7
I knew Antonio was watching behind the glass as Hank and I were on the other side of the table. Cesar sat a few inches from the table since his knees were obviously jammed beneath the table. He just looked at me calm and collective like nothing was wrong. I just stared back with disappointment as if I didn't know him at all. God there was too much testosterone floating around me right now. I could hardly breathe.
"Remy Yang. Tell me about him." Hank started. But Cesar's eyes did not leave from my face. It was like he didn't even hear Hank's demand but the mild tilt of his head told me he heard him, but he wouldn't answer.
"Tell us about Remy." I said and Cesar lifted his head some and shrugged casually.
"We hung out a lot. I could tell his mind was starting to really collapse on itself. So I was just that ear for him to talk into. I was worried for him." he said, and I just continued to stare with disappointment.
"Care to explain the heroine found in his system?" Hank pressed, but Cesar still didn't acknowledge him. I frowned some at how difficult he was being.
"Heroine?" I merely asked. Cesar nodded.
"Yeah he was on it. It helped him cope. Tried to talk him out of it, but he said it was the only way to stop from becoming unhinged. Who was I to stop him." he said smoothly.
"But it made him come unhinged quicker apparently." I said and he looked down with guilt and nodded.
"I guess so." he said and I looked up at Hank who just stood there with his arms crossed.
"And you expect me to believe that you had nothing to do with his murder and the drugs?" he asked.
"I don't care what you think. What I say is the truth." Cesar replied firmly as he finally looked at Hank. I inhaled some.
"There were two other murders today." I replied and Cesar nodded.
"I heard." he said and I nodded.
"One kid survived. You know what she said to me?" I asked. Cesar just stared at me.
"Enlighten me." he said. I stiffened.
"I've become unhinged." I replied. Cesar just nodded slowly.
"So one of us has gone off the deep end and decided to just let loose." he said and sighed crossing his arms. "Guess it was only a matter of time." I nodded.
"It would appear so." I replied.
"Has anyone from your support group shown signs of withdrawal or shown signs of any behavioral changes?" Hank asked. Cesar was silent as his eyes finally softened on me and he slowly moves his hands across the table toward me.
"I'm sorry I lied to you. I didn't want to betray Remy's trust even after death." he said and I winced some and looked away as Hank stepped closer.
"Levi, leave." he demanded and I glanced up at Hank before getting up from the table.
"You can break one of my ribs if you want next time!" he called out as I opened the door disappeared through it. I pressed my body against the door and looked up at Antonio as he approached me.
"You okay?" he asked and I nodded looking at him with honest sincerity.
"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about Cesar." I replied and he shook his head.
"Don't worry about it. I just hope this means we can be honest in the future." he said and I nodded and we both moved back to the window to watch.
"Look man I don't know what else you want me to say. Sure I should have gone to someone to help him, but if I did it would have felt like betraying him. You all wouldn't understand." Cesar said.
"But Ashta does?" Hank asked.
"Yeah because she's one of us. We can look into each other's eyes and see a dark pain that nothing could ever save us from. All we have is each other." he explained. Hank glanced back at the window and it was like he was looking right at me.
"So Remy Yang… you know he murdered his parents?" he asked. Cesar frowned and shook his head.
"Remy wouldn't kill his folks." he said.
"Then maybe you know someone who did? You know where he got the heroine maybe a drug dealer looking to stir up some trouble.?" he asked. Cesar shook his head.
"No. I don't know anything about his murder just that he was on drugs. If there's nothing else. I'm out." he said standing up and Hank just watched.
"Yeah you're right. Thanks for coming in." he said. Now that that was over I looked at Antonio.
"Here let me get you the support group list." I said and moved down the hall of which he followed.
Normal POV
As Cesar was moving to the door, Hank side stepped him and blocked him looking up at him with a polite smirk that had hidden intentions. Cesar just looked down at him with a frown.
"This thing that's going on with my detective… it stops now. You're not to see her anymore, call her, text her have 0 communication with her." he said and Cesar arched a brow slowly smiling himself.
"You're out of your league old man." he said and walked around Hank who just wiped the tip of his nose with his thumb and turned to him.
"If I see any more bruises on her… you and I will be talking again." he threatened and Cesar smirked as he continued to open the door.
"Looking forward to it." he replied his smirk still on his face. An officer led him down the hall and Hank just watched as he left with a serious frown on his face. He considered himself lucky that none of his detectives heard his threat. He really didn't want to have to explain himself. Even though he was sure none of them would ask. Maybe Ashta, but still.
Ashta's POV
Hours passed and Hailey and Antonio returned looking rather disappointed. No one on the list gave would speak to them even after finding out that one of their own had gone off the deep end.
"What are we doing wrong, Ashta?" Hailey asked after plopping down in her chair. I looked at her kindly.
"They're afraid, Hailey. Cops are not a symbol of protection for some of them. Even those who have grown and feel rehabilitated. I'll go out and talk to them. Some of them know me and others who don't will talk to me when they know I am one of them." I explained. Everyone nodded before getting back to work on the newest two murders. We worked different angles, going through cell phones and talking to neighbors and family members. No one saw a thing. It was getting late and my eyes were still roaming the list of group members. I was able to find new member names but they were all strangers to me. Talking to them would be tough. Would be tough.
The entire room was quiet and that's when I noticed I was the only one here. I glanced back to Hank's office to see he was still there reading over some files for the case I assumed. I turned back to my desk with a hint of mild relief. No one scowled or looked upset after revealing the news of my past. They all looked encouraging as if ready to be here for me if I needed it. I sighed, maybe I was just overthinking it. I closed my eyes and wished I could wake up and this all be a dream, all of it before the murders.
But maybe, now that the secret was out, I didn't have to hide or be so closed off. I scoffed at myself.
"Love is a human emotion. I don't need it." I repeated Cesar's words. I bit my lip thinking about his interview with Hank. I was sure he would feel some type of way about all of this and would need someone to take it out on. I picked up my phone and opened my messages to text him, but I paused before doing anything else. I glanced up at Hank's office staring at him for a moment. He always looked either relaxed or deep in thought when looking over files. I got up and moved towards his office. What I was doing, I had no clue. The door was opened so I stopped a few inches from the doorway.
"Hey, boss. You busy?" I asked. Hank looked up at me with a face that said 'really?'. Dumb question.
"Just looking over some files. What's up?" he asked. I shrugged now and just shook my head casually.
"I wanted to see if you wanted to get a drink with me?" I asked. Why would I even ask that. Hank leaned up a bit taken aback.
"You want to get a drink?" he asked and I just shook my head immediately. Close the door, lock it, swallow the key, and let the stomach acid devour it.
"You know what, forget it." I replied turning to move back to my desk.
"Hey!" Hank called and I paused and turned to look at him. He looked almost proud as he gave a light smile. "Yeah. I could definitely use a beer."