Chapter 51
A couple of days later, while Quinn Ortega was working, there was a commotion outside. I vaguely heard my name mentioned. Quinn Ortega set down his pen and went to the secretary’s office.Inside, two police officers were sorting through my things.I guessed they were there because of my case. Quinn Ortega glanced at them and then at my empty desk before shouting, “Where are Nicole Hayward’s things?”
The secretaries looked at Quinn Ortega awkwardly and then at the police officers. One of them said quietly, “The officers said they need to investigate Secretary Hayward’s cause of death and are taking her things for that purpose.”
Quinn Ortega stiffly turned to face the officers. One of the older officers showed his badge.”We’re from Greenfield Precinct, investigating Nicole Hayward’s cause of death. These items are just temporarily borrowed, and they will be returned once the investigation is complete.”
Quinn Ortega didn’t respond.The officers continued, “You’re Mr. Quinn Ortega, right? We called you earlier. May we ask you a few questions? We found Nicole Hayward’s phone, and the last call was made to you. Did she say anything to you?”
I was puzzled.Since I had many work-related calls, to avoid unnecessary trouble, my phone was set to auto-record. The police should be aware of that.”Are you trying to deceive me?” Quinn Ortega didn’t answer the officers’ question, staring at them intensely.
“You’re just scammers hired by Nicole Hayward to trick me.”
The young officer, unable to stay calm, said loudly, “Forgery of official documents is a crime. We’re registered officers. If you don’t believe us, you can check the public notice board at the precinct.”This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
“Did Nicole Hayward really die?” Quinn Ortega’s gaze was unfocused as he looked at the empty space where I used to be.
The older officer sighed, “Please accept our condolences.””How did she die?”
The young officer raised his voice, “Murder. Otherwise, why would we be investigating?”
The older officer glared at him, then turned to Quinn Ortega and said, “The specific details are still under investigation.””And her…?” Quinn Ortega hesitated, not finishing his question.The officers, seemingly familiar with such situations, replied, “The autopsy is complete. The body has been returned to the family.”
“Family?” Quinn Ortega suddenly remembered something, fumbled for his phone, and dialed a number, but it was unreachable.He tried another number, “Duncan Shepard, where are Yolanda Robinson and the others?”
Duncan Shepard’s low voice came through, “We’re at the funeral home…”
Quinn Ortega turned and ran.The police officers called after him, but he didn’t stop.