Officer Downey

Part 5 - Over

The weekend went by smoothly. You finished some chores, caught up with some work projects and you definitely got some much needed rest. Monday found you very relaxed. You woke up with a good feeling and got to work. You were enjoying a nice iced coffee, listening to music in your private work space and working on the next pieces of clothing you were going to make when your phone started ringing. It was a call from Robert, which you answered quickly.

"Good morning, Robert" you said after picking it up.

"Hey, Lexi. Good morning. How's your day going?" he asked with a nice tone.

"Very well, I woke up with a good feeling today" you explained.

"Then you're going to love what I'm about to say" he sounded excited.

"I'm all ears" you sounded intrigued.

"I believe we got the guy. You have to come to the station and see him for yourself so we can close the case" he sounded more professional this time.

"Oh my God, what? Are you serious?" you jumped from your seat.

"Yes, absolutely" you could hear him smile through the phone.
"What time could you come by? I'm asking so that I can also be here" he continued.

You quickly check the time and calculate in your head the time you need to get there. Your priority changed to going to the station instead of finishing your designs.

"Is 2 o'clock alright?" you asked.

"Yes, it's perfect. I'll prepare the paperwork and wait for you here" he added.

"Thank you, I'll see you soon" you smiled and you hung up the call.

You finished up some details on your project and left as soon as you could. You drove to the station and looked for Robert as soon as you stepped inside, anticipation building up. He was not at his desk so you walked around a bit hoping to see him.

"Hey there" you heard his voice from behind your back.

His hand brushed your lower back softly as he moved from behind you to your front.

"Hey" you smiled at him.

"Are you feeling ready? Do you want to kill some time first until you feel more comfortable?" his tone was very reassuring.

"No, it's fine, thank you. I'm ready" you nodded, giving yourself some courage.

"Okay, then. Follow me" he stretched his arm to show the way.

He started walking towards a room you hadn't been in before. He stopped outside the door and waited for you, looking thoughtfully into your eyes. You took a deep breath and nodded at him when you felt ready. He opened the door and walked behind you inside the room. You carefully took the first steps and stopped immediately when you laid eyes on him. You gasped loudly and covered your mouth, suddenly feeling your heart racing.

"It's okay, relax. He can't see you" Robert said quickly to calm you down.

The man was sitting in an interrogation room. He was behind a glass, you could see him but he couldn't see you. It was a situation you had seen many times in movies but you didn't realise how terrifying it actually was in real life.

"Does he know we're here? Can he hear us?" you asked, worried.

"No and no. You can take all the time you need to make sure it's him. I can also tell him to stand up and speak if you think it can help" Robert spoke sincerely.

"I prefer not. I feel better with him not knowing I'm here" as soon as you finished your sentence you took a step closer to the glass.

You were almost sure it was the right guy. You'd be 100% sure if you could take a look at his eyes. You couldn't forget them. The twisted look he had that night hasn't left your brain at all. You stood in silence, trying to figure the man out. Suddenly, he moved his head and looked straight at you. That made your heart skip a bit, causing you to turn your back at him and face Robert.

"He looked straight at me! How did he know?" you asked, terrified.

You were so shocked that you found yourself falling into Robert's chest. You took a few deep breaths to slow your heartbeat, Robert's arms held you close in the meantime. He slowly wrapped them around your body, not letting go until you decided to.

"Probably his instinct. I promise he doesn't know we're here" he said calmly.

"It's definitely him" you gulped and took a step back.

"Okay, we'll handle everything from now on. You don't have to worry anymore" he showed you a slight reassuring smile.

"I can't believe this is actually over" your voice was a mix of excitement and relief.

"Can you give me a moment to sign some papers? You can wait at my desk" he asked.

"Yes, sure" you nodded and left the room.

You shook the tension away and walked to his desk with a smile written on your lips. Just like Robert said, it only took him a couple of minutes to join you. And you made sure to use these minutes to realise what's happening. The man getting caught doesn't change your trauma, but it definitely gives you something to feel good about.

"I'm so happy we were able to close the case. I hope you feel even a bit better from now on" he smiled at you.

"I surely will, thanks to you. How can I repay you?" you asked sincerely.

"I was just doing my job, there's no need to repay me" he acted humble.

"Let me buy you a coffee, I owe you one anyway" you suggested.

"I don't want us to go for coffee just because you "owe" me" he sighed and rested his back on his chair.

"No no, it's not only that. I promise" you nodded.

"Alright then. When would you like to buy me this coffee?" he joked around the buy me part.

"How about an hour from now, if you're done with work? I just need to go by house first" you suggested.

"Make it 2 hours and we have a date" he smiled after checking his watch first.

"Okay, great. I'll see you in 2 hours then" you smiled.

You said goodbye and started your way back to your place. When you arrived and parked your car, you saw something unusual. Was it your brain playing tricks at you? Were you going insane? Or was this David outside your apartment building?

"David?" you asked, shocked.

He turned around abruptly. Your voice from the background must have scared him.

"Lexi? Hey" he smiled nervously.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" you stepped closer to him.

"I was in the neighbourhood and I thought about seeing you. Do you have some time to catch up?" he asked.

"I-I actually made plans" you stuttered.

"Oh, okay. Maybe another time then?" he sounded disappointed.

"You know what? I'll just cancel since you're here now" you said after some thought.

"Really?" his whole face shined.

"Yeah, just give me a moment" you said and nodded at each other.

You grabbed your phone and texted Robert an apology for canceling your plans. It's not like you planned for it to happen but you couldn't let David simply go now that he was here.

"Shall we?" you asked David as soon as you put your phone aside.

He nodded and together you walked towards the main entrance. You didn't know what to expect from this encounter, but you could only hope it wouldn't be a disaster.