Forbidden

Chapter 4

     Why is doing detective work just so damn hard?

The small amount of evidence that's kept me slightly on this path turned out to be a bunch of dead ends, and I'm starting to think it was actually fake intel to throw me off the real stuff.

Or maybe I'm getting carried away.

The one thing I feel I should be investigating the most is this mystery yakuza man and this apparently super dangerous organization. If I could just get Jankins to talk to me, I'm sure I could get some vital information out of him, except he's been avoiding me like the plague and not returning my calls. It kind of hurts, but I'm trying to go take it too seriously.

Sitting deeper in the salons chair I finally turn on the massage option, letting the slow pressure going in circles on my back distract me from unwanted thoughts crossing my mind.

The act was futile as I hear two girls around my age walk in and take seats near me, the duo conversing and laughing with each other as it seems like they were close friends.

It strikes a pain in my chest as they remind me of my old partner.

I continue to watch the green haired and orange haired girls in a daze when my attention gets snapped to the nail tech. "Miss? Did you pick a color for your toes?"

"Oh uh yes sorry, here this one."

He looks at the color swatch with approval. "Dark red is a great color for you, matching nails would be even better!" I sigh because I know I don't usually get my nails done, but decide to say 'fuck it' as that's something she always pushed me to do.

"Was already planning on it." I say with a smile.

"Yeah and you know his uncle is like actually crazy right? He's the one who's owner of that uh... company you know?" I hear the short, orange haired girl say in a low tone.

My ears perk up at the company owner they're talking about and I mindlessly scroll on my phone waiting to hear what else they have to say.

"Hey, are you eavesdropping over there?"

I look up to see the both of them staring at me, my heart now lodged in my throat. "Who, me?"

The green haired girl rolls her eyes. "No, the person beside you."

My face twists in confusion. "There's no one here besides us."

"Exactly. So, what's up?"

"I'm sorry how was I eavesdropping on you two?" I say trying to play damage control.

"Well, you were staring at us completely starstruck when we sat down and I noticed your body angled slightly towards our direction, as well the little tilt of your head, some of the most basic signs of someone wanting to butt into someone else conversation." She responds back dryly.

Damn, have my police skills gotten that rusty?

"You really know to read people huh?"

"Yeah she's the best at that. No one gets shit past her." The orange haired girl says back.

I release a deep breath and decide to be as transparent as possible, because clearly lying isn't going to get me anywhere. "Look I'm sorry. I have a lot on my plate and you two reminded me of an old friend of mine, I didn't realize I was listening in." I turn back to my phone and actually try and find something to occupy my time until my now blood red toes dry.