Mystery Loves Company

Chapter 48 - File #6.3: The Roommate's Secret

Rhett

It was probably my lucky day because first, Kyle decided to go with his mother so I wouldn't have to drive him to his father's house before going to the station; and second, Detective Evans had to leave for a case so the whole place was Exclusives-free. I leisurely walked through the station, happily greeted officers that I encountered on my way to the Chief's office—only to be rudely dismissed by him and got a door slammed in front of my face.

"Don't disturb him, he's having one of those days," whispered Officer Lake who just happened to pass by.

"The day where he yells randomly at people? Isn't that everyday?" I rolled my eyes.

"It's worse when the cases he handles meet a deadlock," she sighed.

I blinked. "You're not talking about Norris' case, are you?"

"I am. It's the strangest case I've ever seen. It's like some evidences are easy to find but that's it—no progress can't even be made from discovering it."

"Evidence like...?"

She laughed. "You think I'm gonna fall for this trap question like Officer Parry did? The answer is no, Mr. Carver. It's classified."

"What trap question? We're just having a casual conversation," I chuckled. Man, she was good. They probably warn each other about me, so they had to be aware when I was around.

We were startled when Chief Snell opened his door loudly. Oh, did he hear us?

"Leave," he growled.

Officer Lake quickly nodded. "Sorry, Chief."

"It applies to you too, Carver."

"But I need to talk to you," I refused to go. "I found something—"

"Keep it," he hissed. He was really mad that he gave me a disdainful look before he slammed the door again.

There was no sign that Chief Snell would open that door any time soon, so I was thinking to go back when he was a little calmer. I knew how much stress he was in, even I—who wasn't officially investigating this case—felt so responsible to the point I prioritized this case over my assignments, which doubled the stress. But both of us knew better than to give up easily.

I wondered what made him so upset. I knew I couldn't force him to share it with me, but my curiosity couldn't be stopped either.

"Hi, Eddie!" The next minute, I was already on the phone with my brother-in-law on my way back to the dorm. "Are you busy right now?"

"I'm just finishing my work at the station," answered Eddie. "What's up, Rhett?"

"You've worked at Havenbrook before, right?" I asked right to the point.

"Yes. My rookie days. Never forget," he sounded a little bitter. "Do you know how hard it is to be a rookie police officer in the age of 25? Good thing I was promoted faster than I expected."

I was always interested in Eddie's lifetime story, but I had no time for that now. "Do you know that Michael Norris, the murder victim Chief Snell has been investigating, was from Havenbrook?"

"Ah, that campaign manager? I've never really heard of it," he said.

"Okay, so, he moved to Bridgewald eight years ago, but I can't find out why. I only knew that he had a promising career in Havenbrook University, and it didn't make sense that he abruptly resigned from that position."

Eddie was quiet for a while. "Are you... trying to investigate this on your own?"

"Pffftt, no," I laughed awkwardly. "I'm just curious because my friend's mother, who was his old friend—or so she said—also happened to move out of Havenbrook around that time."