The next morning, Azrael finally finished cleaning up his apartment to prepare for his clients' visit. Last night, he replied the email sent by Nikki and asked her to come. He cleaned up the living room and got rid of the smoke odor, cleared off the kitchen sink and threw out the trash. He smiled.
“Phew. Finally ...”
Then, the bell rang. “Hey Az! Wake up! We're here!” Nikki yelled from the other side.
He gasped. “What? Already? Can you wait up for a sec?”
“Do you really think having two ladies waiting outside is a good idea?”
Azrael sighed. “Fine, fine. Coming right up.”
He opened the door. Nikki and Joanna were standing in front. Both of them wore casual ; t-shirt and jeans.
“Welcome to the aptly named Azrael Detective Agency, prospective clients.” He smiled while avoiding eye contact with Joanna.
They went inside. “Eh, so this is what your place looks like ...” Nikki said, looking around the well-arranged furnishings and decorations.
Joanna chuckled. “From the way you dressed, you just cleaned this place up, right?” she noted, referring to the dirtied pajamas and bandana.
Azrael took the bandana off his head, smiling. “Yeah. But I never thought you two will come this early. Help yourselves to the quick breakfast I just prepared. I'm gonna change for a while.”
He went into his room as the girls helped themselves to toasts and coffees. Joanna looked at his room.
“What's wrong, Jo?” asked Nikki.
“He's ... doing well, is he?”
“I guess. But I never thought he would continue his dad's job. He certainly doesn't look like a PI.”
“Azrael always had keen awareness of his surroundings. He seems to notice all the small details that others usually missed,” Joanna added.
After a few minutes, Azrael came out, properly dressed. Then, he took a seat in front of them. He looked at Joanna.
“So, I heard that you’ve got a problem? If it's interesting, I'll take it.”
Nikki nudged her friend. “Ummm ... I don't know where to start ...” Joanna mumbled. Azrael looked at her in the eyes. Her heart beat faster. Then, he smiled.
“Don't worry, Joanna. You can say whatever crosses your mind. I'll try to get the gist of it.”
..................
“So, the DG company got a hold on you and used you to get the wealth of rich men. And their reason for it is unknown,” Azrael concluded as he went over to the window. He looked down and saw a black car he had never seen before. He sighed and walked back to the guests. “You’ve had enough with it and want out. But find it hard to do so.”
Joanna nodded. “You're about right.”
“But if DG is just like you said, they probably already know you two would come here for help, right?”
Joanna widened her eyes on that thought. “Y ... yeah ...”
“I really don't want to get involved in this, you know,” Azrael stated. “I just want to get on with my life and live ...”
Nikki twitched and slammed her hands on the table. “Hey! That's mean, Azrael!” she shouted.
The detective raised his brows, as if he was expecting the reaction. “Oh?”
“Jo came here, risking her own life too, you know. And mine as well. And the reason you don't want to be involved is because of your selfishness!? I'm not having THAT!”
Joanna looked at her friend, startled by her outburst.
The young investigator closed his eyes. “Nikki.” Azrael said calmly. “I promised my father to live the way I wanted and I intend on doing so. I'm having a good, easy life now. Do you really think any sane person would throw it away?”
“Goddammit! Do you remember that you and Jo were lovers!? You two cared for each other!” The tomboy added.
Azrael went silent, glancing at Joanna. The latter held Nikki by the hand.
“It's okay, Nikki. We'll try and sort this problem ourselves.”
“No, you two will not be able to do so,” Azrael said. He took a pen and scribbled something on a piece of paper. He then folded it and handed it to Joanna.
“I wrote the name of a friend and his address. He might be able to help,” he said before Joanna could ask.
“I was wrong about you, Azrael. Totally wrong,” Nikki said.
“It's alright, Nikki. Let's go.” Joanna pulled her gently. Nikki managed a grunt and slammed the door as they left.
“I'm sorry, Nikki ... Joanna.” Azrael said. “I really do. I'm doing this for your own good.”
He went to his desktop computer. Then he remembered something and went back to the living room to get a cup of coffee and the leftover toasters. He sat down and stretched his upper body. Then he took a sip from the coffee. His eyes brightened.
“Let's get to work, shall we?”
..................
A man in black was waiting inside the black car when both Joanna and Nikki left the apartment building. He dialed a number on his handset.
“Yes. She really went to his place. No, he didn't accept it. Yes, I will continue monitoring her.”
..................
“Damn him to hell! I'm pissed off now!” Nikki cursed. However, Joanna didn't react as she was reading the paper Azrael gave her.
“He really cares after all ...” she smiled.
“What? Let me read that.”
Nikki took the letter and read it:
“You two must be fuming by now. But there is little I can do about DG. They have eyes and ears almost everywhere. It was my plan to get you two off my place ASAP because you two were being followed. Don't panic. You two will be okay as long as you don't make any effort to contact me or anyone else about this matter. I'll take the case but only I will get in touch with you. Since my place is probably under heavy watch by now, don't come here. I don't want any of you to risk yourselves.”
- Azrael
PS: I still attached the name and address of the friend I mentioned just in case you two are still pissed :p
Nikki crumpled the paper. Angry veins appeared on the side of her head. “That ... bastard ...”
Joanna chuckled. “That's the Azrael we know. Always willing to help despite the trouble.”
“Yeah.” Nikki said. “This time, the princess is you.”
Joanna turned red. “I ... we're ...”
“Haha. Got you! You still like him, don’t you?” she teased.
“I ... I don't know ...”
“What do you mean? You clearly still have feelings for him.”
“It is ... strange meeting him after two years.”
“Huh? Now you’ve lost me.”
“Nikki, did you know where he went after we broke up?”
Her friend shrugged. “I don't know. He only mentioned he went on a journey and stayed abroad for a year plus before he returned.”
“I see.”
“Why?”
“Do you feel ... safe, assured … when we met him?”
Nikki paused and gave a thought. “Now that you mention it, yeah. I do feel safe when he's around.”
“I felt an immense calmness in him.” Joanna held her hands on her chest. “Much more than before.”
“Jo, that's all fine and dandy but what do you make of this?”
Two uniformed policemen were blocking their path. One of them turned to Joanna. “Miss Joanna?”
“Yes?”
“Can you please come with us to the station?”
..................
3 hours later ...
Azrael was busy covering up his tracks online. He managed to get pass DG's security protocols and randomly grabbed several confidential files before it went into lockdown.
“As expected of a high profile company. Top class security there. I don't think I can use the same way anymore. Let's see ...”
He clicked open the folder titled 'FORMAT'. Then various error messages came out, flooding the screen.
“The hell? Trojans? Dammit!”
He quickly aborted the operation and quarantined the files. “Shit. Looks like I have to remove those first before I actually see the contents.”
Before he could figure out the next step, the phone rang. He picked it up.
“Azrael Detective Agency.”
“Hey Az. It's me.”
“Nikki? What's up? You sound nervous there.”
“Jo ... the police caught her! I ... don't know what to do ...”
“Easy, Nikki. Tell me where you are now.”
“I'm at the town's police HQ.”
“Alright. Wait there. I'm on my way.”
He changed into his biker suit and left his apartment. As he dashed towards his bike in the underground parking lot, he saw the same black car that was parked outside earlier. He wasn't able to see who were inside as the windows were heavily tinted. He ignored it, revved up his ride and burst into the street.
..................
Joanna was staring at two police officers who were questioning her.
“And the last time you met Mr. Taggart was two days ago?” one of them asked. He was middle-aged, his hair starting to show his age.
“Yes.” She answered. “We haven’t talked to each other since then.”
“I see,” the other officer said. “I guess we can let her go, sir. Her alibi checks out.”
“Yes. Her wife said she's not the killer.”
Joanna blinked. “I'm sorry?”
“Mr. Taggart was killed last night and his wife saw the killer. It was a woman.”
“I ... I had no idea ...”
The elder officer turned to his colleague. “Escort her outside and have her sign the report. Looks like we have to look for another lead.”
“Yes, sir.”
..................
Azrael arrived in front of the police HQ. The black car he saw back then followed him all the way and was parked just outside the perimeter. He went inside to the reception area. He smiled when he saw a familiar face at the desk.
“Hello, Gladys.”
Gladys the receptionist looked up at him and smiled. She had black hair falling down nicely on her shoulders. Her eyes were sparkling and her face was almost wrinkle-free. Signs of someone who had little problems in life.
“Hello Azrael. What can I do for you?”
“I believe a woman by the name of Joanna and her friend Nikki were brought here.”
“Ah, yes. That beautiful young woman. She's with Tracer.”
“Uncle Tracer? I know where to go, then.”
Gladys handed him a temporary pass. Azrael took it and smiled. “That's all?”
“If you're asking me for a date, it's a no,” she said flatly.
“That hurts.”
“I'm married and I have kids to feed, detective. I can't believe you have the audacity to flirt with me despite that.”
Azrael managed a chuckle. “Next time, then. Later, Gladys.”
“Yeah, yeah. Be on your way and be quick about it.”
..................
Azrael went up to the eighth floor and went to the staff lounge. On the way, he passed by the waiting room and noticed Joanna and Nikki. He knocked once and entered.
Nikki was the first to react. “Az!”
“You two okay?” He looked at Joanna. She was shivering uncontrollably. He felt the urge to hold her but wasn't sure what reaction he would get.
Nikki managed a nod. “Yeah.”
Azrael turned to Joanna. “What did they ask you?”
“Questions about my whereabouts the night my ... client got killed.”
Before Azrael could ask more, Sherry entered the room. “I'm sorry to interrupt ... Azrael?”
He smiled at her. “Hello, Sherry.”
“Why are you here?” she asked as both Joanna and Nikki looked on.
“These two are my clients and I was told that they were brought here for questioning.”
“My husband ... was murdered last night.”
“Murdered? The plot thickens,” he mumbled.
“Mrs. Taggart. I'm Joanna and I was ...”
“I know who you are, Miss Joanna. And I believe you have nothing to do with it.”
“I'm ... sorry,” Joanna apologetically said.
“Why?”
“I must have caused a lot of pain to you.”
“Oh that? It's alright. I know my late husband was a skirt-chaser. Who wouldn't want to be near him? He's rich.”
“But I ...”
“Stop, Miss Joanna. I may be getting on, but I'm more open-minded than you think.”
“I should be leaving you ladies for a while.” Azrael interjected. “I'm going to ask the investigating officer about this. Be right back.”
“Hurry, Az. Being here makes me nervous,” Nikki said.
“Yeah. It will be a very short meeting.”
Azrael left the room. Sherry took a seat, smiling. “I have something to tell you, Miss Joanna. I hired Mr. Azrael to look up my late husband's affairs and he came across your picture.”
“Wait, wait,” Nikki suddenly interrupted. “Az had been spying on my friend here? For you?”
Sherry gave a nod. “Yes. But don't think ill of him. He was just doing his work. And I must apologize for invading your privacy, Miss Joanna.”
Joanna was surprised by the revelation but quickly relaxed. “It is alright, Mrs. Taggart. I would do the same if I was in your place.”
“Oh hush. Call me Sherry.”
..................
Azrael arrived at the office door marked with the name D. Tracer. He knocked.
“Come in,” the voice inside said.
He opened the door to see David Tracer, veteran homicide detective and a friend of his late father. Tracer and his father went way back since high school and they worked together in the police force as undercover cops, the latter resigning from the force over a major corruption case in which he failed to bring the main perpetrator to justice.
At 51, Tracer had decent build and can still teach the younger officers a thing or two through his experienced awareness and brilliant deduction skills. He smiled the moment he saw Azrael.
“Azrael. You're here. Is this a social visit or something? Please, take a seat.”
“Thanks, Uncle Tracer.” The young investigator sat on the chair in front of the desk.
“This is about Joanna, the woman you brought in,” he said before Tracer asked.
“Ahh. That young beauty. A friend?”
“Client,” he answered crisply.
Tracer paused, then managed a grin. “It's not nice to lie. Especially to an old man.”
“Tell me the story, Uncle.”
“Oh fine.” He threw a folder across the desk. Azrael opened it and went through pictures from the murder scene, Sherry and Joanna's statements and the autopsy report of the victim.
“Her alibi checks out,” Tracer said. “We don't have a lead to go on. And Taggart is ... was a major player in security software. His company MicroCore is in uproar and they demand justice. Feel sorry about the wife. At least she gets a lot from insurance.”
Azrael checked the time of the incident. It was several hours after he had given Sherry the ride home. “I see. I assume the murder scene is sealed off?”
“For now, yes. Access to the bungalow is restricted. But if you want to check it out, I'll pull some strings for you.”
“That would be good. Can I have a look at the body first?”
“Sure. I'll ask Matt to get ready for you.”
“Uncle Tracer, do you need my help for this case?”
“Since we don't have leads, sure kid. But try not to cross the line again. Next time will be my ass and I don't want to hasten my retirement.”
“Of course. I will inform you if I get anything and you can proceed from there.”
Tracer set aside the paperwork and looked at Azrael. “Now that I’ve helped you with all these, how about some scoop about that beauty?”
“She ... we ... used to be together,” the latter said, hesitantly. “But now she is nothing more than a client.”
Tracer was surprised, but then relaxed. He took a cigarette and lit it up. “I see. You seem to be holding up well. You're strong just like your old man.”
“Thanks, Uncle Tracer.”
“But don't let that get to your head. You still have ways to go.”
“I know. Catching up to my father is like trying to catch a shooting star. For now, I'm doing the best I can.”
“I'm sure you are, kid. Just remember to do something for yourself. Not for anyone else. Just you. I'm sure your old man would want that.”
Azrael rose from his chair, slightly bowing before the elderly man.
“I will, Uncle Tracer. I'll be going to the morgue then.”
“Don't stay there for too long. If you know what I mean.”
“Of course. Being with the dead is my least favorite moment as investigator.”
..................
Azrael returned to the room where Joanna, Sherry and Nikki were at.
“So how's it going, Az?” asked Nikki impatiently.
“Joanna's alibi checks out,” he replied. “There is nothing to worry about.”
The three women sighed in relief. “I know we're gonna be okay but this still creeps me out,” Nikki remarked.
Joanna stared at Azrael silently. Her gaze was caught by Sherry. She smiled.
“I'm still in the dark over all this,” the detective said, then turned to Joanna. “I need more information from you. But not now.”
“So, what’s the plan? For now, I mean,” Sherry said, flaunting her hair. “A friend will come by to pick me up soon. I'm staying at her place for a while.”
“You do that, Sherry,” Azrael said. “As for you two ...”
“I'll stay with Jo!” Nikki said before he could finish. Joanna chuckled.
He sighed. “Right. Lay low for a while.”
“Will do!” Nikki replied cheerfully.
Then he turned to Sherry. “Sherry, did your husband have someone he could trust at MicroCore? I need to investigate from that angle as well.”
“Hmm. Yes, he did have someone there. His name is Carter. Malcolm Carter. Just tell him I sent you.”
“Alright. That will do. Thanks. I'll do the investigating while you ladies lay low.”
“Hey Az,who's gonna send us home?” Nikki asked.
“I'll ask someone from the force to escort you home.”
“Umm, Azrael ...” Joanna's soft voice mumbled.
“Yes?”
They looked at each other. An uneasy silence filled the room. Joanna found herself wanting him. She missed the times being in his arms. The moments they shared together. Talking with him without being affectionate is painful enough. She forced a smile.
“Thank you ...”
Azrael blinked then smiled. “Just doing my job. Let's go ladies. We don't want to be here a second longer, right?”
..................
DG CEO Suite
The top man of the company was looking outside, staring at the cloud. He was only referred to as 'that man' and various other titles. Never was he called by his real name. No one dared to say his name, even in his absence. There was an urban legend that whoever should say his name will meet certain death. Some say it was just a myth, yet they never try saying that name. As to his origins, no one knows where he came from or when he was born. He disappeared and reappeared in different time periods.
The door opened and a person of some importance bowed.
“Sir.”
“What is it?”
“We had a security breach at one of our ... private servers.”
He continued to stare outside, without any reaction.
“I see. Is there anything lost?”
“Yes, sir. The files in directory ‘FORMAT’ are gone.”
“I see. Did we manage to trace the source of the intrusion?”
“No, sir. This one got the better of our security system and didn't leave any trace.”
“I see. Let it be. Tell your department to proceed with the next stage.”
“Sir, it contains that program. And it is the most important one at that.”
“We still have the beta of that program, correct? Use that as the basis. Besides, the program isn't fully tested. So our little thief unwillingly became the guinea pig for it. Let him have his fun ... and agony.”
“Sir!”
With that, he bowed and left the room. The CEO stood up, showing a cruel smile.
“Let me see how you deal with the Goddess of Death.”
..................
