Strawberry soda at night

CHAPTER 10. his love for her

''Just so you know, from now on i recommend you to avoid getting into strangers cars..'' The man concentrated on the road, serious and with both hands properly on the steering wheel.

''Coming from a stranger that's a pretty good tip.'' Eva wasn't so concerned, "So who are you, Mister?" She pulled over the seatbelt, done and prepared.

''See? Yet here you are.'' After reaching inside his chest pocket, the man held out a police badge, ''Name's not important. You won't see me around much after today.''

''You know they sell those things online for like 0,99 cents, right?'' Eva decided on keeping it casual, ''But that one's legit, of course.'' She already knew everything necessary when Joshua said this man was trustworthy, enough to step into his car. ''In Josh i trust.''

''Funny..'' The investigator sadly wasn't in the same frequency, ''I have a reason for approaching you.''

''Go ahead.''

''You are a witness who we can't place into witness protection program. They'd notice something's off and blow our cover.. You were also our latest tip with that phone call, but we don't intend on pulling you into this issue considering the fact that you were tracked after the events.'' He glanced at Eva, ''We don't know the extend of the Emerson family business on the shady side..'' The investigator had a low raspy voice. Very charismatic, ''I need you to know, that no matter how Smith says that CEO Benjamin Emerson has nothing to do with it, as of right now we do not know how deeply any member of the Emerson's are involved other than William. You understand?"

''Right?'' Eva agreed to an extent, ''But I trust Joshua. He's sharp as a needle. I think he would've noticed if Mr. Emerson was in on it.'' She simply couldn't see any signs of such being the case either, ''Why do you still need to investigate if you already know the truth?''

"Loan sharks. Loaning money to someone is not a crime. Even if it's hundredths of thousands, millions even. Doesn't matter. High interests are not a crime. But what they do outside all that, after trapping the vulnerable person in a deal and the intimidation tactics they use when collecting the debts is where they step over the line. If it's even clean money they circle around."

''So there's a possibility that William Emerson could walk out free without any consequences?'' Eva's eyes quickly flickered towards the investigator. The atmosphere frigid and as colorless as the grey car they were riding on.

''Can't arrest him without any solid proof. And if we act recklessly, there's a possibility that he'd get rid of any traces left and walk free? Yes. That's why you need to keep living your normal day to day life.'' He said extremely composed. Eva wondered if he was one of those officers who'd become gradually intimidating once the interrogation went on. Good cop bad cop in one package deal.

''The case must stay private.'' He firmly stated, ''We know what your situation is. You work for Mr. Emerson now. You cannot under any circumstances go to police or call the lines on this matter. Understood? We did not intend there to be someone tied to Smith who'd get unnecessarily involved, but we know you're being watched on some level, still. And i am here right now only because I got a green light from Smith.''

''I won't talk to anyone other, that's a given.'' Eva knew better, ''Did Joshua mention what I suggested?''

''No?'' The investigator answered, unbothered even when Eva explained him about what she had told Joshua one late evening by the swings.

''To have CEO Benjamin Emerson realize the criminal acts of his cousin himself?'' The officer made a turn and in result brought his ear a bit closer, ''In hopes he'd report it?''

''Correct..'' Eva nodded quickly, expecting.

''Sounds like a good plan, from a very naive person.'' He gave no room for sugarcoating, ''To start with, we do not play games. You've clearly watched too many TV shows for your own good. And even if, it could go one of three ways. One: he's involved and realize they're being targeted and go under. Two: he's not involved but once finds out about his cousins business, stays loyal to his family. And we know how money and power works, right? And three: it would actually go your way. Maybe. I'll give it a 10 percent chance max."