Chapter 4 : The Thief Investigation
791 Words
Alora Vance had learned one important thing about Frederick Vale.
He was irritating.
Very irritating.
The kind of irritating that made her question whether arresting him was still an option.
For the past few days, they had been forced to work together on Damian Cross's murder case.
Or at least, that was what Alora called it.
Frederick called it:
"A temporary arrangement where a stressed police officer desperately needs my genius."
Alora hated that description.
Mostly because Frederick said it every chance he got.
That evening, Alora sat inside a small restaurant near the city center, waiting.
She checked the time.
Frederick was late.
Of course.
She expected nothing less.
"Five minutes late."
She looked toward the entrance.
"Actually, knowing him, he probably considers that early."
The door opened.
Frederick walked in casually.
No urgency.
No concern.
Just his usual confident expression.
He looked around and spotted her.
Then he smiled.
"Wow."
Alora looked up.
"What?"
"You actually arrived before me."
She frowned.
"Because I respect time."
"No, because you were afraid I would criticize you for being late."
"I was not."
"You definitely were."
He sat down opposite her.
Alora immediately noticed something.
He looked relaxed.
Too relaxed.
That annoyed her.
"We are investigating a murder, Frederick."
"I know."
"And you look like you're about to order dessert."
"I am."
She stared at him.
He shrugged.
"Thinking requires energy."
Alora sighed.
"Just tell me what you found."
Frederick smiled.
"Please."
"What?"
"You forgot the word please."
She stared at him.
"Frederick."
"Fine. No manners today."
He reached into his jacket and placed several documents on the table.
Alora immediately became serious.
She picked up the first page.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"What is this?"
"My investigation."
She looked through the documents.
Bank records.
Private meetings.
Security reports.
Witness statements.
Alora became quiet.
The amount of information was impressive.
More impressive than she expected.
"You gathered all this?"
Frederick leaned back.
"Yes."
"When?"
"While you were busy making a wall covered with pictures and dramatic notes."
Alora frowned.
"It was an investigation board."
"It looked like you were trying to solve a mystery in your bedroom."
She ignored him.
She continued reading.
The evidence was organized.
Detailed.
And strangely accurate.
Frederick pointed at one document.
"Damian Cross wasn't killed because of his money."
Alora looked at him.
"Then why?"
"He discovered someone was stealing from his company."
She examined the document.
"Who?"
Frederick tapped the paper.
"Adrian Locke."
Alora studied the name.
"Who is he?"
"Former financial adviser of Cross International."
She looked through the information.
"He was fired six months ago."
"Exactly."
"That doesn't prove anything."
"No."
Frederick smiled.
"But this does."
He placed another file down.
Alora read it carefully.
Adrian Locke had secretly transferred money from several company accounts.
Not enough to immediately attract attention.
But enough to build a pattern.
"And Damian discovered this?"
Frederick nodded.
"Three days before his death, Damian planned to expose him."
Alora looked impressed.
"How did you find this?"
Frederick smiled.
"Skill."
She waited.
"And?"
"More skill."
She gave him a blank expression.
"You're impossible."
"I prefer talented."
Alora continued reading.
The evidence was solid.
More solid than anything she had found so far.
Frederick noticed her expression.
"You know, I expected more excitement."
"Don't get too proud."
"I just solved half the case."
"You found a suspect."
"A very likely suspect."
"Still a suspect."
Frederick leaned forward.
"You know, for someone who spent days investigating me, you really didn't find much about the actual murderer."
Alora looked at him.
"Are you mocking me?"
"Would you prefer if I stopped?"
"Yes."
"No."
She sighed.
"You're unbelievable."
"I've heard that before."
She looked back at the files.
Despite how annoying he was...
He was good.
Very good.
His ability to notice details was almost unnatural.
"You actually took this seriously."
Frederick's smile faded slightly.
"Of course."
Alora noticed.
For a brief moment, he wasn't joking.
He wasn't teasing.
He genuinely cared about solving the case.
Then his usual expression returned.
"Besides, I don't want to spend the next twenty years in prison because you failed."
Alora immediately lost any respect she had gained.
"There it is."
"What?"
"The arrogance."
"Can't blame me for being honest."
She closed the file.
"Tomorrow."
Frederick raised an eyebrow.
"Tomorrow?"
"We visit Adrian Locke."
"Direct approach?"
"Yes."
"Interesting."
"What?"
"I expected you to spend another week organizing papers."
Alora narrowed her eyes.
"I am beginning to regret not arresting you."
Frederick smiled.
"You need me."
"I need information."
"Same thing."
"No, it's not."
He laughed.
For the first time, their conversation felt less like an argument and more like an actual partnership.
Neither of them noticed.
They were too busy trying to prove the other person was annoying.
- Writer
