CSI Texas

Chapter Six

A few minutes after the removal company left, Victoria turned to her daughter. “Samantha, I need to head to the office to check in and gather some information about my upcoming shifts,” she said, her tone light but firm.
Samantha nodded without much enthusiasm, already making her way toward the back door. “Okay, Mom. I think I’ll hang out by the pool for a while,” she replied, a hint of eagerness creeping into her voice as she glanced at the shimmering water.
“Sounds good. Just be careful!” Victoria called after her, watching as her daughter disappeared into the bright sunshine.

With a deep breath, Victoria steeled herself for what lay ahead. As she made her way to the office, her thoughts drifted back to Alan.
She couldn’t help but wonder how he looked now, the memories flooding back with startling clarity. She remembered his distinctive style — always impeccably dressed in a matching jacket and trousers, with a penchant for wearing those dark sunglasses that had a way of making him look both mysterious and confident. His favorite pose was one she could visualize perfectly: arms spread wide, jacket slightly pulled back, hands either casually tucked into his pockets or resting on his hips. Tall, with tousled blond hair and piercing blue eyes, Alan had left an indelible impression on her all those years ago.
As she arrived at the workplace in less than twenty minutes, Victoria was struck by the modernity of the building. Its oval shape, constructed from sleek light marble, glass, and aluminum, exuded an air of sophistication that made her feel both excited and intimidated.
Inside, she approached the receptionist, who looked up with a welcoming smile. “Hi there! What brings you to our office today?” she asked, her tone friendly.
“I’m here to see Lieutenant Inspector Alan Cain,” Victoria replied, trying to keep her voice calm despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach.
The receptionist nodded, her expression turning serious as she issued Victoria a visitor's pass. “Straight down the corridor, last door on the left,” she instructed, handing over the pass.
“Thank you,” Victoria said, grateful for the guidance. As she walked away, her heart pounded in her chest with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Memories of her past encounter with Alan flooded her mind — his laughter, their intense conversations, and the fleeting moments that had changed everything.
With each step down the polished corridor, she felt a mixture of hope and trepidation. Would he remember her? Would he notice the changes in her life, or the biggest secret she had kept from him all these years? She pushed aside her apprehension, focusing instead on the task at hand — reconnecting with her past while embracing the new challenges that awaited her in San Antonio.
As she approached the door at the end of the hall, she paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself. “Okay, Victoria,” she whispered under her breath, “you can do this.” She raised her hand and knocked softly, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor, her heart racing in rhythm with her nerves.
Victoria felt a nervous flutter in her stomach, but she maintained a composed demeanor as she approached Alan's office. Pulling some documents from her purse, she quickened her pace, steeling herself for the impending encounter. Each step felt heavier than the last, her heart thumping in time with the rhythm of her thoughts.
As she neared his door, Victoria caught a glimpse of Alan’s profile through the glass. His silhouette was framed by the golden sunlight streaming in from the window, casting a warm glow around him. Despite the passing years, he still possessed that commanding presence that had captivated her long ago, and her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him.