Well…we reached 10,000 views for "The Continuous Objection!" Thanks everyone for supporting this trilogy. Anyways, I will go on with the chapter without any more babbling…well maybe just a little…
Phoenix and Maya arrived back at the police station. Phoenix entered the police station and went to the receptionist. The receptionist recognized him. "Do you need Ema Skye again?"
"Yes please."
"She's in the lab. You can go see her."
Phoenix nodded his head and went to the crime lab. Entering, he saw Ema looking at a copy of the photograph. When she heard Phoenix enter the lab, she looked up. "Ah, Mr. Wright, good to see you again. Can I help you with anything?"
"Yes, I need to ask about Rick Doug."
"What about him?"
"Was there any reason for him to forge the photograph? I just heard from him about the money, and his story checks out."
"Well…I honestly don't know. He was a top-notch forensic expert, until two years ago. He changed after that. He didn't do his job well, was late for work, detached from everyone, and left as soon as he could. He didn't use to be that way."
I think I know what's going on…
"Well…that answers my question. Thanks Ema."
"No problem Mr. Wright."
Phoenix went back to the lobby, where Maya had struck up a conversation with the receptionist. Maya saw Phoenix and asked, "You're done already?"
"Yeah, and we have to Rick Doug again. I know what's going on."
Maya tilted her head, puzzlement in her eyes. After getting into another taxi, (seriously, how much does he pay in taxi fees?) they went back to the crime scene. The police officer again recognized Phoenix and went to get Rick. Rick came back out, puzzlement in his face. "Is there something else Mr. Wright?"
"Yes, there is actually. I thought something was strange after you proved your innocence with the money, but something struck me as strange. Why would you forge a photograph? It makes no sense that you would…unless you know who the real killer is."
"Uh…"
"You didn't tell me the whole truth. Did you really leave after meeting with the victim, or did you stay there for a while?"
Rick's eyes grew larger. "H—how?"
"Just tell me what happened, and this time, tell me the whole truth."
Rick sighed. "I really didn't leave for the police station afterwards. I figured that since I was being paid this much, I should start immediately. I went to the back of some bushes when I heard a muffled scream. Looking around the bushes, I saw Georgia getting her mouth get covered by a hand and being dragged away. I was about to draw my gun and go after the criminal, when Juan beat me to the chase. He pointed his gun at the person. After about a minute, Juan fired his gun, but it hit Georgia instead. I watched as he tried to hit the criminal, but failed. He eventually went to the victim, saw that she was dead, and ran away. I went up to her body, only to find that the criminal came back. Noticing me, he drew his gun and pointed it at me. He asked me what I was doing there. I told him that I was hired by her to investigate someone stalking her. He then asked me to do one thing, and that was to make sure Juan was convicted. He said that if I didn't agree, he would kill me."
"I see…so that's why you forged the photo. Your life was put in danger and you were trying to save it."
"Yes…that's why…I also changed my personality. I knew the only way I could cope with the guilt of what I had done by changing. I hurt several people in the process…"
Phoenix listened as Rick told Phoenix about everything that had happened since that day. He had missed his son's kindergarten graduation, neglected his wife, got a divorce. "And it's all my fault."
Phoenix stood there, unsure what to say. Finally, he asked, "What did the man look like?"
After Rick gave his description, Phoenix's eyes grew wide. It can't be him…
"Thank you Rick…we'll be sure to bring him to justice."
"Thank you Mr. Wright."
Phoenix left with Maya, shaking his head. Maya looked at Phoenix. "Nick…are you thinking that the man who threatened Rick is…"
"Christian Lumarta…yes."
Christian Lumarta was walking down the street, heading to the grocery store. While walking, he thought about his life and how it had turned out. Smiling, he remembered killing several people, and the thrill he received from doing that. The person he killed who gave him the most thrill was Lloyd. That was a personal attack against Phoenix, letting him know that he wasn't afraid to attack people close to him. He remembered trying to kill Trucy but injuring Apollo instead. Although he failed to kill him, he did succeed in shaking Phoenix. Maybe I should go for Phoenix next.
While pondering this, he entered the grocery store and searched for everything he needed. Once he got them, he paid for them and went back to his house.
Phoenix entered his office, with Maya right behind him. Why must everything I do revolve around Christian Lumarta? Sighing, Phoenix set his stuff down. However, he noticed that not everything was the same around the office as well. He went to the living room, to see everyone on the couch, looking at nothing. "What are you guys looking at?"
Everyone turned and saw Phoenix. Miranda told him what had happened with the letter and the powder. "Sean came back about an hour ago. Sure enough, it was a poison. I forgot the name of it, but it's a poison designed to make you paralyzed, eventually suffocating you because of complete paralysis."
Phoenix looked shocked. I know Christian isn't behind this. It just isn't his style.
Sighing, Phoenix looked at everyone. "We have to be careful from now on. Some people are trying to kill me, but I don't know why. Hopefully, we can catch them soon and have them arrested."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Let's just hope we can catch them before it's too late…
And that's the chapter. I know it's shorter, but at least it's being updated. Thanks for reading and please review.
