~*The Case*~
© 2011 CelebritySuperFan
Chapters 1 - 4
Selena took a deep breath before entering her boss,
Lieutenant Phillip Banks’, office. She placed her hand around the doorknob and
paused as she pushed a few loose strands back up into her ponytail. She then
entered into Lieutenant Banks office. Without looking up, Lieutenant Banks said
to her, “Have a seat, Ramirez.” Selena closed the door behind her and sat down in
the chair across from her boss at his desk. Lieutenant Banks finished writing
out some forms and dropped his pen onto his desk looking up at Selena. He sat
back in his chair. He collapsed his fingers together laying them on his round
belly. “Ramirez, what the hell are you doing?” Selena slightly rolled her eyes as
she prepared for the lecture she knew he was about to give to her. He continued,
“This is the third partner you have run off since your original partner, Washington. What are you doing?”
“Sir, I don’t need a partner. Detective Denzel Washington taught me everything I needed to know, that if something were to happen to him, I can work alone.” Selena said confidently as she defiantly stared back into Lieutenant Banks brown eyes.
Lieutenant Banks sat up and propped his elbows on his desk. “Now you listen to me, Ramirez…I know you’re good. You are one of my best detectives. You both were, but if you think for a second that Im going to let you work alone and have something happen to you without having any kind of back up…you’re crazy. You’re getting a new partner…no ifs ands or buts about it.”
“But, sir –“
“Dammit, Ramirez, I don’t want to hear another thing about it. I don’t care what you say…losing detective Washington was not your fault, so don’t think that every partner you have from here on out will die on you. Im just as upset as you are about our boy Washington, but shit happens.”
Selena turned her head to look out his window. She knew he was right. Lieutenant Banks knew her like the back of his hand. Selena felt guilty about the death of her best friend, mentor, and partner of 5 years, Detective Denzel Washington. If only she had been there a second earlier, she would have been able to save him. Selena found herself batting her eyelashes quickly to prevent a tear from falling down her face.
Lieutenant Banks interrupted her thoughts saying, “Ramirez…we all miss him. But life goes on. And I need you to cooperate. If you run off your next partner, Im gonna have to let you go.”
Selena snapped her head back to look at him in shock. “You’re gonna, what?”
“That’s right. You heard me. Losing detective Washington is causing you to lose focus on your cases. No one in the department wants to work with you. Im gonna have to let you get off the streets and become a desk clerk around here.”
Selena looked at him in disbelief. “You’re going to demote me? Sir, you can’t do that! You know how much this job means to me.”
Lieutenant Banks sat back in his chair rubbing his bald head. “Then straighten up and fly right.” Lieutenant Banks paused and looked at a few forms on his desk. He continued, “You’re new partner will be in tomorrow. It’s up to you how you will handle it.”
Selena said a curse in her thoughts. She took a deep breath and spoke thru her teeth. “Are we done here, sir?”
Without looking up at Selena, Lt. Banks responded, “Go home, Ramirez. Go see your daughter and I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early.”
Selena hopped up and stormed out of Lt. Banks office. She hated when he was always right. But she was not about to allow him to demote her. She had to get her act together with whoever her new partner will be.
An hour later, Selena found herself knocking at the door belonging to the father of her daughter. A woman answered the door whom Selena had never seen before. Her tan olive skin glowed as the light from the sunset shined on her when she opened the door. Selena shifted her weight to one leg as she tried to hold her surprised expression to herself. The woman smiled radiantly. “Hi. You must be Selena.” She extended her hand. “Im Jasmine.”
Selena looked at her extended hand and raised one eyebrow. Did she really think I was going to shake her hand? Selena thought. As if on cue, Selena’s daughter ran out to the door beside the woman named Jasmine and hugged Selena’s waist. “Mom! You’re here!”
Selena’s expression quickly turned to joy as she hugged her daughter Jessica back. “Hey, baby! Im so happy to see you!” The woman named Jasmine, smile slowly faded as she drew her hand back to herself. She realized Selena was not happy to see her. At that moment, Justin, Jessica’s father appeared at the door. He whispered something in Jasmine’s ear, making her disappear back into his apartment out of sight. Justin stepped outside with Jessica’s book-bag in his hand as he closed the door up behind him.
Jessica turned toward Justin hugging him and grabbing her book-bag from him. “See ya daddy. Don’t forget you have to pick me up from school tomorrow.”
Justin hugged her tightly and kissed the crown of her head. “Okay, have a good night, ok sweetpea?” Justin said.
Selena rubbed her fingers through Jessica’s hair saying, “Hey sweetie, why don’t you go on to the car, and wait for me. I’ll be there in a second.”
“Okie dokie.” Jessica said and skipped her way to Selena’s car.
Once Jessica was out of ear’s shot from Selena and Justin, Selena glared at Justin saying, “Who the hell is that? What have I told you about having every whore you meet around my daughter?” Selena sneered.
Justin held up his hands in defense, “Whoa, whoa. First of all, Jasmine is not a whore. Second of all, she is OUR daughter…for some reason you keep forgetting that.”
“Well, why don’t you act like it, you jackass.” Selena said and started to walk away.
Justin grabbed her arm to stop her.
Selena looked down at his hand around her arm as if warning him to let her go.
Justin quickly let her go. “Look, Sel…I need a favor. I can’t pick up Jessie tomorrow. Do you think your mom can get her?”
“Oh Im sorry…aren’t YOU her father?” Selena said with sarcasm.
“C’mon, Sel, cut me some slack. At least Im not risking my life everyday where I know I can’t be there for my child.”
Selena knew his remarks was his way of ‘punching her below the belt’. Her job was the reason they were no longer together. Justin couldn’t take the hard work and dedication Selena had with her job. He couldn’t take the long hour shifts her job demanded of her. Justin ended up cheating on Selena when their daughter Jessica was only 2 yrs old and they were both 18 years old. When Selena found out, she ended their relationship and their engagement. However, over the next eight years, Justin repeatedly tried to come back into Selena’s life. They would occasionally have casual sex whenever Selena was feeling vulnerable or lonely from not being in a relationship. Justin knew when he could have his way with Selena, and yet still have any girl on the side. Selena didn’t care about his other so-called girlfriends, as long as he didn’t bring them around Jessica, their daughter. That’s why Selena was furious that he brought another woman, yet again, around Jessica. A woman named Jasmine. “Don’t talk about my job, alright. At least I have one, asshole.” Selena said as she turned to walk away. “Don’t worry about Jessie…have fun with your girlfriend tomorrow.”
Justin sighed as he watched Selena walk away with her ponytail swaying in the wind.
Hours later, Selena was tucking Jessica into bed. Her vibrant Bratz design bedding was tucked neatly around her as she smiled looking up at Selena. “So…tell me mom…how many bad guys did you catch today?”
Selena smiled as removed a few strands of Jessica’s hair away from around her pretty blue eyes. Jessica’s eyes clearly came from Justin’s side of the family. Justin’s mother had the bluest eyes Selena had ever seen. It was uncanny how much Jessica looked just like her father, Justin. “Guess, what? I didn’t catch any bad guys today.”
“Aw, don’t worry, mom…im sure uncle Denzel taught you good enough. And soon, you’ll have ALL the bad guys under the jail!” She gleamed with excitement. Jessica called Selena’s old partner Denzel her uncle because that’s how close Selena and he were. There were like family.
Selena smiled at Jessica and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. “I love you sweatpea.”
“Plus infinity?” Jessica asked already knowing the answer from Selena with a smile.
“Duh…and beyond.” Selena replied with a goofy expression to make Jessica laugh.
Jessica giggled and nuzzled her head into her pillow and closed her eyes to fall asleep.
Selena raised up from her bed and turned the lamp off. She walked out of Jessica’s bedroom and closed the door halfway.
A few hours later, Selena found herself lying in bed wide awake. What will her day be like tomorrow as she meets her new partner? Would it be a male or female? Her last partner was a female. That bitch couldn’t hang, Selena thought. The other one was a guy. Selena thought he was too geeky. He had a lot of “book sense” but not “street smart” the way Denzel said you always had to be.
Denzel.
She thought about her old partner Denzel. She thought about the time she invited him over for dinner. She could see Denzel and her daughter Jessica sitting down at the kitchen table playing tic tac toe after finishing their dinner.
“Unh-uh Uncle Denzel, you cheated!” Jessica whole heartedly laughed.
“Me? Cheat? Nah! You just can’t see! You gotta open your eyes little bit! Open your eyes!” He laughed as he started to tickle her.
Selena smiled at the two of them playing. “Okay sweetpea, time for bed.” Selena said.
“Awww mom!” Both Jessica and Denzel said at the same time.
“Aww too bad.” Selena smiled. “Go brush your teeth, and I will be up in a bit.”
“Oh, alright. Good night Uncle Denzel.” Jessica said giving him huge bear hug.
“G’night little bit. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”
“But if they do, you got my back right, Uncle Denzel?”
“You betcha! Always.” Jessica smiled and skipped her way upstairs.
“Thanks, D.” Selena said giving Denzel a hug before he left.
“No problem! Thanks for the delicious meal. And hey…don’t worry about this case we got going on. We are gonna get this son of a bitch if it’s the last thing we do.” He pulled Selena into him with one arm around her shoulders and gave her another hug. “Don’t flake out on me now, kiddo. Just do everything I taught you. Even when im not around…” his voice trailed off.
Selena turned to her side as she laid in her bed thinking about Denzel. Even though it had been 5 months since he passed away, Selena almost felt the urge to pick up the phone as if she could call him. “Life goes on…” Selena could hear Lieutenant Banks voice in her head. “Yeah right.” Selena mumbled to herself as she finally closed her eyes and fell asleep.
“Sir, I don’t need a partner. Detective Denzel Washington taught me everything I needed to know, that if something were to happen to him, I can work alone.” Selena said confidently as she defiantly stared back into Lieutenant Banks brown eyes.
Lieutenant Banks sat up and propped his elbows on his desk. “Now you listen to me, Ramirez…I know you’re good. You are one of my best detectives. You both were, but if you think for a second that Im going to let you work alone and have something happen to you without having any kind of back up…you’re crazy. You’re getting a new partner…no ifs ands or buts about it.”
“But, sir –“
“Dammit, Ramirez, I don’t want to hear another thing about it. I don’t care what you say…losing detective Washington was not your fault, so don’t think that every partner you have from here on out will die on you. Im just as upset as you are about our boy Washington, but shit happens.”
Selena turned her head to look out his window. She knew he was right. Lieutenant Banks knew her like the back of his hand. Selena felt guilty about the death of her best friend, mentor, and partner of 5 years, Detective Denzel Washington. If only she had been there a second earlier, she would have been able to save him. Selena found herself batting her eyelashes quickly to prevent a tear from falling down her face.
Lieutenant Banks interrupted her thoughts saying, “Ramirez…we all miss him. But life goes on. And I need you to cooperate. If you run off your next partner, Im gonna have to let you go.”
Selena snapped her head back to look at him in shock. “You’re gonna, what?”
“That’s right. You heard me. Losing detective Washington is causing you to lose focus on your cases. No one in the department wants to work with you. Im gonna have to let you get off the streets and become a desk clerk around here.”
Selena looked at him in disbelief. “You’re going to demote me? Sir, you can’t do that! You know how much this job means to me.”
Lieutenant Banks sat back in his chair rubbing his bald head. “Then straighten up and fly right.” Lieutenant Banks paused and looked at a few forms on his desk. He continued, “You’re new partner will be in tomorrow. It’s up to you how you will handle it.”
Selena said a curse in her thoughts. She took a deep breath and spoke thru her teeth. “Are we done here, sir?”
Without looking up at Selena, Lt. Banks responded, “Go home, Ramirez. Go see your daughter and I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early.”
Selena hopped up and stormed out of Lt. Banks office. She hated when he was always right. But she was not about to allow him to demote her. She had to get her act together with whoever her new partner will be.
An hour later, Selena found herself knocking at the door belonging to the father of her daughter. A woman answered the door whom Selena had never seen before. Her tan olive skin glowed as the light from the sunset shined on her when she opened the door. Selena shifted her weight to one leg as she tried to hold her surprised expression to herself. The woman smiled radiantly. “Hi. You must be Selena.” She extended her hand. “Im Jasmine.”
Selena looked at her extended hand and raised one eyebrow. Did she really think I was going to shake her hand? Selena thought. As if on cue, Selena’s daughter ran out to the door beside the woman named Jasmine and hugged Selena’s waist. “Mom! You’re here!”
Selena’s expression quickly turned to joy as she hugged her daughter Jessica back. “Hey, baby! Im so happy to see you!” The woman named Jasmine, smile slowly faded as she drew her hand back to herself. She realized Selena was not happy to see her. At that moment, Justin, Jessica’s father appeared at the door. He whispered something in Jasmine’s ear, making her disappear back into his apartment out of sight. Justin stepped outside with Jessica’s book-bag in his hand as he closed the door up behind him.
Jessica turned toward Justin hugging him and grabbing her book-bag from him. “See ya daddy. Don’t forget you have to pick me up from school tomorrow.”
Justin hugged her tightly and kissed the crown of her head. “Okay, have a good night, ok sweetpea?” Justin said.
Selena rubbed her fingers through Jessica’s hair saying, “Hey sweetie, why don’t you go on to the car, and wait for me. I’ll be there in a second.”
“Okie dokie.” Jessica said and skipped her way to Selena’s car.
Once Jessica was out of ear’s shot from Selena and Justin, Selena glared at Justin saying, “Who the hell is that? What have I told you about having every whore you meet around my daughter?” Selena sneered.
Justin held up his hands in defense, “Whoa, whoa. First of all, Jasmine is not a whore. Second of all, she is OUR daughter…for some reason you keep forgetting that.”
“Well, why don’t you act like it, you jackass.” Selena said and started to walk away.
Justin grabbed her arm to stop her.
Selena looked down at his hand around her arm as if warning him to let her go.
Justin quickly let her go. “Look, Sel…I need a favor. I can’t pick up Jessie tomorrow. Do you think your mom can get her?”
“Oh Im sorry…aren’t YOU her father?” Selena said with sarcasm.
“C’mon, Sel, cut me some slack. At least Im not risking my life everyday where I know I can’t be there for my child.”
Selena knew his remarks was his way of ‘punching her below the belt’. Her job was the reason they were no longer together. Justin couldn’t take the hard work and dedication Selena had with her job. He couldn’t take the long hour shifts her job demanded of her. Justin ended up cheating on Selena when their daughter Jessica was only 2 yrs old and they were both 18 years old. When Selena found out, she ended their relationship and their engagement. However, over the next eight years, Justin repeatedly tried to come back into Selena’s life. They would occasionally have casual sex whenever Selena was feeling vulnerable or lonely from not being in a relationship. Justin knew when he could have his way with Selena, and yet still have any girl on the side. Selena didn’t care about his other so-called girlfriends, as long as he didn’t bring them around Jessica, their daughter. That’s why Selena was furious that he brought another woman, yet again, around Jessica. A woman named Jasmine. “Don’t talk about my job, alright. At least I have one, asshole.” Selena said as she turned to walk away. “Don’t worry about Jessie…have fun with your girlfriend tomorrow.”
Justin sighed as he watched Selena walk away with her ponytail swaying in the wind.
Hours later, Selena was tucking Jessica into bed. Her vibrant Bratz design bedding was tucked neatly around her as she smiled looking up at Selena. “So…tell me mom…how many bad guys did you catch today?”
Selena smiled as removed a few strands of Jessica’s hair away from around her pretty blue eyes. Jessica’s eyes clearly came from Justin’s side of the family. Justin’s mother had the bluest eyes Selena had ever seen. It was uncanny how much Jessica looked just like her father, Justin. “Guess, what? I didn’t catch any bad guys today.”
“Aw, don’t worry, mom…im sure uncle Denzel taught you good enough. And soon, you’ll have ALL the bad guys under the jail!” She gleamed with excitement. Jessica called Selena’s old partner Denzel her uncle because that’s how close Selena and he were. There were like family.
Selena smiled at Jessica and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. “I love you sweatpea.”
“Plus infinity?” Jessica asked already knowing the answer from Selena with a smile.
“Duh…and beyond.” Selena replied with a goofy expression to make Jessica laugh.
Jessica giggled and nuzzled her head into her pillow and closed her eyes to fall asleep.
Selena raised up from her bed and turned the lamp off. She walked out of Jessica’s bedroom and closed the door halfway.
A few hours later, Selena found herself lying in bed wide awake. What will her day be like tomorrow as she meets her new partner? Would it be a male or female? Her last partner was a female. That bitch couldn’t hang, Selena thought. The other one was a guy. Selena thought he was too geeky. He had a lot of “book sense” but not “street smart” the way Denzel said you always had to be.
Denzel.
She thought about her old partner Denzel. She thought about the time she invited him over for dinner. She could see Denzel and her daughter Jessica sitting down at the kitchen table playing tic tac toe after finishing their dinner.
“Unh-uh Uncle Denzel, you cheated!” Jessica whole heartedly laughed.
“Me? Cheat? Nah! You just can’t see! You gotta open your eyes little bit! Open your eyes!” He laughed as he started to tickle her.
Selena smiled at the two of them playing. “Okay sweetpea, time for bed.” Selena said.
“Awww mom!” Both Jessica and Denzel said at the same time.
“Aww too bad.” Selena smiled. “Go brush your teeth, and I will be up in a bit.”
“Oh, alright. Good night Uncle Denzel.” Jessica said giving him huge bear hug.
“G’night little bit. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”
“But if they do, you got my back right, Uncle Denzel?”
“You betcha! Always.” Jessica smiled and skipped her way upstairs.
“Thanks, D.” Selena said giving Denzel a hug before he left.
“No problem! Thanks for the delicious meal. And hey…don’t worry about this case we got going on. We are gonna get this son of a bitch if it’s the last thing we do.” He pulled Selena into him with one arm around her shoulders and gave her another hug. “Don’t flake out on me now, kiddo. Just do everything I taught you. Even when im not around…” his voice trailed off.
Selena turned to her side as she laid in her bed thinking about Denzel. Even though it had been 5 months since he passed away, Selena almost felt the urge to pick up the phone as if she could call him. “Life goes on…” Selena could hear Lieutenant Banks voice in her head. “Yeah right.” Selena mumbled to herself as she finally closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Chapter 2
After dropping Jessica off at school, Selena sped thru the parking lot at the police station where she worked. She was running super late. The morning was already off to a bad start, and this was the day she was going to be meeting her new partner. Selena drove up to her regular parking spot and saw that another car was already parked there. “What the hell?” Selena said out loud to herself. “Everyone knows this is my parking space. Everyone.” Selena mumbled as she searched for another available parking space. Selena said a curse as she parked almost a mile away from the building.
Selena sighed as she stepped off the elevator to her department floor; Homicide. “I made it. Finally.” Selena thought to herself.
As she walked to her desk, Lt. Banks' assistant walked up closely behind her. “Well, good morning, Selena.” Jennifer Stone the assistant said in a sing song voice.
“Hey, Jennifer. Look, I know im late, so spare me the lecture.”
Jennifer smiled from ear to ear, “Don’t worry, I won’t. I’ll leave that up to the lieutenant to do that.” Jennifer was a morning person, unlike Selena. She was always so bubbly and chipper. It sometimes got on Selena’s nerves, but Selena felt Jennifer was a good person. Someone she truly trusted other than the lieutenant.
Selena stopped at her desk putting her belongings down. Jennifer stopped in front of her desk and handed her some papers. “What’s this?” Selena asked puzzled as she took the papers from Jennifer.
“The files you wanted from that company in Indiana you asked for 2 months ago on that minor case you took. They finally submitted it.” Jennifer said in a chipper tone.
“Thanks.” Selena said as she rolled her eyes.
Jennifer smiled and started to walk away when she stopped. “By the way, Sel…you might want to let the lieutenant know you are here. He’s been asking for you.”
“Great. Thanks.”
Selena tightened her ponytail and made her way over to the lieutenant’s office. She briefly knocked on the door and opened it before Lieutenant Banks could respond to her knock. “Hola, Lieutenant! Sorry Im late. Some jackass took my park and –“ Selena stopped herself when she realized the lieutenant had company in his office. “Oh…Im sorry…I’ll come back.” Selena said apologetic.
“No, no…come on in Ramirez. I want you to meet somebody.” Lt. Banks said as he stood up from his chair. The gentleman who was sitting across from Lt. Banks also stood up to face Selena. Lt. Banks continued, “Ramirez…this is Detective Mike Jonas from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jonas, this is Detective Selena Ramirez…your new partner.”
Detective Mike Jonas smiled and extended his hand to greet Selena. “Hey, how you doing?”
Selena looked at him for a moment. He was tall with an athletic physique. His hair was cut short and trim along the sides, yet slightly curly at the top. When he smiled, Selena could see a small dimple in his right cheek. His light brown eyes appeared genuinely happy as he smiled. He wore a black and white pin stripe shirt and a black tie, with gray slacks and a four buttoned gray vest with a black leather shoulder gun holster. Selena had to admit to herself, the man was hot. However, she didn’t want him to know that. He seemed to have the persona as if he knew he was hot and every woman wanted him in the way he smiled. Selena looked down at his hand extended to her. “Are you going to shake my hand or are you just gonna leave me hanging?” He said in a mellow tone.
Before Selena could make a remark, she heard Lt. Banks clear his throat loudly as if telling Selena to behave. Selena slowly extended her hand out and shook Mike’s hand. “Hi.” Selena said coldly.
Mike continued to smile as he shook her hand.
“Well, alrighty then…you two get to know each other and go do some work.” Lt. Banks said as he rushed them out of his office. Before Selena could exit from his office, Lt. Banks continued in a harsh tone, “Ramirez, you’re late. Don’t push your luck.”
Selena nodded and said, “Yes, sir.” And continued to walk out of his office.
Holding his coat and briefcase in his hands, Mike looked at Selena and said, “So…” Selena ignored him and continued to walk off to her desk. Mike followed her. “So…is this the way to my new desk?” he smirked. Selena continued to ignore him as she walked to her desk.
Once they passed Jennifer’s desk, Jennifer smiled and hopped up from her seat and rushed toward Mike. “Oh, oh, oh…hi there!” Jennifer exclaimed.
Mike turned around to face her and shook her hand to greet her. “Hi.” He said with a warm smile.
“My name is Jennifer Stone. Im the Lieutenant’s assistant, slash office secretary, slash office coordinator …and pretty much anything else.” She giggled as she flipped her red wavy hair behind her shoulders. “Allow me to show you to your desk.” She said as she started to sway her hips in front of Mike.
Mike gave Selena one last look before following Jennifer to his new desk.
Selena sat at her desk and started to shuffle around some paperwork. She could really careless what Jennifer and Mike were doing at the moment.
Seconds later, Jennifer pranced her way back over to Selena’s desk. “Oh my God! Girl, you have a sexy new partner. Can you tell the way his muscles flex when he walks?”
Selena looked up at Jennifer with a frown. “What are you talking about? You can’t see his muscles flex.”
Jennifer laughed. “Okay, so I imagined him naked…so sue me!”
Selena giggled as she shook her head looking back down at her paperwork.
As Jennifer continued to gush at Mike, Mike walked over to them with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face. “So…partner. What’s on our agenda today?”
Jennifer smiled and walked away leaving the two to talk.
Selena continued to look down at her paperwork. “I don’t know what YOU are going to do, but I have work to do.”
Mike stared at Selena for a moment as if sizing her up. Her low cut blue top she wore gave Mike a good angle to look down her shirt from where he stood. Selena could feel his eyes burn into her. “Why don’t you take a fucking picture already and get it over with.” Selena said without looking up.
Mike chuckled. He grabbed an empty, armless chair from another desk and pushed it up against Selena’s desk as he sat down straddling the chair. He propped his arms on the back of the chair looking at Selena. “So, I heard about you. I heard you would give me a hard time. I heard you would take me to hell and see the devil himself and leave me high and dry. You’re certainly living up to it my dear.”
Selena replied coldly, “Im not your dear.”
Mike raised his hands up in defense. “My fault.” Mike paused. “So, how about you show me around Chicago and we go grab a bite to eat? I can’t believe there are no coffee and donuts around here. Unless the lieutenant is the one who ate it all.”
Selena chuckled with a slight smile because she knew he was referring to Lt. Banks’ round belly.
“Ah-ha! So she does smile!” Mike said proudly finally breaking the ice with her.
Selena’s smile slowly faded as she looked at him annoyed. She then replied, “I don’t eat breakfast.”
“Well, how about you come watch me eat. This man has got to eat.” He smirked and winked at Selena.
Selena rolled her eyes and reluctantly agreed.
Moments later, Mike and Selena were sitting in a booth at a restaurant called Lou Mitchell’s. As Selena slid into the booth, she complained, “I still can’t believe you’re the asshole who took my parking space.”
“Really, Ramirez? Are we still talking about that?”
“Yes.”
Mike took off his coat and picked up the menu annoyed. Changing the subject, he said, “So are you sure this is the best place to eat breakfast here in Chicago?”
“I have no reason to lie.” Selena replied coldly.
As if on cue, the waitress approached their table. “What can I get for you fine couple?”
“Oh, please…” Selena quickly responded waving off the waitress, “...we are NOT a couple.”
Mike raised an eyebrow at Selena as if to say, “Damn.”
The waitress apologized.
“I’ll have a small coffee…black.” Selena said calmly placing her order with the waitress.
“And you, sir?” the waitress asked Mike.
Mike looked up at the waitress reading her name tag. “Tonya, is it?”
She nodded with a smile.
“Well, Tonya, I definitely want more than just coffee. I’ll take a large glass of OJ. And let me get a uhmmm…Belgium malted pecan waffle with an order of French toast. Three eggs - scrambled hard with cheese…4 bacon strips – extra crispy please. Oh and, can I get grape jelly and fresh strawberries. And hot strawberry syrup, please.” Mike smiled and handed the waitress his menu.
Selena looked at Mike with disgust. The waitress smiled and walked away.
Mike noticed the disgusted look on Selena’s face. “What? I told you I was hungry.” Mike smirked.
Selena rolled her eyes again.
After several minutes of awkward silence or of Mike trying to converse with Selena, the waitress approached their table with Mike’s food. Mike rubbed his hands together as if he were trying to contact friction between his hands. “Yum.” He said as he kept his eyes on his food. As he started to dig in to his food, Mike continued, “So…Ramirez…what’s your story?”
Selena took a sip of her coffee and place it down on the table. “What do you mean, what’s my story?”
“I mean…tell me about yourself.” He said with a mouthful of eggs in his mouth.
Selena gave him the disgusted look once again. “Eat with your mouth closed much?”
Mike smiled as he continued to chomp down his food. Once he swallowed his food, he responded, “My fault. Not very gentleman like is it?”
“Why don’t you tell me your story first.”
Mike took a couple more bites of his food and gulped down his orange juice before responding. “Well…I have two siblings: An older sister who lives in Florida with her husband and two kids; and a younger brother who is probably somewhere in California in jail somewhere. He’s a troublemaker. Always in and out of jail almost all his life. Both of my parents are deceased. They died in a car accident when I was 14 years old. My sister who was 17 at the time had to raise my brother and I even though we lived with our grandparents. I enrolled into the marines…I later became an officer, and went from detective of narcotics to homicide within a matter of 8 years. I stayed in Pittsburgh to take care of my grandparents as I worked. Now they have both passed away, and I was looking for a change, and decided to move here to Chicago. Now here I am, 30 years old, single with no kids…” He paused and smiled, “..well, no kids that I know of.”
Selena sipped on her coffee as she listened intently to his background story.
“So…tell me about you.” Mike quickly dug back into his food.
Selena sighed and started. “Im the only child. Lived in Chicago all my life. Both of my parents are alive. And, I have been a homicide detective for 5 years.” Selena finished and took another sip of her coffee.
Mike paused in the middle of chewing his food. He was waiting for her to continue her story. He couldn’t believe how short she kept her story. He slightly waved his fork. “That’s it? That’s your story?”
“That’s all you need to know.” She replied coldly.
Mike nodded slowly. He continued to eat his food.
After several minutes of awkward silence, Mike finished his food. The waitress approached their table. “Can I get you two any dessert or anything?”
Selena responded no.
Mike leaned away from the table pushing his plate away feeling stuffed. “Oh geez…Im so full. But I think I will take an apple pie to go.”
The waitress smiled, taking his plates away, and walked off.
Selena started to dig into her purse to pay for her coffee.
“Please, its my treat.” Mike smiled with pleasure.
“Oh wow! Big spender.” Selena said with sarcasm.
Mike chuckled and ignored her sarcasm. As he dug for his wallet in his back pocket, Mike asked, “So I never heard you say anything about being married. Are you or were you?”
“No.” she responded flatly.
“No you’re not married, or no you were never married?”
“Look, there is no ring on my finger, alright.”
“Kids?”
“You’re really nosey.” Selena replied in aggravation.
“My fault. Just trying to get to know my partner, that’s all.”
“Well, don’t get used to it….” She paused trying to remember his name.
“Jonas. Mike Jonas.” Mike responded with a smile helping her to finish her sentence.
“…Jonas, or whatever the hell your name is.” Selena was starting to get annoyed by how much he smiled at her. No one could smile that much in one day, could they? What the hell was he smiling about anyway? Selena thought as she rolled her eyes. Selena’s cell phone began to ring. She saw that it was Lt. Banks. He wanted the two of them back at the office. He had a new case for them. As soon as Selena ended her call with Lt. Banks, the waitress had dropped of Mike’s apple pie and picked up his money for the tab. Mike waited to hear what Selena had to say about the lieutenant calling her. Selena scooted out of the booth and stood up. “Well…Jonas…looks like you’re about to work on your first case here in Chicago. Let’s go.”
Selena sighed as she stepped off the elevator to her department floor; Homicide. “I made it. Finally.” Selena thought to herself.
As she walked to her desk, Lt. Banks' assistant walked up closely behind her. “Well, good morning, Selena.” Jennifer Stone the assistant said in a sing song voice.
“Hey, Jennifer. Look, I know im late, so spare me the lecture.”
Jennifer smiled from ear to ear, “Don’t worry, I won’t. I’ll leave that up to the lieutenant to do that.” Jennifer was a morning person, unlike Selena. She was always so bubbly and chipper. It sometimes got on Selena’s nerves, but Selena felt Jennifer was a good person. Someone she truly trusted other than the lieutenant.
Selena stopped at her desk putting her belongings down. Jennifer stopped in front of her desk and handed her some papers. “What’s this?” Selena asked puzzled as she took the papers from Jennifer.
“The files you wanted from that company in Indiana you asked for 2 months ago on that minor case you took. They finally submitted it.” Jennifer said in a chipper tone.
“Thanks.” Selena said as she rolled her eyes.
Jennifer smiled and started to walk away when she stopped. “By the way, Sel…you might want to let the lieutenant know you are here. He’s been asking for you.”
“Great. Thanks.”
Selena tightened her ponytail and made her way over to the lieutenant’s office. She briefly knocked on the door and opened it before Lieutenant Banks could respond to her knock. “Hola, Lieutenant! Sorry Im late. Some jackass took my park and –“ Selena stopped herself when she realized the lieutenant had company in his office. “Oh…Im sorry…I’ll come back.” Selena said apologetic.
“No, no…come on in Ramirez. I want you to meet somebody.” Lt. Banks said as he stood up from his chair. The gentleman who was sitting across from Lt. Banks also stood up to face Selena. Lt. Banks continued, “Ramirez…this is Detective Mike Jonas from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jonas, this is Detective Selena Ramirez…your new partner.”
Detective Mike Jonas smiled and extended his hand to greet Selena. “Hey, how you doing?”
Selena looked at him for a moment. He was tall with an athletic physique. His hair was cut short and trim along the sides, yet slightly curly at the top. When he smiled, Selena could see a small dimple in his right cheek. His light brown eyes appeared genuinely happy as he smiled. He wore a black and white pin stripe shirt and a black tie, with gray slacks and a four buttoned gray vest with a black leather shoulder gun holster. Selena had to admit to herself, the man was hot. However, she didn’t want him to know that. He seemed to have the persona as if he knew he was hot and every woman wanted him in the way he smiled. Selena looked down at his hand extended to her. “Are you going to shake my hand or are you just gonna leave me hanging?” He said in a mellow tone.
Before Selena could make a remark, she heard Lt. Banks clear his throat loudly as if telling Selena to behave. Selena slowly extended her hand out and shook Mike’s hand. “Hi.” Selena said coldly.
Mike continued to smile as he shook her hand.
“Well, alrighty then…you two get to know each other and go do some work.” Lt. Banks said as he rushed them out of his office. Before Selena could exit from his office, Lt. Banks continued in a harsh tone, “Ramirez, you’re late. Don’t push your luck.”
Selena nodded and said, “Yes, sir.” And continued to walk out of his office.
Holding his coat and briefcase in his hands, Mike looked at Selena and said, “So…” Selena ignored him and continued to walk off to her desk. Mike followed her. “So…is this the way to my new desk?” he smirked. Selena continued to ignore him as she walked to her desk.
Once they passed Jennifer’s desk, Jennifer smiled and hopped up from her seat and rushed toward Mike. “Oh, oh, oh…hi there!” Jennifer exclaimed.
Mike turned around to face her and shook her hand to greet her. “Hi.” He said with a warm smile.
“My name is Jennifer Stone. Im the Lieutenant’s assistant, slash office secretary, slash office coordinator …and pretty much anything else.” She giggled as she flipped her red wavy hair behind her shoulders. “Allow me to show you to your desk.” She said as she started to sway her hips in front of Mike.
Mike gave Selena one last look before following Jennifer to his new desk.
Selena sat at her desk and started to shuffle around some paperwork. She could really careless what Jennifer and Mike were doing at the moment.
Seconds later, Jennifer pranced her way back over to Selena’s desk. “Oh my God! Girl, you have a sexy new partner. Can you tell the way his muscles flex when he walks?”
Selena looked up at Jennifer with a frown. “What are you talking about? You can’t see his muscles flex.”
Jennifer laughed. “Okay, so I imagined him naked…so sue me!”
Selena giggled as she shook her head looking back down at her paperwork.
As Jennifer continued to gush at Mike, Mike walked over to them with his hands in his pockets and a smile on his face. “So…partner. What’s on our agenda today?”
Jennifer smiled and walked away leaving the two to talk.
Selena continued to look down at her paperwork. “I don’t know what YOU are going to do, but I have work to do.”
Mike stared at Selena for a moment as if sizing her up. Her low cut blue top she wore gave Mike a good angle to look down her shirt from where he stood. Selena could feel his eyes burn into her. “Why don’t you take a fucking picture already and get it over with.” Selena said without looking up.
Mike chuckled. He grabbed an empty, armless chair from another desk and pushed it up against Selena’s desk as he sat down straddling the chair. He propped his arms on the back of the chair looking at Selena. “So, I heard about you. I heard you would give me a hard time. I heard you would take me to hell and see the devil himself and leave me high and dry. You’re certainly living up to it my dear.”
Selena replied coldly, “Im not your dear.”
Mike raised his hands up in defense. “My fault.” Mike paused. “So, how about you show me around Chicago and we go grab a bite to eat? I can’t believe there are no coffee and donuts around here. Unless the lieutenant is the one who ate it all.”
Selena chuckled with a slight smile because she knew he was referring to Lt. Banks’ round belly.
“Ah-ha! So she does smile!” Mike said proudly finally breaking the ice with her.
Selena’s smile slowly faded as she looked at him annoyed. She then replied, “I don’t eat breakfast.”
“Well, how about you come watch me eat. This man has got to eat.” He smirked and winked at Selena.
Selena rolled her eyes and reluctantly agreed.
Moments later, Mike and Selena were sitting in a booth at a restaurant called Lou Mitchell’s. As Selena slid into the booth, she complained, “I still can’t believe you’re the asshole who took my parking space.”
“Really, Ramirez? Are we still talking about that?”
“Yes.”
Mike took off his coat and picked up the menu annoyed. Changing the subject, he said, “So are you sure this is the best place to eat breakfast here in Chicago?”
“I have no reason to lie.” Selena replied coldly.
As if on cue, the waitress approached their table. “What can I get for you fine couple?”
“Oh, please…” Selena quickly responded waving off the waitress, “...we are NOT a couple.”
Mike raised an eyebrow at Selena as if to say, “Damn.”
The waitress apologized.
“I’ll have a small coffee…black.” Selena said calmly placing her order with the waitress.
“And you, sir?” the waitress asked Mike.
Mike looked up at the waitress reading her name tag. “Tonya, is it?”
She nodded with a smile.
“Well, Tonya, I definitely want more than just coffee. I’ll take a large glass of OJ. And let me get a uhmmm…Belgium malted pecan waffle with an order of French toast. Three eggs - scrambled hard with cheese…4 bacon strips – extra crispy please. Oh and, can I get grape jelly and fresh strawberries. And hot strawberry syrup, please.” Mike smiled and handed the waitress his menu.
Selena looked at Mike with disgust. The waitress smiled and walked away.
Mike noticed the disgusted look on Selena’s face. “What? I told you I was hungry.” Mike smirked.
Selena rolled her eyes again.
After several minutes of awkward silence or of Mike trying to converse with Selena, the waitress approached their table with Mike’s food. Mike rubbed his hands together as if he were trying to contact friction between his hands. “Yum.” He said as he kept his eyes on his food. As he started to dig in to his food, Mike continued, “So…Ramirez…what’s your story?”
Selena took a sip of her coffee and place it down on the table. “What do you mean, what’s my story?”
“I mean…tell me about yourself.” He said with a mouthful of eggs in his mouth.
Selena gave him the disgusted look once again. “Eat with your mouth closed much?”
Mike smiled as he continued to chomp down his food. Once he swallowed his food, he responded, “My fault. Not very gentleman like is it?”
“Why don’t you tell me your story first.”
Mike took a couple more bites of his food and gulped down his orange juice before responding. “Well…I have two siblings: An older sister who lives in Florida with her husband and two kids; and a younger brother who is probably somewhere in California in jail somewhere. He’s a troublemaker. Always in and out of jail almost all his life. Both of my parents are deceased. They died in a car accident when I was 14 years old. My sister who was 17 at the time had to raise my brother and I even though we lived with our grandparents. I enrolled into the marines…I later became an officer, and went from detective of narcotics to homicide within a matter of 8 years. I stayed in Pittsburgh to take care of my grandparents as I worked. Now they have both passed away, and I was looking for a change, and decided to move here to Chicago. Now here I am, 30 years old, single with no kids…” He paused and smiled, “..well, no kids that I know of.”
Selena sipped on her coffee as she listened intently to his background story.
“So…tell me about you.” Mike quickly dug back into his food.
Selena sighed and started. “Im the only child. Lived in Chicago all my life. Both of my parents are alive. And, I have been a homicide detective for 5 years.” Selena finished and took another sip of her coffee.
Mike paused in the middle of chewing his food. He was waiting for her to continue her story. He couldn’t believe how short she kept her story. He slightly waved his fork. “That’s it? That’s your story?”
“That’s all you need to know.” She replied coldly.
Mike nodded slowly. He continued to eat his food.
After several minutes of awkward silence, Mike finished his food. The waitress approached their table. “Can I get you two any dessert or anything?”
Selena responded no.
Mike leaned away from the table pushing his plate away feeling stuffed. “Oh geez…Im so full. But I think I will take an apple pie to go.”
The waitress smiled, taking his plates away, and walked off.
Selena started to dig into her purse to pay for her coffee.
“Please, its my treat.” Mike smiled with pleasure.
“Oh wow! Big spender.” Selena said with sarcasm.
Mike chuckled and ignored her sarcasm. As he dug for his wallet in his back pocket, Mike asked, “So I never heard you say anything about being married. Are you or were you?”
“No.” she responded flatly.
“No you’re not married, or no you were never married?”
“Look, there is no ring on my finger, alright.”
“Kids?”
“You’re really nosey.” Selena replied in aggravation.
“My fault. Just trying to get to know my partner, that’s all.”
“Well, don’t get used to it….” She paused trying to remember his name.
“Jonas. Mike Jonas.” Mike responded with a smile helping her to finish her sentence.
“…Jonas, or whatever the hell your name is.” Selena was starting to get annoyed by how much he smiled at her. No one could smile that much in one day, could they? What the hell was he smiling about anyway? Selena thought as she rolled her eyes. Selena’s cell phone began to ring. She saw that it was Lt. Banks. He wanted the two of them back at the office. He had a new case for them. As soon as Selena ended her call with Lt. Banks, the waitress had dropped of Mike’s apple pie and picked up his money for the tab. Mike waited to hear what Selena had to say about the lieutenant calling her. Selena scooted out of the booth and stood up. “Well…Jonas…looks like you’re about to work on your first case here in Chicago. Let’s go.”
4/10/11
Chapter 3
Selena and Mike both walk into Lieutenant Banks office. Selena walks in first and take a seat. As Mike comes thru the door, the lieutenant says, “Jonas, close the door behind you, will ya.” Mike closes the door and sits down beside Selena and waits for the lieutenant to speak.
“What you got Lieutenant?” Selena asks.
In a firm and serious tone the lieutenant starts, “Lindsey Cyrus. Age 18. She has been missing for a week and a half now. Her parents say she was scheduled to go on a ski trip with a group of students from her graduating class for a winter experience in the mountains. When they were scheduled to come back from the trip, Lindsey was nowhere to be found. In fact, the school advisors confirmed that Lindsey never made it to go on the trip. According to the school, she wasn’t even assigned or approved to go on the trip. Since the “so-called” schedule date back from the trip, its been 3 days and still no word from Lindsey.”
“The parents didn’t get suspicious when they didn’t hear from their daughter when she was supposed to be on the trip? No, ‘hey mom, dad, I’m here, I’m okay’? They didn’t wonder?” Mike said thoughtfully.
Thinking about his logical reasoning, the lieutenant responded, “Hmm. Something to think about, Jonas. That’s why I want you two to get on it. Let’s find this girl before she’s found dead somewhere. And if she is found dead, then let’s find out who and why. But we don’t want to think like that. Let’s hope this girl is still alive.”
Mike nodded as well as Selena.
The lieutenant noticed that Selena remained silent. He then realized that this case may end the same way it did when she worked on a case with her old partner Denzel. This would be the first major case she would take since Denzel’s death. “Sel, I know this will be difficult, but you gotta move on. I have faith in you, and I know you can do this. I put you on this for two reasons. One, you and Mike put together is the best I got. And second, you two are available. Now get outta here and do some work will ya!” the lieutenant finished.
Selena smiled and nodded. That was her way of saying thanks to the Lieutenant for finally trusting her with a bigger case. Even if it wasn’t a true homicide case, yet, it was a start. She knows she has to move on. Selena got up and took the folder with the files in it from the lieutenant, and walked out of his office.
Mike stood up and saying to the Lieutenant, “Yes, sir.” And followed Selena out of the office.
Selena puts on her leather jacket and then tightens her ponytail without taking her hair all the way down. Looking back at Mike, Selena says, “I’ll drive.”
Putting on his leather jacket, Mike replied, “Cool, let’s roll out.”
Riding in Selena’s car, Mike looks thru the files in the folder from the lieutenant. Selena glances over at Mike and asks, “What’s the address again?”
Fumbling thru the papers, Mike finally responds, “Uh, 2506 Zindo 3rd St. That’s Zindo, Z-I-N-“
“I know how to spell Zindo, Jonas. Thank you very much.” Selena said interrupting him with a slight attitude.
Putting up both hands in defense, Mike replied, “Okay, okay. My fault.”
“What you got Lieutenant?” Selena asks.
In a firm and serious tone the lieutenant starts, “Lindsey Cyrus. Age 18. She has been missing for a week and a half now. Her parents say she was scheduled to go on a ski trip with a group of students from her graduating class for a winter experience in the mountains. When they were scheduled to come back from the trip, Lindsey was nowhere to be found. In fact, the school advisors confirmed that Lindsey never made it to go on the trip. According to the school, she wasn’t even assigned or approved to go on the trip. Since the “so-called” schedule date back from the trip, its been 3 days and still no word from Lindsey.”
“The parents didn’t get suspicious when they didn’t hear from their daughter when she was supposed to be on the trip? No, ‘hey mom, dad, I’m here, I’m okay’? They didn’t wonder?” Mike said thoughtfully.
Thinking about his logical reasoning, the lieutenant responded, “Hmm. Something to think about, Jonas. That’s why I want you two to get on it. Let’s find this girl before she’s found dead somewhere. And if she is found dead, then let’s find out who and why. But we don’t want to think like that. Let’s hope this girl is still alive.”
Mike nodded as well as Selena.
The lieutenant noticed that Selena remained silent. He then realized that this case may end the same way it did when she worked on a case with her old partner Denzel. This would be the first major case she would take since Denzel’s death. “Sel, I know this will be difficult, but you gotta move on. I have faith in you, and I know you can do this. I put you on this for two reasons. One, you and Mike put together is the best I got. And second, you two are available. Now get outta here and do some work will ya!” the lieutenant finished.
Selena smiled and nodded. That was her way of saying thanks to the Lieutenant for finally trusting her with a bigger case. Even if it wasn’t a true homicide case, yet, it was a start. She knows she has to move on. Selena got up and took the folder with the files in it from the lieutenant, and walked out of his office.
Mike stood up and saying to the Lieutenant, “Yes, sir.” And followed Selena out of the office.
Selena puts on her leather jacket and then tightens her ponytail without taking her hair all the way down. Looking back at Mike, Selena says, “I’ll drive.”
Putting on his leather jacket, Mike replied, “Cool, let’s roll out.”
Riding in Selena’s car, Mike looks thru the files in the folder from the lieutenant. Selena glances over at Mike and asks, “What’s the address again?”
Fumbling thru the papers, Mike finally responds, “Uh, 2506 Zindo 3rd St. That’s Zindo, Z-I-N-“
“I know how to spell Zindo, Jonas. Thank you very much.” Selena said interrupting him with a slight attitude.
Putting up both hands in defense, Mike replied, “Okay, okay. My fault.”
Minutes later, they reached the house of the Cyrus’s home and Selena rung the doorbell. Seconds later, the door cracks open, wide enough to extend the chain to the door. A blue-eyed pale white woman with thinning black hair answered the door. “Yes?” she answered.
With both Selena and Mike showing their police badges, Selena replied, “Mrs. Cyrus? Detective Selena Ramirez and Detective Mike Jonas…we understand that you have reported your daughter, Lindsey Cyrus missing.” Selena finished in almost a question rather than a statement.
The woman nodded repeatedly. She closed the door to unhook the chain to the door. As she closed the door, the woman called out for someone, apparently in the rear of the house. “Jack!”
Selena looked back at Mike. Mike said nothing, he only slightly shrugged his shoulders.
The woman opened the door wider and gestured for them to come in. “Please, come in.” As both Selena and Mark stepped into the woman’s house, she closed the door behind them. A slim man, slightly balding at the crown of his head, was coming down the stairs to join the woman. The woman appeared to have bags under her eyes as if she had been crying all day and haven’t slept in days. The woman walked toward the man who had come down the stairs. “Honey, this is detectives…”
Introducing herself, Selena spoke first, “Detective Selena Ramirez.
Then Mike introduced himself, “Detective Mike Jonas.”
The woman continued, “Yes, Detectives Ramirez and Jonas. Thery’re going to help us find Lindsey.”
“Well, what we want to do first, Mrs. Cyrus, is ask a few questions and look around…if that’s okay?” said Mike.
“Yes, by all means please do so. And please, call me Vivian. And this is my husband, Jack.” She said as she nervously puffed her cigarette.
“Hello.” Selena said to Jack. “Uhm, Vivian, do you have a picture of Lindsey, so we can get an idea of how she looks?” Taking another puff of her cigarette, Vivian replied, “Yes.” She walked over to a small photo hanging on the wall. It was a picture of Lindsey when she was younger.
With both Selena and Mike showing their police badges, Selena replied, “Mrs. Cyrus? Detective Selena Ramirez and Detective Mike Jonas…we understand that you have reported your daughter, Lindsey Cyrus missing.” Selena finished in almost a question rather than a statement.
The woman nodded repeatedly. She closed the door to unhook the chain to the door. As she closed the door, the woman called out for someone, apparently in the rear of the house. “Jack!”
Selena looked back at Mike. Mike said nothing, he only slightly shrugged his shoulders.
The woman opened the door wider and gestured for them to come in. “Please, come in.” As both Selena and Mark stepped into the woman’s house, she closed the door behind them. A slim man, slightly balding at the crown of his head, was coming down the stairs to join the woman. The woman appeared to have bags under her eyes as if she had been crying all day and haven’t slept in days. The woman walked toward the man who had come down the stairs. “Honey, this is detectives…”
Introducing herself, Selena spoke first, “Detective Selena Ramirez.
Then Mike introduced himself, “Detective Mike Jonas.”
The woman continued, “Yes, Detectives Ramirez and Jonas. Thery’re going to help us find Lindsey.”
“Well, what we want to do first, Mrs. Cyrus, is ask a few questions and look around…if that’s okay?” said Mike.
“Yes, by all means please do so. And please, call me Vivian. And this is my husband, Jack.” She said as she nervously puffed her cigarette.
“Hello.” Selena said to Jack. “Uhm, Vivian, do you have a picture of Lindsey, so we can get an idea of how she looks?” Taking another puff of her cigarette, Vivian replied, “Yes.” She walked over to a small photo hanging on the wall. It was a picture of Lindsey when she was younger.
“This is my baby.” She handed the picture over to Selena with a slight tremble.
Selena nodded as she took the picture. “Perhaps, you have a more recent picture?” Selena asked.
“A picture that is maybe a size five by seven, that we can keep for our records?” Mike added.
Vivian took another puff of her cigarette. “Oh, yes. Im sorry.”
She directed them to a glass cabinet full of pictures of family and friends. “We have plenty. But you can have this one. This picture was taken right at the start of her senior year in high school.”
She took the picture out of the frame and handed it to Selena.
Selena nodded as she took the picture. “Perhaps, you have a more recent picture?” Selena asked.
“A picture that is maybe a size five by seven, that we can keep for our records?” Mike added.
Vivian took another puff of her cigarette. “Oh, yes. Im sorry.”
She directed them to a glass cabinet full of pictures of family and friends. “We have plenty. But you can have this one. This picture was taken right at the start of her senior year in high school.”
She took the picture out of the frame and handed it to Selena.
“She’s a pretty girl.” Selena said mainly to Mike but loud enough for the parents to hear.
Mike nodded in agreement as he took the picture from Selena. “Does she wear glasses or contacts? What about any health problems?” Mike asked.
Before Vivian or her husband Jack, had a chance to respond, Selena asked in accordance to his questions, “Boyfriend?” “No, she doesn't wear glasses or contacts. Those are her natural beautiful blue eyes and her natural reddish brown hair. She was in perfect health…and she never really told us anything about her social life.” Vivian said taking another puff of her cigarette.
“Well, she did always have this one guy call her –“ Vivian’s husband, Jack responded.
“Jack, please.” Vivian interrupted him. She gave him a look as if to say ‘don’t say anything.’
“No, Vivian, the police should know. His name is Taylor Lowry. He’s in Lindsey’s graduating class.” Jack continued.
Selena looked at Mike as if to say, ‘write down that info Jack just gave.’
Mike saw the look and wrote down the notes.
Jack continued, “I think they dated or something. But he used to call her all the time, I’d say, harassing Lindsey.”
“Jack,” Vivian said elbowing Jack in the arm gently, as if telling him to stop.
“Well it’s true!” Jack said to his wife.
“You say, he used to…has there been any recent calls? Like maybe before her disappearance?” Selena asked.
They both shook their heads no. Vivian then replied, “No, I don’t think so.” She took another puff.
“Can we see her room?” Mike asked. “Yes, it’s upstairs. Follow me.” Vivian responded.
Both Selena and Mike followed Vivian and Jack upstairs to Lindsey’s bedroom. Lindsey’s bedroom had pictures of music entertainers and movie actors decorated on her walls. Mainly pictures of the movie star, Shia Labeouf. Her room had a pink look to it. Vivian blurted out, “Pink is her favorite color.”
“Does she keep a journal?” Selena asked as she walked around looking at her wall of pictures.
“No, I don’t think so. She’s always into her laptop computer.” Vivian said as she picked up the laptop and held it against her chest. Vivian continued, “No one can get into it. She has some sort of password on it…that’s why I don’t think she ran away or anything. All of her stuff is still here. She never goes anywhere without this laptop.” She finished and took another puff of her cigarette.
Looking at Lindsey’s dresser mirror with pictures stuck on the side, Mike noticed Lindsey and two other girls with her smiling with emphasis for the camera. Pointing at the picture, Mike asked, “Who are these two young ladies with Lindsey?” Vivian turned to look at Mike. She walked over to the dresser, and looked at the pictures Mike was referring to.
Mike nodded in agreement as he took the picture from Selena. “Does she wear glasses or contacts? What about any health problems?” Mike asked.
Before Vivian or her husband Jack, had a chance to respond, Selena asked in accordance to his questions, “Boyfriend?” “No, she doesn't wear glasses or contacts. Those are her natural beautiful blue eyes and her natural reddish brown hair. She was in perfect health…and she never really told us anything about her social life.” Vivian said taking another puff of her cigarette.
“Well, she did always have this one guy call her –“ Vivian’s husband, Jack responded.
“Jack, please.” Vivian interrupted him. She gave him a look as if to say ‘don’t say anything.’
“No, Vivian, the police should know. His name is Taylor Lowry. He’s in Lindsey’s graduating class.” Jack continued.
Selena looked at Mike as if to say, ‘write down that info Jack just gave.’
Mike saw the look and wrote down the notes.
Jack continued, “I think they dated or something. But he used to call her all the time, I’d say, harassing Lindsey.”
“Jack,” Vivian said elbowing Jack in the arm gently, as if telling him to stop.
“Well it’s true!” Jack said to his wife.
“You say, he used to…has there been any recent calls? Like maybe before her disappearance?” Selena asked.
They both shook their heads no. Vivian then replied, “No, I don’t think so.” She took another puff.
“Can we see her room?” Mike asked. “Yes, it’s upstairs. Follow me.” Vivian responded.
Both Selena and Mike followed Vivian and Jack upstairs to Lindsey’s bedroom. Lindsey’s bedroom had pictures of music entertainers and movie actors decorated on her walls. Mainly pictures of the movie star, Shia Labeouf. Her room had a pink look to it. Vivian blurted out, “Pink is her favorite color.”
“Does she keep a journal?” Selena asked as she walked around looking at her wall of pictures.
“No, I don’t think so. She’s always into her laptop computer.” Vivian said as she picked up the laptop and held it against her chest. Vivian continued, “No one can get into it. She has some sort of password on it…that’s why I don’t think she ran away or anything. All of her stuff is still here. She never goes anywhere without this laptop.” She finished and took another puff of her cigarette.
Looking at Lindsey’s dresser mirror with pictures stuck on the side, Mike noticed Lindsey and two other girls with her smiling with emphasis for the camera. Pointing at the picture, Mike asked, “Who are these two young ladies with Lindsey?” Vivian turned to look at Mike. She walked over to the dresser, and looked at the pictures Mike was referring to.
“Oh, those are her friends. The one with the long curly blonde hair is Carrie Swift, and the one with the red hair is Haley Williams.”
“Did they go on this ski trip that you thought Lindsey was on?” Mike asked.
“Yes, they went. They all went for their senior class trip. As a matter of fact, Carrie was the one who called to let us know they were back from the trip, because she called to speak to Lindsey.” Vivian said taking another puff.
Selena stepped up closer to Mike and Vivian asking, “Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus, is there anything special or distinct about Lindsey that we should know about? Piercings, tattoos, etc?”
As if to be reassured, Vivian looked back at her husband, Jack while answering, “Uhm, no. Not that I know of.”
Jack agreed answering, “No.”
“I mean yeah, she had the regular left and right piercings in her ears, but that’s it.”
“Okay. Before her disappearance, to your knowledge, what was the conversation like with you all?” Selena asked.
“Well, she had just been stuck in her room a lot. I think she was on her laptop or so. And she was always on the phone.” Vivian said taking her last puff of smoke before throwing away the butt of the cigarette.
“So, you guys all got along great with each other?” asked Mike.
“Well, I mean, it wasn’t always the best, but we were okay. She never tried to disrespect us in any way.” Vivian responded.
Wrapping things up, Selena said, “Okay. Thank you for your time Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus. We are going to try our best to get the answers to your questions on the where abouts of your daughter.”
“Thank you detective.” Vivian said to Selena , she then turned to Mike and thanked him as well.
Mike nodded. He picked up Lindsey’s laptop and asked, “Do you mind if we take this with us? Maybe have a computer specialist look at it, so we can take a look inside. And as soon as we get in, we will let you know what we find.”
“Yes, please, take it. I wish you could take everything here.”
Once Selena and Mike walked out of the house and closer to the car, Mike stated, “I think they’re hiding something.” Selena waited until they were both in the car to respond. “What makes you say that, Sherlock?” Selena thought Mike may have been jumping to conclusions too quickly.
Mike smiled at her sarcastic response. He then replied with a wink, “Elementary my dear Watson…elementary.” He then looked down at Lindsey’s picture, and continued, “But seriously though, the girl is only 18 years old. She had a birthday a couple of months ago. I heard of parents letting go of their kids, but there is just too much of nothing that her parents don’t know about her.
Sarcastically, Selena replied, “They know her favorite color is pink.”
Mike ignored her sarcasm saying, “And the mother, for some reason, didn’t want Pops to tell us about…” Mike paused as he looked for a name, ‘”…about Taylor Lowry…an old boyfriend.”
“Yeah , well lets not get ahead of ourselves. What’s the address for Carrie, Lindsey’s friend? Let's see what she knows.” Selena stated.
“Did they go on this ski trip that you thought Lindsey was on?” Mike asked.
“Yes, they went. They all went for their senior class trip. As a matter of fact, Carrie was the one who called to let us know they were back from the trip, because she called to speak to Lindsey.” Vivian said taking another puff.
Selena stepped up closer to Mike and Vivian asking, “Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus, is there anything special or distinct about Lindsey that we should know about? Piercings, tattoos, etc?”
As if to be reassured, Vivian looked back at her husband, Jack while answering, “Uhm, no. Not that I know of.”
Jack agreed answering, “No.”
“I mean yeah, she had the regular left and right piercings in her ears, but that’s it.”
“Okay. Before her disappearance, to your knowledge, what was the conversation like with you all?” Selena asked.
“Well, she had just been stuck in her room a lot. I think she was on her laptop or so. And she was always on the phone.” Vivian said taking her last puff of smoke before throwing away the butt of the cigarette.
“So, you guys all got along great with each other?” asked Mike.
“Well, I mean, it wasn’t always the best, but we were okay. She never tried to disrespect us in any way.” Vivian responded.
Wrapping things up, Selena said, “Okay. Thank you for your time Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus. We are going to try our best to get the answers to your questions on the where abouts of your daughter.”
“Thank you detective.” Vivian said to Selena , she then turned to Mike and thanked him as well.
Mike nodded. He picked up Lindsey’s laptop and asked, “Do you mind if we take this with us? Maybe have a computer specialist look at it, so we can take a look inside. And as soon as we get in, we will let you know what we find.”
“Yes, please, take it. I wish you could take everything here.”
Once Selena and Mike walked out of the house and closer to the car, Mike stated, “I think they’re hiding something.” Selena waited until they were both in the car to respond. “What makes you say that, Sherlock?” Selena thought Mike may have been jumping to conclusions too quickly.
Mike smiled at her sarcastic response. He then replied with a wink, “Elementary my dear Watson…elementary.” He then looked down at Lindsey’s picture, and continued, “But seriously though, the girl is only 18 years old. She had a birthday a couple of months ago. I heard of parents letting go of their kids, but there is just too much of nothing that her parents don’t know about her.
Sarcastically, Selena replied, “They know her favorite color is pink.”
Mike ignored her sarcasm saying, “And the mother, for some reason, didn’t want Pops to tell us about…” Mike paused as he looked for a name, ‘”…about Taylor Lowry…an old boyfriend.”
“Yeah , well lets not get ahead of ourselves. What’s the address for Carrie, Lindsey’s friend? Let's see what she knows.” Selena stated.
4/12/11
Chapter 4
Selena and Mike arrived at Carrie Swift’s place of residence. A girl with blonde curly hair answered the door. “Hello?” the girl answered.
“Hi, Detective Selena Ramirez and this is Detective Mike Jonas,” Selena replied as both Selena and Mike showed their badges. Selena continued, “…are you Carrie Swift?”
“Yes.” Carried answered puzzled.
“We were wondering if we could come in and ask you a few questions regarding the disappearance of Lindsey Cyrus?” Selena stated.
Carrie hesitated as she looked back into her apartment and then back at both Selena and Mike. “Well, actually, I was getting ready for work. I have to be there at twelve.”
“It’ll only take a few minutes.” Mike said as he proceeded to calmly make his way inside the apartment. Carrie reluctantly allowed them to come in as she sighed loudly.
Mike noticed that it appeared she had no parental guidance in the apartment. “Live alone, Ms. Swift?”
Sounding nervous, Carrie replied, “Uhm, no. I live with my boyfriend, Jake.”
“Jake…?” Mike asked waiting for her to fill in the blank with Jake’s last name.
“Gyllenhal. Jake Gyllenhal. Look, am I in some kind of trouble or something?” Carrie asked nervously.
“No, not at all. Like we said, we just want to ask you a few questions. How long have you known Lindsey? Selena asked calmly, noticing how nervous Carrie was getting.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe ever since our freshmen year in highschool.” Carrie said sitting down on her sofa placing a small pillow in her lap.
“You are 18 as well?” Selena asked her.
“Yeah.” Carrie answered as she nervously played with the pillow in her lap and looking at Mike having a look at her pictures hanging around.
“Where’s your boyfriend, Jake?” Mike asked.
“He’s at work. He doesn’t get off until seven tonight.”
“Must suck being on winter break from school and have to work, huh?” Mike stated rather in a question.
Carrie nodded yes awkwardly in response.
“Tell me Ms. Swift, it is to our understanding that you went on this ski trip that Lindsey was supposed to go on. Will you confirm that Lindsey was not on the trip?” Selena asked.
“Yeah. Uhm…she wasn’t on the trip.”
“When’s the last time you heard from her?” Selena asked.
“Uhm, the night before the trip. I asked her what she was going to do that week. She said she was going to spend it with Taylor.”
Mike stepped closer to Selena looking at Carrie. “Did you say Taylor? As in Taylor Lowry?”
“Yeah, her boyfriend.” Carrie said as she looked at both Selena and Mike.
Selena and Mike exchanged looks.
Selena asked, “Boyfriend, huh? How long have they been dating?”
“Oh a long time. But they have been dating a long time off and on. It’s been over a year. She didn’t want her parents to know. Lindsey was supposed to be back at home as if she did go on the trip, but I don’t know what happened.”
“How well did Lindsey and her parents get along?” Selena asked.
“Not well at all. She was so ready to move out. They were always in her business.”
Mike and Selena exchanged glances at each other once again.
Carrie continued, “Lindsey would always tell me and Haley that her parents wanted to know every move she made. So she did everything in her will power to keep things away from them.”
“Do you own a computer or laptop?” Mike asked.
“No, sir. Lindsey does though.”
“When’s the last time you heard from Taylor Lowry?” Mike asked as he squinted his eyes at her.
“Last time I saw and spoke to him was before our senior year started. I don’t even like him. I always thought he was a creep.” Carrie said as her facial expression changed to disgust at the thought of Taylor Lowry.
“So you have no idea where we can find him right now?” Mike asked.
“No sir…” Carrie said looking at her watch. She then continued, “Look, I really need to be going. I have to go to work.” “Okay. We’ll get out of your hair. If you hear anything before we do, let us know.” Selena said as she handed her a card with her name and number information on it. “Here’s my card. Keep in touch.”
Selena and Mike turned to leave Carrie’s apartment. Once they reach Selena’s car they sat in silence for a brief second. Mike takes a deep breath. He turns to look at Selena and asks, “So what do you think?” Turning the ignition to start the car, Selena replied, “I think we need to find out more about this Taylor Lowry kid.”
“Hi, Detective Selena Ramirez and this is Detective Mike Jonas,” Selena replied as both Selena and Mike showed their badges. Selena continued, “…are you Carrie Swift?”
“Yes.” Carried answered puzzled.
“We were wondering if we could come in and ask you a few questions regarding the disappearance of Lindsey Cyrus?” Selena stated.
Carrie hesitated as she looked back into her apartment and then back at both Selena and Mike. “Well, actually, I was getting ready for work. I have to be there at twelve.”
“It’ll only take a few minutes.” Mike said as he proceeded to calmly make his way inside the apartment. Carrie reluctantly allowed them to come in as she sighed loudly.
Mike noticed that it appeared she had no parental guidance in the apartment. “Live alone, Ms. Swift?”
Sounding nervous, Carrie replied, “Uhm, no. I live with my boyfriend, Jake.”
“Jake…?” Mike asked waiting for her to fill in the blank with Jake’s last name.
“Gyllenhal. Jake Gyllenhal. Look, am I in some kind of trouble or something?” Carrie asked nervously.
“No, not at all. Like we said, we just want to ask you a few questions. How long have you known Lindsey? Selena asked calmly, noticing how nervous Carrie was getting.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe ever since our freshmen year in highschool.” Carrie said sitting down on her sofa placing a small pillow in her lap.
“You are 18 as well?” Selena asked her.
“Yeah.” Carrie answered as she nervously played with the pillow in her lap and looking at Mike having a look at her pictures hanging around.
“Where’s your boyfriend, Jake?” Mike asked.
“He’s at work. He doesn’t get off until seven tonight.”
“Must suck being on winter break from school and have to work, huh?” Mike stated rather in a question.
Carrie nodded yes awkwardly in response.
“Tell me Ms. Swift, it is to our understanding that you went on this ski trip that Lindsey was supposed to go on. Will you confirm that Lindsey was not on the trip?” Selena asked.
“Yeah. Uhm…she wasn’t on the trip.”
“When’s the last time you heard from her?” Selena asked.
“Uhm, the night before the trip. I asked her what she was going to do that week. She said she was going to spend it with Taylor.”
Mike stepped closer to Selena looking at Carrie. “Did you say Taylor? As in Taylor Lowry?”
“Yeah, her boyfriend.” Carrie said as she looked at both Selena and Mike.
Selena and Mike exchanged looks.
Selena asked, “Boyfriend, huh? How long have they been dating?”
“Oh a long time. But they have been dating a long time off and on. It’s been over a year. She didn’t want her parents to know. Lindsey was supposed to be back at home as if she did go on the trip, but I don’t know what happened.”
“How well did Lindsey and her parents get along?” Selena asked.
“Not well at all. She was so ready to move out. They were always in her business.”
Mike and Selena exchanged glances at each other once again.
Carrie continued, “Lindsey would always tell me and Haley that her parents wanted to know every move she made. So she did everything in her will power to keep things away from them.”
“Do you own a computer or laptop?” Mike asked.
“No, sir. Lindsey does though.”
“When’s the last time you heard from Taylor Lowry?” Mike asked as he squinted his eyes at her.
“Last time I saw and spoke to him was before our senior year started. I don’t even like him. I always thought he was a creep.” Carrie said as her facial expression changed to disgust at the thought of Taylor Lowry.
“So you have no idea where we can find him right now?” Mike asked.
“No sir…” Carrie said looking at her watch. She then continued, “Look, I really need to be going. I have to go to work.” “Okay. We’ll get out of your hair. If you hear anything before we do, let us know.” Selena said as she handed her a card with her name and number information on it. “Here’s my card. Keep in touch.”
Selena and Mike turned to leave Carrie’s apartment. Once they reach Selena’s car they sat in silence for a brief second. Mike takes a deep breath. He turns to look at Selena and asks, “So what do you think?” Turning the ignition to start the car, Selena replied, “I think we need to find out more about this Taylor Lowry kid.”
Haley Williams seem to have a new look than what was on the picture at the Cyrus’s house. Her hair was now more orange and a blonde undertone than just red. She walked into the store manager’s office with her cash drawer in hand as she noticed two people standing beside her manager. “Haley, this is Detective Ramirez and Detective Jonas. They need to speak with you.” Haley’s manager said to her. He then turned to walk out of the office. As he walked out he took Haley’s cash drawer from her and said, “I’ll take care of this.” “Thank you Mr. Marshall, “ Selena said to Haley’s manager.
Looking confused, Haley asked in a puzzling tone, “Am I a suspect or something?”
“I don’t know, what did you do?”asked Mike.
Shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly, she took a seat and responded, “Nothing, Im just saying 'cause you guys are fucking detectives and you’re here to see me.”
Both Selena and Mike find a seat in the office and sit down across from Haley. “Well, Ms. Williams, we are here to ask you about your friend, Lindsey Cyrus. We’re hoping that you could help us out a little in finding her.”
“Oh.” Hayley said holding her head down.
“You do want to help out in finding your friend, don’t you?” Mike asked hearing her unenthused response.
Hesitating, she responded, “Well…yeah…I guess.”
“You and Lindsey are best friends, right?”
“We were…yeah, but times have changed.”
“What happened?” Selena asked.
“I don’t know, she just went…kind of distant. I don’t really talk to her much.”
“When did you find out Lindsey was missing?” Mike asked.
“Carrie told me. Carrie Swift.”
“So we understand that Lindsey was supposed to have gone on this ski trip, but she never made it…do you have any idea what may have happened to her?” Selena asked.
“Well, Carrie told me that she was going to be with her so-called boyfriend, Taylor Lowry.” Haley responded as she started picking at her black painted fingernails.
Mike and Selena exchanged looks.
Selena asked, “So when was the last time you talked Lindsey?”
“Uhm, maybe a week or so before the ski trip in school. Like I said, we didn’t talk much. She talked more to Carrie than she did to me.”
“Since when?” Selena quickly asked almost cutting Haley off.
“Well, its like this…Lindsey and this guy Taylor, he’s in our senior class, but those two were always breaking up, getting back together, and break up, and I just got tired of hearing about it. So I sort of told Lindsey that I was tired of hearing about them. She got upset and kind of stopped talking to me. But I didn’t care.”
“Do you own a computer or laptop?” Mike asked.
“Nope.” Hayley responded quickly.
“What can you tell us about Taylor Lowry?” Selena asked.
Haley responds with sarcasm saying, “Nothing. He’s Taylor Lowry. He’s a distant guy. Maybe he and Lindsey are made for each other."
“Do you think Lindsey is with him now?” Selena asked.
“I know she is. There is no doubt in my head. So I don’t know what the big deal is.” Haley said shaking her head. She then continued as if speaking to herself, “…and they even have fucking detectives trying to find her.” She chuckled slightly. “Lindsey has been missing before…well, I guess not this long, but she has been missing for like three days before. Turned out she was with Taylor the whole time.”
Selena looked at Mike noticing how quiet he was. Mike stands up as if ready to go. Selena continued, “Okay. Ms. Williams, thank you for your time. If we need any more information, we know how to get in touch.”
“Right.” Haley said unenthused.
Mike and Selena walked out into the grocery store parking lot of which Haley worked. Selena looks at Mike puzzled. She waited until they got into the car before she said anything to him. “What’s with you? Why were you so quiet?”
“We just wasted our time in there with that girl.” Mike said looking out the window as Selena started to drive off.
“What do you mean? We got some good info…I think.”
“Nah, not really. The only vibe I got from Ms. Haley Williams, is that she is a jealous teenager who is just tired of hearing about Lindsey Cyrus.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Ramirez, c’mon! It’s written all over her face. See, picture this,” Mike said looking at Selena trying to get her in his head of thinking, “…this girl could really care less about Lindsey missing. In fact, she may be relieved in the fact that she is not around. She knows nothing, and she knows she can’t help us. In fact, she is pushing us to talk to others, like Carrie and Taylor. Haley Williams can’t help us…we wasted our time.” Mike finished.
“Yeah, well, she is not ruled out of my book. I think there is still something she is not telling us. She may be jealous, but she could be the key to this whole thing.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Mike then quickly changed the subject saying, “Quick, make a right turn here. I want to get something to eat. Aren’t you hungry? It’s lunch time you know.”
Selena made the turn and shook her head. She then said, “Are you kidding me? You just ate. How do you stay so fit and eat like a hog?”
Mike looked at Selena with a smile. “You’ve been checking me out?”
“What?” Selena asked in shock, and a little embarrassed.
“You said I was fit! You’ve been checking me out.” He continued to smile.
Selena replied sarcastically, “Please, Jonas, don’t flatter yourself!”
TO BE CONTINUED …
******CLICK HERE To Continue...*****
Looking confused, Haley asked in a puzzling tone, “Am I a suspect or something?”
“I don’t know, what did you do?”asked Mike.
Shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly, she took a seat and responded, “Nothing, Im just saying 'cause you guys are fucking detectives and you’re here to see me.”
Both Selena and Mike find a seat in the office and sit down across from Haley. “Well, Ms. Williams, we are here to ask you about your friend, Lindsey Cyrus. We’re hoping that you could help us out a little in finding her.”
“Oh.” Hayley said holding her head down.
“You do want to help out in finding your friend, don’t you?” Mike asked hearing her unenthused response.
Hesitating, she responded, “Well…yeah…I guess.”
“You and Lindsey are best friends, right?”
“We were…yeah, but times have changed.”
“What happened?” Selena asked.
“I don’t know, she just went…kind of distant. I don’t really talk to her much.”
“When did you find out Lindsey was missing?” Mike asked.
“Carrie told me. Carrie Swift.”
“So we understand that Lindsey was supposed to have gone on this ski trip, but she never made it…do you have any idea what may have happened to her?” Selena asked.
“Well, Carrie told me that she was going to be with her so-called boyfriend, Taylor Lowry.” Haley responded as she started picking at her black painted fingernails.
Mike and Selena exchanged looks.
Selena asked, “So when was the last time you talked Lindsey?”
“Uhm, maybe a week or so before the ski trip in school. Like I said, we didn’t talk much. She talked more to Carrie than she did to me.”
“Since when?” Selena quickly asked almost cutting Haley off.
“Well, its like this…Lindsey and this guy Taylor, he’s in our senior class, but those two were always breaking up, getting back together, and break up, and I just got tired of hearing about it. So I sort of told Lindsey that I was tired of hearing about them. She got upset and kind of stopped talking to me. But I didn’t care.”
“Do you own a computer or laptop?” Mike asked.
“Nope.” Hayley responded quickly.
“What can you tell us about Taylor Lowry?” Selena asked.
Haley responds with sarcasm saying, “Nothing. He’s Taylor Lowry. He’s a distant guy. Maybe he and Lindsey are made for each other."
“Do you think Lindsey is with him now?” Selena asked.
“I know she is. There is no doubt in my head. So I don’t know what the big deal is.” Haley said shaking her head. She then continued as if speaking to herself, “…and they even have fucking detectives trying to find her.” She chuckled slightly. “Lindsey has been missing before…well, I guess not this long, but she has been missing for like three days before. Turned out she was with Taylor the whole time.”
Selena looked at Mike noticing how quiet he was. Mike stands up as if ready to go. Selena continued, “Okay. Ms. Williams, thank you for your time. If we need any more information, we know how to get in touch.”
“Right.” Haley said unenthused.
Mike and Selena walked out into the grocery store parking lot of which Haley worked. Selena looks at Mike puzzled. She waited until they got into the car before she said anything to him. “What’s with you? Why were you so quiet?”
“We just wasted our time in there with that girl.” Mike said looking out the window as Selena started to drive off.
“What do you mean? We got some good info…I think.”
“Nah, not really. The only vibe I got from Ms. Haley Williams, is that she is a jealous teenager who is just tired of hearing about Lindsey Cyrus.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Ramirez, c’mon! It’s written all over her face. See, picture this,” Mike said looking at Selena trying to get her in his head of thinking, “…this girl could really care less about Lindsey missing. In fact, she may be relieved in the fact that she is not around. She knows nothing, and she knows she can’t help us. In fact, she is pushing us to talk to others, like Carrie and Taylor. Haley Williams can’t help us…we wasted our time.” Mike finished.
“Yeah, well, she is not ruled out of my book. I think there is still something she is not telling us. She may be jealous, but she could be the key to this whole thing.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Mike then quickly changed the subject saying, “Quick, make a right turn here. I want to get something to eat. Aren’t you hungry? It’s lunch time you know.”
Selena made the turn and shook her head. She then said, “Are you kidding me? You just ate. How do you stay so fit and eat like a hog?”
Mike looked at Selena with a smile. “You’ve been checking me out?”
“What?” Selena asked in shock, and a little embarrassed.
“You said I was fit! You’ve been checking me out.” He continued to smile.
Selena replied sarcastically, “Please, Jonas, don’t flatter yourself!”
TO BE CONTINUED …
******CLICK HERE To Continue...*****
4/15/2011