OFF THE RECORD (First Person)

20. Moral Panic

October 2014
Jose

I walked confidently into the city hall. I didn't want to be noticed by any of the councilmen, but if that was the case, I had prepared a small white lie to get them off of my back. I reached the wolf's den, setting my sight straight to my goal. I looked around with my peripheral vision, noticing the coast was clear.

"Oh, hi, Mr. Herrera. Is there something I can help you with? I don't think I have an appointment for you." Said Letty, the secretary behind the round desk.

Letty was of medium complexion, with dark eyes and dirty blond hair. She seemed just a bit older than me, but that might have been for how she dressed, in a formal beige jacket, with her hair sleeked back in a low ponytail.

"I think you might, Letty. I wanted to set up an appointment with you." I replied with a small smile.

Letty nodded, with pen and pad ready. "Who would you prefer to talk to? Mr. Flint?" She asked.

"No, Letty. I mean, I wanted to see if you and I could talk. I think I can learn a lot from you, of course, if you are okay with that."

Letty flinched, dumbfounded. "I'm sorry...I...I—

"It's okay if you don't feel comfortable. I understand. I just wanted to see if I could make friends within what I hope would be my future career."

Letty gave me a smirk. "I heard you were very confident, Mr. Herrera. I'm just not sure that is smart."

I placed my elbows on the desk, leaning towards her with both hands holding each other. "I'm trying to figure that out myself. Won't hurt to try. If I fail, I've just discovered a way of how not to place myself under scrutiny."

The phone rang, making Letty do a small jump. She answered the phone without taking her eyes off of me. I was doing the same.

"Councilman's office, how may I redirect your call?" She answered without missing a beat.

"One moment please." She said as she placed the call on hold. "I get out at five. I'm a vegetarian. Don't fail." She answered me and went back to her call in an instant.

I nodded with a smile. I left the office triumphantly. Everything was coming together.

I had investigated Leticia Lopez before setting myself up with her.

She was a Corpus Christi native, graduated high school and college in the city, and had been working for the Councilmen office for four years now. She shared on her social media profile pictures of herself with various city leaders, her family, and some aesthetically pleasing friends. She was an average looking, single, Christian girl.

I tried to see if she had any ties with the Browns but was grateful to not find any more than the professional ones.

I was sold.

I needed to find a way to reach her, but which better way than to go where we had first met.

As I was waiting for her outside of the building in my car punctually, I saw the rest of the councilmen leave. Letty left last, predicting that I didn't want to be seen by her bosses.

I followed her on my car as she walked towards her own red Honda accord.

I lowered my window before she got to her door. "I could drive you myself. No need to waste your gas."

Letty rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "It's okay. I want to be able to leave on my own."

Smart, I thought.

"Alright. If you lose me, I'll be at water street restaurant. Not too far from here." I informed her, calmly.

Letty nodded, getting into her car. I waited for her in the restaurant hoping that she hadn't change her mind. I sighed as I saw her coming in.