Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Erin came home that night exhausted from training Jenna all day long. After a 16 hour training session, the four concluded that Jenna was indeed ready. She found Ted and Ryan in a serious discussion “Hey guys.” She greeted with a careful eye.
“Erin. You’re home.” Ted smiled as he walked over to give her a hug.
“Something the matter?” she looked from Ted to Ryan.
Ted shook his head “I have to run out for a bit, you two talk.” He smiled at Ryan who gave him a grateful nod “I’ll be back.”
Erin smiled but her curiosity turned to Ryan “Okay, now that you scared Ted away.” She began while joining her brother in law on the couch.
“Ga Jei, I know this-” he began but stopped when she raised a hand.
“I don’t mean to interrupt you but now that Shelly’s gone, you don’t have to call me Ga Jei anymore. You’re still young, Ryan, there is a long life ahead of you and I don’t think you want to move along that road alone. If Shelly were standing here, she would say you need to move on. I know it sounds cold for me to say this but I am only thinking what’s best for you.” Erin knew that he was having a hard time dealing with the loss of his young wife but it was unfair for him to hold on to something that wasn’t there.
Ryan’s solemn expression returned from the thought of Shelly “I know she would want nothing more for me to move on. Do you not like it when I call you that?”
Erin smiled “I grew up alone. And then one day, I gained a sister and then an uncle and finally a brother in law. Of course I don’t mind, but I think psychologically, by calling me Ga Jei, you are associating yourself to Shelly and possibly it is the only link you have back to Shelly.”
As he listened to her reason, the smile appeared again “You’ve changed.”
She shrugged it off lightly “Maybe.”
“My main concern right now is to find Shelly’s murderer. I think I have a clue.” He said with emphasis. Catching her attention, she tilted her head thoughtfully “Do you remember the blood under her nails?”
“Yes.” Erin nodded.
“After I was hypnotized by Dr. Chan, I remembered a few distinct classifications on the person’s body. The person that was there on the day we found her. He had a tattoo under his right shoulder, it was too hazy, but I do remember the scratch marks on his right arm. Under the elbow. The other day during the meeting, I saw Riley had those same exact scratches.” Ryan paused to hear her insights.
Her eyes drifted away slowly “It could be a coincidence.”
He was disappointed that she didn’t give it another thought “I know that you have to give Riley the benefit of the doubt but we’re talking about Shelly’s killer here.”
“I know how you feel. You want to solve this case for her, but you cannot push this factor.” Erin insisted.
“Why not?” Ryan snapped.
“Ryan, listen to me. You are at a sensitive point in your life. Rationalizing is not your specialty right now. Being too emotional can only lead you to the wrong decision. Everyone deserves a second chance and if you find more clues about Riley, I hope you will calm yourself and continue to find enough evidence to pin him. If that is the case, I will catch him myself and let the justice take over.”
But there was something else that bothered him “I remember you promised Joe that Riley would not step in the wrong direction. If he did, you would be kicked out of P.R.A. I don’t want you to lose your job over this.”
“Well, let’s hope you have it wrong.” Erin replied with a sigh.
**************
“Darren!!” Mia called him for the fifth time. They had dinner plans with their daughter that night after the training session with Jenna. He had promised the shower would only be five minutes but it was half an hour already “Darren Chiu!!!”
He appeared at the large oval stairwell, looking exasperated “Can I have ten minutes to dry up and change?” he walked down in a dark brown and tan color suit.
“You’re worse than a girl. At least I got ready.” She spun around in her white skirt suit outfit, a beaded pearl necklace gave her an aura of importance. Her hair pulled back halfway behind her head.
Darren smiled adoringly “That’s why I married you. If you were the typical girl, I would have gone crazy by now.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek “Where’s Bon Bon?”
Mia pointed her thumb at the couch “You took so long, she had to take a short nap.” Their two year old was wearing a sky blue dress and matching hat that fit perfectly over her round head.
“Poor kid.” He walked over and cradled her in his arms and walked out to the waiting limo. He sat her in a comfortable position while she slept away peacefully. Mia seemed restless and Darren was quick to notice, “What’s wrong?”
When she couldn’t hold in the scratch, she reached under her suit jacket and itched the part under her bra line “Much better.” She cooed.
Darren couldn’t help but laugh “You can make the most disgusting thing look sexy.”
When they got to the restaurant, the three emerged from the limo and were greeted by the host. He nodded politely “Do you have a reservation?”
Mia smiled and turned to Darren who looked at her blankly “I thought you made it?”
“No.” she turned to the host who gave them a grim expression “Excuse us.” She pulled Darren closer to the door “You said specifically that you would call after our break today. Remember?” she pressed through clenched teeth.
He shook his head again “No, that’s when you offered to do it for me because I did most of the hard work training Jenna. Remember?” he used the same tone of voice she used on him.
Mia opened her mouth and then recalled the situation “Wait…yeah, I did.” Letting out a sigh, she walked toward the host with an enduring smile “Hi there. Would you be so kind as to get us a table?” she slyly slipped him a hundred dollar bill.
The man’s eye twitched towards the bill and back at Mia “I’m sorry Miss, I am not easily bribed. If I allowed for you to cut in line, those people will be angry with me. This restaurant’s reputation is at risk.”
“Two hundred?” she smiled sweetly.
“We will call your number when there is an open table.” The man replied firmly. He jotted down the name she gave.
Mia gave him a scowl but eventually returned to her seat next to Darren “Shut up!” she snapped before he had a chance to comment.
He nearly exploded in giggles as he witnessed his usually suave wife get what she wanted. Darren leaned closer to her with a grin “Your charm is fading. But I think someone else can help.” He shook Bonnie lightly until she woke up “Sweetie, aren’t you hungry?”
“Yes, daddy.” She nodded wide eyed.
Darren and Mia exchanged knowing smiles as they whispered a few words to their two year old. Within minutes, Darren placed her on the ground as she walked over to the host desk. Pulling on his pant leg, she quickly got his attention. The man could not resist the round eyed girl in the sky blue dress “Yes, my dear?” he bent down to be leveled with her.
“I’m hungry.” She said in a pouty tone.
“Aww, I’m sorry sweetie, but you will have to wait like everyone.” He replied softly.
Her lips quivered slightly and she began to whimper, “My mommy and daddy are having a bad day. I did not get to eat with them since three months before. Please mister, I am so hungry…” she pleaded adoringly. He began to negotiate with himself while Bonnie turned to her parents who gestured for her to do the last bit “Mister, what is divorce?”
The man’s eyes snapped over to the little darling “Where did you hear that from?”
“My mommy said it to my daddy.” She nodded with rounded eyes.
It was then that he had fallen for the trick. Smiling, he patted her bonnet “The word is nothing for you to worry about. Let me find a table for you, we wouldn't want to starve you now would we?” He gave her wink and quickly adjusted the seating arrangements with the waiters and they had a table within two minutes.
Bonnie returned to Mia’s lap “Did it work?” Mia asked.
“Chiu Family, party of three. Your table is ready.” The host announced with a friendly smile.
Darren smiled “Works every time.”
They were seated by the window, which was overlooking the city night. After ordering the food, the two turned to their bundle of joy with a proud smile “I think I gave her all my charm.” Mia said thoughtfully.
“She definitely has my quickness and good looks.” Darren commented with a hint of a growing ego.
“Oh please, she’s a girl Darren, are you trying to say that you look like a girl?” Mia rolled her eyes.
"No, I'm saying she has my good looks." Darren replied coolly.
As the two quarreled about what Bonnie inherited, the girl turned from her mother to her father until the bickering stopped “Mommy?”
“Yes dear.” Mia was flushed but still managed to smile at her angel.
“What is a divorce?” the girl asked innocently.
Mia narrowed her eyes at Darren “You had to use that one.”
“It worked didn’t it?” Darren said smugly. Reaching out his hands he pulled his girl onto his lap “Divorce is an adult word. You are too small to be using it. When you grow up one day, I will explain it to you, okay?” tapping her nose, it made her giggle as he smothered her with kisses.
Despite the bickering, Mia was always reminded why she loved Darren so much. He adored their little girl eventhough he was praying for a boy when she was pregnant. But after one look at their daughter, he was in love. Her smile drifted as she looked away at the other people around them. Most were well dressed and probably rich. She caught her eyes on a familiar face a few tables away “Look honey, it’s the Mayor. Let’s go say hi.” She pointed.
Darren turned and spotted the man, he waved to the two agents he knew well. The two pulled their chairs back and gathered Bonnie to greet the important man. Mia was busy straightening her daughter’s bonnet when suddenly Darren whipped the two around and down to the ground. On the way down, gunshots were fired. The entire restaurant screamed as a few standing people were hit while the rest dove to the ground to hide.
Minutes later, the killer left when he accomplished his mission. Mia turned up after the shots stopped “Darren!” she pointed. When he turned, he saw the Mayor’s limp head on the booth while the holes from the bullets allowed the blood to seep out.
“The list.” Darren whispered. The two forgot about Bonnie as she pointed to the dead figure and whimpered into tears. He quickly pushed her head onto his chest to cover her eyes “Shhh, it’s okay honey. Daddy’s here.” He coaxed.
The police came and asked questions from everyone in the restaurant. Ted was called for back up as he walked in and found his fellow agents there “Hey guys. You okay?” he asked sincerely.
Darren nodded “The only one shaken up is her.” He nodded to Bonnie who was asleep in his arms.
“What happened?” Ted asked.
Mia nodded to their seats “We were having a family dinner when I looked up and noticed the Mayor was over there.” She pointed “We were going to go and say hi when Darren pushed me and Bonnie to the floor. At the same time, gunshots were fired. It was a ring of shots too!”
“What did you see?” Ted turned to Darren.
“I saw a person dressed in black standing by that entrance, he looked a little suspicious and I didn’t think anything of it at first but when he pulled out a gun, my first instinct was to protect my family.” He replied, “I didn’t think the list would be starting so fast.”
Mia turned to Ted worriedly “They’ve gotten three out of the list. Reina's next.”
“We’ll wait and talk to Joe about it tomorrow. You guys go home and rest.” He advised. The two nodded as they began to leave “Be careful guys.”
“You too.” Darren smiled.
Ted looked around at the damaged, letting out a sigh “It’s going to be a long night.”
“Si hing!”
He turned to the familiar voice of the new recruited policewoman “Sara.” He greeted with a small smile.
“Coffee? One sugar and one cream!” She said brightly while handing him the hot cup.
He smiled gratefully “This isn’t your job. You don’t have to do this Sara.”
“I know. I want to. It’s going to be a long night for us. Look how many witnesses we have.” She pointed around.
Ted nodded in agreement “Why don’t you rest for a minute and then take that group.”
Sara shook her head vehemently “I’m not tired. I can work, I’ll start on that group.” She walked towards the people he had pointed to earlier.