The Forensics Of The Origami Murders

Chapter 4

After lunch, I knocked on the almost-hidden door to Jayden's office, located behind a corner near the rest rooms. There was no reply. I scanned the foyer, pondering where he could be, and spotted Blake in a heated conversation with Perry. The Lieutenant was frantically waving his arms while the Captain had his palms raised in a calm down-manner. I was too far away to hear what they were talking about, but I'd be willing to bet dollars to doughnuts the topic was this morning's staff meeting. I turned and hammered the door again. Still nada. Maybe he'd gone to the rest room or out for a late lunch. I looked around the lobby again and saw Blake following Perry into his office. The area being Blake-free, I strode across the precinct area to ask Charlene if she'd seen agent Jayden leave his office or the building. She had not.

Clutching my bag with both hands, I paced the space in front of his office for about a minute or two, debating whether or not to push the handle to check if the door was unlocked. No, that would be intrusive. I should just leave and return in an hour or so. Then again, I had promised Gabs to inform Blake asap. I glanced in the direction of Captain Perry's office. Blake was still in there and therefore not available. However, any minute now, he'd come back out and then I'd have no choice but to go up and talk to him, giving him another reason to gloat. Nope, no way. I really needed to get a hold on agent Jayden. I put two fingers on the handle and carefully pushed the door ajar for a peek inside. My eyes widened. The FBI agent sat crouched up against the far end wall under a small window. I scurried inside, pushed the door close and dashed across the room in three hasty steps. Even with daylight streaming from the windows illuminating the FBI agent's face, his skin looked ghostly pale.

"Hey, HEY! Agent Jayden."

With bloodshot eyes, shallow, rapid breaths and uncontrollably shaking limbs, I feared he could collapse in a heap of convulsions any minute. His complexion had a grey-ish, almost transparent appearance and a small stream of blood trickled from his nose. I shook his shoulder and repeated his name. No response. Shit! What was his first name again? I pulled out an ID badge from a pocket at the inside of his suit jacket. It read: special agent Norman Jayden. That's it. Norman. Of course.

"Hey, Jayden. Norman. Norman, can you hear me?"

His head turned slightly and he tried to speak but could only produce a fain squeak. Though he had difficulty communicating, he seemed to be aware of my presence. I checked his pulse. It was faint, but detectable. I counted well over 100 BPM. I touched his forehead. His skin felt cold and clammy. He had all the symptoms of low blood pressure and could pass out any minute. What on earth was wrong with him? An epileptic fit? Diabetic shock? Anaphylactic shock? None of these explained the nosebleed, though. I tried searching his pockets for medicine, but he brushed me off.

"I'll go get help, I'll be right back." I started to rise, but a firm grip on my sleeve held me back. With all the strength he could muster, Jayden held on to my arm and looked directly at me, though he could barely keep his eyes open.

"No... please. Don't." He spoke with a slurred, drowsy voice.

"But you're sick," I argued. "You need to see a doctor. I'll go and get-"

"No. Don't... no one must see me... like this."

"Well, I'm not leaving you like this."

"I'll be fine."

Fine my ass. I hesitated for a moment, rushing through options and emotions. Concern for his health and wellbeing mixed in with annoyance over his stubbornness, though I could understand he didn't want anyone, especially Blake, to see him in such a condition. Nevertheless, I couldn't just up and leave him like this. As he drifted off again, I leaned in close to his face and shook his shoulder as hard as I dared. When he finally looked at me, I said in a firm tone.