Unraveled

Chapter Seven: A Blast From The Past.

"I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back."

-Malala Yousafzai.

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" …Office is asking for the public's help, in locating a 29 year old woman; Veda Miller. She was last seen on August 25th… Miller was going to the supermarket on Copper Avenue… Miller is 5 ft 6… Green eyes… Blonde hair… If you have any information regarding the location of Veda Miller, please contact…"

Sam and Dianna were at the coffee shop getting a much needed coffee. The news of Veda missing was on every TV, national wide. Veda's picture was on every newspaper and her being missing, was the talk of the town people.

"Casey did a great job, as always" said Diana while looking at the screen behind the cashier. There were a few people in front of them waiting for their drinks as well.

" I really hope this will lead us to something" Sam started " There hasn't been a single informative call…"

When the two detectives entered the precinct, it was clear that something was up.

" Hey Chuck! What's going on?" asked Sam.

" You haven't heard?! A Captain Morrison is in there with Captain Ford" he said pointing to the captain's office " They've been locked in the office for an hour now!"

" Captain who?!" Questioned Diana.

To Sam, that name sounded familiar but she shrugged it off, since a lot of people have that last name. It couldn't be …

"Jack Morrison. He's the captain at Jade City" Chuck answered.

So it was who Sam thought it was! 'whoa! I did not know he was Captain. Hek I didn't even know he was in law enforcement!' Sam thought to herself. Totally ignoring the conversation that continued between Chuck and her partner. Or that the door to the captain's office was being opened.

" Sam " whispered Diana, holding her elbow and dragging her to the office.

" Starling, Warren. This is Captain Morrison. He's here with information regarding our missing person's case." Informed Captain Ford. Morrison stood up from his seat and faced the two stunning and stunned detectives. Morrison stood at 6 ft 2 with short black hair and chocolate brown eyes complimenting his fair skin tone. He was well built. He was the definition of an attractive man.

" Sam! " exclaimed Morrison. Though he did not look as surprised as she was.

" Jack… " her voice held something strange to it, something Diana couldn't figure out. Not that she's put much thought into it, as her mouth opened by itself and she let out a shocked " You know him?!!"

Captain Ford coughed clearing his voice, breaking the intense eye contact between the two of them. " Yeah, Sam and I went to high school together" Jack explained

" Yeah!" Sam confirmed composing herself. Diana gave her a look then looked back at Captain Ford. "So, what kind of information?" she asked.

" Right" jack peeled his eyes off Sam. "Veda's father contacted me"

" What!" both detectives whisper- yelled at the same time. " Mr Miller said both her parents were dead before meeting him"

" Vader Miller previously known as Veda Theel is originally from Jade City she moved with her boyfriend at the time, Zach Davidson right after graduating high school. Davidson was Zack's last name who later on changed it to his mother's. Miller. Veda's mother passed away when she was 14 but her father, Mr George Theel is pretty much alive." Informed Jack. " He saw his daughter's picture on the news and came to my precinct" he continued "He said they haven't spoken since she left. Back then, she wrote him a letter saying she couldn't live with him anymore and she was leaving with Zack. When Mr Theel found the letter she was already gone."

" And he didn't look for her!?" Accused Diana.

" He confessed he became an alcoholic after his wife passed away and wasn't the father he should have been. He thought it was for the best"

" b*******" Diana was furious. How could a father abandon his daughter like that!?

… "Detective Starling believes Mr Miller was abusing his wife" said Captain Ford.

"Why so?!" ask Jack

"Because I saw her a couple of weeks before she went missing" Jack was about to say something when Sam continued "She had a bruise right above her eyebrow. She seemed fragile and scared. Also she left a note…"

Sam had found a grocery list Veda had on the fridge and took it to be analyzed. Forensics confirmed it was the same person who wrote that note.

"What note?" …

After informing Jack on everything they know, they decided to join forces since there is a chance that Veda might have ran away and could be heading back to her hometown. Or at least she might contact someone from her previous life. They agreed to keep that information from Zack. Sam couldn't help but think that if he hasn't already hurt her he might have reported her missing just so he'd know where she is and may try to hurt her when found. After all, she has been dealing with such cases and abusers almost her entire career.

" Sam, can I talk to you for a second?" Jack's manly and soothing voice boomed. They got out of the captain's office and it was just the three of them. Diana looked at the both of them and sighed, she hated being asked to leave from a conversation, especially this one! In all the years they've known each other, Sam has never once mentioned Jack. To be fair she did not know much of Sam's past. She, from the beginning could feel her friend's uneasiness talking about it. So she never pursued her to. Although she has made it clear that she was there for her whenever she felt like talking about her past or whatever else. So, eventually she nodded politely at them and left them alone.

"You still obsessed with coffee?" Jack asked smiling.

"You still hate it?" Sam asked accusingly.

And that's how Sam found herself back at the coffee shop, for the second time that day.

" How have you been?" Jack's question was sincere. He genuinely wanted to know.

" I've been good … Actually after graduation I enrolled… and after all the hard work I became who I am today" she answered, she might have been talking for more than ten minutes which made her feel a little embarrassed. Why was she feeling that way!

" I've heard all about you being a badass detective " he chuckled but she could see a hint of proudness in his eyes.

" You have?! Dammit. I haven't heard from you in ages. Definitely did not know you became a captain"

"Sorry about that. But from what I remember I could swear it was your idea to leave without saying good bye. you even changed your number…" He wasn't really blaming her, he was just stating the facts. nonetheless she felt how hurt he still was. " And only recently did I became a captain" he smiled gorgeously.

They talked for what seemed like hours. Both of them moved from their hometown for college and lost touch. Obviously he moved to Jade City while she moved here. Unlike him she always knew she wanted to become at least a police officer. He knew she was going to enroll in law enforcement, so after graduating himself he pulled some strings and knew where she was and who she'd become. Meanwhile she knew nothing about him. she claimed it wasn't like she wanted this to happen but deep down they both know she chose this way because she was scared.

He insisted on driving her home but she refused. they said their good night's and he held her gaze a minute too long before shutting her car door. On her way home all Sam could think about was her past. But the good part of her past, Jack. Her old best friend, or that what she always convinced herself... he was just that.

the moment they saw each other they clicked it wasn't easy for her to open up to anyone especially someone who had different interests than her. who doesn't like coffee?!! But it felt almost natural with Jack. He did ask her out a few times back then, but she friendzoned him, hard! They were both madly in love with each other but she was always afraid that her demons will ruin their relationship if she accepted him wholeheartedly. So he settled with the next best thing; her friendship.

Ring… Ring… Ring…

Sam woke up startled, she looked at her clock on the bed stand next to her and it was 2:00 a.m. Swiping her phone open, she coughed right before answering so she get rid of her sleepy voice.

" Starling"

" They found a body…"