SHADOWS OF DECEIT

Quit Job

The reception area of the regional police station bustled with activity-people coming and going, some with handcuffs escorted by their captors. The spacious room featured metal benches on both sides, creating a central aisle leading to where Peter and Maddy sat at the reception table, where people typically made or wrote their statements.

Peter let out a sigh, frustrated with an elderly man who had arrived that morning, claiming someone stole his goat. The accused person denied it, complicating matters. Peter encouraged the old man to write a statement, but the man struggled with literacy.

Observing Maddy engaged in conversation with Officer Tod, Peter shook his head, feeling that Maddy should handle the situation with the old man. Sighing again, he forced a smile as he turned to the old Man

"Don't worry, Mr...," Peter paused.

"Mensah," the old man added.

"Ah, Mr. Mensah. I'll write the statement for you, and we'll call the suspect." Peter assured.

"He's not the suspect; he's the one who stole the goat. He's the thief, not the suspect," the old man interrupted.

"Oh, yes, the thief. We'll call him here. Don't worry," Peter said, maintaining his smile.

Once the man departed, Peter slammed the table in frustration. "What the hell? I'm going to quit this job soon," he exclaimed.

Maddy, who had just finished his conversation with Officer Tod, looked at Peter with a puzzled expression. "Then quit already. I'm tired of you always making complaints here like a child."

"Shut up," Peter muttered, banging his head on the front desk repeatedly as he cursed. His frustration continued until he heard someone call his name. He looked up and saw Freda, one of his colleagues, in her black uniform with a black cap on her braided hair, looking cute that morning.

Peter quickly composed himself, smirking at her. "What's wrong with you? Are you okay?" Freda laughed. "He's not in his right sense. I always tell you guys this. It's left with the day he will go naked, and then you guys will see how serious I was," Maddy chimed in, earning a glare from Peter.

"Whoa, whoa, calm down, Peter," Freda chuckled. "By the way, I heard you were with the witnesses last night?" Freda whispered, making sure only Maddy and Peter could hear her.

"Oh yeah, wait, was my name mentioned in today's news? Oh my God, I'm famous!" Peter gasped, looking at Freda.

"No, no, no, sorry," Freda rolled her eyes, clarifying.

"What did they say?" Maddy asked Peter, now curious.

"Well, they did not talk. It looks like they were in shock. Inspector Evans came and ushered them into his office, so Nate and I did not hear anything," Peter explained.

"Oh, okay," Freda said, feeling quite disappointed.

"Well, I have to go. Bye, later," Freda waved before leaving.

"Don't tell me you're still crushing on her," Maddy teased, looking at him. Peter glared for the nth time that morning until Maddy broke eye contact as another person came to give his statement.

In an arranged yet dated office, a woman stood, appearing lost in thought, her forehead creasing in concentration. The room had two open windows, allowing the morning sun to flood in. Despite the neatly arranged paperwork on the table, an air of busyness lingered.

The woman, of plump stature, wore a pencil skirt and a blue ladies' shirt. "Sorry for the delay; there was a lot of traffic on the road," Inspector Evans' voice echoed, causing the woman to jump in fright.

"Oh, Inspector Evans," she replied, turning to face him. Beside him stood a dark, athletic young man with a serious expression and a cap on his shaved head, gazing ahead.

"Detective Elena, have you been standing since you came here?" Inspector Evans inquired.

"Oh, I haven't been here for that long, don't worry," Detective Elena assured.

"Take a seat, then," Inspector Evans suggested as he settled into his chair. "Felix, go and tell Peter to get Detective Elena and me some coffee," he directed. Felix acknowledged with a "Yes, sir" before leaving to carry out the errand.

Peter stood outside the police station, stretching before making his way to the coffee vendor. The vendor was a 10-minute walk away, so it wasn't too far. Checking his wristwatch, Peter noticed it was 25 minutes past 10. "Who takes coffee at 10?" he mumbled as he walked lazily to the coffee vendor.

"Hey, dude, what's up?" Peter greeted the vendor upon arrival.

"Oh, I was quite late today, thought you'd come and go," the vendor sighed in relief.

"Haha! Oh, really? Well, the inspector was late today too, so it makes the two of you. Then give me 2 cups, make sure to cover them well," Peter warned.

"Oh, yeah," the vendor said as he started making the coffee. "So, how's Nana Kwame? You know, he always used to gift me coffee after I was done buying." Peter grinned widely at the vendor.

"I know what you're doing. I told you I just came last week, and I'm now getting to know you. If I know you better, I will gift you more than one coffee," the vendor replied, handing two covered coffees in plastic cups to Peter.

"Oh, really? Didn't Nana Kwame speak of me to you?" Peter whined.

"Oh, he did. He mentioned you a lot, Peter."

"Alright, here, take the money," Peter gave the money to him as he waved and started to walk away. He paused, turned to look at him, and called out, "I promise this is my last time asking your name. I always forget, but this time I will not."

The vendor sighed and smiled. "No worries. It's okay to forget a name. The name is Josh."