Love-Obsessed

8. A PAST CASE

Chapter six

A PAST CASE

Jesse walked towards the police station, fixing his gaze on the grey building with its blue and white square patterns above the glass entrance doors. Low brush grew to the side of the doors, and a multitude of square windows clustered above a smaller roof. The signage and patrol car made it obvious it was a police station.

He looked at his friend, Derek, whose brown eyes bore into his own. Derek had dark hair and a short, solid build, and worked out at the same gym as Jesse. “Are you ready to go in and see what we can do?”

Derek nodded. “Sure, man, but...I don’t know. Maybe it’s best if you leave the past in the past. What can you gain from this?”

Jesse’s chest tightened. He thought he’d at least have the support of his friend. “Are you kidding me, Derek? With this new case, they might see there’s a connection. I have to at least try to get them to reopen Erica’s case.”

Derek scoffed. “Whatever. We’re here so we might as well go in.”

What was his friend’s problem? Derek had acted strangely when Erica died too, as if he believed she could’ve committed suicide. He had known her well enough through Jesse. Surely, he didn’t believe her death had been due to suicide?

The sun scorched his scalp as they stood in front of the building before ambling across the road and through the doors. They approached the front counter and an elderly police officer peered in their direction. “Can I help you young gentlemen?”

Jesse cleared his throat and swallowed while tightening his fists on either side of his body. Derek looked agitated, his feet shuffling on the floor.

“Hi, I’d like to see Detective James or Detective Mitch. They worked on my girlfriend’s case a year ago. Her name was Erica Winslet. Are they available?”

The officer stood with upright, fixing his gaze on them curiously. “No, they’re on a case at the moment. Detective Senior Constable Petrazini is here for the next half an hour. Can he be of service?”

Jesse knew of Marco Petrazini, as he was Joy’s friend’s boyfriend. He had been invited to his wedding by Marco’s girlfriend, Bella. “Sure, why not? The name’s Jesse Warrier.”

“Take a seat and he’ll be with you shortly.”

“Thanks.” Jesse saw the line getting long, and joined his friend on one of the chairs. His hands fidgeted and his mind raced. What if Derek was right and this was a waste of time? What if they didn’t have any new evidence?

His eyes roamed the beige interior as they sat in hard-backed chairs, watching people coming in and out of offices and cubicles. Derek’s eyes glassed over, seemingly lost in his own world, and the policeman at reception kept glancing their way. Did he know something about Erica’s case?

Jesse was jolted out of his thoughts a few minutes later when Marco called his name.

“Come on through to an interview room.” He walked along matte floorboards down a narrow corridor, passing by cubicles which were blocked by tall white cupboards, and led them through to another narrow hallway to a small office. The walls were creme-coloured and patched with dirty smears. They seated themselves while Marco sat opposite with his eyes unreadable.

He turned to his companion. “This is my friend, Derek, detective.”

Marco nodded. “Good to meet you, Derek.” He faced Jesse. “How can I help?”

Jesse’s hands sweated and his throat dried up, but he forged ahead. “My girlfriend, Erica, died a year ago and it was ruled suicide.” He cleared his mind. “I’d like the police to reopen her case as I don’t believe she killed herself.”

Marco stared at him, squinted briefly at Derek, and then refocused on Jesse. “Mr Warrier. I understand how hard it is for any family member to hear about a suicide. Not only are you dealing with grief but also the guilt over the cause of death. It is hard to accept for anyone, and it’s only natural to feel that way. Have you had counselling?”

Jesse clenched his jaw. He wasn’t here for a psychology course or counselling, so where did he get off putting him down this way? “Detective, I do not need counselling. I am strong and can take care of myself. But I feel there’s been a miscarriage of justice here. I won’t rest until the police prove that she didn’t kill herself.”

Derek nudged Jesse. “Listen, man. Why don’t we leave? We’re wasting his time.” Jesse glared at his friend and waited for Marco’s response.

Marco looked past him briefly. “Why are you coming back now? What’s triggered this decision of yours after one year?”

Jesse leaned back in his seat. “The young girl who was recently on the news. She died in the same way as Erica, and I don’t believe in coincidences, detective.”

Marco nodded as if understanding. “I see.” He fixed his gaze on them both. “We need to look at the facts, Mr Warrier, and not your gut instinct. As much as I’d like to help,

without new information or leads, we cannot reopen the case. Do you have any new evidence which could prove foul play?”

Jesse swallowed. “No, I don’t, but with this current case about that young girl, shouldn’t that prove a pattern here?”

Marco cleared his throat. “We’re investigating all possible leads and doing our job to determine the cause of death. At this stage, we haven’t ruled anything out, but please let us do our job, Mr Warrier. If we do come across anything pertinent to your late girlfriend’s case, I can inform you. If that is the case, we’ll be in touch.”

“I’m sure they’re two random and separate cases, Jesse,” said Derek.

Jesse ignored his friend. “Can I leave you my details?”

He shook his head. “No need. I understand you’re Joy’s brother. She’s friends with my fiancé. Bella explained how she invited you to the wedding, and I look forward to seeing you there. But know this, there are certain pieces of information I cannot divulge either at work or outside work. You’re a civilian and anything we tell you can compromise our investigation, so please do not do anything to blur the lines here.”

Jesse nodded. “I understand, detective.”

Marco stood up. “I’ll walk you both out.”

As they were walking towards the exit, Derek spoke out. “We are sorry to trouble you, detective. “

“Not a problem, young man. You two take care and stay out of trouble.” He walked away, and Jesse strode ahead of his friend towards his car. He contained his angry thoughts and slammed the driver’s door.

“I’m sorry, man, but this was a complete waste of time. What did you think would happen? That they’d miraculously work on the case and assume it’s foul play without any hard evidence. You know how this works, so let it go and move on with your life.”

Jesse hunched over the steering wheel and took calming breaths. “You bastard. I thought I had your support, but you don’t give a crap about Erica, do you? She deserves justice, and I know in my heart she didn’t commit suicide. She didn’t take antidepressants or antianxiety medications, and she would never cut herself. She had no mental health issues so why would she kill herself? Why?”

Derek winced. “How the hell should I know? You were the one who supposedly knew her the best. You were together for five damn years.”

Jesse shook his head, fighting the need to punch his friend’s lights out. He was tight with Derek, but ever since Erica died Derek had acted strangely, and they’d become more distant. So long as they didn’t talk about Erica their friendship was intact, but as soon as her name came up, he clammed up. He needed distance from his friend. “I think we should take a break from hanging out. I don’t want to do or say anything which will hurt our friendship.” Derek stayed quiet as he turned on the motor and sped off.