Sunkissed

chapter three

“- here we are at Port beach where another body was found under the boardwalk, the victim was an Asian male, and like the other victims: naked, marked with the same patterns and visible signs of physical trauma. Similar to the previous victims.”The winds were strong that morning. The field reporter pressed tightly on her earpiece to hear the anchor on the set.

“What does the folks down there have to say about the incident, Specifically the ones discovered the body?”

They waited about a full three seconds for the delay.

uh-huh, yes, they’re actually with us right now. This is Mr and Mrs, Suarez.” 

After handing the microphone to the elderly gentleman, both sang in chorus:

“We love you Tom, we’re big fans. We always watch the news because of you. Hi to our -” 

“Uh, yes thank you, but we are here to ask about the body you found earlier this day. Tell us how did you discovered the body.”

“Yes, yes. Let’s see - No, give me the mic,”

“you're hogging it, everybody knows your forgetful, let me tell them what happened.”

“No, woman,”

As the two played tug of war on the microphone, registering their awkward grunts as they attempted to beat the other. The respondent looks at the cameraman and her crew, unsure what she’s supposed to do. The Anchorman Tom, charming as ever, gave out a chuckle and a smile.

“Fine, you can have it, I don’t even remember what happened, anyway.”

As Mrs Suarez smiled victoriously to the camera lens, holding the microphone with both hands as if she were to give the performance of a lifetime.

“It was about five in the morning, close to 6, we was talking out walking on the boardwalk on our way to the market. You know they have a sale today,”

“Lovely as it is, Mrs Suarez, but we’re here to hear about the body you discovered.”

“Ah, yes, I apologize, I was getting to it. As we were walking along, counting if we have enough spare change for buy ourselves some hotcakes, then one of our coins slipped out of his hands and went straight between the planks, we looked down, it was a little dark but the shape, we knew it was a body. So we called it in and we were right.”  

“I see, thank you.” 

“No, thank you. We’ve always wanted to be on television an-”

The field respondent grabbed the mic lightly and the elderly woman gave it after having a mental conversation with her husband, realizing of what she had been doing.

“Thank you Tracy, we’ll be get back to you.”

“Okay Tom,”

The screen cuts back to the studio

Leroy was already awake even before his alarm went off. Just passing the time, looking at the time on his phone, waiting for the inevitable. He felt this sense of dread along with the heavy twisting feeling in his gut. He knew he was going to work that day. The complementary vacation days is over, It’s not the work that bothers him, but the fact he was called for a meeting first thing in the morning is what's eating him. He knew this was about what happened two days ago. This only affirms that it really happened not just some fever dream of his, that it had stayed for so long on him and the local news did not help as he stares into the television showing some elderly couple taking about something they found- he thought it was some fish that beached or something.

Still lying face down his cot  his shabby apartment, he froze. As is spears of ice pierced his spine and cold sweat was beginning to excrete his pores as he sees what’s on TV. Trumpets started playing. He was startled and quickly turned off the alarm on his phone. It was time to prepare for work, so he did. As he showered and got dressed, the feeling of helplessness subsided along with the anxiety that came with it. He felt better after that shower. This will be the first time that he’ll step outside in two days. The packets of instant noodles and a few cans of beers sustained him in that period.The sun was shining on his face, as if God wanted to blind him. The crisp morning air made pinpricks on his skin.

“Good, you’re both here. Sorry I am late, had to make sure my brother and officer Del Toro’s commemoration goes smoothly.” As Sandra sat down at her desk. Leroy and Piatt looked at each other briefly in disbelief. How does she do it? Both asked in their heads. How can this woman, who just saw brother die the other day, act as if nothing happened? As if it was normal.

“About what happened. It would be beneficial for all of us to keep our silence.”

“And what? if-”

Piatt was interrupted.

“I was getting into it, “Mr Piyaat”? having difficulty pronouncing his name didn’t affect her pace. “The paid vacation wasn’t enough, that is why I offer the both of you a promotion.”

Both men stared at her with an uneasiness that is palpable.

After the deafening silence, Piatt’s strong distinct accent filled the air.

“What kind of job are we talking about? ”

“Let’s just say it’s a… delicate matter, one where I could make use of your skills” She smirked almost as if she was aware of the glaring euphemism from what she had said. Piatt gave out a grin “Okay, I accept.”  

Sandra quickly locked eyes with Leroy. Confident that he too will take up her offer. “How about you, Mr Salvatore; do you accept my offer? Well, you kind have no other choice” Sandra chuckled and Piatt soon did.

He's already kissing her ass, Leroy thought to himself. “Take your time. I’m giving you the day to decide. For now enjoy the ceremony,”