We had been sitting in the waiting room for quite some time. Oliver and I, for some reason, thought that when we went to the police station they would see us right away. Apparently that wasn’t how it was going to work.
Upon reaching the station and telling the woman at the front desk that we had some important information regarding illegal activity she had simply told us to sit down and wait for an officer to speak with us.
Oliver, having become inpatient about half an hour into our wait, asked the woman at the front desk why it was taking so long.
“I don’t know, even if I did I wouldn’t tell you,” the woman replied snarkily.
“Well someone’s in a bad mood,” Oliver said under his breath as he sat back down next to me.
“I think she’s been here all night,” I responded. “Give her a break.”
“Alright, fine.” It was silent after that.
When an officer finally showed up Oliver had to poke me in the side to wake me up. I had fallen asleep with my head resting against the wall.
“Come on, they’re here.”
“I’m up,” I replied groggily.
“So,” the officer began. He was young, tall and had blonde hair. “I hear that you have some information you would like to pass on to us. Is that correct?”
“Yes sir,” Oliver answered.
The policeman nodded. “My name is Sam Johnson. Follow me.”
He led us through the department to a space that resembled a small conference room.
“Take a seat.” We sat. “So, tell me why you’re here.”
Oliver looked at me questioningly. I returned his gaze and nodded toward Sam. “Go ahead.”
“Okay,” Oliver took a deep breath and began.
Sam listened well, asking a few clarifying questions along the way. When we were done he spoke. “Right, so I have to go talk to my supervisor and ask him something. I’ll be right back, sit tight.”
He stood and left the room before either Oliver or I could say a word.
“Um,” was all I could get out.
“What just happened?”
“I have no idea. Why is he leaving? Didn’t he hear what we said?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I knew,” said Oliver, sounding a little rude.
“Hey,” I said sharply. “I’m just as confused as you, no need to take it out on me.”
“What? Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” I put my face in my hands and stared down at the table. My eyes stung from lack of sleep. I hadn’t slept well the night before. Oliver and I had been up most of the night and had risen early. A tiny part of me was beginning to regret becoming involved. I wondered what it would have been like if I had just walked right past that bench. If I hadn’t stopped, where would I be now? Probably safe in my bed, asleep.
The door opened and Sam entered followed by another, much older, man.
“Oliver, Clair,” Sam said, putting his hands on the table, but not sitting down. “This is my supervisor, Eugene Phillips, he will be talking to you about what to do next. Thank you for coming in and good luck.”
I starred at him as he left the room. What exactly was going on?
“Can you tell us what’s happening?” Oliver asked, starting to sound slightly anxious.
Eugene Phillips sat down across from us. “Yes, I can. There is currently an investigation going on about the company that you have come forth about.”
“There is?” I was surprised.
“Yes, there is. Though I am not at liberty to discuss the full details of the case with you, I can however confirm what you’ve told us. The company is trying to control all of Mars’ resources. This, as I assume you know, is in violation of the treaty that was set in place when Mars became a real possibility for future exploration. We suspect that they have been using laundered money to hide their expenses. Oliver here has given evidence that supports this suspicion.” Eugene paused and gave both us a serious look.
“So what now?” Oliver asked. “How are you going to stop them?”
“That, I’m afraid, is not the part of the case I am able to discuss with you. We will be in touch with you when all of this has been sorted out, but for now I would advise the two of you to try to go about your day to day lives.”
“What that’s it? There’s nothing else we can do? Nothing else we can know about the case? Haven’t I just given you a bunch of information?”
“And we much appreciate that Oliver, but there is nothing else the two of you can do at the moment.”
“You’re just going to call us when it’s all over?” Oliver seemed agitated. “But I want to help. I want to do something to stop them. I’ve seen some of the stuff that company is capable of.”
“Oliver,” I said quietly. “Come on, let’s just go. They’re not going to tell us anything.”
He looked at me, an angry expression on his face, but underneath it I saw fear. All three of us were quiet for a moment. Oliver spoke first. “Fine, we’ll go. Be sure to call us,” he said to Eugene.
“You have my word,” Eugene said, seeming relieved.
We had only made it a block from the station when Oliver spoke up again. “This isn’t going to end well.”
“How do you know that? They seem like they have it under control,” I said, trying to be positive.
“I know this company,” he replied. “I’ve seen what they are willing to do. This isn’t going to end as smoothly as the police think. Someone is going to get hurt.”
He’s just worked up, I thought to myself as we walked down the street. Nothing is actually going to happen. The police have it covered.
Only now, I wish I had listened to him.
The intrigue is heightened. Excellent!
Thank you!
The intrigue is heightened. Excellent!
Thank you!