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Our moment of reflection is interrupted as the elevator reaches the basement, and we step out into the cool night air. As we take a few steps away from the elevator, I notice a man leaning against a nearby wall, seemingly waiting for us. Tall, slender, and with auburn-toned, wavy hair, he exudes a certain charm. A mischievous smirk plays on his lips, accompanied by a crinkle in the corner of his green eyes.
“Good evening, agents,” he says cheerfully, as though it isn’t almost the middle of the night.
Derek huffs beside me, clearly annoyed by the newcomer's presence, and I could tell from his reaction that he already knows who this person is. “What are you doing lurking here? Isn’t it past your bedtime, Winters? I mean this with the utmost disrespect, but fuck off,” he growls, surprising me with his vehemence.
The newcomer disregards Derek's remarks and turns his attention to me, extending his hand. "Tristan Winters," he introduces himself, his voice laced with confidence.
I go to shake his hand, but Derek's firm grip on my shoulder halts my movement. "Careful, Alex, snakes bite," he warns, his tone protective.
Tristan simply laughs, as though he finds Derek to be the funniest person alive, and makes a placating gesture with both hands. But behind the façade, I notice a hint of anger in his eyes as he looks at us. “So, I gather I’m not going to get a comment from you on the body you found this morning?”
Realization dawns on me, and I almost want to take a step back. “You’re a reporter?”
Tristan's smirk widens, confirming my suspicion. "You catch on quick. I'm an investigative journalist, always on the lookout for a juicy story. And it seems like I stumbled upon one right here," he says, eyeing both Derek and I with an intensity that makes me slightly uncomfortable.
Derek's eyes narrow at him, and his grip on my shoulder tightens protectively. "You're not getting any information from us. This is an ongoing investigation."
Tristan raises an eyebrow, seemingly undeterred by Derek's defensive stance. "Oh, come on. A little scoop won't hurt anyone. Help a journalist out, and I might even make you both look good in my article."
Maintaining a polite demeanor, I interject, trying to diffuse the tension between Derek and Tristan. "We appreciate your interest, Mr. Winters, but as Derek mentioned, this is an ongoing investigation, and we are not at liberty to disclose any information at this time."
Tristan's eyes flicker with an emotion I can’t identify, "Derek, huh?” he glances at Derek before returning his attention to me. “Look, I understand your position, but you must admit, a collaboration between law enforcement and the media could shed light on the case and potentially lead to valuable insights."
Derek's annoyance remains unwavering. "We have our own methods and protocols. We don't need the interference of a journalist."
Tristan's smile turns slightly more genuine, his voice tinged with persuasion, but I could hear the undertone of annoyance. "Oh, I assure you, Agent Derek, I'm here to help your work, not disrupt it. I'm genuinely intrigued by the case and the opportunity to get to the truth behind these deaths. We could work together, with mutual respect and shared goals, and all that."
Derek crosses his arms, his expression unyielding. "I've dealt with people like you before, and they always have their own agenda. We don't need any distractions or leaks jeopardizing the investigation."
Tristan's charm doesn’t waver, but another flicker of frustration flashes in his eyes. "I understand your concerns, Agent, but not everyone is cut from the same cloth. I assure you, my goal is simply to help you get what you want."
The tension in the air is palpable as Derek and Tristan continue to face off, their personalities clashing like two opposing forces. I found myself caught in the middle, torn between the curiosity that Tristan's proposition stirred within me and Derek's protective instincts, which warned me to be cautious.
Tristan's smile remains persistent, though I could see exasperation in his eyes. "Agent, I'm not your enemy here. I understand your reservations, but I assure you, my intentions are genuine. I want to uncover the truth behind these deaths as much as you do."
Derek's jaw clenches, and he gives Tristan a stern look. "We'll handle this investigation our way, and we won't be sharing confidential information with anyone outside of our team. You can report on whatever public information is available, but that's it."
Tristan sighs, accepting Derek's stance for the time being. "Alright, I'll respect your wishes for now. But consider this," he says, maintaining eye contact with Derek, "if you ever find yourself in need of an extra set of eyes or a different perspective, you know where to find me."
"I highly doubt that'll ever happen," Derek retorts, unyielding.
Tristan chuckles lightly. "You never know. Cases have a way of taking unexpected turns. I'll be around, lurking in the shadows, waiting for that moment when you might change your mind." With a slight nod to both of us, he turns and starts to walk away.
As we watch Tristan disappear into the darkness, I can’t help but feel conflicted. On one hand, I understand Derek's caution and the importance of keeping the investigation confidential. On the other hand, Tristan's offer had a certain appeal, as he seemed genuinely passionate about helping us through his journalism.
Derek's voice breaks my train of thought. "We need to be careful, Alex. Trusting outsiders can be risky. They have their own agendas, and we can't afford to have anything jeopardize our efforts."
"I know, Derek," I reply, feeling torn. "But there might come a point where we need all the help we can get. I don't want to shut out a potential resource if it could aid the case."
Derek sighs, understanding my perspective but remaining steadfast in his stance. "We'll see how things progress. Let's focus on our investigation for now and gather as much information as we can. We'll consult with our superiors about this later, but for now, we keep things to ourselves."
I nod, acknowledging Derek's decision. "Agreed. Our priority is solving this case and finding these killers."
With that, we make our way to my car, both of us deep in thought. The night air feels heavy with the weight of the ongoing investigation, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the road ahead is filled with uncertainty and challenges.
After Derek wishes me a good night to start fresh in the morning I drive back to my rental property. The encounter with Tristan and Derek's adamant stance replays in my mind. The tension between them lingered, and I can’t help but wonder if there is a way to bridge the gap between their opposing perspectives.
Arriving at my temporary home, I park the car and step out, the night air enveloping me. The street is quiet, with only a few dimly lit street lights casting long shadows. The encounter with Tristan left me with mixed feelings, and I couldn't shake the curiosity he sparked within me.
