BURN THE TRUTH

Episode Thirty-seven

The massive building looks like a typical courthouse. The courthouse itself looks like a place where justice is served. It is a Romanesque building, three stories high, with large pillars in the front. Ivy grows up on one side of the building. The entire surroundings of the courthouse are immaculately kept. The flag flies high above the building. Etched in stone on the front wall of the courthouse are the words "truth, justice, and liberty."

A multitude of press stood at the extreme of the sweeping stairs at the front of the courthouse as they await the presence of Captain Leek while a massive crowd thronged around the entrance outside the fence. It's been a few minutes since the court dismissed though they were yet to see him or any of his associates. Flashes came from different angles as the securities gave way to yuppie executives that exited the building.

A satisfied expression on Velda’s face as she made her way to Captain Leek yet inside the courtroom after the court was dismissed. The man’s appearance was much more better and formal than the last time she had visited him in the cell. His beard was well-trimmed with lots of grainy stubble scattered around his jaw. “You should wear suits more often” Velda remarks as she walks up to him.

“Then I guess I will work more on purchasing a couple of them” he returned while they began to make their way out of the room after a few hands shake and congratulatory words from their associates around.

The sound of Velda’s heels emitting softly as they walks through the hall heading for the large exit, her spectacular official pants with the silky top and unbuttoned matching blazer radiated a classic opinion of her. “Your expression doesn't look like one who just won a case, Captain” Velda told Captain Leek, passing her handbag to her other hand.

He took a slow breath “I just want to go there and throttle all of them. I mean, I just can't imagine what would have happened to the both of you, and it all for my release. We might both be at each other's throats since the time I accepted to train you, but you’re more like a daughter to me. I can't believe I almost lost my entire family to one case, all because you won't listen to me. You never listen” He said, his voice, collectively low.

“It did get you out”

“Yes, it did. But know this, I do prefer staying the rest of my life in jail than putting you or Asteria in a trouble like this. I would live with much guilt if something had happened to her because of this”

Velda exhaled “Well, we got through it. You know me, I always get through it. Just like you” she glanced his way.

Captain Leek sighed “I should disown you,” he said.

But a smile crossed her face “I thought you disowned me?” she arched her brow and that got a reaction from the man, a soft chuckle.

He stopped in his track and turned to face her “I see you feel better trying to drag me to your level”

“Common, Captain. We won the case and you are a free man again, at least you should put that in mind. I'm only doing what you thought me best and as you can see, I did quite learn a lot. Birds of a feather flock together. Right, Captain?”

“Of course, I'm happy. I'm only scared they might come for you later. Only heavens know what those bastards might have installed for you” he took off his transparent glasses, and softly rubbed his right eye with the back of his thumb before he wore back the glasses.

“You shouldn't worry then, we will continue the fight, and I shall take them all down. Soon, I'll have reinforcements”

“It's risky, Velda. Storming the castle with limited resources, you know. You're in no man’s land. Even though the administration back you, you are still completely exposed. You have a weakness, you know” he watched her.

“True strength requires compassion, not just backbone, and Asteria is somewhere safe”

“Velda, leave the case to me, I will get to this the minute I'm back in the office, I promise, I don't want you involved for now”

“Don’t tell me to leave the case to you because you don't know the much I know already. It might be dangerous but I got this, let me, Captain” She pleaded in an enthusiastic low tone.

The old man watched her for a while and then he lowers his face defeatedly before bringing it up to stare at her again, a quiet smile tugged onto his lips “Have it your way then. I never thought I will be able to convince you after all. You're much stubborn now” he slightly tilts his head.

Velda’s lips paused before they turned into a pleased smile “You thought me so” she let out and again began walking “I'm glad you will get to spend the near year at home,” she muttered, Leek only nodded without many reactions.

She glanced at him as they took slow strides “Even though you wish not to talk about them, just know me and Asteria will be glad to spend the new year with you”

“No. You've done enough already” he told her genuinely as they finally made past the exit.

Velda swiftly took off her sunglasses from her blazer and immediately wore them as the flashes of cameras gradually began sweeping their way. Masses of the press struggled to reach close or be able to interview them both as they started to walk down the stairs with Velda a step behind. Captain Leek only offered a few words to the press before Velda concluded before they made their way to the car where Leek’s crew awaits him.

Although the case was not entirely solved, the evidence Velda was given was enough to get him out of jail and a few victims of human trafficking and that, she was grateful for. The rest will come through in the near future, and so she hopes.

The car Captain Leek got into had barely driven off the side she stood when Devyn’s car pulled through. Her lips curved into a smile as he watch him get off the car to the side where she stood. He briefly admired her full face before moving to open the door for her “Please,” He motioned and majestically she declined onto the seat.

“You know, detective” Devyn spoke as he got into the car “Your elegance cannot be missed. When I think you look more gorgeous in a dress, you come up with a different strategy. You're one hell of a woman”

She gave him a side eye “Is that a compliment?”

“I don't think it being a compliment changes anything, I'm only stating a fact here”

“Oh. I see” She mutters “I was surprised to see you in the courtroom. I didn't know you wanted to support me when you asked about it”

Devyn glanced her way “I wasn't there for support, I was there to witness” She gave him a look but said nothing “So, what's your next move?”

“Making sure the victims get their due. I'll have to visit some of them and help to sign them up with a therapist” She sighed.

Devyn placed his palm against hers, rubbing them gently “This could have dragged on for years, but you took a couple of weeks. Good work. I'm proud of you”

“You know you don't have to be so formal,” Velda said as she glanced at him and Devyn pried his hand away with a soft scuff before pulling the car out of the area.

“It's just that,” Velda suddenly say “there is much involved in this case and I'm still yet to find out who also is interested in the case. There is something I'm missing and just as Captain Leek said, these people are smart and dangerous, they'll fight back. If only I can figure out who had leaked some information to me”

He glances briefly at her “You should give yourself a break. You can wonder about that after the new year. For now, you should celebrate your win. Now, tell me what you need”

“What I need?”

He nodded, eyes focused on the road ahead “Yes. You just had a huge win. And I'm big on giving well-done gifts to one I cherish. And somehow you managed to be that person”

She glanced at him, her face slightly furrowed as she gave him a quizzical look “I pick whatever I want?”

Devyn's face was set, but he gave a nod “Yeah. It's all good. Just name it”

“Then, I want a kiss,” She unexpectedly said to the hearing of Devyn and for a split second his hand tensed on the wheel and then he abruptly drove to the corner of the road where he put the car on hold.

The grey-eyed man turned to take a proper look at her face. There's always a wild side to an innocent face, not like hers is naive in any way, but for the first time, her words had come entirely unexpectedly. There was something about the way he watched her intently as she inched closer to his face where she couldn't see much of his face except for his lips. “Nice tease,” he whispers, smirking.

His gaze drops to her lips and then lifts to her eyes again. But he didn't wait for her words or to ask if she truly meant it; his kiss radiated down her spine, although she had asked for it, she didn't think he would in such a manner. A chill rushed through her core and the goosebumps that followed were inevitable. As their tongues locked and slide against each other, she let out a slight moan filled with desire and its steady drumbeat silently made its way between her thighs.

“Damnit,” Devyn cursed against her lips “Your house”