The blinking cursor on my monitor was taking most of my attention this Wednesday morning. Swallowing dryly, I looked across seeing John wasn't on this floor anymore, before staring back at the screen. I was starting to type the report, slowly but surely, but I was getting distracted. Sounds that used to be background aren't background anymore, papers flipping, coffee pouring, pencil scrapes on a notebook. Inhaling, they seemed to get louder and louder, but ironically who snapped me out of it was Sydney.
"I should kill you for telling this whole floor I was a-"
"Whatever term you're about to say, I didn't use, I only implied that you were."
I said glaring at Sydney, bags under my eyes, as I sipped some coffee down my throat. Suddenly it looked like her expression had softened from my own. After a couple seconds of silence, she took the cup from me, and threw it too the side.
"What do you get out of this? So sadistic you can't even tell anymore?"
Scoffing, I responded with.
"Tell me Associate's Degree, what do you think talking to me will do?"
"All it takes is one person to start a snowball effect."
Tapping my desk with my finger rapidly, she was really starting to piss me off.
"Tris I'm not telling you this to make you feel bad-"
"Then what are you telling me? Because it's obviously useless."
"It's not useless."
I groaned laying my head down on my desk. Why does everyone assume it's my fault?
"Tris, are you alright?"
Jane's voice picked my head up, as I pushed some hair out of my face.
"Yes, but Sydney the slut won't leave me alone."
Sydney and Jane gasped at that and I couldn't take it back, though I didn't want too.
"Tris that was uncalled for."
"Maybe but everyone keeps telling me I'm the scum of the earth, there only so many times I can take it, before going ape on someone."
"Who else told you that?-"
"I didn't, I'm just trying to help you!"
Sydney yelled, as I glared at her with.
"You want to help me? Quit."
Sydney huffed angrily, as Jane held out her arm before she moved, as Sydney went bold and said.
"Okay, I quit, and when you realize no one is looking out for you-"
"Shut up and go, you're like a nagging child."
Sydney got up and left, as I realized Jane was staring at my monitor screen versus, before looking back at me.
"Tris, what's going on?"
"Nothing why?"
"You're irritated, angry over the smallest things, come into my office."
I walked with Jane to her office, already crossing my arms.
"Does this have anything to do with Victor?"
"No Victor is the least of my concerns, I'm dropping the report-"
"Then tell me why."
Quickly sighing I said.
"He got too emotional for me, couldn't decipher what I really needed."
"Okay, how about you go home for the day, I can tell you're exhausted."
"I'm not exhausted, I want to get back on track."
"Not this time Tris, please if not home, someplace you can at least clear your head."
I wanted to argue, but by her expression this wasn't a request.
"Clear my head, I'll take your word for it Jane."
"Thank you, seriously take a break."
Grabbing my stuff, I walked down the steps slowly this time. Making it too the bottom, I reached in my coat pocket for my car keys, then pressed the unlock button. My car lights flashed, but someone was in front of it. None other than Victor.
"Hey look I'm sorry-"
I pushed past him, throwing my stuff into the backseat. Climbing in my driver side, I ignored the words coming out of his mouth, and drove off. Reaching a local park, I drove into a space, making sure my pack of cigarettes was close. Walking for a while on the sidewalk, I spotted a bench facing the water, and sat down. Lighting a cigarette, I placed it between my lips, inhaling some smoke before resting the cig in between my fingers.
"Do you mind if I sit here?"
A man said, considering I was on the edge I said.
"No, I don't mind."
And with that he sat down, that's when I started to look at his facial features. He looked a lot like Victor, but he was taller, and his hair was burgundy versus Victor's was brown. Then I got a very bad thought, as he said in the air.
"Figured it out yet?"
"No, but considering you look alike, I'm going to guess you're Victor's brother?"
"Good guess, but I'm not the one that killed his wife."
Dipping my head, the killer would say that, as I exhaled the smoke.
"But I'm sure you won't drop me off the killer list that easily, so I'll give you my perspective of the story..."
Kyle started to pass me a flash drive, the moment I started to pull, he gripped it harder and said.
"Victor is..complicated, but I know you'll post the truth as soon as you get it."
"What are you saying?"
"Give him another chance after the case is over, he's been through a lot."
How does he know all this? He let the drive go as I put it in my murse, carefully though.
"He's a dick."
"I know, but he wasn't always that way."
So with that, Kyle walked off, as I finished my cig staring at the ducks in the pond. Blinking, I can't trust Kyle, but if this leads to finishing the case with Victor shamed I'm all for it. I stomped out my cigarette, then walked back to my car. Driving home, I pulled into the driveway, seeing police searching every inch of my house. Stepping out of the car, a police officer approached me.
"Hello ma'am, is this your establishment?"
"Yes, why?"
I responded, I can't lie easily, but with bits of the truth it should work.
"Was Victor Sanchez by here last night?"
"Yes."
"Do you know why?"
"Oh, I hit my head and he helped me inside."
The police officer nodded, as I pointed at my bump, then continued.
"How do you know him?"
"Just from the news, although I didn't believe the allegations."
"I see, did he pose a threat to you?"
"No, I had mace."
We shared a chuckle then.
"Thank you for answering my questions, we'll be out shortly."
"Take your time."
I said, climbing into my driver seat, until they left.
