Investigation
1253 Words
“You’re late, Anna!” Tom snapped the moment Kate stepped into the office. His tone carried the bite of both annoyance and exasperation. “And on your second day! How wonderful of you!”
“I’m sorry, Mr. McCombs,” Kate replied quickly, trying to catch her breath. “There was a bit of a… situation.”
Tom raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “I have high expectations for you here, Anna. Please don’t disappoint me.” Then his tone softened, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “And call me Tom. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“Of course!” Kate said with an eager nod, latching onto the change in tone. “Thank you for believing in me. I promise I won’t disappoint you…” she hesitated then added “Tom.”
“Good. Now get to work,” he said with finality, dismissing her with a wave of his hand.
Kate nodded and rushed to her desk, her heart still racing from the morning’s chaotic start.
***
Across the city, Jack English sat in his rooftop penthouse, his thoughts consumed by the mysterious note he had pulled from Peter Gilmore’s car. He held the piece of paper in his hand, its bold handwriting burned into his memory:
I Know You Killed Her. You Murderer!
Jack had read the note so many times that the words seemed to blur together.
Who was that girl? What did she mean that Peter had murdered Kate? What did she know that the rest of the world didn’t?
Kate’s death had been a devastating blow to Jack. The pain still lingered, but this revelation—if it even was one—lit a spark of both intrigue and fury within him.
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Harry Pickle, his personal assistant and close friend. Harry strolled into the living room, his easy confidence evident in the way he dropped into one of the armchairs.
“Still obsessing over that note?” Harry asked, eyeing Jack.
“Yeah,” Jack replied, his voice distant. “There’s something about it I can’t shake. This girl— she knows something—I’m sure of it.”
“Or,” Harry countered, leaning back, “you’re overthinking it. People will say anything to make a quick buck. She could be trying to blackmail Gilmore for all we know.”
“Maybe,” Jack admitted, though his gaze hardened. “But I can’t ignore this.” He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Which hotel was Kate’s body found at again?”
Harry’s jaw tightened, realizing where this was heading. “Gilmore Hotel,” he said reluctantly.
“Get the car ready,” Jack ordered, already heading to his room to change.
“Great! Just great!” Harry threw up his hands in exaggeration.
"Shut up!"
Minutes later, Jack and Harry were dressed casually yet impeccably, driving through the city toward the Gilmore Hotel. When they arrived, Harry pulled the car to the curb, and they stepped out, the imposing building towering above them
Jack paused for a moment, taking in the bustling scene. The building was a constant reminder of his and Kate’s hard work, the culmination of their shared vision. His jaw clenched at the memory, but he forced himself to focus.
Now, it felt foreign—like a monument to betrayal.
The bustling lobby was alive with activity as they entered, at the front desk, the receptionist was typing away at her computer. She glanced up as the two men approached, her professional demeanor sliding into place.
“Welcome to the Gilmore Hotel, gentlemen,” she said, offering the two gentlemen her professional practiced smile. “How may I assist you?”
Jack opened his mouth to speak, but Harry raised a hand, cutting him off with a knowing look.
“I’ve got this,” Harry muttered, stepping forward.
Jack leaned back, crossing his arms, his expression skeptical but resigned.
Harry turned on his charm, his voice dropping into a smooth, flirtatious tone. “Hey there, pretty. What’s up?”
The receptionist’s smile vanished, replaced by a look of irritation. “As you can see, gentleman, I’m working,” she replied curtly. “If you’re not here to check in, I suggest you leave—or I’ll have security escort you out.”
“Ouch!” Harry clutched his chest theatrically, feigning injury. “That hurts, sweetheart. Couldn't you be a little nice, that frown doesn't suit your lovely face.”
“I’m not your sweetheart,” she snapped.
“Alright. Look at me.” Jack flirtatiously smiled at her “Aren't I good-looking? Aren't I fit? You wanna see my abs? What more could you possibly want in a man than the one standing in front of you?”
“You're ridiculous.” the receptionist blushed despite herself.
Jack rolled his eyes, already regretting this strategy. As Harry began unbuttoning his shirt to reveal his abs, Jack turned and walked out of the lobby, leaving them to their theatrics.
He waited in the car, growing increasingly impatient as the minutes ticked by. When Harry finally returned after what felt like an eternity, he climbed into the driver’s seat with a smug grin plastered across his face.
“Got her name, her number, and her shift schedule,” Harry said smugly, ignoring Jack's glare. “Her name’s Luna, by the way. Beautiful name, isn’t it?”
“Did you learn anything useful?” Jack asked, his tone clipped.
“Chillax,” Harry said, undeterred by Jack’s annoyance. “Her shift ends in two hours. We’ll meet her then.”
Two hours later, the three of them were seated at a nearby café. She had changed into casual clothes that highlighted her slender frame, her long hair cascading freely over her shoulders.
“I don’t know anything,” Luna said, her tone defensive. “Honestly.”
Jack leaned forward slightly, his eyes searching hers. “Was there anything unusual that day?”
She hesitated, then her brows furrowed. “Well, now that you mention it… the security cameras weren’t working that day. None of the operators showed up for their shifts. That’s never happened before.”
Jack exchanged a sharp look with Harry.
“What do you mean?” Jack pressed.
“I mean, it was odd,” Luna continued. “Some of them called in sick; others said they had emergencies. But not a single one came in. That's really suspicious.”
“And when Kate—Mrs. Gilmore—came to the hotel, what was her demeanor?” Jack asked.
Luna’s expression grew thoughtful. “She seemed… angry. Like, really angry. Her eyes were practically burning. She asked for Mr. Gilmore’s room and stormed off. Minutes later, we heard she…” Her voice faltered.
Jack’s jaw tightened, his mind racing. The pieces were beginning to fall into place.
Peter had orchestrated this. The cameras, the staff absences—it was all deliberate.
Jack stood, extending a hand to Luna. “Thank you for your time. You’ve been very helpful.”
Luna nodded, her expression still guarded.
Harry smirked as he rose. “See you tonight?” he asked Luna, who smiled faintly and nodded.
Back in the car, Harry glanced at Jack. “Now what?”
Jack’s gaze was hard, his voice low and resolute. “Now, we find that girl. If we’re going to expose Peter Gilmore for what he’s done… she’s our only lead.”
- Writer
