ADELINE

I print the document and check the time. The wall clock screams 10:25 am. It is still early and I am in no rush to see Ledger. I have enough time to go for a walk.

I have to submit the report today. I still can't believe I am listening to that asshole's orders. Today my plan activates though.

I put my white blazer on again and locked my office on my way out. It is time for my plan to take action. It is not that big of a plan really nor is it that dangerous. But it is a direct violation of the rules.

I guess Greyson's threats didn't do enough damage. I reach the ground floor and exit The Pentagon through The River Terrace.

As I was opening my car door a sense of awareness hit me. Is someone watching me? I take a look around. At the entrance of The Pentagon stands the military's tiger. Matheo.

He is not even hiding himself. He is openly staring. I didn't realize how tall and muscular he was last time.

While Greyson represents elegance and royalty, Matheo represents wildness and rebellion. While Greyson polishes his shoes, Matheo wears boots. Greyson wears suits, and Matheo wears leather jackets.

Matheo's entire personality represents a soldier. Why am I comparing them?

Focus! You fool.

Matheo doesn't move but I am not waiting for him to. I get in the car and drive away. There is no way he knows where I am going and even if he somehow magically did, he doesn't try to stop me.

After a while, I pull into the parking lot of TalkTV headquarters. I didn't agree on an interview time with the employer but she said I could come whenever I wanted. I walk in and speak to the receptionist.

She directed me to the employer's office. When I reached there, the employer shook my hand and took me to be interviewed by Norman Fisherman.

I sit in the same seat Rachel sat in a few days ago.

"Today's interview is special, ladies and gentlemen. Extremely special," he says to the camera.

"Our guest is no other than the lead investigator in Joe Windsor's murder, Adeline West." He tabs rapidly on the glass desk to make up for the silence in the studio.

"It is one long-awaited episode now isn't it." He laughs his signature smile and turns to me. I don't know which camera of the dozens here is recording me but I know they switched to me.

I smile at Norman. "First of all, how are you? Adeline." I bite my tongue to resist correcting him. "I am very well, thank you Norman."

"Tell us, what is it like to be the lead investigator in such a widely known case." He is referring to my young age, but I don't think I am young. I think I am too old to be called by my first name.

"It is a tough job when everyone is trying to do your work for you." I laugh and he falls in sync.

"We can't help but add our input on such mysteries. We apologize if our love for crime has made your job harder." He shuffles his papers and then fully turns to me. Question time.

"So tell us, with the government's unlimited resources and your incredible skill, you have the upper hand in this case. you might as well know my shoe size!" he laughs like the entertainer that he is.

I chuckle along "I sure do! but to answer your question. Of course, having the government's help is a big plus. Sometimes though, these big pluses can not be granted."

Norman crosses his arms with a frown. "What do you mean cannot be granted?" We are getting there.

"Well, as all the American people know. The Pentagon is the military's backbone. The secrets are engraved in the walls, Norman not just on paper. Unfortunately, The state's secrets are classified information for even a criminal investigator like me."

Norman takes a few seconds to consider his options. Use the information to feed the public's rage or agree with the bullshit excuse the government uses.

"What resources can you not obtain exactly?" He is still considering his options. "Simple things really," I start counting on my hand.

"I shouldn't interview individuals unless I directly suspect them, I avoid the three top floors due to the presence of high-profile agents. I can investigate crime scenes but I can not request camera footage." I think these are enough to cause outrage without completely shading the government.

I can't mention stuff like how I am not allowed to be here talking on television or how I can't ask for civilian files without a real reason to. Why can't I access civilian files? What would possibly be important about such things? I push the question to the back of my mind.

"Nevertheless, no matter who the culprit is,. We will indeed find him." I smile confidently. I must remember even though I am here to defy The Chairman, we both represent the government.

"It is shocking really, that for such a popular case, you are given such small capabilities." Fisherman reflects the entire population's reaction. Disbelief and doubt.

"Don't worry, I still have a few leads to work with." He leans back in his chair, finally back to the good part of the talk show. Questioning.

"What kind of leads?" Ones I don't have.

"Now that is classified." we both laugh. "So Adeline, I am sure you heard of The Senator's death." I nod. I have heard it from you.

"It is very tragic, Norman. A blow to us all." he nods in agreement and starts talking again. "Two politicians in less than a month. How do you analyze that from a detective's point of view?"

"It isn't unusual for people to die in close timing. What is unusual is how two political friends were found dead in guarded places,"

" I would have gone as far as to consider the senator's death a lead but keeping in mind his old age. I won't exclude the possibility of a coincidence."

I try to explain without letting a lot of information out. People should think you know something and won't say it rather than know that you're as clueless as the rest of them.

"Do you think the senator got murdered?" Norman taps on his desk with a pen. "I haven't had a look at his medical history to tell you, but I would be surprised if he isn't known for his strokes."

"Will you be looking into his case too?" To be honest it all depends on how this interview plays out. I have to hit another nerve. "I am not sure, Norman. I can't even access my files let alone access The Senator's." I say it jokingly and we both chuckle.

It is to lighten the mood as we make everyone else mad. "What can you tell us about Windsor's death, Adeline?" I take a few seconds to consider the information I have and it hit me. I have nothing.

You would expect a detective to at least have suspects after a week or so from the start of their investigation, but I didn't even start. I have been slacking around.

"We all heard of Windsor's sad story, Norman. How everything was taken from him all of a sudden. What we do know for sure, is that whoever killed him wasn't someone from The White House."

He frowns. "What makes you think that?" I link my fingers together to stop them from playing with the hem of my shirt.

"We found traces of a gunfight in the building. Foreign bullets against our guards. Whoever the intruder is, they aren't anyone familiar."

"Did the guards see his face?"

Ugh! The only way to answer such a question is to expose information that will lead you right into the next trap. What if I lie? Would it work?

No, it will only lead me to more trouble. I can't outright say no. That will make us all look like fools. Ugh! I am a fool. What have I been doing all this time?

"We wouldn't be here if we saw him, would we?" I am a disgrace to every Sherlock Holmes fansite. A dishonor to every Secret Service criminal specialist. I should be wiped out from the face of the earth.

Maybe Greyson should have fired me. Ah! Focus women! There is no time for your negativity! "Thank you for gracing us with your time today. We hope to meet again in the future."

He must have sensed my panic or he wouldn't be ending the interview this vaguely. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Adeline West." A few people behind the camera clap and then the director screams cut.

I should never underestimate the power of words. If I had the slightest idea that talking was this hard, I would have used my Twitter account instead.

⟺

I knock on the door three times before I am told to come in. I am 12 minutes late to my meeting with Greyson. Partially because I secretly hoped he would fire me. The interview will air tonight at nine anyway. I will be jobless in the morning.

I push my way in and shut the door behind me. When I turn around to face the dimly lit room, I spot two people. Greyson is behind his desk and Scarlet is lying on the crimson couch.

She has her feet crossed at the ankles on the armrest. While the rest of her body fills the cushioned surface. Her presence stops me in my tracks. Why am I surprised? Of course, she is comfy in her boyfriend's office.

"Hey there" she waves at me. Oh right, "Hi Scarlet. How are you?" I say as I hug the report to my chest and make my way to Greyson's desk.

"Alive." I chuckle at her response and gently place the report on the table.

"You are late." He doesn't bother to look up from his laptop screen. "ooh, someone is in trouble." Scarlet mocks and I send her a quick side eye. She chuckles to herself.

"I am here nonetheless." I put on my politest smile. My reply makes his gaze shift from his screen to me real quick. "You are dismissed, Adeline."

I sigh mentally and try to keep my face straight.

"I would much rather appreciate it if you call me Miss West, Sir." He stops typing and looks at me.

"You are dismissed, Adeline."

I roll my eyes and turn around to leave. The last thing I saw before I walked out was the smirk on Scarlet's face.

These small encounters I have with Greyson are the reminders I need to understand why I thought breaking the rules was a good idea.

One day, Ledger. I will strip your entitled self from all its glory and- No!

Never wish harm to anyone, Adeline. This is not you. Don't let him get to you. I sigh and go back to my office. I took the time to look through the files I alphabetically ordered yesterday.

The Chairman had sent me all the names I had emailed him and they are a lot. So now I have to read them all and analyze them then save them on my computer.

But when I looked up after a few hours of going through employee backgrounds, I noticed something. A petal fell from the red rose.