The Betrayal Within

Chapter Twelve

Song of the Chapter: Criminal by Britney Spears

Recap (Jasmine's POV):

From Commissioner (5:34pm): Good job to everyone that made it and helped during the pawn shop robbery. The robbers are now in custody.

When I saw the faces of the robbers, I couldn't believe my eyes.

Francisco López and Adam García.

Jasmine's POV

This can't be possible.

Francisco and Adam being robbers? It doesn't make sense.

“Shit, I don't know what to say,” Paulene commented. “I don't think they can do this.”

I grabbed my red hat with a pair of Adidas sandals. Then, I took my keys. “Let's go.”

“Where?”

“The district. I don't think they could do this.”

***

The drive to the district wasn't easy. I haven't seen Francisco and Adam since last year and we haven't spoken at all. What went in their minds to rob a pawn shop?

But I might see Francisco again.

When Paulene and I walked towards the precinct, I got nervous. What if they actually did it?

“Jasmine, Paulene, what are you two doing here?” The commissioner asked both of us when we was in the room.

“Nice sandals,” Officer Jeff commented when he came towards us. He had coffee in his hand and I took it without asking.

“You captured the people that robbed the pawn shop?” Paulene asked.

“Yeah,” the commissioner answered. “You know them?”

“Unfortunately,” she answered. “We wanted to ask them questions about the robbery.”

“You know it's your day off, right?” The commissioner questioned.

“You know, she can question them,” I told them. “I'm going to … go to their files and check for some further investigation.” I walked away without them answering.

I can't see him again.

Paulene's POV

“They're in here,” Officer Jeff told me when he walked me to the holding cells.

Jasmine wanted to check for some evidence? Really? Something is definitely wrong. She wanted to see Francisco. Why couldn't she see him again?

Officer Jeff walked away and saw Francisco and Adam. They didn't look different at all; just Adam was a bit taller and Francisco dyed his hair to brown.

“Paulene? Why are--”

“I'm going to ask the questions,” I spat, interrupting Francisco. “First off, you're here for robbing a pawn shop. Why the hell would you do that?”

“We didn't do that,” Adam replied.

“We was robbed by the guy that wanted our money.”

“Adam, you were in there with stupid over here. You went in there and stole a priceless necklace from Princess Diana.”

“It sounds bad, but it wasn't us,” Francisco added. “Wait, is Jasmine here?”

“That's for me to know and for you to figure out.”

“I think that's a yes,” Adam told Francisco. “If she's here, tell her I said ‘what's up’.”

I saw that Francisco’s eyes looked sad. I don't know if it's because he's stuck in this holding cell or he probably misses Jasmine.

Probably both.

Jasmine's POV

All of the emotions are coming back to me.

Last year, I felt hurt. Felt angry.

He left me hanging.

It was my fault to begin with. Why did I meet him?

I couldn't see him again.

I went through Adam’s file first and there was no criminal record for him. He goes to community college, as I expected.

In Francisco’s file, I saw that he also goes to community college, the same as Adam. But it seems that he'd been doing things that I didn't expect him to have.

Therapy when he was twelve years old.

“Jasmine?”

The door creaked open and I saw Paulene.

“Hey, that was quick.” I had to pretend that this didn't affect me.

“Jasmine, there's something wrong with you,” she said. “You can tell me if you want.”

“Paul, I'm fine. Now, I'm done with this investigation. I didn't see nothing here that was suspicious. We should go home.”

She sighs. “Okay.”

Everything is perfectly fine.

The next morning…

The next morning, Paulene and I was getting ready for work and the news was on.

The case was on.

“Hi, this is Jen Parker from CBS. Two males had been arrested for robbery a pawn shop and Tracy Lewis is on the scene live with the case.”

I had to stop everything.

“Thank you, Jen. Their names has been revealed and their names are eighteen year old Francisco López and nineteen year old Adam García. Wait, I see them right now.”

Francisco and Adam had suits on them with people surrounding them. Their lawyers were pulling them.

“Sirs, do you have anything to say with the charges?”

They didn't say anything.

“Anyway, the answer will be here in a few hours. Back to you, Jen.”

***

A few hours passed by and the whole day at work, I was on edge. Most of the time, I wasn't focused.

But, I'd acted fine.

“Yes, we're back and I'm Louis Carter from CBS. Our latest story is from the pawn shop case.”

“Paulene, look at this!”

We were home already from work and Paulene was still in her uniform.

“We found the prosecutors guilty for robbery. The sentence is two years without parole.”

I think I'm going to throw up.

“Jaz?”

I stared at the screen without hearing anything.

I took my keys and just left.

“Jasmine!”

A/N:
Jasmine: Sup people. Didn't expect that coming.

Paulene: I did.

Jasmine: Thank you, Ms. Henry. *sneeze*

Paulene: Bless you.

Jasmine: Thanks. We should stop talking.

Paulene: Okay bye!

Jasmine: Deuces.

Be random & meh to the world!

- Paulene & Jasmine