The Heart Collector (Under Editing)

Chapter Twenty: Jasmine

Novus was stunned, "What? Why?"

"Something about that phone call sits off with me."

"How so?"

"When he received the tip, did he notify only you?"

"What are you getting at?"

"Were your squad leaders present at the station when the call came in?"

"I'm not sure."

"Huh?"

"I was on my way home when Commodore Link called me."

"You were already off the clock?"

"Officially? Yes, but with everything going on no one is truly off the clock."

"He called you personally?"

Novus crossed his arms in a huff, "Yes, why wouldn't he? I'm his Captain. This was far from the first time that he has called me when I have finished for the day. What are you finding strange about this?"

"It has to do with the timing. Whomever called in the tip knew that you were off the clock. How late do the squad leaders typically stay?"

"They leave when I do which is usually around 7 at night. Everyone else is on rotation. Due to many divisions handling heavy caseloads. I have the squad leaders making their schedules to assist our needs and if any other Divisions need an extra hand. I'm still failing to see what you're getting at."

Fare quieted, so she could process this information. Truth be told, she was questioning what she was thinking at that moment. Novus was right. It was not unusual for law enforcement to receive calls from their higher ups in the middle of the night, but something was still not settling right in her gut. She had a feeling that the Thirteenth's Commodore knows more than Novus realizes, but Fare had no way to prove it.

"I can't explain it, but something is off."

Novus sighed, "I'm sorry Fare, but I'm not investigating my boss on a hunch. I need a little more to go on before I take on a Commodore."

Fare was about to rebuttal when his phone rang.

Novus pulled his phone from his pocket, "Snow."

Fare heard someone talking on the other end, but she could not decipher the electronic murmuring.

He stiffened and leaned forward, "What! When?"

There was more murmuring.

"Is she okay?"

Fare raised an eyebrow.

"Okay. Thank you for letting me know. Message me the hospital. "He hung up then turned to Fare, "That was Hughes. Jasmine's been attacked."

"What? Why?"

"I don't know the details, but she was in her office when it happened." 

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 Novus stood outside the room with 'Bali' written of the room marker. The curtains were drawn so they could peer through into the space and saw Jasmine speaking with a doctor. When they first arrived, the doctor had just entered the room and they were asked to wait outside. Fare offered to get some coffee for them to drink while they waited and cringed when he asked for three sugars and two creams in his. When she had returned, Fare nudged him with her arm and held his cup out to him. He gave her a nod in thanks.

Novus took noticed of her cup, "Looks like I'm not the only one that drowns their coffee in creamer."

Fare huffed, "For your information, I take my coffee black, but since no one in this town can make a decent cup, I'm forced to drink it like this."