Mind Breaker

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 4

"We need everything on this Roman guy, now," Nicotine said in a penetrating manner. He looked over at Raden.

It was just a few seconds ago that his partner came running through the door, demanding to know how much they'd found out about the case. About Roman to be specific. His voice was full of urgency as he explained his theory to Nico. Who knew better than to question?

They didn't waste time getting into action, Nico shouting out orders left and right. The sweat dripped from the Co-workers. Raden felt a warm hand on his shoulder, looking to see the captain.

"Social account hacked, sir" Raden moved closer to take a look. There weren't any posts, he wasn't following anyone and no one was following him.
He probably didn't have any family left on his side.
"Address, Fletcher Street 65, third house on the left"

"Who would have guessed." Raden crossed his arms across his chest.

"When do we do a visit?" Nico looked at Raden, but he already knew the answer; as soon as they had a clue, it needed to be investigated, and it always fell next.

"Let's drive"

The car drove slowly to a stop, in front of a nice cozy house. With a white wooden wall and a front porch with a chimney. One window was opened, guessing it was the living room.
Raden looked at his watch.

"Drive a little further down"

Once they were a good spot away from the house, they got out looking as serious as ever. The gate of the fence was cracked open; they shared a glance before knocking on the door.

Shuffled noises came from the other side, and then a loud bang as if something or someone fell. Nico looked at his friend with an uneasy glance.

The door was opened, but just a little.

"Who is it?" A raspy voice said.

"I'm Raden Sokolov and this is my partner Nicotine"

"What do you want?"

"You sir. We're here to ask a few questions."

"About your wife" Nico added.

There was a moment of silence before the door fully opened.

The smell of smoke and beer hung in the air, intoxicating Raden's nose. His knee bounced up and down, and he had a pinched expression on his face as he observed the dirty living room. Dirty dishes piled next to the couch and spiderwebs on the ceiling could make you think it's a whole spider city.

Nico noticed Raden's discomfort and decided to start the questioning.

"Could we have your name sir so-"

"For what?" The old man snapped, spit flying out of his mouth.

"... So we know we have the right person"

"Roman, Roman Harris"

"How old are you?"

"78," He mumbled, glaring at Raden.

"Can we have the name of your wife's name"
they waited but the man didn't answer.

"You..." He said sharply.

"You're that one handsome fellow I see in newspapers, isn't it?"

Raden looked taken back, thinking for a second before nodding.

"Tell me how does it feel to have all the ladies under your grip?"

"Sir, can we please stay on topic?" Nico interrupted. The old man continued bargaining, even going to stand up at one point, to come off as more intimidating.
Raden, on the other hand, didn't care; all he was thinking about was how eager he was to get the place cleaned. To get that horrible stench out of the air.

"You must be feeling so high and mighty"

"Sir- please"

"Well guess what? I know exactly who you are and why you're here. My wife's dead. Tada! I know, I didn't even get to say goodbye to her. She's gone forever. But you... No, you wouldn't understand, you damn womanizer!"

Nico looked stunned at the man's sudden outburst.
Raden was sitting back looking directly into Roman's eyes.

"With all due respect, sir, I've never been in a relationship," he said with a blank face.

The man nodded his head, but his face remained mad.
"So we're good?" Nico looked unsure.

"No, we're done. There's nothing more I can tell you"

"You haven't heard the questions yet"

"I don't want to hear 'em!" he staggered across a few shoes lying on the ground. He grabbed a bottle of beer and started chugging it down. And let out one disgusting burb.

Raden curled his hands into fists, before getting up.

"I'll wait outside, I can't stand this place"
Nico nodded and watched as he left. He looked back at Roman, letting out a heavy sigh.

"What? You're not joining him?"

"Unfortunately not, Roman"

The old man let out a scoff, continuing to drink.

"I guess we'll just have to use force"

Birds chirping high up in the tree, the sun smiling down on the street. The neighborhood was quiet; Raden observed everything he saw as he strolled down the street, enjoying the warmth of the sun. There was a nice crunch under his foot, he lifted his foot to take a look.

He bent down to pick up the old chips bag and walked to a nearby garbage bin.
He looked over the street, to a little girl who was standing by her lemonade Stan. She had an odd look on her round face.
And it didn't look like she had gotten to sell any cups.

She caught him looking and before he could turn and run, she was already shouting at him, asking if he would like a cup of lemonade for two dollars.

Of course, he couldn't say no, looking at her tiny, cute face. He crossed the street, handing her the money, then taking the cup.

"Enjoy your lemonade sir!" She smiled happily.

He took one sip. And then another, it wasn't bad. The ice cubes made it even better.
He decided to stay a little bit more since she was all alone. And his appearance somehow helped attract more people. The girl was smiling happily and so was Raden as he helped her with the change.

A black cat pulled up, and the driver rolled down his window.

"You alright, sir?" Nicotine asked.

"Never been better"

"Would you like a cup of lemonade?" The little girl shouted.

"Oh, lemonade? Yeah, I'll take some"

"Two dollars, sir"

"T- Two?!... Here I'll give you seven"

"Thank you"

Raden crouched down to her level and shook her hand, saying goodbye.

"I promise I'll stop by here every week, so make sure you have lemonade ready"

"Okay!"

Nicotine looked in the rearview mirror at the hostage, cuffed in the bag seat and his mouth sealed with duck tape.

"Seems like we just kidnapped an elderly." Raden stared at the red light, then at the man crossing the street, running at the last second before the light went green.

"Well technically, we did. Or I did. But if he hadn't been so difficult and sidetracked, he wouldn't be here"

Roman squirmed in the back. Unpleased about the whole situation.
Muffled sounds came from his shielded mouth.

"... I need a coffee"