Ridgewood Town

Chapter 7

Peyton

June 23

Tuesday, 5:39PM

The streetlights had already illuminated the road with light. Shadows of people passed by. Some were going to the safe corners of their home while some were on their way to their night jobs. Some kids still run around the nearby playground as their laughter filled the atmosphere. The air started getting colder. The honking of cars is depleting as the traffic is now moving; the sun is setting.

I placed myself at the entrance of the police station. I was waiting for Coover while he parked his car around the area. I am here since Officer Philips talked with me at Taylah’s burial this morning. He already has some updates about the case. It has been three days since Luis disappeared and he hasn’t showed up yet. Everyone in town still thinks he killed Taylah and ran away. I know it myself he would never do it. Even if he can.

“Are you ready?” he asked once he reached me. He was smiling as he fixed his red hair. I sometimes want to tousle his hair and feel it on my fingertips. Would his hair feel soft?

Even if I wanted to, I didn’t want to scare him away.

“Yes. Thank you for coming with me. I don’t really wanna impose on you, but I had to admit that your dad is scary.” I gave him a little laugh, successfully making it sound awkward. Officer Philips is a cool and calm dad, in some circumstances. He always wears those thick glasses and never really smiles. He is a tall big-boned man with a thick beard and a pot belly. When I was a kid, my mom always used him to scare me. Officer Philips visits our bakery on a daily basis to buy some goods. And mom never misses the chance to tease me. Officer Philips sometimes brings Coover with him and that's how I met him. Not because he is the son of a detective, but because of his curious nature. Coover always has a book in his hand whenever I see him.

“It’s about his goatee, right?” he asked with his voice laced with laughter. Detective Philips has a goatee he had never really shaved for years.

“Yes. I am not a fan of thick beards. I’m glad you never grew them on you," I said, sounding relieved. It didn't escape my eyes the glow that shines when I look at his eyes.

“Silly. I wouldn't want a goatee on my face. I told Dad he should shave them off but he never listened. He said that its better to look scary than weak,” he said while smiling. “We should get inside. It’s getting colder.” He motioned me to follow him inside and I did. We continued talking while making our way.

The station is located between Central Park and the Fire Station. I have never been to a police station before. Even though Jean has been here a few times, I never really have the mood to check on her on those days. As much as possible, I wouldn't want to be involved with her crimes. I'm keeping a good record because I might need it someday. She never really stayed too long though. Her Dad always makes things easy for her. That girl was trouble. Dragging along that short girl, Coover’s friend, Ana Ricotta, has also been there a few times. For some reason for having her page taken down or for spreading false news.

Once we’re inside, everyone stands to greet Coover. Of course, they all know him. He is, after all, Officer Philips’ son. Even if he’s not his biological son, he treats Coover like his own.

The station is a three-story building. We go through multiple corridors until he knocks on one of the doors. We heard things dropping and shuffling; when it stopped, the door went ajar.

The room is dim but he has a table lamp on his work desk that works. The room looks messy despite the noises from a while ago. I guess this is how a detective’s room looks after everything. Piled documents are arranged messily over a hassock and some books are scattered under his desk that he failed to hide.

Officer Philips is holding a pen as he pretends to read something in a book that is on his desk. He was scribbling and nodding, flipping to the next page. He looked so busy that I felt ashamed to get inside the room to bother him. I have been imposing on his son to help me and now I'm about to do it for him in Luis' case.

“Seriously, Dad? Stop acting like you’re doing some work,” Coover didn’t hide the annoyance in his voice. He walked to his dad and flipped the book. “Your book is upside-down," he revealed.

A deep tone of laughter follows as Officer Philips claps and gives Coover a hug as he gives him a soft tap on his back.

Wow. I never had this kind of affection for my parents.

“You’re getting good now, huh?” His eyes travelled back to me when he broke their hug. He motioned me to walk to him and I did. My eyes went wide when he gave me a hug. He pats my back and he was laughing. Coover walks to one of the chairs in the corner and sits down. He fished out his phone and started tapping on it. He went into his own world, leaving me with his dad.

“Now, we’re going to talk kid. Don’t mind him in the corner,” his voice is calm and fatherly once again. He motioned me to sit on one of the chairs in front of him. Once I was seated, he handed me a pile of papers.

I flipped through the pages trying to read everything that was there. It shows how their investigations have come far. I don’t know if I’m allowed to even see this but I needed to. I saw some pictures of Taylah in their home where she was shot. A hole is on her forehead, clearly indicating it was the reason she died.

"So, you're saying Taylah killed herself?" I asked, my voice stuttering, failing to keep it clear. It shows that Taylah shoots herself from behind as was stated here. But then it turned out that Taylah was the one who shot herself. Which is suspiciously impossible!

"Yes. According to the ballistic report our forensics gave, the fingerprints were from Taylah. They never see other reasons that it could’ve been someone.” He fixes the glasses he's wearing as he showed me more pictures.

"I can't believe it, Dad," Coover butted in from behind. "Taylah doesn't seem to have problems or reasons to kill herself.” Coover added as he walked to me and peeked at the papers I was reading.

"Well, we never know, son. Now, we just have to find where Luis is. That child may or may not know something. Or he’s even a victim himself."

Now that I think of it, the last time we ever talked was when he was painting with Sophia. He even sent me messages. Luis won’t disappear without reasons. If he is missing, then does that mean…

"That means he wasn't a suspect anymore, right? Even if you charged him with murder, you won't be able to prove that, because I don't see any reasons for him to do that. He doesn’t have any grudge nor the courage to kill someone. And his fingerprints weren't present at the crime scene," I reasoned out. Even if they rebuff the possibility that he set the scene like that, no one can prove it.

“Yeah. We’re still trying to locate his whereabouts. That’s all I can tell for now. You may go.”

I thanked Detective Philips once more before Coover closed the door. I didn't realize the face I was making before Coover said it.

"You look worried about something. Are you okay?"

I slightly nodded. "I'm just thinking about my friend's girlfriend right now. She hasn't called after missing some of my calls. I wonder what she is thinking right now. I hope she wasn't suspecting Luis or something. Luis doesn't deserve any of this crap right now."

"Then let's go pay her a visit," he suggested, giving me an assuring smile.

I don't want to impose on him, but he made sure it was okay. I felt that I was overstaying my welcome, but I ignored that fact. We decided to pass by Sophia to tell her about the case but her parents dismissed us. Gone is the couple who was smiling at us this morning. The look of disgust was on full display when they saw us at their doorsteps. I have long known Mr. Chase, aside from being one of the richest citizens of Ridgewood. And the fact that he was a famous painter. He has lived a life inside of his home for years so that he rarely comes out. I've only seen him on rare occasions and I barely know what he is like. Sophia doesn't talk much either. She was timid and only became talkative when she was with Luis.

"We won't stay too long, Mr. Chase," I said politely when he opened the door.

"I'm sorry, but my daughter won't see any visitors from now on.” Mr. Chase immediately closes the door, but Coover knocks once again. The door opened but Mr. Chase blocked their door with his huge body built. We couldn’t even peek inside.

"We just need to talk to her, Mr. Chase," Coover said firmly.

“She doesn’t need anything. You may go," he once again dismisses us.

“Sir, we just need a minute. Please, just one minute. I’m not going to ask you anymore," Coover pleaded, and I didn't notice my hand holding his shoulders to stop him. And despite Coover trying to talk our way in, Mr. Chase was adamant.

"I can't help you with that. You can go now," he answered back as he was about to close the door once again.

"Sir, we really need to talk to her. It's about Mason." When Coover mentioned Mason, Mr. Chase shot us a deadly glare.

"Listen here, son. My daughter has been crying for days. I don't want anything to do with that family anymore. They've caused us too many problems. Please, leave us alone." He closed the door in our faces with a bang.

Curses immediately flew from Coover’s mouth as he walked to his car. I never saw him this way but he was displeased. I was shocked to see the good boy image of his was tainted with this side.

"Hey, Peyton! Come on," he called out, which broke me out from my thoughts.

"Yeah. Coming!"

I ran to him having thoughts about Sofia and her parents.

Was that all an act then? The happy smiles they showed Luis when he was with them? The warm hugs they gave Taylah? When they cried today, were those all an act?