Day 2 Chapter 4
Day 2
Adelmo jolts awake from a vivid dream, his heart racing as he struggles to regulate his breathing. Beads of cold sweat trickle down his forehead as he tries to calm himself down. With a quick glance at the clock, he realizes it's already eight in the morning. Despite feeling disoriented from the nightmare, he gathers his composure and slowly sits up in bed.
The remnants of the unsettling dream linger in Adelmo's mind, causing his hands to tremble slightly as he reaches for his clothes. The room feels eerily quiet as he moves about, the only sound being the rustling of fabric as he gets dressed. The morning light filters through the window, casting a soft glow on the walls, adding a sense of calmness to the otherwise tense atmosphere.
As Adelmo finishes getting dressed, he takes a deep breath and tries to shake off the lingering unease from the nightmare. With each passing moment, the memories of the dream fade away, replaced by the reality of the new day ahead. He straightens his clothes, ready to face whatever challenges may come his way, determined to leave the haunting images of the night behind him.
Adelmo's first priority was to pay a visit to his old high school buddy at the police station. Determined to catch up and possibly gather some information about the recent break-in, he made his way through the city. Along the route, he couldn't help but notice the remnants of the crime scene at the store. The bright yellow crime tape fluttered in the wind, serving as a stark reminder of the mysterious incident that had taken place. Adelmo couldn't shake off the feeling of intrigue as he continued his journey.
However, his plans hit a roadblock when he found himself stuck in the midst of morning traffic. Frustration crept in as he realized that reaching the police station would take longer than anticipated. Yet, he knew he had no other choice but to patiently navigate through the congested streets. As the minutes ticked by, Adelmo's mind wandered back to the vivid dream he had the previous night. The memory of being chased by an unknown entity lingered in his thoughts, leaving him with a sense of unease.
Finally, Adelmo arrived at the police station, hoping to find his old friend waiting for him. He yearned to extract any valuable information that could shed light on the mysterious break-in. With a mix of anticipation and curiosity, he stepped out of his car and entered the bustling police station. As he made his way through the corridors, he couldn't help but wonder if his old pal would be willing to share any insider details. Adelmo's determination to uncover the truth fueled his eagerness, and he hoped that his visit would yield fruitful results.
Adelmo drove his car into the police station parking lot, the tires crunching against the gravel as he came to a stop. He stepped out of the vehicle and made his way towards the entrance of the station. As he entered, he couldn't help but notice the secretary sitting behind the front desk. Her face was pinched, and it was clear that she would rather be anywhere else but here today. Undeterred, Adelmo approached her and politely asked if his friend Nik was around.
The secretary looked at him with a puzzled expression, her confusion evident. She informed Adelmo that there was no one by the name of Nik working at the station. This response only served to deepen Adelmo's confusion. Did Nik get fired? Or perhaps they simply didn't know him by that name? Determined to find out, he asked the lady once again, this time emphasizing, "Are you absolutely sure that Nikusubila Minkah doesn't work here?"
The secretary seemed momentarily dazed, as if the name had triggered a memory. She finally responded, "Oh, you were referring to him! Well, he hasn't arrived yet. Nikusubila Minkah usually comes in around 10 o'clock. If you want, you can come back later, and I'm sure he'll be here." Adelmo nodded, contemplating his next move. "Sure," he replied, "but I think I'll give him a call first, just to make sure he's in. I know how mischievous he was as a kid, and I doubt he's changed much as an adult." Adelmo's attempt at humor was met with a lackluster response from the secretary, her smile failing to match his own.
Adelmo exited the police station, feeling a sense of unease lingering in the air. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he might have overlooked a crucial detail at the crime scene. The urgency of his departure the previous night had clouded his judgment, and now he needed to return to ensure that nothing had escaped his notice. Aware of the police's vigilance, he treaded cautiously as he made his way back to the scene of the crime.
Upon arriving at the store, Adelmo parked his car and entered the premises with a mix of apprehension and determination. The morning light illuminated the area, revealing the same familiar prints on the floor and door. As he retraced his steps, his eyes fell upon a peculiar sight - a strand of hair caught on a piece of metal near where the meat had been placed. Instinctively, he picked it up and secured it in a bag, realizing the potential significance of this discovery.
Contemplating his next move, Adelmo weighed his options. He pondered the idea of analyzing the hair at home, but quickly dismissed it due to the lack of proper equipment. With a resolve, he decided to take the evidence to the Lab for further examination. As he prepared to leave the scene, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation at the prospect of uncovering the truth behind the mysterious strand of hair.
Curiosity piqued, he ventured into the dimly lit back room, hoping to find some answers on the surveillance cameras. As he made his way through the narrow aisles, he couldn't help but wonder if a store of this size would even have such advanced security measures. Nevertheless, he pressed on, determined to uncover any potential clues.
With each step, he scoured the room, his eyes darting from corner to corner, until finally, he spotted them - the surveillance cameras discreetly positioned on the walls. However, his excitement quickly turned to disappointment as he realized that the recorder connected to the cameras was empty. It seemed as though someone had already seized it, most likely the police, in their quest to unravel the mystery that had unfolded in this small store.
Frustrated but undeterred, he left the store and pondered his next move. The answer came to him in a flash - he needed to have the DNA from the hair analyzed. But as he considered how to gain access to a lab and enlist their help, a wave of uncertainty washed over him. How could he convince them to assist him? The thought lingered in his mind, urging him to come up with a plan that would allow him to unlock the secrets hidden within the strands of hair.
Adelmo glanced at his wristwatch, a classic timepiece that he treasured dearly, and his heart skipped a beat as he realized it was already 11am. With a sense of urgency, he knew he had to make his way back to the police station to have a chat with his buddy. Determined, he swiftly hopped into his sleek car, the engine purring to life as he revved it up, ready to embark on his mission.
The drive to the police station was a mix of anticipation and impatience for Adelmo. He navigated through the bustling city streets, skillfully maneuvering his car through the traffic, his mind focused on the impending conversation with his friend. As the minutes ticked by, he could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, urging him to reach his destination as quickly as possible.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Adelmo arrived at the police station. He parked his car in a designated spot, ensuring it was secure before making his way towards the entrance. As he stepped inside, he was greeted by the sight of a lady at the front desk. Her demeanor was indifferent, avoiding eye contact as if she had seen it all. Undeterred, Adelmo approached her and inquired about his friend, Nikusubila Minkah. The lady, with a hint of annoyance in her voice, informed him that Nikusubila was indeed present and she would page him. Curiosity piqued, she asked for his name, to which Adelmo nonchalantly replied, "Adelmo Madison is what they call me," a sly smile playing on his lips. Unbeknownst to him, the lady couldn't help but roll her eyes, secretly amused by his confident demeanor. She relayed the message to let him in, and Adelmo couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement as he prepared to reunite with his buddy.
As Adelmo stepped into Nikusubila's office, he couldn't help but be taken aback by the sight before him. Behind a grand mahogany desk sat Nik, a man who exuded an air of authority and power. Adelmo couldn't help but think that if Nik hadn't chosen the path of a cop, he would have made an exceptional professional boxer. The way his dark skin contrasted with the slight asymmetry of his features, a testament to a past altercation that left a hint of a broken nose, only added to his imposing presence. Adelmo couldn't help but wonder how often Nik visited the barber to maintain his impeccably styled fade.
Nik glanced up from his paperwork, his deep-set dark eyes locking with Adelmo's. A warm smile spread across his face as he motioned for Adelmo to take a seat. "Sit down, my friend. What brings you here?" Adelmo wasted no time and dove straight into questioning Nik about the break-in that had occurred the previous night. He was eager to find out any information they had gathered so far. However, to his disappointment, Nik refused to divulge any details about the case, citing police policy that prohibited sharing information on unsolved cases. Frustrated, Adelmo decided not to push further and abandoned the idea of requesting access to the police station's lab.
Feeling a sense of unease, Adelmo tried to buy himself some time by requesting another cup of coffee. He hoped that the caffeine would help clear his mind and come up with a new approach to gather information about the break-in. As he waited for the coffee to arrive, Adelmo couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and frustration towards Nik. He admired his friend's dedication to his job and commitment to upholding the rules, but at the same time, he wished Nik would make an exception for him, considering their close friendship. Nevertheless, Adelmo knew he had to respect Nik's decision and find another way to crack the case.