were already finding a spot on its one-way parking lot occupied only by three vehicles. Two were family vans and the last was a cargo truck that looked like it came from the other side of the state, as it was covered mostly in mud and dirt.

As Cara settle the car on the far end, just near the entrance, she examined the overall layout of the diner where their recent victim used to work. It didn't live off to her expectations. What she had in mind was a small one, mainly intended to serve quick meals for travelers and tourists. She didn't think it would be this large and imposing.

"Green Diner... a bit redundant, wouldn't you say?" Agent Rose commented as she unbuckled her seatbelt, who was apparently looking up at the establishment, as well. "I mean we can see that it's green, but they really have to include that in their name? It's weird, reading that, and realizing it's really green."

Cara couldn't help but laugh at her observation as she was also thinking the same thing. The owner must be too lazy to devise a much more promising and creative name, she had stolen whatever it was that she had seen. Probably outside because the walls were painted with green under both shades of dark and light. Some sides had been chipped but barely noticeable at the first glance. Its tedious name was etched proudly on the top part of the entrance, consuming enough space for cars to notice its presence amidst this lonely and remote road.

They climbed out of the car and approached the door with a little too much energy. Cara was the one who opened the double doors, allowing Agent Rose to be the first one to enter the establishment. She mumbled a soft 'thank you' as she passed, and Cara followed suit. As soon as they entered, Cara observed its cozy yet parched ambiance. Housing five sets of chairs near the glass wall, and ten stools behind the counter, it defied its overall concept. It started to look more like an expensive restaurant, with spaces that could welcome five to ten or more people.

But given that, the customers it currently has didn't even exceed to five.

"Looking for something, ladies?"

They both snapped their heads towards the side. A young short woman was standing akimbo next to the counter, carrying a small pitcher and scrutinizing them with an indifferent gaze. Her blonde curly hair bounced as she walked near them. She wore a plain dress extending just above her knee. Unfortunately, it was shaded with green, as well.

She raised her eyebrows, urging them to answer that.

She didn't ask us for what we wanted to eat as though she knew we weren't here for that. She had seen our kinds here before.

"Oh, actually we do," Agent Rose answered, using her bright and laid-back tone as usual. "Can we see Ms. Felia Novian? We'd like to talk to her about something we are currently investigating. We're from Albreska State Police, by the way."

"I know," the woman answered, her green eyes remaining disinterested. "We've seen your kinds a lot these past few days. It's not that hard to see through to your goals. With that belt and the aura you were both emanating, do you really think we can pass you off as ordinary civilians?"

Mentioning that, Cara's eyes automatically drifted towards the customers, and surprisingly, their attention was focused on them, not on the meals they were supposed to be indulging with. Cara couldn't fathom the emotions they held in their gaze. It wasn't welcoming, and most certainly not pleasing. It was as though their presence had consumed their appetite, and now, they couldn't continue until both of the female law enforcement are out of the establishment. They immediately looked away when Cara made eye contact with each of them.

What the hell is wrong with these people? Have they been wronged by one of our people that they looked at us with such scorn?

"That sounds delightful," Agent Rose noted. "We don't need to impose any authority, then, as it is clear you're already familiar with our practices. Can you call Ms. Felia for us, please?"

The waitress snorted. "Give me a sec."

"Oh, and associate that with some light meals, please? Anything will do. As long as my partner and I will be satisfied."

"As you wish." The waitress bobbed her head before she walked around the counter to put down the pitcher and leave the service for a while.

"Let's go sit there."

They took the nearest table adjacent to the glass wall. Cara sat on the left, while Agent Rose graced herself on the opposite. They watched the table nearby as several waitresses round up to deliver the orders. There were only three of them around. One was behind the counter, arranging the sequence of the orders before they could get served while the remaining two strolled around tables for assistance.

Cara cringed as her mind suddenly inserted Sandy Hupman as one of them, serving drinks and talking casually to the customers. She hung her head low and cut off the staring, irritated at her imagination's swift adaptability. Though it was unintentional, she didn't like the mixed feeling it buoyed towards her.

"It's hard to imagine that only a few days ago, one of them was serving this place," Agent Rose blurted out, opening the subject that Cara highly preferred not to discuss right now. Something about it was making her extremely uncomfortable, for reasons unfathomable to the level of her understanding.

She didn't know exactly why but she always find it unsettling to be in the same place where someone had used to work or either lived. Especially those who died in tragic and unjust circumstances. It was as if tidbits of their souls were still embarked on the spaces they had touched or had stood, resisting to disappear and waiting for someone to relive the memories their owners had left.

Agent Rose heaved a deep sigh. She reclined on the seat, crossing her arms over her chest. "Must've been hard for them to cope up. All the trauma and fear after knowing their co-worker has been murdered should have been enough for them not to come back here and just find a new place to work. But look at them, still smiling and functioning as though the crime didn't bruise them in any way."

Cara didn't fail to sense the weight of her words, and though it wasn't enough to acquire her sympathy, she felt a distinct connection to these women as she try to imagine the resistance they put up every day just to brush off the fear it had brought to them. Their battles may be borderline different from each other, but the hard choices they make every morning fall under the same line and are correlated to the same goal: survive, and continue living, no matter what it takes.

Until the burden they carry would magically disappear, they would remain in a painful cycle full of trauma and fear in which they had been forced to stay. Cara knew that very well as she had been maintaining that lifestyle for two months. Ever since the day she saw Marco's eyes devoid of life.

Silence passed through them as they both watched the normal scenes in a diner aroused dryly. The grim atmosphere seemed to have lightened up when one of the waitresses claimed an order from the counter and started heading their way. Just as Agent Rose merrily received the light meals she had requested, Cara saw the back door, at long last opened, and the person they have been anticipating come out hastily.

"She's here," Cara announced, watching Felia Novian sashayed anxiously towards them, her green dress swaying gently as she advanced forward.

"Just leave it there. Thank you," Agent Rose said to the waitress, pushing the other plate towards Cara. "Don't let it go cold. Food's more enjoyable when warm."

Cara's eyebrows furrowed as she heard that. She looked at her incredulously. "Are we really going to eat while we question her?"

"Don't use that word." Agent Rose smiled. "Giving her the impression we're here under a supervised authority might freak her out more. If she gets the idea that we came all the way from Rosegold just to have a word with her, she might clam up. Remember that she's a businesswoman and she's running a rather tight business. She might go all and all about wanting to help but it won't remain that way if she feels its reputation is in jeopardy.

Cara nodded slowly, her body relaxing as she ponder on that. "Okay, so we're here for casual talking."

"Mm-hmm." Agent Rose cut a small piece from her steak and brought it up to her mouth. "And for feeding the monsters in our belly. Hmm... this is good."

With one final glance at Felia Novian, Cara released the tension building up and decided to play along with her tactics. Between the two of them, she's the more experienced and the one who knows better. If she says that'll work, then Cara's ought to trust that.

The light meal she ordered consisted of a steak, a burger, and a small sandwich. Cara picked up the sandwich and started munching it up when Felia Novian finally reached their table, alone, and still in a shaky disposition. She stood awkwardly on the side, smiling in a fixed manner that looked to get cracked any moment on.

"Pleasant morning, ladies. In what way do I owe the visit?" she said.

"Please join us." Agent Rose gestured for the seat next to her. "You don't mind us eating, do you?"

"Of course." Felia Novian accepted the offer and sat. "I'm actually pleased you have the mind to taste our food here. Most of your men who visited here didn't even do the honor of amusing us. Just barged in like some arrogant fools who take no s**t, and began questioning my employees as though we owe them a great deal."

Agent Rose met Cara's gaze, and she raised her eyebrow as if saying the phrase 'told you so' through it. Cara couldn't help smiling.

"Oh, I'm sorry for the language. It's just... I'm under real stress lately, okay? All of the pressure that I got after the tragedy was very overwhelming that I couldn't have a decent sleep in one day," Felia explained, her voice rattling as she spoke.

"It's fine. Take it real slow, Miss Novian. I'm pretty sure, it will all pan out okay." Agent Rose patted her arm, smiling apologetically. "And we're the ones who should be saying sorry. For the behavior of our men and for not considering how you might feel. That is why you should not treat this as questioning. You're not under suspicion, okay? We're just here to chat and hear something that you haven't told any of the officers who bothered you. Would that be fine?"

Agent Rose's demeanor was so inviting and warm that Miss Novian's tough facade faded in an instant, and the seemingly rock-solid expression she was wearing slowly lose its configuration. Cara couldn't believe her eyes. How a simple change in her tone and some twist in her words had earned someone's temporary trust baffled her to a great extent that she began to consider practicing it.

If that were me, I'd have pissed off the old woman already.

"Of course it is. I might sound as coldhearted and unbothered by what happened but I do care. I really do. Sandy was like a daughter to me, and we've gone through tough times together. I wanted to solve this, as much as you do." As she speak, she took out a cigarette pack, picked one, and pressed it between her lips.

Unlike to the information Cara had gathered about her, the woman didn't look like she was pushing sixty this year. Weighing about a hundred and fifty with height amiable at her age, she could be lined and matched up with the youthfulness of her employees. Having skin so paper white enabled her appearance to be deceitful. Blue eyes, dark hair, and a narrow nose, all were just bonus factors. It was clear as a day that she was utterly a handsome woman back in her days.

"We can see that. Give us your utmost cooperation, then, and see to it that we'll do our best to bring justice in her death," Agent Rose assured, setting aside the plate she had just emptied. "If that's the case, then, we should start."

"How much would you want to know?"

Cara took that as a cue to fish out her notebook to jot down information as they proceed to the real matter.

"Let's start with the incident involving Kyler Santine and Sandy Hupman," Agent Rose answered, and paused to look at her firmly. "That name sounds familiar?"

Felia's face contorted for a moment, her lips twitching in annoyance. "It does. How could I ever forget that man?" She lit the cigarette, inhaled a mouthful of smoke, and puffed it out slowly. "Are we going to waste time talking about him?"

"Objectively, Miss Novian. It's on top of our priority list. The sooner we learn about their history, the better we get to understand their involvement with each other, and if Kyler Santine deserves our visit today."

"You think he's the one who did that?" Felia asked, stunned.

"It's too early to create an assumption, Miss Novian. We're just checking out and eliminating all the parties that could be or not be involved," Agent Rose added.

Felia nodded, flicking the ash off the cigarette towards the tissue paper she splayed out. "Well, I'll bet my whole life that he has something to do with it. That guy's a freak, after all. Hovering around my place like a vulture searching for the next meal. Clothes are always worn out and smelly like a freaking toilet out of order. Sandy was just too kind to shoo him away every time he visit."

"Was he a frequent customer?"

"I wouldn't call him like that," Felia answered. "More like a crazed stalker who couldn't leave a poor young woman alone. He hangs around here a lot but he rarely eats. Just always standing there in the corner, watching Sandy do her work. Then after some hours, he'd leave without a word."

"Was Sandy aware?" Cara asked, incredulous at how creepy that was. She stopped scribbling, waiting for the older woman to answer.

Felia turned to her, and nodded. "She was but she didn't take it too seriously, thinking that Santine would stop if she let him do his thing. I don't know why but Sandy viewed his nonsensical admiration as non-threatening, and only temporary. We tried to change her mind, and persuade her to call the cops because it was very disturbing to witness it every day. But she had such a warm heart and foolish judgment that she even thought of that bastard's sake instead of her own safety."

"How long did that go on?" Agent Rose asked.

"For a month. Can you believe that?" Felia shook her head, still dismayed at the decision of her former employee. "Until some weeks ago, the thing we feared the most had come. Santine's lunatic desire had gone beyond controllable, not that what he did before was acceptable, but this one superseded all his creepy doings. It was afternoon, I could never forget that day because it was packed with people. Miraculously. The sun was in a good disposition and it hadn't rained so there was no reason for the tourists and other locals to ignore us.

Sandy was preparing to end her morning shift when she asked me if I saw Santine the whole morning. I was in the counter, helping my other darlings to maintain the smooth flow of the orders. Because there were so many people, I couldn't tribute my whole attention to Sandy, and so she fled off from the service towards the locker room. Minutes later, we heard a scream. It was so terrifying and alarming that almost every one of us in the dining stopped moving and held our breaths. The first thing that passed through my mind was Sandy, and I wasn't wrong that something had happened badly because Santine came out sprinting from the locker room, just after that scream echoed across this very room."

"What did you do then?" Agent Rose sipped on her coffee, listening intently.

"When I saw him almost half naked, I knew right then that he did something horrible to Sandy. I immediately ordered someone to stop him. Luckily, one customer was at the door and they were able to block him before he could even escape."

"You rushed towards where Sandy was after that," Cara continued.

"I did. My heart was beating loudly while I was walking toward the locker room. You can't blame me if I thought he hurt him and Sandy might be barely living. I was so grateful when I got there, Sandy was still dressed and she was unscathed. She was crying badly, moaning, and in so much distress. It took us over an hour before we finally learned what happened. Santine was brought to Redvine PD, and went for some interviews but he was released after because apparently, cross-dressing wasn't a crime. I think you know the rest after that."

Silence reigned over them. Felia continued to puff her cigarette while Agent Rose played with her cup that is now empty. Cara was busy scribbling the highlights of that incident. When she sensed no one was going to break the tension and the silence, she took over it.

"Did Sandy ever specify why she was so soft towards Santine?"

Felia licked her lower lip. She leaned over the table. "She never enumerated why, but I picked up some hints that led me to conform to some theories I built up. She's the senator's only daughter, which obviously explained why she was discreet at that incident, and why she dodged filing a case. A restraining order was put, sure, but she could have handled it better. Unfortunately, her father's position was what pushed her to endure it all."

"Meredith, wasn't it? I agree. It'll be pretty troublesome if the name of her father was dragged into that." Agent Rose shrugged.

"Though it wasn't common knowledge, you know how media works. It's faster than a grapevine. The other reason is probably she's just too kindhearted. It wasn't the first time someone publicly showed affection to her."

Cara's eyebrows furrowed. "Not the first time?"

Felia smiled mischievously. "Sandy was a good-looking woman. It's not surprising that there are still some men hoping to get a chance with her. Not to mention that her demeanor and attitude were always sunny and charming." Her gaze slipped past Cara for a moment before she leaned in more, her eyes gleaming with controversy. "Take that man for example. His name's Robinson. He's a local farmer whose property was miles away from here. But he never misses a chance to dine in here."

Cara was a bit annoyed at how excited she appeared to say some rumors. But out of nagging curiosity, she simply glanced over her shoulder. One look at the huge man whose back was facing their way, and she turned back to Felia, her annoyance was more defined.

Agent Rose chuckled. "You have some basis for that?"

"Well, he always offered Sandy a ride home with him which she never declined. They're pretty close if you ask me. Sandy always prioritizes his orders everytime he's here."

Cara closed her notebook when she sensed that their little casual talk had already reached its end. Before the old woman could feed them with more speculations, Cara looked meaningfully at Agent Rose, and like her, she was wearing the same half-satisfied expression.

"I think we're done, Miss Novian. It has been a pleasure talking to you," Agent Rose said, pulling out her wallet. "I wish we could chat more but we need to catch up with Mr. Robinson and it's a shame if we don't use this chance to talk to him."

"Oh, no, don't bother. It's in the house," Felia said and stood up. "He's amiable so you could gain a lot from him. Other than that, he could tell you more about that green truck always parked mysteriously outside."

"Green truck?" Cara echoed.

"Mm-hmm, that's not included in your reports?" Felia looked at them both. "I told the officers about it right after they interviewed me. That was the other mysterious thing that has been going on here. The driver never showed himself or herself. The car would just park on the other side of the road and will stay for hours long."

"Was Sandy feel threatened?" Agent Rose asked, the usual playfulness in her voice was now gone.

"She was. More than she should. She was... even more, bothered by that than Santine. Everytime we attempt to approach the car, it will speed off and leave like the owner knew we're going to chase him away." Felia tilted her head in confusion as she watched the two women go silent. "Is that relevant?"

Just as they chewed on that, a shadow passed beside them. When they looked, Robinson was walking towards the door, preparing to leave.

Cara swallowed hard and looked anxiously at the older woman. She could feel her heart screaming in anticipation. "We'll see, Miss Novian. Thank you very much for your time. Don't hesitate to call us if you think of something else." Cara didn't waste the opportunity and she bolted, leaving the two women behind and hastily chased Robinson before he could start his car and leave, together with the information they badly needed.