One Hundred Degrees

Chapter 11: Flirting with danger

"Very few of us are what we seem."

Agatha Christie, The Man in the Mist

"Hey Del, we waiting inside the Chocolate Cafe. You'll spot us as soon as you enter."
"Awesome, see you now, now. I just parked my car," Del hung up, before getting out of her car.

It was already Saturday night and it felt as if she and Dev had hit a dead end with the case. She had her suspicions of who the perpetrator may be, however she knew for a fact that her evidence was too scarce to make an arrest. Ally and Dev suggested a night out to take her mind off the case and rejuvenate. However, her mind was still a-buzz following her recent conversation with Thebza and Mrs Morkel.

She still couldn't make head or tail regarding Tristan's relationship with Bell- was a past rivalry really strong enough to lead to murder- it just didn't add up. Could they truly believe Tristan's statement - that he and Bell were romantically involved?  Was it possible that he had been the man with Bell on the morning of her murder- just minutes before she died?

So many questions and so little time, Del shook her head as she entered Chocolate Cafe. She was here to distract herself from the case, she needed to stop letting it drag her down. She spotted Ally and Dev sitting in a corner and made her way towards the two of them, treading cautiously in her heels.

"Hi guys- sorry I'm delayed. I took an afternoon nap and missed my alarm."
"It's chilled- we've already decided what we wanna get- I'm eyeing the brownies and Dev has his heart set on chocolate lasagne."
"I really want to try out their waffles- apparently it's to die for- but you guys have to share with me- I'm taking nothing home today."
Dev raised his arm and beckoned at a waiter to take their order, before excusing himself for a smoke.

Ally turned to look at Del with a sly smile on her face.
"So, I'm not sure if you've noticed, but it looks like dolling yourself up works."
Del reddened, "What brought that up?"
"Well, that cute, white boy across the room, has not been able to take his eyes off of you since you entered."
Del scanned the room before spotting Tristan, he quickly averted his gaze, before changing his mind and smiling at her. She watched him as he excused himself from his companion to make his way over to them.
Ally started nudging Del frantically, "Oh my god, oh my god, he's actually coming over!", she squealed.
"Shhhh", Del hissed at her friend, "he's a suspect in the case I'm currently working on . He's just coming over to be polite."
"Awwwww, that sucks", Ally looked dejected at this piece of information.

Tristan slid into the seat across Del and smiled smoothly at Del.
"Fancy seeing you here, looking all ravishing Detective."
Del felt herself blush helplessly, at this flattery from the handsome sous chef.
"It's Saturday night, we just felt like going out tonight. How are you guys holding up? I heard they planned on doing the funeral today- how was it? Oh Thebza told me about it , if you wondering how I know", Del felt herself gabbling on.
She felt the anxiety clutching at her heart, as Tristan gazed at her with his piercing blue eyes and a friendly smile across his face.
" Aren't you quite the Detective?", a hint of flirtation ringing in his voice. Del glanced at Ally, who sat there fixed in her seat, almost gaping at the man across them. Tristan seemed to have sensed Ally's presence and turned his attention to her.
" How rude of me- we've never met before. I'm Tristan- Detective Delia over here, she's working on the case of the chef killed in the restaurant I work at - I'm sure you've heard all about it from the news."
"I'm Aliyah- Delia's best friend. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Del examined Tristan's features, how on earth did he know her name, and what was with this charming act of his. She felt a sense of unease in her stomach- this mans girlfriend had just died, she had just been laid to rest- and here he was shamelessly flaunting this carefree attitude in front of her.

Tristan turned to Delia, and as if he had read her mind, responded, "I'm good at hiding my grief, I've had enough close family pass away for me to know how to deal with loss. I'm just here trying to take my mind off things with a friend", he glanced in the direction of the female companion he had left unattended.
"Have you managed to make any headway regarding who killed Bell?"
"We working on it, I can't disclose this information to anyone, you need to understand that."
"No, no, I get it. That's cool... did Pops come to see you regarding his missing money?"
Del looked at Tristan, astonished that he knew about this, " Yes, he did , said he had a fight with Bell about it. If you don't mind me asking , how did you 'now about that?"
"Ag, Pops asked both me a and Bell about it, he wasn't going to the police about it that much was for sure. I think him and his wife are going a bit senile, claiming that the money is going missing, what nonsense."
"Oh , I see..."
A female voice interrupted their conversation, "Umm, Tristan, I've sorted out the bill- are you still up for drinks or are we calling it a night?"
Del looked up, shocked to realize that his companion was Valene, she was smartly dressed in a lacy, little black dress, her hair arranged in a neat French knot and her fringe pinned up. She looked stunning, a completely different person, to the one Del had encountered in the interrogation room.
"Oh , Hi Detective Singh."
Tristan glanced at the girl and Del, "We were both feeling low after the funeral, so we decided to grab a bite and a drink while we at it. Drown our sorrows you know- just friends going out and supporting each other.
Well , Val drinks are on me, let's go- hope you enjoy your evening Detective, and Aliyah, it was nice meeting you."

Dev returned from his smoke break, just as the two exited the restaurant.
"Dev did you smoke the whole fucking pack?", Ally asked in an infuriated tone.
"Whoa, whoa- I know you don't approve of my habit, but no reason to bite my head off- what happened?"
"We had a conversation with a psychopath, thanks for asking." Aliyah rolled her eyes and stared out if the window.
"What's she talking about?"
"Tristan Scholtz was here and so was that Valene girl from The Poseidon."
"Ally I don't think you can be rude and call the man a psychopath, just because Del thinks he's hot."
Del looked at the faces of her two friends furiously, before bursting out, "Can the two of you shut the fuck up! Ally can you not judge someone for once in your life- you just met the guy geez. And Dev-who I find attractive is none of your damn business. And also what the hell a psychopath - just because he flirted with me."
Dev and Ally fidgeted, their heads hung down in shame over their behaviour.
"Sorry Delia", they both said in unison.
Ally adjusted her glasses, before clearing her throat, "Delia, I love you and you know this, but you are too trusting for your own good- but I did not say that as some salty bitch, I meant it in a professional manner."
"Huh, what do you mean", Del felt her anger dissipate, as she met Ally's hazel brown eyes.
"Sooo, in case you forgot , I do have a diploma in Mental Health- and that guy gives me antisocial personality disorder vibes- what laymen refer to as psychopaths.
He was charming and manipulative-the way he flirted with you, the way he's so obviously toying with that young girls feelings in her vulnerable state. The fact that he was in a relationship with the victim, yet he so coolly said the girl that was killed , as if that meant nothing to him.
It's not enough for me to make a diagnosis, but he definitely has traits, in my opinion.
I know people who can handle death easily, heck I do on a daily basis- but that's part of my job, and even then- when it's someone you have an emotional bond with, you can try to hide it- but you'll see puffy eyes, a low mood, forgetfulness. That girl seems more affected by her death then he did... Look Del- please be careful around that man."

Del and Dev gaped at Ally. Del managed to gain her composure first- " Ok, wow- did you just go all doctor on us Ally?! "
"I knew I didn't gel well with that oke", Dev said huffily.
"Als don't worry, I know what I'm doing- I definitely won't be socializing with him- I mean he's a suspect after all."
Ally brightened up, "Look our food is coming! Yummy in my tummy!"
"It amazes me how you switch between professional mode to this", Dev muttered darkly.
Del smiled fondly, as she watched her friend clap her hands gleefully at the brownie placed in front of her.
"It's one of the reasons why we love her after all."