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Chapter Four
Daphne
There's no other evidence. None, minus Archer's skin cells on his face. Damn. I was hoping for more, but whoever did this must've been good. They also must have been at the bar watching Archer punch Rory. I need the footage to watch the people around them. That might be our number one lead. Well, our actual number one lead is Archer's DNA. But that comes up inconclusive because if he left his DNA on Rory, there would've been more. Right now, I'm looking over Rory's body for what feels like the thousandth time. The cuts that severed his fingers are clean. Spotless. It must have been done by a scalpel. Someone who is in the medical field. I know how to clear Archer's name. I speed, walk out my door, and head to Nisa's office.
***
I’m waiting outside Nisa’s office since she’s having a meeting. I am basically bouncing on my toes with impatience. I cannot wait for this. I need to tell her now. The door to her office
opens, and an older gentleman walks out. He turns towards me, and my gut squeezes. He has the same features as Rory. They have the same nose and the same almost black eyes. I'm rooted in place. I was just dancing with this guy's son, and now he's lying on top of one of my tables. I know it's not my fault, but how else can I feel except guilt. The guy gives me a pitiful smile and walks down the hall.
"Come in, Daphne." I hear Nisa yell.
Going out of my stupor. I come back to reality and walk through Nisa's doors. Her office is plain but has accents of baby pink everywhere. You can tell it is her favorite color. The picture frames of her family and her degrees are all pink. Some of the decorations on her bookshelves are pink. This office screams girl boss just like the lady that is sitting at her desk.
“Please tell me good news. It was hard talking to Rory’s dad.” She looks so solemn, and I am grateful that I work behind the scenes. I would never survive in this job if I met the people’s families and had to be the one to tell them what happened firsthand. I already cannot deal with testifying on a stand with my collected
evidence. But I just disassociate, and all is good.
"I do have good news, but I need Archer to come down to my lab and test the theory. I do not have any more evidence. Hopefully, after he comes, I will be able to make a pretty good profile on the actual killer."
"Okay. I'll get on it. Do you need anything else?" I think for a second.
"Can we get takeout?"
She just shakes her head at me, but I was serious. I'm starving.
"I can have Archer pick you up something when he comes here." With that, I walk down the hall to my lab to await the guy who just kissed me yesterday.
Archer
I’m in line at Daphne’s favorite Chinese restaurant. I’m picking up some of the classics: sweet and sour chicken, chicken lo mien, and general Tso’s chicken. I pick up two egg rolls, too. I already know I'm the best, but I should also get her favorite Starbucks drink, Pink drink with vanilla cold foam. I am groveling like crazy. I mean I do need a date for my sister's wedding. That is if I'm not in prison. I have to start looking at the bright side of things. I get to hang out with Daphne. The guy at the counter calls my number. I grab the food and offer him a 'Thank you' while also holding a couple soy sauce packets and two sets of chopsticks.
I set out on my adventure to the FBI building. Walking down the street in August is the best time to be in the capital. It's beautiful. The perfect temperature and there are not too many tourists. I make my way down the street. I do hate always being alone. I hate eating alone. I never have anywhere to go that Liam doesn't set up. My last girlfriend was in college. It feels like a million years ago. Her name was Emma; it was more casual. We broke it off on good terms, but I haven't spoken to her since that day. Up until this point, there have only been one-night stands or brief flings, but nothing like the feelings that I have for Daphne. If only she reciprocated them. I would show her whatever she wished. I make a quick stop at the Starbucks that's on the corner of the street closest to our building. After I have the drink in tow, I head to the FBI building.
Five more minutes pass, and I make it to the FBI building. Because I didn't give Grey my badge, I can still get it. Once in the building, I make my way to her lab. I kind of feel like I'm getting butterflies. What is this woman doing to me? I stop outside her door. This is it. I wonder what she's wearing today. I knock on the door and then twist the doorknob. She's hunched over the guy with a magnifying glass. She's in her lab coat, but under that, she's in a black skirt and a green turtleneck. She looks good.
I walk in saying, "Dinner's here." She looks up, a little unimpressed, until she spots what I hold in my hand.
"Is that Chinese food? From the Chinese place, a couple blocks away? And Starbucks?"
"Yes, it is."
She beams up at me. "I am starving. Come on, we will eat in my office. After that, we will find out if you're the killer or not."
Well, that makes me feel just peachy. Daphne's office is in an adjoining room. She has it made in this place. Her own office and bathroom. I was kind of jealous I didn't go to school for forensics. But I do love the action of being a detective. Entering her office is like entering a space of her. It's cluttered with books and different articles. I'm assuming it's all forensics or science-related, but looking at the stacks, I notice some exciting titles. Fifty Shades of Grey. Loving on a Cowboy. What the hell does she read?
"Interesting choice of literature." I jab at her.
"It is fascinating. Especially because I have no real candidates to date. I date fictional characters." She starts cleaning off a small table in the corner of her room. I walk over and begin to set the food and her drink on the table.
"I didn't get any plates. I hope you don't mind sharing the containers."
"Nope, that's not a problem. What did you get?"
"Chicken lo mien, sweet and sour chicken, and general Tso's chicken. I also grabbed chopsticks and a couple soy sauce packets."
"Mm, all my favorites. What do I owe you?"
