The Answer

Chapter 2

Gerard entered the station at 8:15 AM and strolled straight to David's office, followed by the shocked and surprised eyes of other police officers who had known him or only heard stories of his merits.

He barged in to find David on a call.

"I'll call you back," David said and put down the receiver.

"The file?" Gerard asked as he sat down and put his legs on David's desk.

David glanced at Gerard's shoes, got up and brought a file from his locker.

"Investigation so far suggests that the bomb was planted something around 1400 hours yesterday, when the bus driver had left it unattended during his lunch break."

Gerard took the file from his hands and read the report silently. His expression gave away no emotion, so David eased in his chair and checked if he had anything else of interest to the case.

After a long silence, Gerard placed the file on the table and said, "I'd like to talk to some eyewitnesses, David."

"I've called for a few at 10AM today and arranged a meeting with two others who are in the hospital."

Gerard nodded, " There was no obvious target, it would seem. We'll have to keep our minds open. Who else is on the case with me?"

"Kevin and two of his rookies," David replied.

Gerard nodded and rose from his seat, "I'm going to the crime scene, just to get a little perspective. I'll be back before 10."

David didn't protest and simply watched him leave. Curious eyes followed Gerard out, but he don't care. He wanted no questions about his past asked and no false sympathy from anyone about his life. He reached the bridge and gazed at the passing traffic from the sidewalk.

He looked at the top of the bridge, right over the spot of the explosion, where a ladder lead to the top of the wiring that held the bridge in place. He squinted in the sunlight and spotted something hanging from the top of the ladder.

He quickly advanced towards the bridge, his mind racing with the endless possibilities of what it might be. "I could be mistaken," he thought, but got himself across the the divider. The ladder was steep, but sturdy. It was a while before he got to the top and with the last few steps his heart began to plummet at the fact that we was, in fact, sort of afraid of heights.

"I'm a legendary Police Officer, for God's sake." He muttered and hauled himself to the base of the top. His heart sank to his stomach when he realised that it was just a white rag hanging on the poll. He gaze feel to the flooring and he saw a black tape glistening in the sun. Gerard pocketed it and began his journey back down.

As he hopped off the last step of the ladder, he found Kevin waiting for him with a bright blue file tucked under his arm. "Good Morning, Ger- I mean, sir!" Kevin smiled meekly.

Gerard dusted his suit and smiled, "Come off it, Gerard was just fine."

"Sorry," Kevin opened the file and began, "We can head right to the hospital, if you'd like, as our meeting time with the two injuried victims are ready to receive you."

"Why don't you go ahead," Gerard said as he twirled the small tape in his hands, "I'll handle the ones at the police station."

"Okay, I'll do that." Kevin replied, closing the file, "James and Philip are at the station, so they can help you out."

"Okay, that's great."

On reaching the station, Gerard hopped out of the car and went straight to David. He placed the tape on his desk, "A possible lead."

David nodded and took the tape gingerly in his hands, as Gerard proceeded to speak with the witnesses.

Frustrating as it was, Gerard had barely made it past the first five witnesses in the span of an hour. Each one offered their insight, which was either pointless or too fantastic for the truth. It was around 2:00PM when Gerard had bid the last witness goodbye.

He got up and walked right out of the station without a word. Philip and James exchanged looks of confusion and silently decided against following him. He sat himself down on a small table at a café and fumed in silence. He knew very well that catching a killer was hard, but a bomber of this nature was only harder.

Gerard decided to snap out of it and looked at the small menu card. He tried to focus on what kind of coffee he wanted, but his mind constantly drifted to Max and Carol.

He ordered a sandwich and an expresso; sitting in the silence of the café, he thought of all he had heard from the witnesses and wondered what was on the tape he had found.