Chapter Two

One by one, the number of remaining staff members was reduced. I’m part of the last group that was transported to the main hall. I heard the commander tell one of his subordinates. I looked for my ID card, which I’ll show the police if the elevator gets to the main hall. From my experience, the police force is only sometimes the most competent in its duties. But I’m sure they’ll treat this case with outstanding professionalism. I could get through the rigorous vetting process at the most secure company. In that case, I’m confident the police wouldn’t be able to catch the perpetrators even with their best shots unless…the FBI takes over this case, which is likely to happen. This, of course, unsettles me. The elevator arrives just in time after I’ve secured my card in my hand, but before I can step inside, an arm comes up to prevent me from doing so. Oh, no! >>The maximum amount had been reached. Please wait here, madam. My colleague will be with you<< the police officer at the door says with a smile. I turned around and saw the person he was talking about. He gives me a warm smile, and I step back. A few minutes later, another elevator arrived at our floor, filled with a few people. I step inside without the police officer, who nods again after seeing another officer in the elevator and disappears. There are four people inside it. I know some of them. The young police officer is new. He looks like he’s in his late twenties. The other three are my brother, my aunt, and Jack’s secretary, Mimi. I look away as the elevator moves to the first floor. This will take a while since we’re on the 30th floor! I opened my hands to check my ID card. Maybe I’m just trying to avoid getting angry because Aunt Shirley is behind me, and her reflection is proper before me, which isn’t helping right now. >>I suggest that you put that away, young lady!<< The young police officer said sternly as he looked at my card. Gosh, what’s the matter with him? Can’t a girl look at her stuff in peace? Even though I was tempted to keep looking, I put it away to avoid trouble. I had so many other things on my mind, not to mention Jack’s issue, the FBI, and how I would tell my mother about the whole situation. However, I did exactly what I didn’t want to do. My mom has taught me so much! A lot of that is proper here in front of me. To James, Aunt Shirey, and Mimi, Peter is one of the police department’s investigators. However, to me, he’s something else entirely. His name is pasted across his chest on the badge, which may not be his legal name. His broad chest and dark hair almost cover his face, which is why no police officer initially had such long hair.
I looked from his face to his hands and couldn’t help but smile. They might be a little shaky, but you can’t tell. Secondly, he hides his darkness; he holds his intense eyes. All these signs make it immediately apparent that he is an imitator. Thirdly, his thumb is in the wrong place on the weapon, and he keeps moving it up and down, which shows me he needs to be more relaxed and confident. There are so many points! It’s hard to say whether he is the murderer and is trying to blend in with the other police officers to escape, but maybe he’s just a scapegoat in a bigger scheme.
Despite the uncertainty, one thing is crystal clear: Peter is concealing something. I don’t harbor any ill will towards wrongdoers. I’m more interested in understanding their motives. But Peter, he’s not just a wrongdoer; he’s a riddle begging to be deciphered. And I’m resolute in my determination to unravel it.