Tux and Spell

Santiago, Secret Admirer

Santiago arrived after 5 minutes of them sitting on a bench in the front yard of the police station. Sure enough he brought a bag of paper and with a big smile walked towards them. Santiago in his uniform walked over to Roderick and Jacob.

"This!" Santiago said raising his right hand which was carrying the paper package. "Here comes the phenomenal Mexican Pan Dolce! I guarantee it! You'll love it! Come on in to my office, let's have breakfast there!"

Jacob and Hendrik stood following Santiago, walking into his office. Santiago has a special room because his position is already at a fairly high level. He opened the paper bag he was carrying and opened it, he took out 6 round buns topped with cheese and chocolate.

"On the way, I also bought Starbucks! So we can have breakfast together here!" Santiago said with a big smile.

"Come on please. These are all made by my wife and this is a typical Mexican breakfast. A sweet bun with various toppings."

"Yes of course! Thank you!" Jacob took a loaf of bread and ate it. Roderick also followed his best friend.

"This is a dish that really goes well, when eaten with bitter Espresso." Jacob said drinking his Espresso.

"Of course! I always ask my wife to make me this in the morning!" Santiago said nodding his head.

"Wow! Your wife is a gifted baker."

"I've checked the voice recording you made... The recording containing Maria's conversation and her confession. I think that's enough... plus the CCTV footage of him leaving the restaurant!" Santiago said while eating.

"So you got the CCTV footage?"

"Oh yeah! Of course, I saw him wearing a brown t-shirt and knee-length jeans, it's true that the CCTV footage didn't reveal his face, but from his posture and the way he walked... I'm sure it's him. Mark Goode."

"Good."

". . . and everything Maria said, the tape proved to be right on time. Indeed he went out of the restaurant to the funeral, then came back to the restaurant and came home."

"Hmm.. Good! If that's the case. So what can we do now?" Jacob asked with a serious face.

"I've submitted all the files and I hope tomorrow we can start the next process."

Jacob nodded. "What about that guy? What about him...is he being held in a cell?"

"Yes. Mark Goode is currently being held in a temporary police prison cell, until he is tried. Although I'm a little worried about his mental state, if it is proven that he has a mental disorder...it could be that his prison term will be suspended and replaced with rehabilitation."

Jacob breathed heavily, "I hope that doesn't happen, because the man is dangerous for his senior's child, Maria. The man seems too obsessed with getting Maria and justifies various ways, including killing Maria's mother. On the other hand, Maria also has a mental disorder. ...and I'm planning to get him in rehab. So don't let Mark Goode get out of jail, if he's also in rehab...I'm afraid he'll run away, then he can meet Maria...and never mind... the boom is all over !" Jacob said with a worried tone, he revealed the burden on his head. Santiago needs to know about this, so he can make sure Mark Goode is kept in prison.

Santiago nodded, "yes I hope the man can be caught and imprisoned. Hopefully he gets the punishment he deserves for his crime. I will make sure the prosecutors know about Maria's involvement...she is one of Mark Goode's victims...and needs rehab treatment , if Mark is not arrested, the child will be destroyed too!"

"This is my friend Roderick! By the way, Roderick.. this is Santiago." Jacob seemed to have just realized that he had not introduced Santiago to Roderick.

Roderick reached out and shook Santiago's hand.

"Nice to meet you, an impressive first meeting... I was given an amazingly delicious bread, the first time I met you. It seems I will be seeing you often... in order to get this bread!" Roderick is indeed very smart when it comes to small talk.

"Ha..ha. You just have to come to my house, I will ask my wife to make this bread again. She almost every day makes it for breakfast." Obviously Santiago.

"Oh yes! You at that time . . . you said you thought you had met the pale woman we met at the funeral." Santiago nodded.

"Yes! What's with that?" Santiago raised his eyebrows, as if he was caught off guard when Jacob asked about it.

"This Roderick is her future husband, that pale woman is his future wife." Said Jacob.

"Really? Isn't he married?" asked Santiago in surprise. He had indeed met Mrs. Mallory. In fact, he knew her very well, or rather… had feelings for him from decades ago. A memorable incident in his single life. A secret he kept until now, and no one else knew.

"Before ... she was married, then divorced and yesterday when the divorce papers were finalized and the woman was a widow, the next day Roderick and the woman will be getting married in Vegas." Santiago felt his heart skip a beat. He felt there were fireworks going off when he heard the woman had divorced.

Santiago laughed and clapped loudly. There is a feeling of disappointment that he hides when he hears that the woman will remarry. Married a handsome and rich lawyer.

"Bravo bravo bravo! Amazing!" Santiago said trying to speak in a cheerful tone. Roderick laughed too.

"Well, let's just pray that tomorrow's business actually happens. Because with this case and everything that's happened I had my doubts about getting married there. Did you know . . . Jacob will also be getting married with me in Vegas?"

Santiago laughed louder he clapped. "You are a wonderful man!" Sometimes you have to be an actor in life. Pretending...sometimes it's better.

"Wait a minute! There's something left...something he hasn't said yet! I'm going to marry the sister of Jacob's future wife. So indirectly... Jacob and I will become brothers-in-law!"

Santiago's eyes widen in disbelief! "I can't take any more surprises...today!"

"Ha...ha. A surprise huh?" Jacob said laughing. "Oh yeah... can I see that man. I have to make sure with my own eyes... the man is in custody."

"Certain!" Santiago stood... He led Jacob and Roderick to follow him. "You know...the night watchman said...all night he kept shouting...Maria...my daughter! Over and over! Looks like she has a mental breakdown."

"I hope not. It could be that he was just pretending. Don't let him get away. He's a cold-blooded criminal. He made Maria drunk and unconscious...then told his friend to abort Maria's pregnancy...his child. He ordered the abortion without her knowledge. Maria, she witnessed what happened. Isn't it enough to prove she is a dangerous person. Even though she was diagnosed with a mental disorder..but she is very dangerous for the safety of others. She must be arrested!" Obviously Jacob. His biggest fear is, Mark Goode is not arrested and only subject to rehab.