Jeopardised Crime

Prologue

I was aroused by the unpredictable clangouring of the school bell across the street. I realised that now is time to remain cautious, as that was the final bell of the day.

Students pouring frenetically out of the building, scanning as many as I could, not to miss that one person -

Jazmine Travis

For weeks I have been monitoring her family - especially her. Assumingly, she is the key to many doors that is why she is in danger and probably realises it. A young and innocent girl will unintentionally get involved with the wrong crowd that threatens her life.

A car out of nowhere turns aggressively around the corner, screeching its tyres, making its way towards the school. Two concealed strangers let themselves out, each of them wielding a pistol, discharging projectiles into the air. The crowd scatters all over, invading the atmosphere with screams and cries, gunmen takes the opportunity to specifically abduct Jazmine.

And this is my opportunity to save her.

Activating the engine of my car, following the culprits and kept my distance seemingly that they did not notice me, leading me right to their nest.

I decide to be in disguise and blend in, so I don't cause any chaos once I step in, which could endanger me and Jazmine.

As I make my way through the abandoned and almost demolished building, led by the voices and sobbing.

~

"Where did he hide it?"

"I don't..." Jazmine trails off, due to her uncontrollable sobbing and petrify, concealing her face from her abductors.

"If you ain't sayin' nothin', you'll be hurt real bad."

~

I thought of two opinions. Just go in and attack or play it safe by blending in, and attacking at the right moment.

My plan, a slow approach.

Once I am in position, I find myself carelessly choking one of kidnappers from behind with my arm, grabbing the other's attention, to which he comes to his partner's aid. Something I predicted occurs, he ruthlessly thrusts a pocket knife into my abdomen, forcing me to release his partner and they both hurriedly disappear towards the exit, abandoning a motionless Jazmine. Once I fell onto my knees, removing the knife from my wound and I prayed that the knife hadn't puncture my vital organ. I pressurised my wound to slow down the bleeding and remembered the traumatised girl in front of me. She is quiet, covered in sweat, her hair disorganised, wordless: Only pants escape from her mouth and her eyes gaze at me in confusion and somewhat horror - of course! I still had the mask on, looking like the other abductors. So, I remove it, alerting her, but I assure her of causing no harm.

"It's alright - I am not here to hurt you - only to help."

It is hard to tell if she believes me, as her expression remains unchanged.

At that moment I begin to hear sirens.

***

(Two months later)

I am currently escorted to the visiting rooms by a police guard.

Most of you are asking yourselves how and why I ended up in here. Simple.

Jazmine admitted to the court, that I threatened and kidnapped her due to something related to a certain case I was investigating just before I resigned, which I solely worked on hereafter. The detectives saw no point in continuing the case once Jazmine presented what she had witness, so it was dismissed.

I kept asking myself who would possibly pay me a visit. It could be my daughter Amy, though I have high doubts that Valerie would most likely permit her to see me in a place like this; she probably told our children a made up story of my whereabouts. It's also unlikely to be Valerie herself; she made it clear that she doesn't want anything to do with me as long as I am locked up in here, could be my former colleagues or anyone. Once the mystery was solved I was not too happy about it.

It was none other than Jazmine herself.

Once I seated myself, placing my hands onto the table, intertwining my fingers. I took a good look of her, she was too nervous, but there was one query I had.

"Hi, Mr Craig." She finally speaks, to which I greet back.

"Hello, Jazmine. I wasn't expecting you." I reply monotonously.

Jazmine nods, her eyes are restless; giving me attention and the next moment wanders off elsewhere, she begins to rub her thigh attempting to calm her nerves, remaining unresponsive; converting the atmosphere to be uncomfortable, I see myself inquiring.

"Do your parents know that you are here?"

"It's not like my parents care about what goes on in my life." she responds uninterestedly. "I'm sure that I would like to know what my children gets up to, every now and then."

"Whatever, besides I came here to apologise that's all." She places her hands onto the table as well, seems like she is becoming less nervous as we conversant and I intend to just do that.

"What for?"

She momentarily gives me a shocked expression and mumbles. "You know."

I feel my lips trace into a playful smile. "You will have to be more specific than that."

I feel the atmosphere around her become slightly irritable.

"Why you gotta get it outta me?"

"To see if you truly acknowledged your wrong doing." She nearly ripped her hair."What are you, my dad now?"

"Might as well be." Jazmine rolls her eyes before proceeding. "I'm sorry about this whole thing." I begin to lower my voice as I reply back. "Did they threaten you or did you bargain with them?" Jazmine's facial expression suddenly looks upset and continues to avoid eye contact. "I am going to guess it's option number two."

"I only came to apologise not to talk about this."

" You do realise they will come back for you."

"Nothing has happened so far."

"Do you really think that they will try to do something after the stunt they just pulled; they are keeping a low profile not to raise the cops' heads. I know I wouldn't." Jazmine unexpectedly broke down into tears.

"This - is - all my fault." That moment I reach out, caressing her shoulder attempting to comfort her. "No, it's not your fault." Of course, I cannot blame her, but she wasn't getting any assurance, as she shakes her head to every word I said, to my perspective Jazmine seems to be in denial. Why would she?

"Listen, I will get to the bottom of this."

"How?" Her tone now mingled with fear.

"I won't be in here forever, besides they won't make a move any time soon. Your best option is to flee the country for now."

She asks an unpredicted question. "Why me?"

"Why? What do you mean?"

"Why help someone like me, out of everyone else?" I didn't understand, but one thing's for sure, I have my own reasons to be interested in Jazmine.

"Because I don't want to see a young, innocent lady with a bright future, being punished by someone else's doing."

cover by:Angel