Chapter 21
Recovery
The Commissioner was having a speech at Central City in front of many people, ranging from normal citizens to reporters. He stood on the podium wearing his blue uniform and concealing his face with his hat.
"Two days ago, we lost 11 heroes on an effort protecting the city from an outlaw, the Outlaw. It was a sad day and the families of the lost had suffered the ultimate sacrifice. The death of the men and women will not be in vain and surely will be paid correctly."
Jones look at the families at the front row seat, suddenly he felt heaviness in his heart knowing the family loved ones died because of his decisions. It was these times that he so much dreaded, his responsibilities was daunting even though it has been years.
"All needed expenses of the families such as medical, educational and other needs shall be fully sponsored by the government. A token of gratitude from the people of this great city."
The crowd gave an applaud and his heart was lighten a bit seeing the smiles in the families of the single parents hugs their children, knowing they need not to worry about the financial aspect of their life.
"And as Piltovian, we improve from our mistakes even though the mistake is too painful to take. New projects are underway making sure the city is more safer. Border control has been increased into new heights, monitoring immigrants and imports. Surely the sacrifices were paid wisely. Thank you."
Jones come down from the stage, the crowd gave him a standing applaud with addition of flashes from the cameras of the news reporter. As he arrived back stage, Jayce approach to him and gave a handshake. Even though he could see that the hero was recovering from his wounds, he was still energetic and full of energy.
"Commissioner Jones" Jayce gave a firm shake. "I think you know me."
"Of course, the things that you've done for the city couldn't be forgotten so easily. "
"As to you too, Commissioner. It's great to meet a man that have been serving for the city for so long yet never doubt to give more."
"Please, don't over compliment."
"I have something important to discuss with you, something that involves with the city security. If you don't mind, maybe we could go to a cafe and discuss."
"I have something to do, maybe another time."
Jayce then gave Jones a yellow paper file. "Please if you have time to spare, read the files. If you're interested then don't be shy to give me a call."
"Don't worry. I will." Jones gave a smile and soon Jayce left the place.
Jones walk down the alley and go to his black sedan that was park not far from the place. He got in and throws the file at the passenger seat beside him, that also had a lot files. He started the car and shift into drive, before he step the accelerator, he glances at the file. He shifted into neutral and turn the AC on a bit stronger.
He hold the file that had a Confidential that stamp on its front cover.
"What do you have to give, poster boy." Jones open the file and took out a few papers. He reads the front cover. "Full Metal Project..huh?"
Since it was a Saturday, he was lazy to get in depth with the things that he had in hand. He skims and discover many engineering marvels and invention. Documentation, blueprints and budget all were inside in this one file. Jones was surprised with the work Jayce had wrote. Jones continues to skim the various papers and was impressed. He put it back neatly and throws it at the passenger seat behind.
"Better save it for later." Jones shift into gear and drove.
...
The Commissioner cruised the city and arrived at the city hospital, he parked the car and got out with a handful of files. Jones walked calmly but his steps was noticeable since his boots were police standards. He enter the main entrance of the hospital and approach towards the receptionist desk.
Jones took out his badge and show to the receptionist. "Where is the Sheriff room?"
"At the fifth floor, room number 20." The nurse got up and pointed at one of the hallways. " You can use the VIP elevator sir."
"Thank you." Jones put back his badge back to its place.
He walk pass the crowded hallway and got into the VIP elevator, the normal elevator would usually be filled and crowded. Thankfully he could get such luxury because of his status.
"Fifth floor" The elevator speaker sounded.
The elevator door opens and he was introduced a clean and empty lobby, with few nurses having a chat at the receptionist table. He ignores his surrounding and continue to walk to room 20. Not far from the room, Jones saw Vi leaning at the wall beside the room door with her arms crossed.
"Commissioner." Vi stands properly and surprised with Jones unexpected arrival. "Uh... hi. I guess."
"Just call me Jones. No need to be formal."
"Oh. Uhmm, Caitlyn is inside if you want to see her." Vi scratches her head because of the awkwardness between the two. "Her parents came but just left, her dad said to send his regards to you if you ever came."
"Thank you." Jones observe Vi, from up to down. Wounded with a few patches at her face and body, nothing to worry but she looked weak.
He walked to the door and Vi gave him space, he stopped and look at Vi. "Did you get in yet? Quite weird to see you outside, especially when you're her best friend."
"Not yet." Vi lowered her head, feeling she was the cause of Caitlyn injuries. "I don't think I should get inside."
"It's not your fault, Vi." Jones knew the feeling of making mistake that effect other people. "What happened has already happened and nothing going to change it."
"If I was serious at that time, I mean I could..."
"Stop Graves? You already did it." Jones put his hand on Vi shoulder. "Graves was something that we haven't seen before and it took 11 people just to graze the man. Thanks to the Sheriff and you, he was put down."
Vi slightly raised her head and look at Jones.
"She's not dead and be grateful, learn from the mistake and become better. That's what Piltovian do, and I expect you to do the same, officer."
"Thanks, I need that." Vi said, having a faint smile on her face.
"Good." Jones nod. "Want to get in together?"
"Nah, you guys do your business first, I'll come later."
He smiled then continue to walk inside the room. He was instantly greeted by a familiar voice.
"Quite a speech you did. Short but good."
"Sheriff" Jones closed the door giving the privacy that they needed. "You seem to be recovering."
"Aside with a few scar and a dislocated shoulder, I'm doing fine." Caitlyn gave a smile. "Though I would be appreciative if they add more painkiller dose, the pain is rather irritating."
Caitlyn was sitting at her bed with her blanket covering half her body, a tube attach to her wrist and a heart rate machine monitoring her heart rate. Her room was quite big with a slim television hanging on the ceiling and a window showing a beautiful view of the city.
"How was the tribute ceremony? it seem to be good during the live broadcast."
"Not much. Mayor concern the safety of the city, media want more news and I met Jayce. Other than that, well the typical assuring speech." Jones goes to the table beside the bed and put the handful files that he was holding. "Well Sheriff, here's your reading material." Jones sat at the chair beside the bed.
Caitlyn wasted no time and took the files, reading the file that was about Graves and his intended capture but eventually lead to his death. It happen two days ago that took the lives of 11 police personnel, and almost hers.
"Thank you, one of the ways to kill time in my opinion." Caitlyn skim the pages. "You know recovery is such a slow process."
"Always hardworking even though in the hospital bed, just like your father." Jones put his hat at the table and sigh. "Sometimes you need to rest, Sheriff. Even I took my rest at times."
"It's not wrong Commissioner. Is just a habit, to be honest."
"Hardworking is a habit? Well that's the first time I heard that."
"Anything could be habit."
"And taking care a Sheriff in duty is not one of my habits Sheriff."
Caitlyn then closed the file and looked at the Commissioner. "I never ask you to take care of me, Jones. If my parents tell you to do that just don't listen. I'm a grown woman."
"Sheriff, I'm old. In the next couple of years, I'm going to retired, heck I'm not sure if I could live long enough to retire. If I'm dead, they could find me a replacement but you're still young and have many things to do in the future."
"Please don't say that, Jones. You have children to take care."
"But the Police department have a whole city to protect, We have a whole city to protect. And Malcolm Graves is just the beginning of what could happen." Jones realized that he was carried away, he took a deep breath and sigh. "Sorry Sheriff. Got carried away there."
"Don't worry, is understandable. Your worries is also my worries." Caitlyn open the file back. "Now, I would like to know what is the aftermath of all this."
"Open section three of the file please."
Caitlyn go over the third section, it shows a few reports and a few photos of the place and also the dead body of Malcolm Graves.
"Malcolm Graves was found dead a few hours after reinforcement came, the whole place was checked but in the end he did not died in the factory. He was shot 22 times with stab wounds and bruises at his torso. If an average man endure what he endure, he would die twice and that's quite something to be honest."
"Then where could he die then?" Caitlyn eyebrows furrows. "I thought Vi killed him at the factory?"
"The sewers. We found a special entrance that lead to the sewers, we ask the owner and he stated it was for sanitary purposes."
"The sewers? I thought the place was filled with rats and cockroaches? "
"Every sewers at the city are all connected , regardless of where it is."
"So basically a maze for the underground crooks in the city."
"Correct."
"Did you make any further action?"
"I told them to map the sewers, find out any crime hotspots in there. I won't be surprise if there is."
"If the place is a maze, how did Graves know that it would lead to the factory? Does he have any connections in the city?"
"That's the part shrouded the most, Caitlyn. He has no connections, no motive and nothing in his pockets."
"Nothing?"
"We found a few gold and some matches, but other than that, nothing."
"So..."
"You took down a criminal for the wrong case"
"But how about Jayce and the crime scene?" Caitlyn was surprised with the discovery. "All of the proofs were solid."
"Well you made a mistake. All of the corpse at Jayce office had no connections with Graves. Sure they are from High Noon. Sure they used revolvers but information told us that Graves had never even met them before."
Caitlyn went silent. She surely made a mistake and Graves statement was right when they encounter in the factory, he was an innocent man. Her mistake has cost 11 lives plus Malcolm Graves himself, the person that she so wanted to join.
"But.." Jones said
Caitlyn paid attention.
"We found another suspect in this case."
"Then who is it?"
"Twisted Fate."
"Who?" The case reveal more questions.
"Ex alias of Malcom Graves, con man and also a wanted man."
Years have I hunted this man... Caitlyn remembered what Graves said.
"Did both of them had conflict?" Caitlyn asked.
"Yes, how do you know?"
"Just a guess but please continue."
"This man is one of a kind. He and Graves has commit a lot of crimes and was known for their heist and robbery crimes." Jones took out a picture from his uniform pocket and gave it to Caitlyn."Quite a someone that we are dealing."
"Do you know them?" the picture was Graves and TF having a conversation at a park. Graves face was visible but TF was hidden by his hat.
"Police in my age know them crystal clear and some youngsters like you should know. But now is just mere stories and let's keep it that way. Don't want the people to panic."
"So this man, where is he?"
"Gone like the wind. Many days have pass since Jayce robbery and big chance that he already cross the border. We were busy dealing with Graves while TF just took the chance and ran away, we speculate. "
"So he used Graves as distraction? How cruel."
"Well he's criminal and he deserve it. Don't think he is innocent in this case, Caitlyn."
"Graves shouldn't get this type of end. If we had known that he wasn't cause of the case, we would catch him and make him go through court. Maybe, helping us with our cause."
"Don't be too forgiving Sheriff, especially with bad people, especially with people like Graves that can and will hurt you when the chances are given."
"fucking hell" Caitlyn looks away and bit her lip, she wasn't winning the fight.
She looked at the window that gave a view to the city, she wonder how far did Twisted Fate had flee. She wanted to make justice on the mistake that she did, badly.
"When will we hunt the man, Commissioner?"
"Hunt?" Jones got up and wear his hat, he stayed for too long and the conversation will get longer if he does not stop. "I'm sorry Sheriff but you're on vacation. Vacation means no power on any operation or officer whatsoever."
"Well just a few days, of course. I will resume my work when I get on my two feet."
"No, a month worth vacation."
"WHAT."She quickly turn her head and look at Jones with a surprised face. "On who's jurisdiction? You?"
"No the Mayor. I know if I gave you the vacation you would just be the stubborn Sheriff that I always know." Jones adjust the buttons on his sleeve, the uniform that he was wearing that was getting on his nerve, especially on a Saturday. "Trust me you need it." Jones smiled.
"There's a criminal on the run that is responsible for the death of Malcolm Graves and 11-"
Jones cuts Caitlyn from her sentence "In my perspective and also the perspective of many, we have one criminal less in this world. Isn't that good?"
"Jones."
"Have a good day Sheriff and please enjoy your vacation. It's hard to come by these day. Demacia would be a great place to start." Jones tips his hat and left the room. "Send my regards to your parents too."
Vi was still waiting outside and heard the conversation, Jones just walk pass her, continue toward the elevator.
"Didn't go so well?" Vi said.
"Well you know her." Jones sighed.
"Hey" Jones stops from his track and look at Vi. "Where will you bury him?"
"High Noon. A guy named Barnaby wanted his body to be bury at High Noon, he also took Graves shotgun too." He push a button and the door soon open. "Word of advice, you better wait a few hours before you get in. Trust me, she's not in the mood." Jones got in and left Vi alone that still deciding she should get in or not.