Heterodox (BOOK 2)

Chapter 22

~Finley~

"I didn't do it."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN ' YOU DIDN'T DO IT'?"

"But I wish I did," the boy chuckles lowly. "That stunt they pulled was GOL-DEN."

"So you're a fan of their crimes?" I quiz.

He leans back into his chair, his arms folded and looking proud. "I guess you can say so; though I prefer the term connoisseur. I am the president of the U.N.O fan club at my school not to mention I have my own YouTube channel."

I sigh, massaging the crease between my eyebrows. "I know. And I'm guessing that's why your footprints were found at the crime scene. For your channel?"

"Yeah. I wanted to get the scoop quickly before the police came and interfered."

I slammed my hand on the table, shocking him. "YOU interfered, Joel! This is a case for the police department. NOT meddling civilians! Because of you, your footprints were detected instead of the real culprits!"

"My name is Buzz," he growls, "And honestly I couldn't care less. In fact, I'm glad that you didn't get any real evidence! U.N.O is the only one doing great things in this town. They are an inspiration to everyone, their message is true. We should be free to be ourselves. But you and the rest of this P.D tries to mute us!"

"Let me remind you, Buzz," I hiss, standing higher, "That this same gang you glorify have burned down a monument that may have taken lives as well as put many lives in danger a few weeks ago on the Highway. Even your last video featured this horrific event."

He rolls his eyes. "So what? They're chaotic neutral. Don't we all have a little bit of that in us?"

"You're mad."

"That's how you talk to teens, huh? Very professional," Buzz quips sarcastically. "Can I go to school now? I have a test after recess and though I am not too keen on tests either, my mom is gonna kill me if I flunk Accounts again."

Ethan interrupts me before I can have the last word. "Finley, can you come a sec?"

Wordlessly, I follow him behind the one-way mirror and we silently watch Buzz. The boy who muddied our evidence and has no regrets.

"Anything from Mr. Lightyear over there?" Ethan asks jokingly.

I almost laugh but choose to smile instead. Folding my arms over my chest, I sigh"Nope. He's a red herring."

"Just what I feared." He scatches his jawline, catching my eye, jokes aside. "I'm afraid I don't have much good news either."

That sobers me really quickly. Still looking at Buzz, I keep silent but apprehensive. Bad news? Why can't there be good news for once? Frustration starts to seep in, mixing with apprehension.

"Cheif says he wants us to finish this by  June 1st."

My throat immediately dries, making my voice faint. "What?"

Ethan runs his hand through his short blond hair as I try to stomach the sudden change, but fail. "But- but that's one week away!"

"I know." He sighs, weariness and disappointment written all over his face. "I had bartered and that is the most he's gonna give us before he hands the case over to the FBI."

The FBI? No no no NO! It can't end this way!

At first, this was all about getting promoted. However, as I spent more time hunting this gang down, I felt more attached to this case. It became a battle I had to win no matter the cost. Maybe, Buzz is right; there is a bit of chaotic neutral in all of us and I'm no different. I guess I lost sight of what truly mattered before, but I have realized that justice matters most and those people need to pay for their crimes.