April 4, 2011 (2:00am)

Sean left before the sun came up with a promise to have breakfast together. Wide awake, she lay on her bed thinking how she had strayed too far from her plan and Lightman was the cause. Part of her wanted to be happy for once, but her logical side said wishing for something good was out of the picture. She chose retribution, and sooner or later, it would get her for a more heavy cost. She didn’t know where Lightman was going with this newfound partnership of theirs, but whatever it was she couldn’t let him take the fall if the time came.

You trust him already, the voice inside her head accused. He might only be using you.

True, he could be using her for his own way of gaining justice and protecting his name in the process.

But I saved him once, he can’t be that selfish, she tried to reason out.

You’re getting soft, the voice warned.

She got up and took a cold shower. Plan B will save me in case something goes wrong with the plan.

(7:00am)

“Anything good from the family?” Lawson asked.

“Nothing. The poor wife is still in shock. Carlson doesn’t share anything about his work. His wife sensed he’s been different lately since the news of the killings appeared on the news. Said he’s always lost in thoughts until his death—like he was afraid or something. But aside from that, I got nothing more. I’ll be checking out names of children who has been found in the winter of 1996 and narrow down the search even more by looking for female children ages ten or eleven. Hopefully, the database will have something useful to give us some leads of Kyla Howard’s whereabouts.”

“That’s good, check every orphanages around the area where she disappeared—there’s not much,” he said, lighting up a cigarette.

“How was your meeting with Lightman?”

“Hmm…” he said, puffing out smoke, “it was interesting.”

“How so?”

“Sean Lightman is hiding something.”

“What?”

“Information about Kyla Howard.”

“You think he knows where she is?”

“No, not really, but I think he’s made a much better development on finding her.”

“Sunny, I know you have a very wild imagination, but I’m almost afraid to think that you believe Sean Lightman is conniving with Kyla Howard.”

“Why? She was his savior, right? And now she’s out for justice. He wants justice too. It’s enough reason to help her.”

“He’s not stupid. He won’t risk his name and his empire just to get caught helping a killer.”

“Tanaka, revenge is blinding.”

She snorted, “Where the hell did you get that?”

“My ex-wife. She made it sure I get the message.”

His partner laughed, “Yeah, I know that.”

“Anyway, any leads for the tape?”

“No, nothing.”

“Let’s put that on hold for a while. Let’s focus on finding Kyla Howard and digging into this cover-up further. Go talk to Senator Stuart.”

“What? No, you do it. I can’t talk to politicians.”

“Then we do it together,” he said. He was hoping Tanaka would take the challenge. He hated politics as well.

(7:30am)

“How do you intend to bug Simons’ office?”

“I will just need a minute inside. It’s easy once he’s in session.”

Sean stopped form munching his eggs and looked at her with amusement, “You already thought about this, haven't you?”

“Nothing wrong of thinking one step ahead,” she said, smiling.

“What do I need to do?”

“Just be the lookout guy.”

He nodded slowly, “Okay, that’s not difficult. Not much people know my face anyway.”

“You don’t have to do this if you’re afraid you’ll be dragged into this mess,” she said looking into his eyes, “you can sit and wait in the background.”

“I told you I want this as much as you do.”

“But you only want the killer,” she reminded him.

“No, I want Stuart too.”

“You can get him anytime.”

“No, I don’t want to kill him if that’s what you mean. I want him in prison where he will suffer. He owes us that. And we can’t get him to prison without the tape.”

“What if I want to kill him?”

“I won’t let you. No more killings,” he said with authority.

She sighed, knowing he would stand firm. “I’m through with the killings. I want Stuart to suffer more than the short pain of death.”

He cringed, “Please, stop with the pain and death. We’re eating,” he shook his head as he fumbled the eggs with his fork. “I can’t fathom how you stomach killing people with a blade. Blood is not my type of thing.”

She gave out a light chuckle, “In case you don’t know, I was a nurse. Blood is nothing compared to intestines.”

That did it. He dropped his fork down his plate and leaned away from the table, he looked like he’s about to throw up. “Phoebe, please, it’s not appetizing.”

“Fine, you started it.”

“Remind me not to do that again the next time we’re eating.”

She smiled faintly, looking at his expression. So now he’s planning for more shared breakfast?

(3:00pm)

They drove to the hall of justice together that afternoon. Sean chose to wear something heavy and casual so as not to attract attention from people who might know him. She made it sure she’s dressed prettily.

Sean glanced at her at the passenger side of the car as he drove, his face frowning, “Do you really have to wear something like that?”

“There’s nothing wrong with this one.”

“Nothing—” he almost cried in disbelief, “Look at your skirt, it’s too high. And your shirt, though it’s collared, does not really hide anything. Can you even breathe?” He maneuvered the car to the parking lot, found an empty spot in an instant, and parked.

“Relax, it’s not like you won’t be distracted if you see me—which is exactly why I’m wearing it. Why do you complain anyway?”

“I just don’t like it that you display your stuff out there.”

“I shouldn’t have slept with you. You are getting overwhelmingly possessive.”

“No, I’m not,” he said, stopping the car.

“Then stop acting like you own me,” she snapped, getting out of the car before he could say anything.

“Unbelievable,” he muttered under his breath as she trotted to the entrance without looking back at him. The moment she’s out of sight, he was at a loss for a moment. She just took off without talking about their plan. He shrugged. Maybe she expected him to follow and execute without running through it again. He did just that and went through security and located Simons’ office and waited outside.

He’s pretty sure she’s already inside doing what she was supposed to be doing. It’s not that difficult as he imagined now that he could see how busy the people were at this place. No one even glanced at him twice as he stood there, trying hard to pretend to be waiting for something or someone.

He glanced at his watch. It’s already been five minutes and Phoebe still hadn’t called. Maybe she got caught?

A stout lady walked briskly at his direction and it alarmed him, but now that she’s getting nearer, he instantly knew that she’s not walking towards him at all: she’s walking to the door—the door that most likely separates them from Phoebe.

“Excuse me, miss,” he stopped her, not know what to say. “Can you please lead me to the bathroom?”

The lady’s face turned at him with irritation, “I’m busy, I’m sorry. Ask the guards by the entrance for direction.” She held out her hand to open the door.

“Please, I’ve been asking them but they said they’re busy. They gave me directions but I’m afraid it’s too complicated.”

“Look,” she glared at him, “I’m very busy, and I’m expected to get something for Judge Simons. Ask the guards.”

Sean could only hold his breath as she turned the knob and opened the door. He almost closed his eyes when he saw Phoebe inside. The woman on the other hand said in a demanding tone, “Who the hell are you?”

Phoebe whirled around from the phone and looked at the woman in front of him, and then her eyes traveled to him, both of them speechless.