by ARKOPAUL DAS
Ryan’s head was blank so he had to think for a moment before saying ‘The guy who stopped our suspect?’
‘Yes’
‘Right...he’s tall...slim physique...it got to be the same man’
‘Oh come one’ said Kevin ‘How’s that even possible? Why the hell would that man be here?’
‘No idea about that.’
‘Maybe he’s....’ Ryan trailed off because he failed to make his mind about what to say.
‘The figure, the dusty coat, everything matches’ said Ryan ‘it is him, no doubt. But why would he be here is the main question’
‘Just wait, maybe Henderson will introduce him to us’
Some more minutes passed as Henderson and that man still talked. The next minute Henderson signalled him about something and then showed him the door as if the man doesn’t know where to go, or maybe blind.
They were actually coming out. Alicia quickly stared away at the board and pinched Ryan, which made him jump on his chair and look at the computer.
‘Act like we were busy’ said Alicia.
Kevin had nothing to do, so he just focused on some trash files.
Now they could hear their talk as they came out. ‘Let me introduce you to others here’ he said to the man.
Alicia still looked at the board and Ryan typed on the computer more rapidly as they came. No one could tell that they were all standing idly talking among them about the man, a few minutes before.
‘Hey Ryan Alicia, Kevin, Trevor you too...who else is here?’ said Henderson.
‘What?’ said Ryan not looking at him.
‘Anyway I want you guys to meet someone .Come here ya’ll’ he said to them.
Ryan now left the computer and faced Henderson, others including Trevor who was still doing his desk job did the same.
‘Look here’ said Henderson. ‘This is Alan Smith’.
They all looked at Alan Smith not saying anything. It was the same man they met in the alleyway, same tall slim figure, white face, wrist full of bones and veins, all the same .And they were right about the pullover too, it was the same.
His face was narrow, rigid and emotionless .Only a slight tinge of smile, or maybe smartness...whatever it was, it could be seen attached to his face. His hands were tough and had some muscles and they were like thin cord. He had blue mesmerizing eyes and if you look directly at his eyes for some time, you’re bound to hallucinate. His face was white and fresh not red like others who just came back from the sun. Or those who sat in a AC less room.
‘So you are the one we met in the alleyway, aren’t you?’ asked Alicia without even saying hello.
‘Yes’ he answered in one word.
‘Oh...so you have met before?’ Henderson looked disappointed; perhaps he thought it would be a complete surprise to them.
‘Yeah’ said Ryan ‘We met this guy today in the streets...he was the one who stopped our suspect. He was really helpful I must add’ said Ryan.
‘So there’s no need to introduce, I see’ said Henderson. ‘You know each other then.’
‘But what is he doing here?’ asked Alicia.
‘I thought you knew...’
‘We just met, that’s all. We haven’t even talked’
‘Okay,’ Henderson replied ‘So this is Alan Smith. Former NYPD homicide detective, of 13th Precinct, that means our department of course' And Henderson turned to him ‘This is Alicia Quinn, now leading the homicide team. And the other detectives Kevin Connelly and Ryan Raglan’
‘Hello’ Alicia just said that and stopped. But Alan didn’t respond to this.
‘But then why haven’t we seen him before?’
‘Because he was not in New York for the past two years’ said Henderson ‘Come let’s have a sit first’
Alicia sat on the chair but Kevin and Ryan chose to stand. So Alicia stood up too. Henderson didn’t say anything more as everyone refused to sit. ‘Well he was in Washington’ Henderson continued, making sure everyone had interest in listening to him ‘He was working with the FBI. Investigating a murder of an agent, that also involved our NYPD division, that’s why they wanted someone who knows much more about the NYPD side. So they came to ask for someone...a detective who could help them with the case, and I had only one choice in my mind .So anyway he had to leave temporarily’
‘And now he’s back?’ added Ryan.
‘Oh yes, he’s back’
Henderson smiled and turned to Alan who just shrugged. ‘So gentlemen, you were just introduced to one of the finest detectives of New York, and the best in our 13th Precinct’
Alicia turned her face away, it was red. Her face only showed one sentence ‘Who gives a damn!’ so did Kevin. Only Ryan was interested. He said ‘Hello Sir’ willing to shake hands.
‘Let me also say’ continued Henderson with the same proud voice ‘He’s quite senior to all of you here, remember that .He previously served for more than fifteen years at a stretch in this department, so you see he’s all too experienced and that’s why I am letting him take the lead of the ongoing homicide case’
This time Alicia became alert as her face turned redder ‘But why?’
‘Didn’t I give enough reason for that?’ Henderson’s voice became harder. ‘Because he served this same homicide squad for so many years and had been immensely successful in doing it. So I have to let him back in his former squad, now that he has joined the department again. Or I'll have to answer later to the higher authorities about why I didn’t let him join the...’
‘No it’s okay’ said Alan. ‘I can take a few days off get some rest, and by the time this ongoing case gets solved , then I can join and take up a new case. It would be easier that way’
‘Yeah he’s right’ Alicia had to agree with Alan this time.
‘No Alan I can’t do that. You will be able to familiarize yourself with the detectives and the environment after such a long gap. And moreover I can’t afford to let you sit just like that .You are the best here’
‘You are thinking too highly of me’ he said.
‘I got this Alan, let me handle them’ Henderson said this softly so that Alicia or others doesn’t get to hear this. Alan knew there was no point arguing with him.
‘I was’ Alicia went on ‘just saying that if a new man joins the squad at this vital point then it will disbalance the whole case and the—’
Henderson cut him short. ‘Shut up Alicia You may take a few days off or leave permanently if you have a problem with him. Remember he solved more than fifty cases in his time here in fifteen years, so he’s far more senior than you all, so don’t talk and offend him like that. If you want to leave, fine I will make sure your badge is displayed in the officers reward room on one of the top glass shelves , but the main thing will be the same .From now on Alan is officially the head of this Detective bureau homicide squad and he will be leading most of the cases we get. Including this ongoing murder case’ said Henderson and stared at them with fiery eyes. ‘Is it crystal clear?’
‘Sure sir’ Alicia had to agree.
‘Fine then’
‘Yes, sir we are quite happy to welcome Mr. Smith back in our squad’ said Ryan.
‘But Henderson I am not sure if this is the right decision you took’ sad Alan normally ‘Look I don’t know anything about the case. So how can I suddenly lead it, I need more facts and...’
‘Don’t worry about that, Alicia was leading it, she will give you all the data and summary you need to revise the case’ said Henderson and it seemed like he got a solution about everything.
‘Ryan, Alicia, make sure he gets everything he wants’ said Henderson to them.
Alicia didn’t reply so Ryan said ‘Sure, no problem’
‘Sir' Henderson pointed out. 'So did you get the rapper guy?’ asked Henderson suddenly as he remembered sending them to the Chinese tattoo shop.
‘Oh yes!’ Alicia was immensely relieved to change the conversation. ‘Yes, you were right about the tattoo shop Mr. Henderson and
we got our guy. But we really had a tough time catching him. We got confirmed that he visited the tattoo shop and later found him wondering on the streets , so we asked him about it, he just ran and tried escaping and we also had to chase him’
‘But Mr. Smith helped us to catch him anyway’ said Ryan with a delighted face.
Henderson understood and said ‘So where is he now?’
‘He got injured so we had to send him for a check up to see if he’s okay or not .He will be back soon and we will question him’
‘I see’ said Henderson. ‘Come on Alan, I need you to sign some papers .And I also remember the last time you left the precinct you submitted your gun here, so now I’m going to return it to you.’
Henderson and Alan swiftly went inside, as Henderson quickly started to search for some papers from the locker.
‘So what do ya’ll think about him?’ said Kevin who also looked irritated but not more irritated than Alicia.
‘Yeah what?’ Ryan said casually.
‘I don’t believe it’ said Alicia.
‘What?’ asked Kevin. ‘That this man joining our squad?’
‘Yeah, and in the middle of a case’
‘He was a former detective here. You can’t deny him about that’
‘So what?’
‘Relax, I’m sure that he will complete the case soon. You see he’s quite an expert in this thing’ said Ryan.
‘We too are quite an expert’
‘Yes, right’
‘He also has more experience’
‘I don’t think so’
‘No no’
‘Just look at him’ they were all standing facing the blinds of Henderson’s room, Alan was busy with the papers so was Henderson. ‘Does he look like a man who could take down a killer?
‘Looks can be deceiving’ said Ryan.
‘No I’m with Alicia’ said Kevin ‘I mean look at his body. I can even take down this man with one hand’
‘Don’t get your hopes up too high big man’ said Ryan mockingly ‘This man have enough power than he seems to have. You saw the way he tackled Henry Roberts? And the result? He is in hospital now. So just, think about it. How lethal can this man be when he needs to be’
‘You also need a brain. You have to be intelligent’ said Alicia. ‘Strength is not gonna win you everything’
‘He have both I am sure about that’
‘How do you know?’
‘Look how happy Henderson is to have him’
‘Henderson is another shit man’ said Kevin.
‘Should I complain it to him?’
‘Should you wish to die right now? Then yes’
‘I was kidding’
‘I had doubt’
‘Okay whatever you say, but he’s the most weird guy I have even seen .He doesn’t even know how to shake hands’ said Alicia.
‘But he shook my hands, ok’ said Ryan.
‘Maybe he doesn’t like shaking hands with everyone’
‘And that would be weird don’t you think?’
‘That’s style’
‘Huh! Style’ said Alicia with a disgusted face.
‘But not a bad one too’
‘Hey Ryan’
‘Yeah?’
‘Let me ask you a question. Whose side are you on?’
‘Side?’ Ryan just laughed. ‘What are you talking about? How many sides are there? There is only one that consists you, me, Kevin, and Mr. Smith’
‘I wish you would have excluded Mr. Smith’
‘No chance now. He’s already in .You should have tried debating with Henderson a little more’
Henderson made Alan sign the last paper, then stamped something on it and then presented him with his own gun that was in the closet kind of almirah in a special chamber. Alan took the gun and checked both the sides, he cocked then re cocked , then bought it back to the normal condition .It was a glock 23 .40 Caliber automatic weapon with minimum weight despite its large capacity . Quite destructive if you know how to use it. Can shoot for long time without needing to reload it. He filled it with three bullets, pointed at Henderson but didn’t shoot. He kept it back on the table after he was done with it. Henderson gave another laugh and patted on his back. Then after Henderson insisted, he took the gun again and put it in his pocket as he came unofficially today and he was not carrying a holster.
Then Henderson checked the signed papers, made a bunch and moved it to a drawer temporarily .He came near Alan, smiled before showing him the door again.
This time as they came out, Alan, Ryan, Kevin were not ready. Henderson caught them.
‘Hey what are you all looking at?’
‘Umm...’ she thought it would be better to remain quiet and say nothing.
‘Okay anyway’ Alicia was right to be quiet as he soon changed the question. ‘just give him the facts about the case and he will take over from there. And as we are done with all this, I need to go now’
Alan walked towards them and sat in his table, he was not sure if it was his table or not, but anyway it was empty, so who cares?
‘Uh, Mr. Smith we are quite happy to have you in our squad...’ Ryan started.
But Alan put a finger up and said ‘But it seems like your partners are not’
He looked directly at Alicia, which made her stiffer. She tried to keep her nerves cool and said vehemently ‘No problem Mr. Smith. We too are quite pleased’
‘Really?’
‘Yes’
‘Your fingers of your left hand are trembling a little. And your eyes, they’re not fixed at anywhere in particular they are darting sideways, and your breathing is also quite heavy and forced. These are some symptoms of a posttraumatic disorder. So tell me, are you uncomfortable about me joining the squad?’
‘I guess, no’
‘Fine. Just another clarification’ he said ‘My name is Alan, don’t call me Mr. Smith’
‘Why?’
‘Sorry?’
‘I mean is there a problem if we call you by that name?’
‘Yes, Mr. Smith is a large word while Alan is the smaller one. So saying Mr. Smith is gonna consume a lot of time, and you know time is really important for a case. We can’t waste it just like that. So better stick with Alan’
‘Okay’
‘Good. Now I need more details with the case you’re fumbling with’
‘We are not fumbling Mr. Smith’ Alicia now said directly and anyone could say now if she was angry or not.
‘Of course you are.’ Alan didn’t mind her words or care about it. ‘Otherwise you should have completed it by now .Anyway, the details please’ Alan continued as no one was coming forward with anything.
Ryan was the first to start. The next few minutes saw them discussing important sides and matters about the case. Ryan described everything right from the beginning, right form where they found the body, as Alicia kept quiet fuming with anger.
Ryan talked about the suspects, the NY Times, the suspect list, or the disappearance of Paul Brown .Then he also told him in detail about the suspect Henry Roberts who tried running away for what reason they were yet to know.
He also informed Alan about the things, the belongings of Jade Carter, that they found were all changed.
Ryan then paused for a few seconds to think about if he had left anything out. But he found no flaws in the facts so he just revised everything again in his mind. Alan looked at him intently while playing with a pen. He sometimes looked away, sometimes stared at the floor, the other times he raised a eyebrow or did some gesture of maybe even shook his head when he heard about certain things. When Ryan finished his speech Alan didn’t say anything, he was quietly absorbing the facts and details so that he didn’t need to ask it again and make anyone more annoyed than they already were.
‘So the present situation is that we got our suspect and we still need to find another one, right?’ said Alan after five minutes or so.
‘Yes’ Kevin spoke after a long time.
A
lan continued playing with the pen and Ryan tried waiting him out.
‘Any idea where this man Paul Brown might be?’ he said at last.
‘Nope’ said Ryan.
‘Crime tech say anything?’
‘So far nothing’
‘But they are still canvassing the area hoping to get something’ Alicia said just because she wanted to prove that they were indeed trying hard to solve this case.
‘Useless’ said Alan as he stood up firmly and started pacing the room keeping both his hands near his chest. Moving them only when he thought he found something.
‘There got to be a way to trace him’
‘We even tried tracking his mobile but it doesn’t have GPS or a mobile tracker. It’s a disabled phone’
‘I see’ he said and sat down on the opposite chair.
Ryan glanced at his watch, it was 2 in the afternoon and still they were just sitting like they had nothing to do, and yes there was nothing to do.
The door of the elevator sled away and Luke came in.
‘Where’s our man?’ Alicia asked.
‘I sent him directly to the interrogation. I thought you might wanna question him’
‘That’s okay and what about his injury?’ asked Kevin.
‘Well’ he went on ‘It’s not a major injury. One of the ligaments and tendon got hurt which resulted in a muscle pull. So they bandaged the area and said he would be okay as there is no fracture. But he needs to take rest for a few days as the ligament needs to heal.'
‘Oh, that’s good then. Thank you for doing this’ said Ryan.
‘Anytime man’ he said and looked at Alan.
‘Hey Alan ,seeing you after a long time’ he said . ‘How are you doing?’
‘Just okay’
‘So as you’re back, you’ll be leading now I guess?’
‘Yeah, but I didn’t want too, but yeah’
‘I see. Okay so good to see you back here again’
Alicia and others felt more uncomfortable as they found out that Luke also knew Alan but they didn’t. Maybe Henderson was right after all, he was the best detective here.
Luke started walking away but when he saw Trevor he came back to disturb him.
‘Hey what’s up?’
