BURN THE TRUTH

Episode Twelve

The club was known to be one of the most well-liked places in the nightlife, mostly occupied by some wealthy folks, and the spectacular burlesque dance performances that took place from time to time only made people return for more. "How was she able to get into such club in the first place?" Carter questioned as he gave Louisa a comm to wear. They were inside a mini surveillance van.

"I can't believe you guys are making me do this" Velda enunciated, feeling already out of place by the look on her face.

"It's only for the investigation, Captain. You said so yourself. It can't be that hard, just feel the beat in there and surveil" Clyde cheered.

Velda plugged her comm and swiftly dropped off the van, followed by Louisa, who's eyes travelled around the property "We are really doing this" She let out, a bit too devoted.

Velda's gazes was dragged to her in a reprimanding manner "You seem too exited for somebody that is here to investigate"

"Come on, am not, am always this devoted" She fended taking on to stifle her excitement. She let lose her hair and walked ahead to the entrance.

The beat was vibrating off the walls as they went through the admission door. Drinks flowing across the tables just as fast as the bartenders could make them, conversation loud and patriots were struggling to hear over the thumping music, though in the further domain, the dance floor was crammed with sweaty bodies swaying to the music beat.

Louisa momentarily blended into the club, marching the energy of the overly energetic youth jumping and dancing to their heart content. Velda went over to the counter and orders a drink and in the process, her gazes surveyed every bit of the club they could reach. She signaled Louisa who withdrew instantly, yet in a dancing manner.

"What? did you see something suspicious?" Louisa inquiries over the loud music.

"This is a club, of course everything is suspicious" She returned only to lock eyes with a waiter staring at them suspiciously. Velda comcealably grabbed Louisa by the hand, pulling her to dance floor.

"Easy boss, don't overdo it or I might actually fall for you"

"Bold of you to assume" Though her eyes was indirectly fixed on the dubious waiter until he proceeded, taking the staircase to the top floor.

Velda withdrew from Louisa and was about to use the stairway though suddenly "Oh well, what do we have here? The detective in the flesh" Velda spun, only to come face to face with Devyn

"Devyn?" Velda squeaked almost dropping the glass of rum in her hand except Devyn's quick reflex saved the day. Velda could swear she almost had a heart attack by the man's sudden appearance.

"I know not if this is a pleasant surprise, Detective" Devyn tells, and took a closer step towards the detective.

"What do you mean? I don't think I'm restricted. Am I?" She put forward a challenging stare before she noticed Louisa moving toward them and furtively signaled her to withdraw, although Velda wasn't swiftly enough to escape the intense glare from Devyn.

"Oh seems like you are not alone, Detective"

"Am alone" Velda upheld.

"Oh, well. Care to join me upstairs, since you are alone, hope you don't mind" His gaze solely fixed on her as he awaits her response.

Velda gave out a fixed smile "Why not, I don't mind"

They arrived at the VIP section and Devyn motioned for her to sit and then he posed exactly opposite her. Velda's gaze randomly ran across the room, regardless of her efforts, the waiter from earlier was nowhere in the picture.

Nonetheless, Devyn decided to get comfortable as he outstretch his long legs and leaned into the seat. Velda's eyes trained on a passerby only to refocus on Devyn's gazing ones. "What?" She demanded, and Devyn shrugged slightly with the corner of his mouth giving out a quick scowl.

"Well, nothing" Yet his answer didn't assuage the detective.

"That was one hell of a stare Devyn, you got to get a better answer," She tells him, and immediately she bitterly regretted it. Sensing she might get an answer that would seal her in a sensitive conversation she never aimed at. Her piqued curiosity sometimes emerges in the wrong situation. He offered her a raised brow and Velda could already comprehend what he was on the brink of uttering.

"And? Is that a problem, detective?"

Well, it definitely wasn't a problem, but was uncomfortable, to say the least, but Velda wasn't about to say such. "No" Velda simply replied, admitting the impulsive pressure that her question had provoked. Silence returned and Velda shifted her gaze to the men in a near division.

“I noticed something gripping,” Devyn’s remarks spiked through the stillness between both and Velda's eyes instantly darted at him. "Sometimes, the detective bricks around you just vanish, and then I could catch a glimpse of the real you, just you, no detective" He rested his right leg over the other, sitting casually and comfortably yet his eyes were just the opposite, persistent and intimidating.

Velda let out a tiny dry laugh that survived only a second. "And what is it that you hide behind those mysterious stares of yours, Devyn?" Velda asked firmly once she returned to her usual. Though a bit curious.

“It's quite easy to figure out”

“Ah, you pretty good at this, interesting" Velda let out seductively only to hear Clyde's voice emerge from her comm.

“Are you flirting, Velda?"

“f**k, I forgot I had this" She mumbled solely.

“Nice one" Clyde teasingly complemented.

Devyn shoots her a stare “What?" He slightly jerked his head toward her and she immediately diverted her attention back to him.

“Oh nothing, I was just— I think-" She drew away her gaze and to the passing waiter she bade a glass of white wine.

Devyn broke down into a slight grin, he sighed softly and leaned forward a bit "You indeed intrigue me enormously" His gaze grasping every bit of Velda’s expression. She was distracted as the waiter returned with her drink, although neither did Devyn take his eyes off her.

“So do you always frequent the club or you are the once in a while detective?"

“Well. You can call me that, the once in a while" She uttered getting comfortable. "What about you, you seem like a regular here" She submitted teasingly and then grabbed her drink from the table "So tell me, you are a regular, right?" She motioned, reaching to take a sip, but unexpectedly Devyn abruptly halted her without knocking off the content.

“You shouldn't be here, detective" Devyn said firmly, yet calmly with no written expression.

“What's that for?" She questioned flashing at the glass of wine, her countenance between disdain and confusion, and then she came to realize. "Wait, I requested a white wine" Velda mumbled, again reaching for the glass.

“Never been this clumsy" She murmured barely loud as if the words were orchestrated at herself, alone.

“This place isn't conducive for somebody like you detective, you shouldn't be here"

“And how is that for you, Devyn?"

“Seeing you in a club, only mean two things. You are here to investigate a case or you were being dragged here by some friends. And seeing no friends brought back my suspicion to the obvious one, investigate. And a few minutes ago, you solely proved I was right. You do an earbud on you. Though what you don't know, detective, is how this place runs. You should be more careful next time"

Velda only gazed at him not exactly knowing how to uphold herself. "I mean, am not the one that got drug added to their wine"

Her gaze narrowed at him upon hearing those phrases.

“So what do you intent to do, detective?"

“Louisa come up to the vip, possible suspect spotted" She muttered to Louisa barely audible. Louisa pulled from her spot and quickly started to meander her way through the crowd in the direction for the staircase. Velda softly cleared his throat "He's a waiter about twenty four, and making his way towards a supposed door behind the counter" Velda added.

“Copy" Louisa muttered and headed for the door.

“You know he's just a waiter, right?" Devyn stated adjusting himself a bit.

“Yeah, and a suspect" She defined.

“That isn't what I mean. I'm saying, he simply delivered the drink to you. He isn't the bad guy you might be looking for, there's s a bigger picture"

“I know, and he will lead us to the source," Velda responded firmly and then raised.

“I-"

“Thank you for your help, I think it's time I join my colleague" She interjected and immediately walked towards Louisa’s path, though Devyn seem not to concern himself. He soon pried away from the region and proceeded to grab a drink from a waiter before heading in a different direction.

“Where's the suspect?" Velda questioned once she got to Louisa.

“Got the information we needed. Our man is said to be in the VIP, wearing a Versace jacket" She informed reparking her hair into a rough bun.

“How did you to come about the information so fast?"

“I'm a lady investigator, captain. You don't expect me to act like a nun" She winked and steered for the door. They came back to the VIP section and instantly detected the man, he was seated by the hub end, playing a card game. The moment the man noticed them heading in his direction he quickly moved for the back door and steered through the fire exit.

“f**k"

“Bloody hell" Louisa put in.

Velda went after him and so did Louisa. They proceeded through sequels of staircases and narrow hallways though the man seems to be a bit ahead of them. "Clyde, the suspect is heading towards a possible exit!" Velda swiftly informed and avoided getting hit by a male who suddenly emerged from a corner.

The suspect drifted through a hallway and unceremoniously swung the door open only to meet Devyn standing in front of the door. "You have to help, I've got money" He appealed, eagerly.

“Uhm, yeah... Sorry to disappoint but, they're with me"