Alex gently rasped on the door and opened it slightly. "Sir?"
"Come in Ford".
Alex strode over to his superior, Captain Jamie Dirk's desk.
"Updates".
"Well sir, there hasn't been any progress on the case".
" And why's that?"
" There aren't any leads whatsoever and her DNA match isn't in the database".
Captain Dirk frowned. " You're wasting time Ford. And it's so unlike you".
" Sir…"
"No. I understand. It's a cold case. We've seen many of them".
" Sir?"
" Ford, close the case. You're wasting so much time and resources".
" Sir, please listen to me".
Captain Dirk tilted his chin. " I'm listening. Lemme guess, you don't wanna disappoint the kid because you couldn't find her family. Is that it?"
" No sir. Well yes, but that's not what I want you to listen to".
" So what should I listen to?"
" Sir, I've got a feeling that Azalea is related to Senator Julian Wales".
He gave Alex an amused look, and then he chuckled, and then it broke out into a full on guffaw.
"Sir, I know it sounds funny but…. Azalea's accident occurred right behind Senator Julian Wales estate mansion".
Captain Dirk stopped laughing and looked at Alex in a manner that gave no room for arguments. "Do what you're told Ford. Dismissed".
****
" Hey Alea", Alex smiled sweetly as he walked into her ward.
She cocked her head. "You're not happy".
Alex was stunned. How'd she know that? He was supposed to be skilled in masking his emotions. "That's not important".
"It's about the case right? You weren't able to find my family".
Alex gasped softly as if he'd been punched in the gut. But in reality, his ego had just been bruised.
Henrietta stared at the both of them in confused amazement. "How'd you know that Alea?"
"It's quite evident on his face. Bro's a bit pale and I can tell his heart's jackhammering in his chest, probably because he doesn't know how to break the news to me".
Alex was dumbfounded.
Henrietta stared hard at him. "I don't see anything".
"Are you telling me you don't see the little beads of perspiration on his face and the slight trembling of his hands or the shifting of his weight from one foot to the other?", she shrugged, " I guess it's just me then".
Alex was amazed. How had this girl been able to see through his façade? Then it hit him. She really wasn't an ordinary missing person, as James said. She's been trained her entire life. He won't be surprised if she knew how to handle a gun.
At that point, his gut tightened. He knew she was the senator's spawn. But he couldn't act on his gut feeling, he could get fired. The higher ups didn't take kindly to detectives who didn't know their place or unit.
"Get out your head Alex. Listen,I'm okay. You tried,but I guess you just wasted your time". Alex furrowed his brows, hating that this girl repeated the words of his superior.
" What'd you mean?"
" I knew you weren't gonna find them. They're dead. And if they aren't, they don't want me. I mean,I've stayed in this hospital, for…. It's almost three months. They haven't come. So they're dead, even if they're alive, it doesn't matter, they are to me".
Alex's heart broke and he stared at her sympathetically. "Listen, I was asked to close the case. But I have a feeling your father is Senator Julian Wales".
Henrietta gasped. " No way! Azalea, your father's the senator?"
Alex glanced at her. " Don't say that to anyone. Azalea, does the name ring a bell?"
She closed her eyes and opened it slowly. " Senator Wales is that man that was murdered in his estate mansion right?"
Alex nodded.
She shrugged. " I don't know him".
Disappointment stabbed through his chest. Had I been wrong? No. She had amnesia,that's why she doesn't remember.
"What about your mom? D'you remember anything about her?"
She couldn't explain why, but goosebumps rose on her skin as Alex mentioned her mom. "I don't know. I don't think I ever had a mom". She rubbed her arms, immediately feeling cold.
" Arrree you okay?"
"Hmm? Yeah,yeah. I am".
She couldn't explain the fear that immediately gripped her insides. Then she felt the warmth of a body. It was Henrietta. She sighed softly and hugged her back.
Alex looked at the two girls warmly. Then he patted their heads and turned to leave.
"Is this goodbye Alex?", Henrietta's voice was shaky.
" I…"
Henrietta let go of her and walked over to him and hugged him. She rested her head on his stomach and sniffled. "I'll miss you".
"Me too kid".
Alex knelt on one knee and held her chin. "You know I'm too old for you right?"
"Age is just a number".
" Wait till you're older, probably 18, you'll see you were just being childish".
Henrietta looked hurt. " So my feelings for you aren't valid?"
"I appreciate them. Tell you what? I'll wait for you. Get better first, and then we'll talk".
Henrietta smiled so wide, he was afraid her face would split open. She hugged him again. "You just gave me a reason to live. Thank you Alex. I never had one before now".
His chest tightened in pain. What had he done? What if he couldn't keep his promise?
"You don't have to worry about keeping your promise. I just needed someone or something to make me want to stay alive". She smiled at him and kissed his cheek.
She went back over to her friend. He rose and cleared his throat. "I guess,I'll be leaving now". His voice was filled with emotion. Henrietta laughed. Azalea gave him a knowing look.
He was gonna miss those girls.