THE DARK SIDE

CHAPTER SIX: DOUBTS AND PREJUDICE

LUCKS sighed as she scanned through the case folder she was holding. It's already 2am and she didn't even had an hour of sleep since she arrived. She was at Azela Hotel, room 10 second floor. Right below the crime scene, where Mr. Doming Wilang's lifeless body was found. Lucks couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine. She was surprised the hotel didn't shut down temporarily, but that's not how they roll here. The third floor was off-limits, but the rest of the hotel was business as usual.

Lucks had chosen this hotel for a reason. It was the perfect place to dig up clues and gather evidence. And who knows, maybe she'd even find some witnesses who could vouch for Eric's innocence.

Eric's case might be the hardest case she handled so far. She noted all the evidence discovered by the police. Realizing each piece seems to be in their disadvantage.

Her highlighter hovered to the word "FENTANYL". This was the nail in the coffin. According to the on going investigation, a syringe was found at the crime scene which came back positive with fentanyl. The worst part was that Eric was caught in fraglante delicto of possesion of fentanyl.

"I was not thinking straight that time! I just received a call from dad saying the police went to him for Mr. Wilang's case! You know I have some issues with the police right?"

Lucks let out a sigh, her thoughts drifting back to Eric's words. She understood his deep-seated distrust of the police, a product of his turbulent adolescence. The memory of their mother, fatally shot by an officer, had etched a lasting scar, fueling his unwavering aversion to any interaction with law enforcement.

"Why the hell would you have fentanyl! It's banned a long time ago!"

Though she was glad, Eric told her himself about the drug, it gave her a headache by just thinking about it. This will be a big link to Eric since same type of drug was found at the crime scene through that syringe.

"Those were used in our on going project! I have the approval from the FDA. You can have a copy from Jenifer."

She needs to get that copy when the sun rises.

With that, Eric can only be held by the police for fleeing a police officer.

She checked her watch again. 2:34. Time to take a nap for now. She turned to the photo on her side table.

"I miss you baby" the sight of the photo made her feel like jumping to her car and drive off to Manila and leave this chaos behind.

"Don't worry baby, I'll be home after I finish my work here." she whispered as she stood and wen to bed.

"DAMN IT" Athenz cursed as he stared at the document that Migz just handed.

"We'll have to release him." Brent exclaimed. A hint of disappointment in his voice.

"That was handed over by his attorney early this morning, so yes, we have to release Eric Green within 36 hours from his arrest unless you're ready to waste your time on an inquest proceeding." Migz added, his brows raising. Athenz cursed again.

That was fast. He didn't expect to receive an IND, Clinical Permit and and an import permit this early. The papers proves that the fentanyl recovered from Eric Green was for scientific studies.

"How many hours do we have before we have to release him?" Athenz asked with a tight voice

Migz checked his watch.

"About 10 hours and--- twenty 4 minutes." Migz answered back.

"Let me talk to him first."

"I TOLD YOU! It was all for scientific experiments!" Eric was almost shouting in frustration. Athenz could clearly see the doctor has prejudice against the police. He understand his behavior. The result of Eric's background investigation holds deep-seated hatred.

His mom was taken hostage by a former police officer who was being chased by the police. Unfortunately, the sniper missed the suspect and hit the hostage instead. Eric was barely 10 at that time.

Just as Athenz was prepared to pose another question, the door swung open, revealing an enraged Lucks Querove.

"I believe it's illegal for you to interrogate my client without his counsel, do I need to remind you of the law Major Guzim?" Lucks's teeth were clenched. Guzim, abandoning his line of questioning, tossed his hand up in the air. He rose and faced Lucks with a blank face.

Why did you left without a word? "I wasn't interrogating, we're just having a little chat." He answered with a grin. He has already recovered from the element of surprise now. He might have been taken aback the first time they've met after how many years but he won't let her affect his work.

"I'm here to bring my client home. I believe you've already got the papers. The fentanyl you found on my client has permits."

"Yes. But he was arrested for fleeing in the sight of a police officer." He answered back.

"Which can be explained through his past experience with the authorities. Come on Athenz. We both know you're not filing this to the prosecutor. You're just buying time to gather more evidence against my client. That won't be happening so, I'm bringing him home."

Athenz's jaw tightened. He recognized Lucks's accuracy, yet he couldn't reconcile himself with this defeat. As per usual, Lucks remained one step ahead. Always.

"We found fentanyl at the crime scene." Athenz insisted.

"Oh come on, you know that alone won't stand on court. You just established a link but you don't even have a clear motive or intent. Anyone with a permit can access fentanyl. And people at Eric's lab can also have access to the drug. Enough with this. I'm bringing him home."

Athenz was about to answer when Brent tapped him on the shoulder.

"We can release him after you complete the papers attorney."

"The papers were already competed. Eric, let's go."

As Lucks opened the door, Athenz and Brent can't help but to grit their teeth in frustration.

"This isn't over Lucks. I'll bring him back to this room." Athenz said coldly.

Lucks stopped as she was about to close the door.

"Then bring some solid proof." She replied flatly and closed the door.