SHADOWS OF DECEIT

Stuck with Elena

Maddy, ensconced in her customary seat at the reception area, delicately sipped her coffee while engrossed in her phone. Meanwhile, Peter discreetly observed Freda, who engaged in conversation with a woman at a distance.
Since their inception at the police academy, he harboured emotions for Freda, feelings that had quietly grown and evolved.
With an air of nonchalance, Maddy still fixated on her device, remarked, "You ought to confess your feelings instead of indulging in a daily spectacle."

Peter merely hummed, averting his gaze, grappling with unspoken sentiments. As Onua approached, another colleague in the police station, he implored, "Could you cover my shift tonight?"

"I was on duty last night; I cannot endure another night shift," Peter asserted.

Turning to Maddy with a melodic intonation, Onua tried his charm, "Maddy, my dear, could you consider taking my shift?"

"Nope. I have plans; I cannot accommodate another night on duty," Maddy replied succinctly.

Onua, disheartened, prepared to leave but suddenly pivoted back toward Peter. "I was slated to be on duty with Freda tonight. So, let me rephrase it: Can you stand in for me?"

Peter, slapping his forehead in realization, chuckled at Onua's clever ploy. "You got me, bro," he admitted, as Onua departed with a triumphant smirk, leaving Maddy and Peter in their workplace ballet.

"So, another evening on duty for you," Maddy chuckled as Onua departed, eliciting a glare from Peter.

Spotting lawyer Kwamina entering the reception area, Maddy whispered, "Oh, is that Lawyer Kwamina?"

Excitement dancing in her eyes, she asked, "How do I look? How do I look?" while tousling her short wig with anticipation.

Peter, unimpressed, rolled his eyes and averted his gaze. Lawyer Kwamina approached with a wide smile.

"Good morning, Maddy," Lawyer Kwamina greeted warmly, and then turned his attention to Peter, "and good morning, Peter."

"Good morning, sir. What brings you here this morning?" Maddy inquired, fluttering her eyes with subtle charm.

"Here to see Officer Tod, is he available?" Lawyer Kwamina inquired.

"Yes, yes, he is. Let me send you there," Maddy responded hastily, starting to stand up. However, her offer was intercepted by Felix, who declared with a serious demeanour, "No need, I'll lead him there," nodding to Lawyer Kwamina to follow.

As they departed, leaving Maddy frustrated at the missed chance, she couldn't help but curse silently at Felix.
After breakfast at the Rixie restaurant, Detective Philip and Yaw strolled to their car, Opting for his trusty Honda for the day, Detective Philip took the wheel as they navigated their way to the police quarters after a satisfying breakfast at the Rixie restaurant.

Upon reaching the police quarters, Peter, wary of being tasked with another extensive food errand, attempted to discreetly hide. Detective Philip, amused by Peter's antics, smirked and greeted him with a wave, receiving a reluctant wave in return. They proceeded to the office, leaving Peter relieved for the moment.
Detective Philip, running his hands through his curly hair in a familiar gesture of stress, observed Yaw organizing his belongings. "Yaw," he called, prompting Yaw to swiftly move to his side.

"For today, I'm sending you on an errand related to our case," Detective Philip informed, noting the evident excitement in Yaw's expression at being involved in the investigation.

"Yes, sir. What will I be doing?" Yaw inquired politely.

Detective Philip sighed, crossing his legs, and fixed Yaw with an intense gaze. Yaw's heart pounded against his chest, he found it difficult to meet the intense gaze of his master. Dropping his gaze, he couldn't help but wonder, "What's happening to me?"

Detective Philip chuckled, breaking the tension. "Yaw, look at me," he instructed with a hint of amusement in his voice, relieving the young man from the intensity of the moment. Yaw, now meeting his master's eyes, couldn't help but feel a mixture of curiosity and nervousness.
"You'll be heading over to Rexford Osei's place. Your task is to retrieve his phone. We've obtained his car, which yielded crucial clues. There might be additional information on his phone, so you should secure it," Detective Philip explained.

"I'll provide you with the search warrant. Meanwhile, I have some essential tasks to attend to," he continued, sporting a smirk that hinted at the intricacies of his responsibilities.  
"Yes, sir," Yaw managed to reply as Detective Philip rose with a loud clap of his hands.

"Off we go then. Go to Peter, tell him I said he should provide you with a car. Whatever it takes, get to Rexford's place," Detective Philip instructed, handing over the search warrant to Yaw.

As Detective Philip exited the room, Yaw stood nervously, contemplating the significant task now entrusted to him.

Inspector Evans sat at his desk, engrossed in the morning newspaper until his focus was disrupted by the arrival of Detective Philip. Inspector Evans removed his spectacles, eyeing the young detective.

"Didn't know you've arrived," remarked Inspector Evans.

"Oh, do you mark me as a latecomer, Evans," Detective Philip retorted with a smirk as he approached the desk.

"I didn't mean that, Philip. What brings you here?" Inspector Evans inquired, attempting to shift the topic.

"To declare my undying love for you, Evans. I want you to be my sugar daddy. What do you say?" Detective Philip teased, leaving Inspector Evans stunned.

The awkward silence was broken by a throat-clearing sound, and both turned to find an uncomfortable Felix standing at the entrance. "There is someone here to see you, sir," Felix announced, promptly leaving without awaiting any response or clarification.

Detective Philip burst into laughter. "I thought you were accustomed to me," he remarked, while Inspector Evans could only shake his head in disbelief. Just then, Detective Elena entered, her high heels echoing, clad in loose trousers and a black office shirt.

"I want the address of an individual," Detective Philip finally stated, his gaze fixed on Detective Elena, who had just entered.

"Are you going to see Jesse's mother?" Detective Elena inquired.

"Yes, of course. Someone was foolish enough not to investigate the suspect's mother but rather the suspect's friend's grandmother," Detective Philip replied with a smile.

Inspector Evans, clearly confused, interjected, "Wait, why are you going to see Jesse's mother? I thought you were investigating Rexford's murder."

"That's exactly what I'm doing, Evans. So let me have the address," Detective Philip insisted.

"I don't get it, Elena. I thought they were different cases, and you're in charge of Jesse," Inspector Evans voiced his confusion, focusing on Detective Elena.

"It's somehow connected, sir," Detective Elena explained.

"But don't worry; I will be going with him too," she added.

"I would love to go alone," Detective Philip interrupted sharply. "It's final. Now, the address."

"He stays in a ramshackle area, so you can't use an address. I have to go with you," Detective Elena finally spoke without interruption.

"Actually, I came here to tell you that my case is somewhat connected to Detective Philip's," Detective Elena explained to the still-confused Inspector Evans.

"Who said it's connected, Elena? It has the same pattern, not connected," Detective Philip interjected.

"Can't you..." Elena began, but Inspector Evans cut her off.

"Okay, that's enough," Inspector Evans slammed his hands on the table as he stood up. "I don't get what you two are saying, but if you, Philip, want to go to the suspect's mother, I think you have to go with Elena; otherwise, you wouldn't know the place since there is no address.
I can't stand the two of you arguing," he declared.

Detective Philip ran his hands through his hair in frustration and stormed out of the office. Detective Elena nodded at Inspector Evans before swiftly following Detective Philip.