CHAPTER 4 : Arson Case part 2

After the encounter with that girl yesterday. I was no longer at peace. I'm thinking of people I have met who had hatred of me.

"I can not think of anything. But I'm sure it's one of the criminals I've encountered."

I unconsciously said while driving to the office. I immediately stepped on the brake when I came across a fire truck. Shit! The arson case! I followed the fire truck. Is there a fire again? When I got to the place of the fire, I saw how many houses were burnt. Apartments, department stores, and more.

“I’m Prosecutor Rheam Khean Gonzales. What is the cause of fire?”

I asked a police officer who was there while showing him my identification card.

“Arson sir. No proof of short circuit or any cause for the fire to start.”

“How about the casualty of death?”

“Seven people died.”

I nodded and approached the survivors and audience of what’s happening.

"Excuse me. Did you notice anything unusual before this fire happened?”

"There is a man in black hanging around the area. Some young people said they thought he was a rapist or a thief."

One of the survivors said.

"Where is he often seen?"

"In that old building."

He pointed to the building that was just a few meters away from the fire.

“Thank you.”

I immediately went to the building that the man told me. It's an abandoned building. It's scary, but I might find a hint from the suspect. As I was going in to tour the building, I called Justine.

"Hello, Justine. Go here in the fire site. The police said this is arson, connected to the first one. Bring some police. I'm here in the abandoned building 5 meters away from the fire."

[Copy that, sir.]

I hung up and used my phone's flashlight. Why is it so dark in this building? This building looks fine and nothing suspicious here. I heard a rustling sound so I turned my light around.

"Who's there?"

No one answered. Creepy but I have to look for some hint.

"Am I the one you're looking for?"

I was startled and couldn't move when I felt his breath on my neck. I was about to move when he got both of my hands and pinned me in the wall.

“Uurg!”

Shit! It hurts. Damn.

“Sir Rheam.”

“Who are you?”

“hmm.. Not the right time to know my name.”

“Are you the one who started the fire?”

“Yup. Just an order to have your attention.”

This again? I remember what the tattooed girl said.

[“That's not me. But I'm warning you. Be careful, that person wants to get you for good. Not just your attention.”]

“Let go of me.”

I struggled so he will let go of my hands.

"That shit is so slow."

"What are you talking about?"

I was confused. No! Maybe the person who wants to take me is with him. I do not want.

"Let go of me!"

“What the hell! Just shut your mouth! Damn.”

I froze when I saw the tattoo on the right side of his neck.

“That tattoo.”

“Ah. This? I’m from that person’s group. That dumbass is taking too much time.”

Then we heard police sirens. I’m sure its Justine.

“Sir Rheam! Where are you?”

“Sweetheart! Come out! Where are you?”

“Mr. Gonzales!”

Justine was with prosecutor Salvador and Ms. Sanchez.

“Justine! He – uhmm!”

“Ssshh, be quite! Damn!”

He covered my mouth so I cannot yell for help.

“Mr. Gonzales! Let go of him this instant!”

Phew! Good thing they saw me right away.

“Damn! That idiot is too slow!”

I was surprised when he jumped from the window of the adjacent wall where he leaned against me.

“Mr. Gonzales, are you alright?”

Justine and ms. Sanchez immediately went after me.

“I’m fine Ms. Sanchez. Thank you for coming. But the suspect has escaped.”

“The police will take care of that guy. The most important thing is that you’re safe.”

“Thank you.”

“Here’s the other file for the arson case.”

“Thank you, Justine.”

We’re already here in the office. Of course, chief Kang scolded me again.

“As I thought, they are connected. Maybe the arson case was just a cover too.”

“What do you mean Mr. Gonzales?”

I looked at the man leaning on the doorway.

“Mr. Salvador.”

“I’m glad you’re fine. What do you mean by that? Its case closed. Besides the guy was in jail already”

“Yes, the case was closed by the eyes of the court and many people. But not for me.”

“Rheam. In my office now. Mr. Salvador call Ms. Sanchez, in my office.”

“Yes sir.”

“Justine, come to my office too.”

“Yes sir.”

I stood up and went straight to uncle’s office. Mr. Salvador at Ms. Sanchez are already sitting on the chair inside.

“Take a seat Justine, Rheam.”

“Thank you sir.”

“Now, Rheam. For your safety. Tell us what you know.”

“Uncle-“

“Tell us, Rheam. Please.”

I sighed. I don’t have any choice but to tell them what I know.

“So the kidnapping and arson case was just a front and they are made by the same group?”

“Yes, they are giving me the symbol, the triangle with a dot and number seven in the center.”

“You need to take more care sweetie.”

“We will help you to be safe. If I need to hire body guards for you and for your unit, I will.”

“No need uncle. Please. You know that I hate that kind of treatment. I’ll be okay. Please.”

They sighed.

“I’ll do my best to protect sir Rheam.”

“You don’t need to do that Justine. Thank you but I’m fine.”

“Make it sure Rheam. Your parents will never know this, but if the things gone worst, I don’t have any choice but to tell them.”

“Yes uncle. Thank you very much.”

He just nodded at me. As if my parents will not know anything. They have a lot of eyes to look after me here.

“Take care mr. Gonzales.”

“Thank you mr. Salvador.”

“By the way, there’s a party on Sunday evening. The court invited us. We’ll go together. I’ll fetch you in your place Rheam.”

“Okay uncle.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow.”

“Thank you sir.”

After the meeting, we went out of uncle’s office.

“Don’t worry Rheam. We will guard you and make you safe.”

I sighed. They don’t need to do that. I don’t want to disturb them, I’m not their job to look after me.

“Please, don’t bother yourselves.”

They just ignored what I’ve said. I sat in my swivel chair and get my phone. There are three messages. I opened the first one, and it came from Timothy.

\[Hey Rheam, what’s up? Are you free?\]

I looked at the clock. 6:30 pm. Time sure flew so fast. I composed a message saying Yes I’m free. I opened the last two messages from the same unknown number.

\[Dear, even though you put two of my men in jail. You can’t escape from me. I’ll be there to get you, no matter what happens.\]

\[By the way, you look superb, so gorgeous. I can’t wait to have you. Just wait.\]

I was shocked and got shivers down my spine by his text messages. Who is that person? I came down from the office because timothy was already outside.

“Hey.”

He looked at me. He is looking good leaning over his car.

“Thank you for granting this.”

“It’s okay. You are welcome and I am free anyway.”

He opened the door in the passenger seat.

“Thank you.”

He went around and enter the driver’s part. He looked and smiled at me before starting the car.

“Where do you want to eat?”

“Hmm.. Do you happen to recommend anywhere? I’ve been in RKG restaurant.”

“It’s yours, right?”

“Yeah, and I’ve been eating foods from there.”

“Okay, I happen to pass by this small restaurant. They are serving foods from other countries. Are you fine with it?”

I smiled at him. This one of them is playful and a happy person even though he is a doctor. Maybe with him, I can forget the things happening to me for a while.

It took us 20 minutes to arrive in the place he mentioned. I can say that the restaurant’s ambiance is good. It is exuding a delicate and calm environment. I smiled, Timothy have sharp eyes.

“Good evening, sir.”

“Good evening.”

“Table for two, miss.”

“Okay sir. Please follow me.”

“Thank you.”

We followed her. It's up to timothy for the orders. We just sat while waiting for our order.

“So, how’s your day?”

“So tiring and unbelievable.”

“Being a prosecutor is really hard.”

“Same with being the doctor though.”

I said and he smiled. Being a doctor is really a tiring and difficult duty. You have to put others first before yourself and you must stand in the front line.

“I’ve been seeing arson cases in the newspapers and live news. There are even seven people dies because of it.”

“Yeah. I am handling the case right now.”

“I also heard the kidnapping case.”

“Yep, it is a finished case but not yet closed.”

I looked at him. He is also looking at me with sympathy in his eyes. I smiled.

“That must be tiring.”

“Yeah, but it’s okay, and I am enjoying it. It’s just that-”

I was interrupted when our orders arrived.

“Here’s your order, sir. Enjoy.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s eat.”

We were eating in silence when I felt someone looking at us or at me. I looked around and saw a man wearing a black jacket, black cap, and black pants. He’s looking at me, I’m not sure if it’s just me, or I really saw him smirk.

“What’s the matter?”

I looked at timothy. I don’t want him to get involved.

“Ah nothing.”

“Okay, after this, I’ll drop you in your house. Maybe you’re already tired.”

I just nodded at what he said and looked at the man again, but he was no longer in his place.

We are in front of my unit. After the dinner, we went home.

“Thank you very much, Rheam. You completed my day.”

“You’re welcome, Timothy. Thank you for the dinner.”

I smiled at him.

“Go ahead. Go inside already. I’ll go after you went in.”

“Uhm, okay. Good night, see you around.”

“Good night.”

I entered and locked the door. He also left as he said. I got undressed and took a shower. Too much happened today. After the bath, I went in my study and looked at the two pieces of paper. The kidnapping case and arson case. The arson formed a pattern, the number seven.

"The tattoo is complete, what else will they do next? Is it a front again or will it be the main crime?”

I thought suddenly. If that person wants to get me, what is her/his purpose? What is he/she gonna do with me?

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