An Android's Tale - Part 30 (An Original Story)

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A rising expectation of dread combined with jubilation saturated Drucker’s thoughts. Major inroads to his investigation had been carved out just a few short moments ago. Showing the wheels were already turning. In fact, they had been ever since this case first started. It was just a matter of patience and letting the facts unveil themselves all on their own. However, who could have possibly known that? After all, a detective’s job is to assess clues from all logical angles, interpret them in relation to the crime and act in accordance. Every half decent cop knows you eat, sleep and breath a case you are given. He realised that only too well having served in law enforcement for all the years he had. No expenses spared, no barriers drawn up. No incumbrances from personal affiliations. However, even at the cost of his wife, Gwen? Had life really sunk this low, he thought.

The relentless ticking of a woman’s biological clock can prove to be a heavy cross to bear. A powerful one at that. Strong enough to wreck relationships, destroy lives and erase love. Despite numerous reshuffles to his personal circumstances, Drucker was unable to find a balance between marital and work life. It was almost an impossibility. The two were mutually exclusive. A tug-of-war where one had to give in at the cost of the other. Promotion versus family, solving a murder or rearing a child, heads or tails. The hourglass had all but run dry and only a final few grains of sand remained.

Guilt and remorse consumed him as he knew another evening would be spent reeling off a list of excuses to console his distraught wife. The promise of a baby girl or boy fading away as fast as his ailing marriage.

He had also come to terms with who would rule for the eventual outcome. Fate itself would wield the deciding hand and that was exactly who Drucker left it to. Drink and cigarettes would provide for a temporary Band-Aid until that day arrived and the sooner it did, the better for everyone involved, whatever the result. He attempted to cleanse his thoughts and hastened out of the office as the most critical piece of the puzzle was just a few minutes away.

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The corridor leading to the Interrogation room looked every bit as dingy as it should do. Dull greyed walls, large cylindrical lights dotting the ceiling above, bland doors placed sporadically lining either side. If only for visual effect, it checked all the right boxes.

Doug hurried along behind him, every now and then adjusting his tight-fitting shoulder straps. Drucker felt a real sense of security being partnered up with Doug. A rare mix of family and business, that seemed to work out better than any of them could have imagined. Something neither one of them ever spoke about, if anything for the sake of each other's pride.

A pair of officers stood chatting up ahead when one caught a quick glance of Drucker pacing hard upon the concrete floor. A subtle nudge later and now two sets of eyes were glowering in on them like hawks. Doug attempted to hold back but emotions got the better of him.

“You guys got a problem here?” he asked, whirling round to face a square-jawed, muscular officer. “This the OK Corral or something? You got anything to say, you damn well say it out loud to my face!” A twisted sneer manifested across his mouth in return. “Oh no, shorty. There ain’t nothing left to say. You run along with Detective Blunder over here. After all, we wouldn’t wanna keep your celebrity audience waiting too long, would we now?” A strong, firm hand gripped Doug’s arm. “Just leave it alone.” he heard mumbled into his right ear. “That’s right, shorty. Listen to your partner and choose very carefully what you say to me next. Don’t wanna go screwing things up for yourself any more than you already have in this precinct. Now, in case you missed it the first time. Be a good little soldier boy and run along.”

Doug’s cheeks exploded with crimson as every inch of his being prepared for a full-on verbal assault. The grip tightened around his arm. “Just leave it I said.” Drucker whispered in an authoritative tone coupled with a mocking nod from the offending officer. With his pride in tatters, he offered up a grimaced stare before they continued down the long passageway. Much to the chuckling amusement of his fellow colleague’s left behind.

“Don’t let your guard down like that again.” he murmured from the corner of his mouth. “You know how this department works. Our incident will be yesterday’s news in no time at all. Just smile, walk past and give ‘em hell in your mind. We gotta play the game like everybody else, Doug. Remember that.”

With not another word spoken the rest of the way, they came upon an ordinary, unassuming door where behind it sat the highest profile synthetic in the world today. Drucker looked Doug over. “Hey, you clear and focused? We’re involved in maybe the biggest case of our lives and can’t afford any slip ups once in there. Are we straight?” After a brief pause, the still red-faced Doug pursed his lips together and nodded in acknowledgement. “I’m good, Druck. Look, sorry about before. I just… I mean… I’ve been getting a lot of shit from the boys when you’re not around, you know?”

“I understand.” Drucker replied in sympathy. “But we also got a job to do. You can really hit ‘em where it hurts by getting all the required info from this clown in there and wrapping up the whole investigation as quickly as possible. Got it?” He nodded once more to Drucker’s satisfaction.

“Right.” he whispered. ”Let’s do this.”

Upon opening the door, the strong musky smell of an expensive scent engulfed their nostrils. A long, flat metal table spanned most of the room across from them. Languishing behind it was Rik Haime sporting a pair of designer blue jeans and a black leather jacket. His finely-tuned facial features bore a sly, conceited grin. The trademark kiss curl dangled over an eye just below his strand-perfect head of hair. An idol's look that his makers conceived of and etched onto him in an exact, unchanging stylization for the rest of his days. A precision-built, manufactured heart-throb with a stinging personality to match.

To his left sat a debonair looking gentlemen with a trim, short-bristled moustache. His mannerism and posture exuded professionalism and intelligence. Much to the dismay of both Drucker and Doug. Two other chairs rested vacant near where they stood. Rik Haime was first to break ice.

“Detectives.” he called out in a colourful, flamboyant tone. “You’d better make my visit worth your while as I’ll be suing you by the minute.” He tapped a Tag Hauer wrist watch with an index finger. “Time is money and money is time.” The gentleman next to him cleared his throat as Rik Haime closed his opening speech. “If I may introduce myself, I’m Mr. Galloway. I’ll be representing my client today and will be advising him throughout this process. You may now continue with proceedings.” The delicacy in which he handled himself perturbed Doug somewhat but Drucker stayed in tow.

Hope you enjoyed this post, please look out for more on the way... (author: @ezzy)

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