Episode 2
2346 Words
Jemimah Remington's POV
JEMIMAH’S head remained bowed as she listened to the whispering of agents around after Director Morales announced their new team. When she raised her head, she saw the Chief of SCIU—Ricardo de Chavez—walking towards her.
“I don’t know what you did to have your own team,” the chief whispered sarcastically. “I also don’t know what your relationship with Director Morales is. And I don’t have plans of knowing. But if you’re targeting my position, I won’t just lose that easy.”
Jemimah was stunned. “Ch-Chief, I-I am not—” She couldn’t finish her sentence when Chief de Chavez walked away, followed by some of the team leaders.
Her gaze went to Director Morales when he walked towards her. “Are your things packed, Inspector? I’ll show you your team’s office. Follow me.”
Jemimah sighed before following the director, trying to avoid the suspicious looks of other agents there.
The director looked at her once they entered the room. “Don’t mind them, Remington,” he said. “There are always gossips in one work place.”
“Wh-why me, Sir?” She couldn’t help but ask. “There… there are lots of agents here, why me?”
The director stared at her for a short while. “This place is not different from other agencies in the government. Almost all of the employees only want a high position for themselves. This place is also filled with politics.” Director Morales smiled. “And I know Chief de Chavez also wants to get my position.”
Jemimah was shocked. Now she was starting to realize why Director Morales wants his own team.
“I don’t know if there’s anyone I can still trust in all of the team leaders here,” the director added. “They’re closer to de Chavez and I can’t do anything about it because they report directly to the chief. De Chavez is the only one who reports to me.”
“I… I don’t think they have plans of… of taking your position, Sir,” she said.
The director chuckled. “They won’t take my position that easily. Chief de Chavez is still under me. He will still submit to me.” Director Morales took a deep breath. “I just want a team that’s under me too, Inspector. I also talked to the chairman about this. I won’t decide something that will harm the agency.”
Jemimah just nodded. She understood now. “I… I’ve read the profiles of my team members. And I have some questions.”
“Go on.”
“What’s your relationship with Paul Morales?”
Director Morales smiled widely. “He’s my son.”
Jemimah was surprised. She was going to be in a team with the director’s son?
“But treat him like an ordinary member,” the director added. “He’s one of the best prosecutors in the country. He had prosecuted a lot of criminals since he started. Paul wants adventures. It’s possible he can’t be of much help because he still has lack of knowledge on this field. But I hope you can help him, Jemimah.”
Jemimah. Jemimah couldn’t help but smile. Director Morales seemed to be a good man.
“Your team members might arrive shortly,” Director Morales continued. “This office is not that big but I hope you and your team can build a good relationship here.” He looked at her. “Does it bother you that you’re the only woman in your team?”
“No, Sir,” she replied. “I’m used to it. When I was in the PNP, I’ve trained with men too.”
The director nodded. “Good. Well, just wait for them. I’ll call you when I have a case for the team.”
Director Morales was about to leave when she stopped him. “I have another question, Sir.”
The director looked at her, waiting.
“About… about Ethan Maxwell,” she continued. “Is he going to work here too?”
“Maxwell,” Director Morales uttered. “He’s not working for SCIU. We’ve been trying to recruit him for a long time but he doesn’t want to accept it. His skills are the best, especially in combat. You saw that he was a commander for Special Forces, right? He’s a private detective now.”
“Then, why is he on the team?” she asked, curious.
“Your team will need him, Inspector,” Director Morales answered, serious. “You must’ve not known but most of SCIU cases were solved with the help of Maxwell. Lots of Special Forces missions were successful because of his planning. I know you two will work out. I’m choosing all the best people for my team.”
Jemimah didn’t know what to say. She got even curious on this Ethan Maxwell. She could feel that Director Morales really knew this man and he wanted to recruit this man so much for his team.
“Ethan is like a son to me,” the director added. “I already talked to him about this team. Ethan accepted on the condition that he still won’t work officially for SCIU. So he won’t come here, you’ll have to go this place.” He laughed. “His address was on the file I gave you. He won’t disappoint me, I know that. He’s a focused person, though. He will do everything once he set his attention on a certain thing. I hope you can also look out for him, Jemimah. I don’t want you all to get in danger.”
Jemimah nodded and thanked Director Morales. She remained standing until he left. She looked around their office. It was almost empty, except from the cabinets and two desks.
A team. She couldn’t believe she would achieve this. She hoped their team would have a good relationship. And they would be able to help lots of people.
Jemimah’s gaze went to the door. Two men entered, both of them were carrying big boxes. She recognized PO1 Douglas Ilagan. Douglas put his box on one desk and saluted in front of her.
“It’s a big honor to be on this team, Inspector,” Douglas said happily. “Just tell me your orders.”
Jemimah tapped the man’s shoulder and ordered him to organize his things. Douglas was just an ordinary police officer for her. She didn’t know how he got to work for SCIU. But he had a good character; he was obedient and friendly. He just looked innocent in some things and needed strong guidance.
Once she had a conversation with Douglas and Jemimah learned that Director Morales was the one who recruited him. Maybe the director saw something in this man to put it in their team.
Jemimah looked at the other man who was sitting on top of the desk. He seemed tired. She recognized him—Mitchel Ramos, a profiling expert.
“I should’ve just ordered someone to carry those things,” Mitchel mumbled, shaking his head. He looked at her and smiled. “Hi there, Inspector.” He winked at her.
Jemimah was amused. As far as she could remember, the man was only one year older than her. Mitchel Ramos was a handsome man with the looks of a player. His hair was black, slightly covering his ears. His face was cleanly-shaven. He was also tanned. His smile was very friendly it could ease out the awkwardness for anyone.
Mitchel stood up and walked towards her. He was tall, wearing a checkered polo and dark blue pants. “I’m Mitchel Ramos. I’ll be the profiler of the team.” He reached out one hand. “You the head of the team, right? Should I call you ‘Team Leader’ or ‘Inspector’?”
She smiled. “Call me ‘Jemimah’,” she replied, shaking his hand. “I want us all to be good friends here. Don’t treat me like a boss.”
“Jemimah,” Mitchel muttered. He squeezed her hand a little. “A very beautiful name for a beautiful woman like you. Your smile is genuine but I can see your eyes are wavering. After all your jobs, it seems like you’re still unsure of yourself. Too many doubts about yourself. And it’s true that you really want us to be good friends. You want friends who will understand your works, right?”
Jemimah pulled her hand and look away from the man. The man was indeed a profiling expert. She got a little bit scared of getting near him. Surely, it will be hard to lie on someone like Mitchel.
“Hey, don’t be scared,” Mitchel added, chuckling. “I also want to be good friends with anyone in this team. It’s actually my first time being in a team.” He put one arm around her shoulders. “And it’s exciting, especially when there’s a pretty woman like you.”
Jemimah moved away from him. “I won’t be pulled by your charms, Ramos. You must’ve seen that while profiling me, right?” she asked. “I’m used to womanizers like you because of my brother.” She shook her head and went to her own box to organize her things.
Mitchel followed her. “Are we the only members? No other women?”
Jemimah looked at him sharply. He was hitting on her just a moment ago, now he was looking for other women? She shook her head again. Womanizers, really. “I’m the only woman for the team,” she replied. “There’s another two members. One of them is Director Morales’ son.”
“Paul?” Mitchel asked.
She looked back at him. “You know him?”
He nodded. “I met him in one case I worked on.” Mitchel smiled. “Let’s start cleaning up the office. Look, Douglas is already busy.”
Jemimah looked at Douglas who was already busy putting things inside one of the cabinets. She beamed and started organizing her things again.
Few minutes had passed when they heard a knock on the door. Jemimah looked up and saw a man standing at the door. He was wearing a blue long-sleeved polo with necktie, and black pants. His black shoes were polished well.
The man was handsome with very gentle features. His hair was cleanly combed. Jemimah felt a little awkward when she met his dark eyes. He stared at his face for a while before she recognized him—Paul Morales, the son of Director Antonio Morales. She could now see the resemblance of the two. Paul was a younger version of his father.
“Paul,” Mitchel greeted, shaking hands with the man.
Paul’s gaze was still on Jemimah.
She moved towards the two men. “We’ve been waiting for you,” she said, reaching out her hand. “I’m Inspector Jemimah Remington. You can call me ‘Jemimah’.”
Paul shook her hand. “Paul Morales, prosecutor. Papa might have said it.” He smiled.
Jemimah smiled back. His smile was warm. He seemed to be a good person, as well. Like his father. “I’m glad to meet you. Oh, this is PO1 Douglas Ilagan.” She called Douglas. “Douglas, this is Prosecutor Paul Morales.”
The two greeted each other. After that, Paul looked back at her. “Papa talks about you a lot. I’m glad to meet you in person. I hope I can learn a lot in this team.”
“You’re a prosecutor. Are you sure you’re ready in this kind of work?” she asked.
“I want adventure; it’s boring to wait for another case.”
“Don’t we have another member?” Mitchel asked. “He’s very late.”
Jemimah cleared her throat. “He’s not working for SCIU.”
Mitchel frowned. Paul and Douglas had the same reaction.
She explained in the fastest way the reason why the other member wouldn’t come here.
“He’s too special,” Mitchel commented, shaking his head. “What’s his name?”
“Ethan. Ethan Maxwell,” Jemimah answered.
Mitchel nodded. When she looked at Paul, Jemimah saw him stilled.
“Do you know him, Paul?” Jemimah asked.
Paul looked at her and tried to smile. “Yes, Papa knew Ethan for a long time. I just didn’t expect him to be on this team too.”
Jemimah remembered what Director Morales said—that Ethan was like a son to him. It seemed like Paul and Ethan knew each other for a long time too. But why did it seem like Paul didn’t want Ethan to be part of the team?
Jemimah just let go of the thought. She already met almost the entire members and they looked like good people. Ethan Maxwell was the only one left. She didn’t when she was going to meet him. She also didn’t know if they would all click.
- Writer
