Waiting, A Dangerous Game

by Faizal Rahim

  “Go home Shirley. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Rossi told her.

  “No, I am fine. I can…”

  “I need you to be a hundred percent Shirley. Go home. I will visit the Tysons and the shops. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Rossi guided Shirley back to Aisha’s chair.

  “I can’t get Aisha and my dad out of my mind.” Shirley covered her face with her hands.

  “Emotions get you nowhere in this job. I told you that at the very early stage of this case.” Rossi reminded her. He sympathised with Shirley’s plight but he was not going to make it known to Shirley.

  “Didn’t you ever feel emotionally attached to any case?” Shirley looked up at Rossi and asked him.

  “I would be lying if I said no. That almost got me killed once. I realised that no matter how hard you tried, the person who is dead will never come back to you. There is no point in catching a criminal or crook for those who are long gone. You catch them so that others can walk freely.” Rossi lit up his cigar.

  “Was Diane pretty?” Shirley asked Rossi.

  “She was definitely prettier than you.” Rossi answered back.

  “Hey!” Shirley started laughing.

  “Go home Shirley. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Rossi walked to his desk and took his jacket. He wore it and left Crime Investigation Unit.

  CHAPTER FORTY THREE

  SHIRLEY ENTERED HER APARTMENT AND closed the door behind her. Her apartment was in a mess. When was the last time I came back home? She threw the keys on her coffee table. She took the magazines that were lying on the coffee table and arranged them in a proper sequence. She walked to her living room window and opened it, smelling the fresh air that was coming through. Shirley felt as though she was breathing in for the first time. She took a few deep breathes and looked out her window. The street was busy with street vendors touting for customers. The street vendors varied from accessories to food items. Cars were impatiently honking at people crossing at the road. Children were playing noisily and getting wet from a broken water pump. Shirley was getting a headache listening to all those noise coming at the same time. She closed her window and started picking up her clothes that were lying around on the couch and floor. She picked all the clothes and walked over to her kitchen. She placed the clothes into the laundry. She walked over to her refrigerator and opened it. Shucks! Not even eggs. Shirley felt her stomach growl. Should I order or buy some groceries to cook later? Order is good. Shirley picked up her mobile and called for fast food. She placed an order and she was told that the delivery time will take forty minutes due to high intake of orders. She went into her bedroom and made the bed. She stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself. I look horrible. Look at the eye bags forming. My hair looks withered. Shirley removed her clothes and looked at herself in the mirror, scanning every part of her body, hands and legs. I need to workout soon. I’m seeing some baby fats. She walked to the bathroom and turned on the showers. She stood there for a long time, feeling the droplets travelling down from her head all the way down to her heels, enjoying the warmness from the shower.

  She came out from the showers and dried herself with a towel. She wore a purple satin robe and wrapped her hair in the towel. She heard the door bell ringing. She walked over to the living room and opened the door. The delivery man was with her food at the entrance. The delivery man was taken aback by Shirley’s beauty. He kept on looking at Shirley’s curves that were visible from the purple satin robe that she wore. Shirley took her delivery and paid the man, who couldn’t take his eyes off her. Shirley waved goodbye to the delivery man and closed the door. The delivery man left, smiling to himself at the sight he saw.

  Shirley sat down on her couch and switched on the TV. She switched channels while taking a huge bite off her burger. She finally decided on HBO. The movie Enchanted was being shown. Shirley liked the movie a lot. She always fantasized herself as a princess living in a world of fantasy. She finished her meal and gave out a satisfactory loud burp. She immediately covered her mouth with her hands and looked around her apartment. Don’t be ridiculous. There is no one around. I can burp as loud as I want and as much as I want. Shirley giggled to herself. She watched the movie for another twenty minutes before she realised that her eyes were closing on her. I need some sleep. She switched off the TV and dragged herself into her bedroom. She lied down on her bed and felt her muscles relaxing instantly. She checked her mobile phone for messages. There was none. Shirley was deciding whether to send a message. She tapped her fingers on her mobile for some time before deciding to send the message anyway.

  What r u doing? She sent the message.

  The reply message was almost instant. Waiting for you.

  Shirley smiled and sent a reply. That’s funny. I am asking if you r at work.

  Shirley’s mobile vibrated and she answered the call, “Why can’t you answer my questions in a proper way?”

  “I did answer you in a proper way. I am waiting for you. You still owe me a date remember.” Morris spoke on the other line.

  “No, I did not say it was a date. It’s just a meal with you and me. That’s all. Don’t get all too excited.” Shirley smiled.

  “Have it which ever way you want to darling. Just let me know when you are free?”

  “Pick me up tonight at 7?” Shirley asked.

  “7pm sounds good but there is a slight problem. I am afraid that you have to pick me up. I don’t have a car remember?”

  “Excuses excused. Tell me where to pick you up?” Shirley asked Morris.

  “I won’t trouble you so much darling. I will wait at your car park at 7pm? Will that do?”

  “That’s good. You are paying alright. I’m not going to spend.” Shirley told Morris.

  “Yes, of course. I will be the perfect gentleman today. So what will you be wearing?”

  “You will find out when you see me. Now I am going to sleep. Catch you later Morris.” Shirley disconnected the call and closed her eyes.

  He was looking through his car window at the apartment. He saw her opening the window and looking around the street. For a moment, he thought that she will suspect his black Chevrolet being parked at the side of the road but she closed her window back after some time. He waited for sometime before he saw shadow falling from her bedroom window. He knew that she was in her bedroom. He also knew that she was alone as he did not see anyone coming into her apartment. The only one to come to her apartment was the delivery man. He was so tempted to break into her apartment and fulfil his lustful desires but he knew that he could not mess things up. He knew being patient was the key. He knew it was only a matter of time before he got to her. I am waiting . . . I am waiting . . .

  CHAPTER FORTY FOUR

  CENTRAL STREET IS A NEIGHBOURHOOD that was newly developed not so long ago. It was officially opened by the Mayor two years back. The place was built to cater to the working class group. Housing and businesses were capped to make it affordable. Lots of mini parks were created to make the place eco-friendly. Every corner was placed with recycle bins. No two buildings looked similar as each building was built by a different architect. The Mayor gave freedom to the architects as to how the final outcome will be as he wanted the place to stand out among the other parts of the city. The Mayor named the neighbourhood Central Street although no one knows why.

  Rossi found No.21 Central Street and parked his Camry. He looked through the Missing Person File again. Cambria Tyson. He walked over to the gate and rang the gate bell. No one acknowledged. He rang the bell again. A lady in her fifties came through the front door wearing an apron with flour on her hands. She was slightly plump and she walked with a slight limp. She approached Rossi at the gate warily.

  “How can I help you?” She asked Rossi.

  “I am looking for the Tysons.” Rossi replied back.

  “Who are you?” She asked.

  “
I am Chief Detective Rossi from Crime Investigation Unit. I am looking for Mr and Mrs Tyson. May I know if they are around?” Rossi showed the lady his badge.

  “Come on in.” The lady opened the gate and ushered Rossi into the living room. She gestured Rossi to take a seat.

  “Would you like some coffee?” The lady asked.

  “Thank you but it’s alright.” Rossi replied.

  “You look tired and famished. Here let me make some sandwiches for you.” The lady was walking to the kitchen.

  “It’s really fine Madam. I just want to see Mr and Mrs Tyson. If they are not at home, I would be leaving.” Rossi got up from the seat.

  “Mr Tyson will be back in awhile. While you are waiting for him, I will prepare sandwiches for you. Sit down. Please I insist.” The lady held Rossi’s arms and made him sit down.

  Rossi touched by the gesture did not resist. “Are you Mrs Tyson?”

  “Yes I am.” She went back to the kitchen.

  Rossi picked up a magazine from the coffee table and flipped through the pages. Ten minutes later, Mrs Tyson came out of the kitchen carrying a large tray. She placed the tray on the coffee table. The tray was filled with sandwiches, half boiled eggs, bacon and coffee. Rossi thanked Mrs Tyson and started his meal. Rossi had never tasted such tasty meal before. He finished it all in record time. Mrs Tyson was watching Rossi enjoy the meal. She wondered when the last time the poor man had his meal.

  Mr Tyson entered the house. Mr Tyson was a tall man reaching sixty. He had shades of grey hair and he wore spectacles. He looked at Rossi and then turned to Mrs Tyson.

  “Who is he?” Mr Tyson asked his wife.

  “I am Chief Detective Rossi from Crime Investigation Unit. I am here to ask the both of you some questions.” Rossi told Mr Tyson.

  “Have you had something to eat? Did you serve him food honey?”

  “Yes, I have eaten Mr Tyson. Thank you. Both Mrs Tyson and you are so kind.” Rossi was taken back by the hospitality shown by the two of them. It pained Rossi that he must break the news about their daughter.

  “What is it regarding Mr Rossi?” Mr Tyson sat beside his wife.

  “It’s… uh… it’s regarding your daughter.” Rossi answered.

  “Cambria? Is my baby alright? Please tell me you have some answers for us.” Mrs Tyson was starting to tear. Mr Tyson patted her cheeks.

  “I know this is going to be difficult for you. I need you to identify the girl in this photo.” Rossi showed them the photograph of the first victim after epilation process was completed.

  “No! Oh god no! My baby…” Mrs Tyson was sobbing away while looking at the photograph.

  Mr Tyson with teary eyes looked at Rossi and nodded his head, acknowledging that it was Cambria Tyson. Rossi did not know what to say. He waited for the two of them to compose themselves. After some time, Mrs Tyson stopped crying and rested her head on Mr Tyson’s shoulder.

  “I am so sorry about this. I know it is not a good time but I really need the two of you to tell me what happened on the day Cambria went missing.”

  “It was just like any other day. I was at home. Tyson went to work. Cambria was getting ready to go to the New Year’s party at her friend’s house. After Tyson came back home, Cambria said goodbye to us and left. She told us not to wait for her as she will be late. We got worried when she was not home for dinner the following day. We tried contacting her mobile but it was switched off. We never heard from her since.” Mrs Tyson told Rossi.

  “Why did you make the report only on the 5th? You could have done it earlier if you were worried right?” Rossi asked.

  “We didn’t want to report earlier as we thought Cambria might be still with her friends. We called all her friends that we knew of but no one knew her whereabouts. We thought she might have gone to work. So we decided to wait for some time. When there was still no news from her, that’s when we decided to report.” Mr Tyson explained to Rossi.

  “Did you know all her friends? I am sorry to ask but what was Cambria like? Was she stubborn girl who like to be rebel?” Rossi asked while taking down notes.

  “No, my baby was never such a girl. She was always well mannered and she would never do any harm to anyone. She always kept us informed on her whereabouts and she always called.” Mrs Tyson answered Rossi.

  “Is there anyone you suspect? If you have any doubts on someone, please try to remember and let me know. It will really be a great help to my investigations.” Rossi patiently waited for Mr and Mrs Tyson to recall anything out of the norm. Rossi sympathised with Mr and Mrs Tyson.

  “We don’t recall such a person Mr Rossi. Cambria was a good friend to everyone. She always wanted to help needy people and she was always there for her friends. We really don’t know who would do such a horrible thing to her.” Mr Tyson wiped away his tears with the back of his hands. Mrs Tyson started to cry silently covering her face with Mr Tyson’s arm.

  “What work was Cambria doing? Do you suspect anyone from her workplace?” Rossi asked.

  “You don’t know where she worked?” Mr Tyson asked Rossi.

  Rossi gave Mr Tyson a puzzled look.

  “Cambria was from the Force Mr Rossi. I thought all policemen knew one another.” Mr Tyson informed Rossi.

  Rossi’s eyes were wide open. He could not believe that Cambria was from the Force. He was trying to digest what Mr Tyson had mentioned to him.

  “Sorry Mr Tyson. I did not understand. You said Cambria was from the Force. Where was she assigned? Did you know?” Rossi asked.

  “She was a trainee with the Force. She was supposed to be posted out after a few months.” Mr Tyson informed Rossi.

  Rossi thanked Mr and Mrs Tyson for their time and he said his condolences for Cambria. Rossi left the house and walked to his car. Cambria was a trainee during the time she disappeared. Shirley was also a trainee during the same period of time. I need to ask Shirley if she remembers Cambria. Shirley could have some vital information for me. As he was walking to his car, he picked up his mobile and dialled for Shirley. The phone was ringing but no one was answering the call.

  CHAPTER FORTY FIVE

  THE PHONE KEPT RINGING AND ringing non-stop. The ringing sound forcefully entered into Shirley’s senses. Shirley searched for her mobile without opening her eyes. When she found it, she forced herself to speak up.

  “Hello?” Shirley covered her eyes with her free hand from the sun rays coming through her window.

  “A reminder to you darling that tonight you have a date with me.” Morris’s excited voice over the line.

  “What time is it Morris?” Shirley asked while looking at her table clock. She has been sleeping for hours.

  “It is time for you to get up and get ready. See you soon.” Morris disconnected the call.

  Shirley dropped her mobile on the bed beside her and gave out a soft yawn. She stretched herself lazily and sat up. She tied her hair into a bun and looked around her room. Her mobile phone rang again suddenly which gave her a jolt. She took the phone and answered the phone.

  “Yes Morris. I am awake.”

  “Morris? What the hell?” Rossi bellowed.

  Shirley bit her tongue and slapped her head gently. It’s Grumpy. I made a fool of myself.

  “What is it Rossi?” Shirley asked. Shirley got out of the bed and opened her bedroom window.

  He saw her opening her bedroom window from his Chevrolet. Ah, she’s awake! Finally! Bitch has been sleeping for so long that I could have gone to Japan and returned.

  “She was a trainee in the Force?” Shirley thought she heard Rossi wrongly.

  “Yes. Cambria Tyson went missing a year ago. During that time, she was a trainee with the Force. You were a trainee too during that period Shirley. Don’t you remember such a person?” Rossi asked on the other line.

  “
I totally can’t recall Rossi. She might be my senior batch or she could have been my junior batch. If that was the case, I would not know her. I know all the girls that were trainees with me. I am positive there was no Cambria Tyson. To think suspect even had the nerve to do such a thing to a trainee of the Force.”

  “He had the nerve to deposit a victim inside Head Investigation’s home. This guy does not have any regard for rules. He plays by his own rules Shirley.”

  “What do you want to do now? You need me?” Shirley asked.

  “It’s alright Shirley. I am going to pay a visit to the three shops which had the highest purchases of the items required for epilation process. In the meantime, you can ask around your friends in the Force if they knew Cambria. I will see you tomorrow as planned.”

  “Ok, I will…” Rossi disconnected the call before Shirley could finish. That’s polite of him.

  CHAPTER FORTY SIX

  SHIRLEY SAW MORRIS WAITING FOR her at the basement carpark of her apartment building. He wore a blue long sleeve shirt with black pants. He styled his hair with gel and was cleaned shaved. He was holding onto a bouquet of roses. For the first time, Shirley noticed that Morris was actually an attractive looking person. He totally looked different from the times where he wore his uniform. Shirley walked over to Morris.

  Morris passed the bouquet of roses to Shirley.

  “You look amazing darling.” Morris praised Shirley. Shirley let her brunette hair untied and her thick hair bounced up and down whenever she walked. She wore a white dress that was sleeveless. The dress showed off a little of her cleavage and her beautiful long legs. Morris could not stop staring at her beauty. She seemed to be from another world altogether.

  “Thank you for the roses Morris. They smell good. I would have preferred yellow ones rather than red.”

  “I wanted to let you know my intent from the beginning. I can’t help it if I am a straightforward kind of guy.” Morris smiled at Shirley.