Hidden Sanity

A Step Away From Risk

Morrie sat on Alice’s table. She crossed her legs while staring down at her.

“Hey…”

Alice acted as if she wasn’t nervous to keep the conversation relaxed between them. “Hi. Morrie.”

“Where have you been?” She started with a straightforward question.

“From Sir Jorge’s office… He asked me to work with all of these, can you believe it?”

“Really? Is that all?”

“He explained it all to me first so I can work on them correctly.”

“Just an explanation…. Really? And it took you that long inside his office?”

“I can hardly understand what he’s saying so it ate most of the time. Not an expert, just a secretary, I said. He… he explained it to me until I finally got it.”

“I think you need to explain to me what he just said.”

“Why are you doing this?”

Morrie looked more deeply into her eyes. More like sensing if she was lying or not. “Oh, nothing. I just feel like I have the right to know because I’m your assistant. Don’t you want some help with that?”

“Oh, yes. You’re right. Well, he told me that we have to—” She browsed the pages, looking for the first word she’ll see to expand the idea and create something out of it. “—organize the schedule of the employees and check their attendance for the month so we could confer about the monthly salary of each worker.”

“That’s it? That’s what took you so long inside his office?”

“No, of course, he let me do another pack of projects which I think I’ll be doing at home, to at least meet the deadline requirements.”

“Mind me to help you?” She was intently compressing her excuses to tell the truth.

“I can handle it. Don’t worry. I’ll tell you when I need your assistance. Because—that’s… that’s your job, right? Though you don’t need to be bothered by thinking that I’m doing it to increase my salary, please, I have no intentions on taking your money. But I think we must do our jobs according to their description.”

Morrie moved closer to her face with fierceness in her eyes, her arm leaning on her table. “Are you really sure nothing happened?”

“What happened?”

“Inside?”

“What is going to happen inside? There is a happening. Yes, a formal discussion. Why? Something wrong with that? I see nothing wrong with that. Why are you asking, by the way? Should I think of something else?”

“Sir Jorge never had a visitor in his office for that long… Nothing, that’s just suspicious.”

“Suspicious? I think what’s more suspicious is when someone in this office has a relationship going on with the president and she enters his office for that long then keeps on doing that thing to him day by day. That’s just not courteous. Now that’s the real doubtful situation.”

Morrie was held back to what she said. She was wordless. But she managed to collect herself and swept up the topic to their conversation. Abruptly, she smiled. “Exactly! I’m just asking, anyway.”

She stood up and whispered. “Just make sure it won’t hit you back…” She waved her hand then walked away. “Bye, Alice! Just call me when you need assistance, alright?”

She became friendly afterward. But what she lastly said surely left a consciousness to her mind. Will she also be like her soon? It bothered her even before she slept that night.

She instantly fell asleep when she got home, dead beat and fatigued, it’s the s*x thing, maybe. The sunbeam welcomed her in the morning. It was very serene inside her apartment. The morning breeze blew the curtain, leaving it swinging back and forth. It was chilly outside. Might be because of the incoming monsoon. She reminisced about what happened last night. She felt ashamed of what she did. She never thought she would do it with her boss. Before, she kissed him and now was in a whole different plane. From time to time, it was just becoming worse.

While she’s still at home, preparing to go, there was a different picture going on inside the office.

The staff members were talking about Joe and Alice. They were teasing Joe to Alice. Perchance, they caught them dating before. Joe did nothing to answer their questions but just smiled at them instead.

Paul, Alice’s close friend, said, “Joe, so you planning to hit on her?”

Joe replied, “Not too fast… I’ll get my time.”

That exact moment, Jack passed them by, he just arrived at their office. He walked and seemed like nobody saw him because the attention was all on Joe.

Jack noticed them swarming into one place so he furtively listened to what was going on. He can hear them mumbling, some of them squealing, very unlike businessmen and women. Jack rolled his eyes and thought, “What do these yuppies think? This is a park? f**k, how could people be so frivolous and heedless of their vantage point?”

“But do you think she likes you?” Paul asked.

“I hope so but I’m in the state of knowing that she does. We’re going closer to that point,” he answered.

“How can you say so?”

“She won’t go out with me if she doesn’t, right? And I can see it by the way she treats me.”

“I think you two look perfect to each other.”

“Yeah, and I think we shouldn’t be talking about someone who isn’t around here yet and let’s just go back to work!”

“You’re always the kill joy in this company! Always been!” He elbowed Joe’s bicep then left.

Everyone came back to their working stations like nothing happened.

Jack walked to his office after hearing their small talk. His hands involuntarily shook. He peeped through the blinds in his window and stared at Joe in his working station. He clenched his fist.

“What are you doing, Alice? You bargain for that man?! He’s less than a fine man for him to just have you in his hands.”

He turned around and hurriedly got a picture of Alice from his cabinet and stared at it. He talked to the photo as if it was Alice, personally looking and smiling at him.

“Time really passes. Am I too slow-phased? So what?” He softly touched the photo. “All I do is call your name in front of you. I couldn’t stand meeting as friends. No! I should be the first on your list! But no… I’m not fazed. Not to that man.”

His head got fuzzy, his heart was confused, he didn’t know what to do.

“If only I could hold you more… My greed keeps growing. I’m going crazy. Now I go crazier the more I meet you. I want you for myself. You, only by yourself. Please… please, I pray… Us, together…” He put the photo closer to his face to gape at her closer. “Your eyes can’t lie… I love it when you look at me like this, Alice. I don’t know what I'd do if I lost you. I knew I’d live like this as a sinner. I’m sorry.” He moaned. "Last night was very satisfying. For some reason, there is nothing different to the usual. But this office doesn’t look that happy now that you’re not here, sharing this space with me…” He closed his eyes and put out his tongue then licked her photo.

“Smile, please smile. You’re prettiest when smiling. But you have no expression now, you stiffen… Why can’t you smile at me? What did I do wrong?”

Images of Alice were flashing through his imagination.

He’s living in a world of his own tales.

“Not even a word, huh? But it doesn’t matter anymore. It doesn’t bother me. I’m happy that we’re getting together and in fact, closer. Don’t worry anymore. I’ll stay by your side and protect you forever. All I need is your attention, your love, your touch, your remains…”

He smiled and tears formed in his eyes. “Why am I crying?” He wiped his tears. “I know this is all in my persistence. You’re my obsession… know that, feel that. Don’t run… You belong to me.”

Then he started hearing voices from the outside, talking about her and Joe. He got outraged. He was gnashing his teeth. “Yet, that puny man came scratching off all my plans! He was not supposed to be in the picture! I am supposed to be with Alice! Not that weak fleshed man. He can’t manhandle me away from her. I owned her. I had her… She’s mine! Mine… Mine! Nobody can ever touch her! You’re mine, Alice. You’re mine. You can’t go anywhere. You’re supposed to be by my side. Us, together… we are bound together.”

His head ached severely, like his skull was squeezing his brain. He fell to his knees and dropped the photo. He’s sweating so hard. Was he losing his sanity again?

His eyes had gone red. There’s too much blood pressure in his body. He can’t contain it anymore. He picked Alice’s photo then he made an effort to stand up even with his weak knees and heavy body. He stumbled as he walked his way to his table. He searched for a sharp object. He saw a scissor on his table so he quickly grabbed it. But, he fought himself not to fly off the rage in an inappropriate place. He let go of it as fast as possible and placed it at his table.

His hands felt irritated like they were ought to do one thing, to kill.

He walked toward his cabinet even supposing that his body was out of control. He seeked out for his medicine there but he couldn't see it there. He was beginning to feel his blood boiling in fury. He loosened up his tie and unbuttoned the button nearest to his collar to be able to breathe well. He was panicking on how to get himself out of there without killing and hurting anybody.

He didn’t stop searching for the medicines against all odds because losing himself was not a very wise idea this time. It would only ruin all his plans.

He’s in great invulnerability this time. The angrier he is, the more powerful he becomes.

He also never wanted to hurt anyone, well to say, only this time. But he was trying to come to terms with those who sought to destroy him. His rampant self won’t take him anywhere this time so he grabbed a stress ball from the cupboard of his table. Fortunately, he had it kept there for a long time. The thing that he thought would not make any use was now the thing that will solve his worries. He gripped it tightly while thinking how weak he was against his emotional triggers. He was less talkative but very prone to anger and rage and jealousy as well. He was just a capable fugitive, applying deductive reasoning and observation to figure out the events transpiring around him.

But that side of him wasn't just for a show. All he had to do was spring up and just keep going.

When his mood was not yet so calm, Joe knocked once and entered his office to report something.

He looked at him with his red eyes. Joe was taken aback to what he witnessed.

Jack was looking at him very in a different way. His eyes detected an opponent and so he could never take away that stare to him. He got livid. “What the hell do you want?!”

He screamed at him. Joe almost took his step backward because he had never seen his boss act like that before. He was sweaty, looked worn-down and his eyes appeared to be bloody red. He was never like that ever since he became the CEO years ago. It was his first time feeling so scared that his toes curled in nervousness.

He stuttered as he spoke, “Sir, I… just want to ask for your permission because I received a call from the Web Authoring department asking if we could change the site because we’re currently upgrading everything so it might… might change a lot and information may vary too.”

“You know damn well what to do!” He looked like he was suffering over something. The scissor was just beside him and he could get it and stab him anytime he wants but that can’t happen for now. He was trying to control himself.

“Are you okay, sir?” He asked with fear.

“Get out of my office!”

“Sir, do you need some help?”

Jack went back to his cabinet and searched for the medicines again. He needed to take them urgently before he completely lost it. He looked tremendously uneasy.

“Sir? Want some help? You—you look like you were searching for something.”

“Didn’t you hear me? I said get out! Step out of my office now, please!!”

Joe stared at him longer. He watched his actions. He just can’t believe he’s seeing that side of him. It was very unusual.

“What are you doing?! Get out! Before I—” He breathed. “Just get out.”

Joe hurried his way out and said “Okay, sir. I’m leaving.”

He left his office with his heart thumping so fast. His eyes wide open and his mouth unlocked in awe.

It didn’t become easy for him to forget what he witnessed. He’s still in a state of shock even after many minutes.

In a little while after that, Alice arrived at their office. As she sat down on her seat, she had already received a call from the incoming interns. Just the start of the day and it already turned out to be very hectic for Alice.

And when she finally got her break, she walked to go down to the store outside their building to buy a snack. Joe followed her without more ado. He ran to her because she’s walking so fast, like a common New Yorker.

She got out of the building very quick so Joe sped up. He called her from afar, “Alice!”

Alice looked back. “Oh, hey, what are you doing here? Is it your break time too?” She didn’t stop walking.

“Not actually my break time, I just need to tell you something.”

“Is it urgent?”

“Yes!”

She stopped walking and faced him. “Oh. OK. What is it?”

“I went to sir Jorge’s office lately to ask permission about the concern from the other department and up until now, I couldn’t believe what I saw. I caught him breathless, covered with sweat and his eyes are so red. And the way he stares at me is very different… I don’t know exactly how to describe it, but I can feel that it means a bad thing. Alice, he’s not like that. He doesn’t do that. He was different that time!”

“What are you trying to mean?”

“That I’m right about my suspicions. Maybe not exactly right but I think it slightly hits my point.”

“What do you want to say then?” She looked bewildered.

“Alice… that man is puzzling. I was right! There is really something different about that man.”

“Everyone has something different in them, Joe. And maybe, it just happened that he was in a bad mood when you entered his office.”

“Bad mood? A normal person doesn’t get mad like that. He’s different. I swear! He gets angry when he used to not. He’s not himself.”

“Everyone becomes different when they’re angry. What is your point?”

“No, you don’t understand, Alice… I think the more I know about him. It’s the worst detail I find out…”

“I’m sorry but I think you’re thinking about this whole thing by yourself.”

“Please believe me, Alice. You didn’t know what my eyes saw lately. You shouldn’t be anywhere near him.”

Alice looked at Joe, checking if he was in a good state of mind. He looks like he is, though. She observed his whole body and saw his hand trembling. “Are you—you’re shaking?”

“I got scared. I didn’t want to show this side of me to you.” He bowed down. “I just want to protect you. Please believe me.”

“OK. I believe you, but I believe our boss too. Just calm down, Joe. I won’t get in any danger. I think you need something to eat.”

“No, Alice. You don’t get it.” He rubbed his forehead with his hand.

“Let’s not talk about that. ‘Cause that’s just insane! Why don’t we talk about the case instead? That will be more useful for me to hear.”

Joe sighed. He realized that he can’t make Alice believe about it this time that he has no proof and he’s less credible about his intuitions. “Ah, that—I… actually found his ex-girlfriend's address and am planning to go to her house tomorrow and talk to her family.”

“Wait, what, you found her address? Can I come with you tomorrow?”

“Sure. I just think that knowing his history with his ex will reveal more of him to us because she’s the closest link to Jack Kinley. She’s also the most possible person to reach and the most certain person to get information to.”

“I have to come to you tomorrow, Joe.”

“You free?”

“I’ll ask for leave tomorrow.” She looked intently into his eyes. “Everything’s okay, Joe. Don’t worry about me. I have to go now. You should go back to the office. I have to get my time to eat.”

“Alright. Take care!” He forced a smile. Alice walked away and Joe gaped at her until she was out of his sight.

It would take a long time to make Alice believe. Or will she ever? Jack had just got her to his plans and she’s completely under his control now. Joe went back to the office. He was hoping that what he saw was not a matter to worry about and that his hunch is totally wrong. It must be wrong, he thought.

He didn’t want to upset Alice by his own theories so he just chose to remain silent about it.

“Maybe I was wrong… maybe it’s just normal,” he said to himself while riding the elevator on his way to the base of his working location.

The next time he saw their boss that day, he looked entirely recovered. He started presuming if he has a bipolar disorder. That what he’s up to was only a façade. It got him to suspect the entire day.

He never really trusted that man. Not only because he’s his competition, but also because he wanted Alice to be secured and he didn’t feel that whenever Jorge is around. Just his strong instinct.

Nothing surprising happened that day. Jack successfully granted Alice’s request for takeoff the next day. There’s really nothing much yet going on within their company so he let her take her leave.

The next morning comes in very cold weather. The fog clouded up her window and she can’t see anything at all. She wiped it and saw that the sky was gray. The ground was wet, a very London-like type of weather. She called Joe on the phone to meet up.

In a while, Joe picked her up in front of her apartment and they went to the address together through a cab.

Joe was wearing a leather jacket, skinny jeans, a pair of sneakers and bringing a khaki shoulder strapped bag with him. His jawline was very prominent these days and it earned attraction from almost anyone around the streets as they walk. He’s incredibly fine-looking. He had strong facial features that made him appear so masculine. Alice, on the other hand, wore a black sweater, skinny jeans as well, then a pair of high heels. Her skin was glowing through a very cold temperature.

She talked to Joe who had been silent the whole trip, “Hey. Something wrong?”

Joe got back to his senses. “Yeah.”

“You’re quiet.”

“I just don’t know how to approach the family in an inoffensive manner.” He spoke in a serious tone.

“Oh, yeah. I’ve thought of that too.”

“But, don’t worry, we can do it.”

“How can we do it? We don’t even have an I.D to do such an interview.”

“But you have the right to ask. You know you do.” He meant that because Alice was the new target.

She remained still. She looked at Joe and appreciated that he looked like he was taking this case very seriously. She can see that by the look in his eyes. He’s indomitable.

She responded, “By the way, have you been searching all along?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“Never stopped.”

She smiled then fixed her hair. “I’m so glad I have you.” She was really impressed that he’s more eager to know more than she does. He’s not really involved in it but he still doesn’t stop researching that’s why Alice felt more of his sincerity that he really likes to protect her.

They walked together, both of them soundlessly heading to the address.

As they reached their destination, they stood in front of their house. Joe stared at it then took a deep breath. Next thing he did was walk toward the door and knock.

Someone opened right away in response. It was Sally’s mother.

“Who are you? What do you need?”

Joe saw that coming from her mom. How will she possibly react after seeing two strangers standing in front of you? It’s a normal retort.

“Hi, Mrs. Wyler, my name is Joe Schmidt, together with me is Alice Simone. We are not the FBI, not police officers, not a member of the media, not even in the position for interfering with your private life. We… actually came here to ask something about your daughter.”

“I have no time for whatever your concern is. Better go back to where you came from.”

“Mrs. Wyler, this is not just an unfussy interview. This is crucial. This woman together with me was Jack’s next target and she doesn’t even know him. We want to search anything about him to know what he’s up to this time. It’s important to know the history first before making assumptions, right? No wild guess could solve the issue.”

Alice didn’t know why but she can’t speak for herself at the moment. Thankfully, Joe was there to back her up.

“My daughter’s death was a long time ago. Everyone was all over it. Please don’t dig everything up again, Mr. Joe,” Mrs. Wyler said.

“We are sorry about your daughter’s death. I know it’s hard for you to hark back to everything again. But this is another life we’re talking about here. And our purpose here might just save one… might save her.”

Mrs. Wyler understood their initiative. She doubted at first but let them enter in the end. It won’t cost anything here, anyway.

When they were already inside the house, the mood brought her to serenity. But what she saw was very heartrending. The house looked abandoned. She can see pictures of Sally framed and hanging on the walls. Everything around the house seemed soulful. Alice can feel her presence inside the house. She was there, somewhere in the house, might be sitting with her, telling her everything she has to know. But she can’t hear her language even as she speaks. She can unmistakably sense that her death hasn’t brought her justice yet so she’s still roaming around in between. Her feelings weighed down.

She closed her eyes and tried to be deeper into her thoughts.

“I’m sorry but my husband is at work this time so he’s not here.” Mrs. Wyler said while preparing a drink in the kitchen for them as they sat in the living room.

“You’re alone here now?” Joe asked.

“Yes. Ever since Sally died… I’m always alone. Even if I’m not, and I’m together with my husband, I still feel alone.”

“I’m… sorry.” He stood up to go to the kitchen to have the conversation there.

“It’s okay. Please remain seated. I’ll give you these drinks when I’m done.”

“Alright.” He politely sat back again. Then he saw Alice’s eyes were shut, being very passive. He held her hand and said, “Hey, it’s okay, Alice…”

Alice opened her eyes. “Yeah.” She gave him a faint smile.

A minute later, Mrs. Wyler came back with the drinks. She placed them at the table in front of them. Alice grabbed one and drank.

Joe said, “So, Mrs. Wyler. I’ll be straight to the point. I want to know if you personally know Jack Kinley.”

She sat down in front of them and sighed after. It looked so hard for her to speak but glad she managed to. “I know Jack. I’ve seen him personally. He comes here every weekend to meet my daughter. He always brings flowers with him for us. He was a sweet and a very thoughtful man.”

“But how come—”

“I don’t know too. I didn’t know what happened. He was kind. Never a person to be suspected as a criminal.”

“He didn’t act suspicious any time at all when he’s staying here before?”

“No. I almost thought that he’s the man that my daughter is going to marry.”

Joe frowned. “That is confusing.”

“It confused me too. But the last thing I knew, he and my daughter broke up. My daughter goes out with another man after him. I guess that caused him to do such a horrible thing.”

“We’re sorry that we have skipped that information. But what did he do to her?”

“My daughter was out that night and I can clearly remember myself calling her many times because she’s not yet going home and it’s already past 11. I worried a lot. Last thing I knew, he was found by the police. My last sight of my daughter was very painful. She was soaked in blood all over her body. She has 6 stabs in different parts of her body. All of them are deep wounds. She got one rib broken and the fingers in her hand are dislocated. I can barely look at her body and I just cried my eyes out in front of her. I didn’t know what that bastard’s motive was. I can only feel angst inside me up until now, asking why he had to do that! Why did he have to kill my daughter?! I don’t understand.”

“Maybe there’s something that happened that we didn’t know. He killed her very vengefully so there must be a very important reason why.”

“There’s a letter I found in my daughter’s study table in her room. I think it gave a little information about what happened.”

“A letter?”

Mrs. Wyler stood up to get it. Alice and Joe thought that it’s going to be a large clue for there is now tangible evidence. She came back with the letter and handed it to Joe.

Joe read it together with Alice.

Hi,

I wrote this letter for you to know that I still do care about you. I like to say I’m very thankful that I had you in my life. You were a very sincere man. Probably the most above all the men I’ve met. You were there when I needed you. You never thought of your time when you’re with me. I was very grateful for that. You loved me the way I loved you. You acted as a perfect partner. I felt your tenderness in everything you do to me. We were perfect. Everything was perfect. But as time went by, there’s something in you that seemed so different. You weren’t acting yourself. You began to change. You were not in your right mind, but I still love you. But we can’t keep being like that. I’m so sorry I had to break up with you. I just couldn’t stand seeing you like that. I know I hurt you so much, especially because you knew now that I’m with another man already. Don’t worry, he loves me. I am in good hands. You made me better and I’m so proud that you were my boyfriend before. I just want you to know that up until now, you are my inspiration. I crumble whenever I see you hurting especially in your situation. I’m sorry that I left you. I just want to let you know, that everything in this world has an ending. So, farewell to you… I had loved you and what you showed me was very wonderful! Thank you and I’ll cherish you forever.

Sally

Joe said after reading it, “I think I now know the reason. As a man, it kills our ego especially when we saw the girl that we love so much being with someone else. If only, she was able to send it to him, it wouldn’t have happened. But she failed, and the incident happened earlier before she even gave this. I feel so sorry.” He took a deep breath. “But I predict that he got mad at her because she didn’t stay by his side. In the letter, she said that he was there when she needed him, but what upset him maybe is that she was not there when he actually needed her. Instead, she left him because of the defect she saw in him. She didn’t understand his situation. That’s why I think it made him think that she only cared about herself. Even found a new guy… He didn’t find her words sincere that she was sorry about their break up. And because his grief grew larger and larger, it turned to revenge, that no one else saw coming. Based on what you described lately, of how he killed her, it showed how angry he is toward her.”

“He also killed her present boyfriend. I am certain that you’re right about that.” Mrs. Wyler agreed.

“It was very terrible.”

Mrs. Wyler replied with teary eyes, “My daughter is not a bad woman! Why didn’t he give her a chance to explain?! He didn’t even think how it hurts for the parents to lose a child. Of how much a mother loves her child.”

“I believe that was because of his mental condition, Mrs. Wyler.”

“My daughter didn’t deserve it. How I wish he just killed me instead of her. She had so many dreams in her life. Why did he kill her?” She whimpered. “Right now, all I hope is that he’ll be found out and the police will sentence him to death!”

“We’ll help them find him.” He comforted her.

“Thank you.” She wiped the tears in her eyes even before it rolled down her face. “I just can’t see the translations to whatever he thought that time. But can we ever go back again? I believe not. We can’t bring back the past and make my daughter live again. I just tried to move on with life and forget about that tragedy although it will always be unsullied in my mind once I’m reminded.”

“We’re very sorry if we broke your heart once again.”

“It’s okay. It has been broken. It can never be broken again, son. Wherever my daughter is right now, I just wish her to find her peace.”

“She will, ma’am. She will…”

Alice never thought that this was going to be such an emotional encounter for her. A tear fell from her eyes. She went outside and left them without a single word. She had no wish to be alone with her despondent thoughts but she just wanted to snap out of that place before she burst out. Joe noticed her look of doom immediately so he followed her. But before he did, he said “Mrs. Wyler, I owe you a lot. Thank you so much for your time. And I’m sorry for my friend’s actions… I hope you understand. She’s in a stage where confusion and worries lie within.”

Mrs. Wyler smiled. “Don’t worry. It’s okay. I understand. Tell her to take care and always be safe, especially at night.”

“Yes. And I promise you, we’ll find him! We’ll give justice to your daughter’s death.”

“Thank you for your helping hand. Go now, follow your friend. Don’t ever leave her alone, are we clear?” She warned with concern.

“I won’t! Thank you again, Mrs. Wyler.” He ran his way out to chase after her.

He found her sitting on a bench outside, near Mrs. Wyler’s house.

“What’s wrong?” He sat with her outside. It’s cold enough outside to freeze them off.

“Poor girl. No sympathy for her. He’s got a crazy thought. But…” She ruminated for a moment, then expressed her fear. “He killed his girlfriend, don’t you think that he has more possibility to kill me more than what he did to her?”

He gave a sigh. “I don’t think so. Now his girlfriend is dead, he may shut up like a clam.”

“Or open up like one.”  She wiped off her frozen upper lip. “It might be Jack who killed Christine, mightn’t it?”

“It might.”

She looked at him. “You don’t sound as if you think so.”

“I don’t really. Corrupt she may be, nymphomaniac she may be, but I don’t see any connection for him to kill her. Jack only kills someone he knows.”

“He doesn’t have to know the victims if he was a murderer. He could pick up a knife in a quarrel and lash out, Joe. Almost anybody could do it, I reckon.”

She had a point. Jack Kinley’s killing might well have been spontaneous.

“Alright then.” Joe sniffed. “Then you think Christine had some quite connection, like they fought or something?”

“Even if they have no connections, he could still kill her for so many reasons. Someone like Jack must have made a million enemies over the years. It could be someone he cheated in business at some time, or a partner in crime, or an outraged friend, or some girl’s boyfriend or another smuggler……You name it, Joe. And just because he has no connections with Christine, doesn’t mean that he can’t kill her. Search results are human dependent. And most of the humans won’t know about it, won’t know about the crime. We know Jack. He keeps his business clean, no proof to anything he does at all. So that simply says that he could also kill me only by his own reasons, without anybody knowing about it at all. He could kill me even when he’s not related to me.”

He didn’t speak. He looked at her instead.

She tried to smile. She patted his hand on his legs. “You’ve done a marvelous job. Now I know some clues. Thanks for knowing his ex’s address.”

“Gets better and better, doesn’t it?” He said wearily.

“I know.” she smiled affectionately, looking at his face. “And that’s not attainable without your voluntary help. Christ, Joe, I’m so sorry I’ve got you into this mess.”

“Don’t apologize. If only I had the whole materials to investigate then I could’ve found him earlier than—”

“If,” Alice grunted. “Don’t hold with “Ifs’”. Past is over and done with. Take “Whens’”, if you like.”

“Yeah… You’re right. But Alice, I’m here, okay? I’m not going to let him get you.”

She took his arm. “What do you plan to do, Joe? Don’t take any more risks, for heaven’s sake.”

He crossed his fingers and held them up to her. “I’m going to wait for the FBI and police’s calls. I got their numbers. I hope they’ll give a good response to the case… positive news, maybe.”

“I’ve done that already. But you’re a very splendid man. I want you to know that.”

“Thanks,” he said. “I’ll keep you posted or phoned as to how things are going.”

She chuckled. “You’re really a smart hell of a guy.”

“Okay. It’s over now. All over. You’re back, Alice. You laughed.”

She forced a smile. “I’m back,” she said pointedly, then laid her head on his shoulder.

He looked at her, wondering what she’s doing. She detected his stare. “Shall I go?” she said.

He shook his head and said, “Not unless you want to.”

She didn’t move in her position. She kept her head like that.