34 - Oliver Taylor
1789 Words
Why does she always get herself into trouble? Last time, it was with Christan. This time, it was with Cara. I wonder if my family combination with her brings her disaster. Charles was busy getting a footage of the incident and coordinating with the police. Lee was sent to the hospital, with a shot on her left arm and a broken right wrist. Cara ushered our nephews to Christan’s place before rushing to the hospital. She told me what happened, while a police officer was getting her statement. She invited Lee to take the kids to amusement park after their classes at three in the afternoon. Their class was finishing up an activity so she and Lee waited inside the classroom. Lee sat down with Drew and Carl, helping them finish coloring a book. Cara was speaking with the teacher while an assistant was collecting books from those who already finished. Before any of the kids get out of the room, these two guys came in and announced a hostage. Majority of the kids there are children of wealthy people. They didn’t give any instructions, though. They are clearly amateurs. They were a little unguarded since most of the people there are kids, and four women. There was a commotion as the teachers tried to calm the kids when the guys started yelling. The men positioned themselves near the door, with one guarding it while the other keeps an eye on the hostages. Cara and the teachers kept asking what they want and what needs to be done to let them all go. Admittedly, they wanted money. They are clearly in distress as they kept ranting about unfairness, injustice, a***e of the poor, etc. Anyway, the police arrived, and they weren’t having any fruitful exchange with the men either. It already took over two hours. And no one bothered to inform me. Cara stated that she can’t use the phone while Christan already knew she’ll be taking the kids. He must have thought they’re still having fun playing outside after school. Anyway, they were allowed to move a little and Lee sat next to one of the men. When Cara noticed it, she sat next to the other person. I questioned her actions. Did she really thought Lee has something planned? Anyway, Lee tried getting the g*n of the man and she broke her wrist in that struggle, whereas Cara ended up hostage when the other man noticed the scuffle and she tried taking the g*n as well. The other man fell unconscious and Lee was pretty much defenseless standing right in front of the other and yet the man holding Cara hostage didn’t shoot. The police commented that amateurs don’t really have the guts to shoot unless they feel very threatened. Lee stared at Cara and she interpreted it that Lee’s going to shoot so she dropped down as soon as she heard the gunshot. Lee hit the man on the right shoulder while Lee was hit on the left arm. Cara ran outside to call for help. The police came in and sorted the situation.
The officer left and Cara sat near Lee’s bed. The doctor already explained her condition. It was simply a graze, but it still left a sizeable wound that needed stitches. It was just as worse as the state of her broken wrist. She would need a longer recovery period than when she was stabbed by a broken bottle.
Her condition made me concerned. She usually claims she doesn’t know what she did. Even after she recovered from being stabbed, she still can’t explain what exactly happened. In her words, it felt like something took over her body and did whatever it was that was done.
When Charles sent me the video footage, I had him contact trustworthy individuals I can consult about Lee’s condition. A neurologist, a psychologist, and someone from the police department. Charles already talked to the director, so he readily suggested him.
When I met him the next day, I explained Lee’s situation to her.
“Is that right?” He seems unable to believe it. I handed him Lee’s medical report. When he saw the content, he was persuaded.
I told him about her shooting skills, I showed him the videos with Christan and Cara’s incident. I also explained Lee’s reaction to it. I even bothered mentioning her reaction to wine that first night she remembered she can’t drink alcohol.
“What I would like to confirm with you is if there’s any possibility that she might have come from a background similar to a police officer. She could’ve been a police officer, a security detail, a private investigator, FBI, CIA, or even from the army. Or something else. If you analyze these incidents, which one is the most likely?”
“You’ve never heard of anyone looking for her?” He asked. I’ve already wondered about that.
“Never. I don’t think she’s from here. According to the hospital, she was found by passersby on a roadside near this town.”
“And you didn’t post missing flyers of her? Or reported her case to the police?”
His question made me pause.
“I think the hospital made a report. I met her about two months after her incident.”
“You’re not the one who found her?”
“No.” He nodded at my answer.
“Have you tried asking nearby towns for reports of missing people?”
“Initially, no. She was more concerned about surviving when we met. I only had my assistant start looking into her matter after the incident with my brother. She doesn’t know.”
“The bar fight?”
“Yes. What can you tell from that incident?”
“No institution provides the kind of training needed for her to be this proficient in hand-to-hand combat. The fight wasn’t long as her opponents are inexperienced. But I can tell it was well-practiced on her part. If she doesn’t remember and this is pure reflex on her part, she must have practiced hard in the past. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense for her to react this well.”
“You’re saying she could have done it on her own and has nothing to do with whatever profession she went into?”
“Yes. Any person can choose to supplement whatever training was originally provided to them. Even in my department, you will find officers who are not as experienced in hand-to-hand combat but excels in other areas. Officers who aren’t as proficient in shooting but are good in something else. It normally depends on one’s interest. Usually they are assigned specific roles depending on their skills set.”
“How about the shooting incident, the one involving my sister and nephews as well?”
He played the video again and watched seriously.
“If she didn’t have any background whatsoever, I would say she’s very reckless. Standing without any defense, it was easy to shoot her dead. If she has experience, she would have known the men were new to committing a crime. She would have known the guy won’t shoot. If she’s as skilled in shooting as you claim, she would be confident shooting the guy without harming your sister. She already dodged to her right after shooting. If she didn’t, she might have been shot on her chest. Dead if she got shot on the heart. She hasn’t woken up yet?”
“Before I came here, she’s still out of it.” I reflected on the things he related.
“Is there any police database where you can check if someone’s an officer?”
“Not easily done. Normally, a proper request must be made through the courts.”
I nodded, understanding his stance.
“I have a few advices if you want them.”
“Go ahead. I appreciate it.”
“It was already a while since you started checking missing report cases in nearby municipalities, right?”
“Yes. We got nothing.”
“I can think of a few reasons. The most logical one being… she might have worked undercover. In that case, they can’t expose her face to the public. They can’t file a proper missing person report. More so if she worked various undercover assignments already. It can’t be done. Even if her family wants to look for her, they won’t be allowed. Second would be… she’s got no one who’s looking for her. Low probability, to be honest. Third…? A criminal who made enough enemies. Undercover assignments sometimes result to unreliable double agents, albeit rare. Given the ambiguity of her situation, I would ask you to be vigilant. She could be faking it.”
“Would she put her own life in danger if she’s faking it?” I didn’t like the way he judged her character.
“There is that. But it could be to gain people’s trust. Double agents never hesitate. Also, they’re prepared to die to accomplish their objectives.”
I exhaled.
“We’re skeptics to a fault. It’s your call. I’m only telling you what I think.”
I tried to remain calm. He extended Lee’s folder as well as the tablet with the videos. I received them as I stood up.
“Thank you for your time. My assistant will contact you.”
I’m not sure if it went well or not. He gave me good ideas, but he gave bad ideas as well.
Lee woke up before it turned dark.
She was dazed and she wouldn’t talk. She would simply shake her head whenever we try to make her talk. I had Charles bring in the psychologist for assessment.
Lee didn’t talk to her either. She concluded that it was the standard reaction of people who went through something traumatic. When I asked her about Cara’s situation, she stated that it’s completely different. Lee shot someone, and she was shot as well. Cara was pretty much unharmed, physically and psychologically.
A police officer also dropped by to get her statement, but she didn’t budge. She sat there as if no one was around.
Feeding her dinner was difficult as well. When it was just me with her in the room, I went to give her a hug. She turned to me, then, looking straight into my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. I saw her visibly gulp but she didn’t answer. She extended her arms and wrapped them around me. She cried as she buried her face in my chest. I can only rub her back lightly, telling her comforting things. Telling her it’s okay, no one’s harmed, she’ll be fine, etc. I almost didn’t know what to do or say.
- Writer
