Criminal Detective

Ten Million Dollars?

As she ran, she suddenly remembered that guards were positioned towards the path leading up to the event, so she gathered her composure, slowed down, then began to speed walk. A feat that was quite magnificent to pull considering her feet were seated in heels.

In a matter of minutes, Claire had returned back to the event, aggravated and exhausted.
She sat next to Daniel who stared down at her in surprise.

"Claire?"

"I did nothing, Daniel. So, don't ask"

"Oh" Was Daniel's only response before they both turned back to the stage with Samantha presenting a teary eyed speech.

"What exactly happened?"

Claire shrugged "What didn't?"

Daniel smiled "That's something you'd have to tell me"

"The whole place is freaking guarded, Daniel. And, the one place I got an opportunity to enter, I couldn't get anything out of it"

He sighed "The security detail was our biggest disadvantage"

"Yeah, you said that before" Claire groaned then pinched the bridge of her nose. "Why the hell did we even try if you all knew about the security detail?"

He shrugged "Roberto isn't exactly one to take no for an answer"

Claire sighed.

"So, we take the L back to Roberto?"

Daniel smiled "We take the L back to Roberto"

She nodded "Cool" Just as she sank back into her seat, the rustle of candy wrappers caught her attention and she sighed then pulled one out.

"At least, I got his candy" Claire muttered to herself  then unwrapped it and tossed it in her mouth. She chewed through the taffy slowly then nodded in appreciation of the milky taste that filled her mouth.

"Good stuff" She said before the crowd began to roar which caused both Daniel and Claire to turn back to the stage and see Adkins hugging a crying Samantha.

"She will be missed, really" Adkins said as Samantha unwrapped herself from his embrace. He stared down to Samantha for a short while then smiled before he spoke.

"You all supported me when I started out as a manager for the girls, you supported the girls all the way to the top, and now I'm more than grateful that you could support Samantha as well" He said and a man walked up to the stage with a box in his hand, he bowed then handed it over to Adkins who nodded with a small smile then dismissed him.

"Samantha" He turned to her then placed his hand on her shoulder "From all of us"

Samantha stared hesitantly at the box before she took it out of his hand. She opened it and pulled out a paper which she stared at with wide eyes.

Adkins smiled "It's just our way of showing we care about you"

Tears trailed down Samantha's cheeks as she continued to stare at the check, completely stunned.

Claire arched an eyebrow "What do you think that is?"

Daniel shrugged in response.

"Thanks to every single person who donated in this room, we were able to raise a grand total of ten million dollars"

Claire and Daniel's eyes widened.

"Did he just say-"

"-Ten million?" Daniel completed and they both turned to each other, absolutely stunned.

"Th-thank you. Thank you so much" Samantha cried and the crowd rose in cheers and praises. Samantha hugged Adkins in tears and he patted her with a small smile on his face. He whispered something into her ear and she nodded but remained in his arms.