"Let me go through our case... Three weeks ago three kids died after using small amounts of poisoned party drug. Our rookie here found out the rumor running around the school so we end up investigating this friend groups movements and relationships with the victims. Especially two of them.. My report from chatting with them in their own home environment didn't give us anything new. Other boys family was more like furious than cooperative, since they were indeed in the middle of their sorrow. One of the victims was our suspects brother.."
Milo straightens his back and stretchs his hands. Then gets back to lie lazily against the bench he was sitting on. "I also talked with the student who throw that fateful party, but nothing indicate he has anything to do with the deaths," man continues. "Anyway, we have a reliable info where the drugs most likely were from. But the only connection here is that we know the buyers were students. And it was about a very small amount, kids buying regularly. Of course, after the incident our dealer hasn't get any contact from them. And I don't believe in coincidences. Rookie here has been keeping an eye on them by surveillance cameras and by foot, following them also outside the school. Free, tell us what you have figured out so far.. More ears is more opinions.."
"Why you are talking like that..?" Free was staring the older guy with confused look. Milos work mode at the moment was visibly close to zero. "It's just the three of us here.."
"Don't mind him. No one forced him go and get himself dead drunk just before the big day," Nadin smirks while adding the final brush of powder on Frees nose. "Let him suffer. Indeed, it's important to recall your progress so far before the action. Go on."
Youngest sighs. "Yeah, with the help of my friend I found out who were the students bringing the items in. They aren't exactly hiding it, but more like being proud of those rumours. Their so called 'fame'. At least, this one is," Free moves one of the foulders on the table and points the surveillance photo. "Benjamin Park here. He is definitely what I call a High guy. A show up. Has probably his own rep in his own small circle and that has made him arrogant and quite bold." That was definitely a person who will dig his own grave eventually. The kind Free would avoid if he was a dealer himself. Their ignorant act and the fact they weren't exactly keeping a low profile made them a huge red flag. "I followed Ben the whole week. Every evening he hangs out with his friends, smoking weed and drinking. They are a group of trouble makers. Sure, he isn't showing anything unusual out. If he really does have something to do with tainting the drugs, he hides it well. Has no bad conscience. Alone he doesn't really stand out simple because he acts so boldly still. Without physical proofs we can't accuse him. But luckily this guy is also an idiot," Free adds, smirking a little. "He doesn't trust his partner of crime.." He shows the other person in the surveillance camera photo. "This is Noel. His two year younger brother was one of the victims. Noel was on leave almost two weeks after the incident, just came back to school. And ever since Benjamin here has been very supporting, so so he actually sticks to Noel like a glue. Even when they are from different studies, they hang out together during every break. Sure, I would like to think it's normal. Just a friend helping his friend. But it smells. Their friendship.. It feels.. wrong. He is not thinking of his friends feelings or the dead brother. But watching him. Making sure he doesn't talk."
Nadin was listening quietly how Free talk about his theory. So was Milo who actually has turned his eyes on the youngest by now. "Aren't you taking this too personally?" older man has to ask then. "Don't let your own feelings blind you. This is work. Your theory might be wrong after all."
"Hell no, my theory is right," Free tsihs back, using very smug voice to say so. "But I'm not letting it blind me. I know how our system works. So don't worry. We need proofs."
Milo grins and gets to sit up while sighing. Well, they wouldn't be here if he didn't think Free was on to something here. And he actually has to agree young man wasn't blindly following his hunch, but building his theory from the actually facts. If taking it personally makes it more motivating him to move forward, Milo will support him. People work differently inside their heads, handling things differently. He or who knows that better than anyone.
Nadin shows a smile and puts away her make-up set. "Then, what this little theory has to do we being in school now?" she raises her other eyebrow, eyeing Free. "I bet it's all for your own interest. Gives you a change to play like a proper school boy."
"It is," now Free shows a cheerful wide smile, losing his too serious mood. "Honestly we could have go straight to Benjamin and his friends, make some dealings with them, get him in because of that and eventually, probably, make him talk. Since he is clearly the string holder here. But I met him once already. So I thought maybe approaching him in school would be more trustworthy than suddenly outside. He knows me as an idol wannabe. Not a drug dealer." Then he takes this alluring facial expression. "Besides, I've been told my face is too pretty for dealing. I'm more fitting to idoling," he clears smiling. "No one says no to this damn face. If I have to I will flirt the confession out of them."
Milo gets finally up and heads slowly toward the backdoors of this large delivery vehicle they were in. "Sounds good to me, I'll leave the rest to you two. After I check our recorders, I will be supervising from here. Don't forget to wear your nametag," man turns halfly and throws this badge to Free who with fast reflexs catches it from air. Since their targets have seen Milos face already, he must step out from the actual show. "Make them talk, record it and we can head back home. I will even treat you a meal if you success." Then he opens the back of the van and jumps out, closing the door behind him.
"Flirting your way to the best results?" Nadin smirks, then gives this teasing look toward Free. "I think the precise someone wouldn't like to hear that. He seems like a very jealous type."
Free tsihs and grins while closing his eyes. "We are not going to tell him, now are we," young man says quietly. "He would wipe a floor with me.."
Nadin couldn't help but see young man blushing a little after saying so. The make up covered the most of it, but the air around him was very honest. "So? Did he say anything about the make up earlier? Did he like how you looked?"
"That guy doesn't give a damn how I look," Free sighs, showing his desperation while widing his arms. "Sure, he noticed, but didn't comment."
"Ah, now that makes me just jealous," Nadin awes. "Shouldn't you be happy instead? At least you know he isn't interested of your looks only. I have met way too many of those." She keeps comforting the young man.
Free hums, turns to look at the woman whos smile was actually pretty blue, like forced. She was talking from experience, right? So Free couldn't help but think about the only man he knew has something to do with Nadin. "Is that Daniel one of them?"
"Him?" woman grins disgusted, showing a strong attitude out. "There was a time I really thought he saw more in me than just my face and body. But in the end they are all the same. Selfishly searching their own pleasure." Stretching, she gets up. "That is why I envy you. I know Don isn't like that." Then she leans a little closer, smirking. "To be honest, I once thought I was in love with Don because of that."
"HA?!" to Free this came so nowhere he really felt quite stunned.
Woman laughs. "Why so surprised? Don is good looking. Mature. Loyal. A little arrogant.. Everything a true alpha-male should be. I thought he would be a great catch," Nadin lists. "I even approached him with dating intentions once but he reject me head-on. Guess what he said?" Free just shows a gesture to point out he has no idea, waiting her to continue. "He said I should first gain some self-respect. I shouldn't settle for anyone just because I was lonely," she explains sighing. "That bastard. Coming from a guy who has never seriously dated anyone but just playing around really pissed me off. But.. Later I thought that was the best advice ever. As simple as it might sound now. Because of that I'm still single. I became too proud.."
The look on Nadin was very reverent, but somehow longing. She smiles to Free. "Wow, didn't this take a blue turn. My bad. We should concentrate to our case here," she takes a nametag from Frees fingers and starts to pin it on young mans pretty stunning dark blue shirt. "It's not nice to an old woman cry her heart out to a young man like yourself. Sorry."
"No, I was the one who mentioned that guy," Free shows his flirt smile and leans a little closer. Women and their heart problems were too familiar to him. Not only the customers he met and talk with during the time working in the club, but Free also knew many lady from the streets who liked to cry about their men and customers all the time. And to them Free was a good and cute listener. "But I didn't think a strong and beautiful woman like you would ever feel that uncertain. There are plenty of guys who will settle just for you, no need for more. But forget Don. He is mine."
"Hah! What are you? Comforting me like that, you young gigolo," Nadin laughs her heart out.
- - - -
School bells ring the moment after their teacher has called out the pages of their home work. A normal calm was gone, when all the students get up at the same time, gathering their books and bags while talking over each other. One of them, the oldest guy in his class, also packs his items inside his bag, stands up and after changing some words with his friends he moves toward the closest door in the back of the classroom. The lunch break was about to start and he was planning to leave the school area to visit the market close to the main street.
"Kain Kimbal!" the teacher in front of the class suddenly calls him out. With a sigh, Kain turns his eyes to this male teacher who waves him to come closer, keeping a phone on his ear. "Mr Jones is asking you to visit the sport halls," man states after ending that short call.
"Why me?" Kain tsihs wondering. Mr Jones was one of their physical education instructors, aka PE teacher. But Kain wasn't apart of any clubs what Mr Jones was supervising and he was sure he wasn't behind of his schedules or missing anything what needed to be done to catch up with the others. Sure, he still has a lot to do, after missing two whole school years while living in streets. But he was diligent, done even a little extra to make up everything. So Kain couldn't think any reason why his teacher suddenly needed to see him.
But Kains teacher simple leaves him hanging, just telling him to go and ask Mr Jones himself. Instead of having a lunch break, Kain heads toward the halls, trying to make this a quick run.
Sure, the moment Kain gets out of the main building and comes to the inner court, he could drop the idea of being quick. The area behind the field where two of their sport halls located was crowded. Seriously, it was like during the sport events. And when getting more closer and closer he could see most of the people were not the students from their school; they look more like middle schoolers. There were also some delivery vehicles near the side doors, with huge promo posters. Filming crews. There was a fan meeting going. Or photo shoot. Kain could easily recognize one of the idols from the photos on the newest posters on the wall. So why exactly he was asked to come here right now? Since the meeting was kept in the hall, Mr Jones has to have million other major things to deal.
When fans were kept in front of the main doors, Kain smoothly passes them and walks behind the vans, heading toward the side doors. Inside was indeed a photo shooting going. Some members of their football team were making poses in front of these huge white canvases. Some were chatting with the young women whose outfits were very showing. Those two were idols. Make up was flawless. Clothes flawless. They basically look like dolls. Indeed those kind of people easily remind Kain from Free. Living humen with that specific aura around them making them look like they were from online, not from reality.
"Good, you are here.."
Kain turns his eyes toward the man wearing classes, walking from the locker rooms. Being first sure this one wasn't talking to him but someone else, Kain was going to ignore him. But man was clearly looking at him, waving his hand. Kain points himself, an asking look on his face. Man nods and moves his hand more fastly, impatiently, insisting him to come closer.
"Kain Kimbal. Could you please follow me," Milo politely requests while already turning around and rushing back toward the locker room area, making sure the kids on the photo shooting area wouldn't notice him. Even when he has disguised himself well enough to not look like a person their targets met earlier, he wasn't going to take any risks here. And Kain, after simple giving up the hope getting any kind of explanation why he was here in the first place, follows this stranger. In silence they walk inside this narrow corridor what lead toward this one room, its door widely open, clearly waiting someone to arrive. "Get in. If you need anything, let him know. I can't stay so I will leave him to you. Good luck." After stating so and pointing the door young man to go in, Milo turns around and leaves, leaving Kain feel so stunned he seriously was close to freak out here. If this wasn't a school he would have never ever followed that man here.
But Kain was here now. No choice but to see this through. So he breathes deeply in before stepping closer the door. Walking in. The first person he sees is this damn beautiful woman, having this very focused look on her face while adding some more contouring on someones makeup. The person sitting still on the chair in front of her, trying his best not to move, is non other than Kains best friend from streets. But because the situation here was very odd, seeing that guy actually looking more shinier than ever with some light but very notable fix of make up on made Kain just more puzzled. What was going on now..? Why Free was here and why HE was here?
When young man steps in, Free notices him, instantly giving a wide smile toward him. "Kain!" he calls his brother, forcing Nadin roll with her chair out of his way when suddenly standing up and rushing to meet Kain. "You came!"
"Did I have a choice..? I was send here by teachers..," Kain tsihs back, noting with his annoyed stare he wasn't that happy about how he was called in.
But of course Free kind of ignores his mood when he pulls Kain further in while closing the door. "I've been busy. Just came back from the shooting," he proudly announces. "They said I'm an eye candy but could practise posing more. Wanna see my photos??"
"Will you ever introduce us?" Nadin sighs now, giving Kain a friendly smile. "So you are Kain? You must be very close when his IQ seem to drop the second you came. No filters."
"You sure it's not that makeup?" Kain points out, answering her smile, taking part of the teasing. This woman here was definitely easy to talk with. But somehow Kain couldn't even image Free hanging out smiling like that with some too serious people, were they cops or not. People here with him felt comfortable, in a way. The guy before was one of them, right? They were nothing like the cop from earlier.
"She's Nadin. My superior," Free adds fastly as requested, but is too eager to show Kain the polaroid photos he received earlier to think it would be necessary to talk about Nadin more.
His superior?! "Shouldn't you show some respect then..," Kain mumbles, showing an apologetic face to Nadin, as he has used to do when Free was acting like a jerk. Having that sexy superior was just enviable. You shouldn't act like she was air!
It was clear now Kain was the main person keeping Free in line while they live in streets. Acting like a mother hen when it comes to their cutie here. Nadin could leave Free with this rational kid without a doubt. "Okay, my job is done here. Time me go home," she states while getting up, starting to gather her things and make her leave. "Play nicely." The rest will be on Milo and Free. This was their case originally anyway. Since they were all the way in Z city now she might as well take the opportunity and take the rest of the day off. Go waste some hard-earned money and spoil herself.
Free hums and fastly meets eyes with her before handing the first photos to Kain. "Save trip back."
"It was nice to meet you, Kain. Later." After giving this last smiling glance toward Kain Nadin walks out.
"Like so," young man politely greets and follows her leave. When the door is closed again, he gives a long sigh out while turning to look at the photos. "Free. Why I'm here?" Sure this might be Free just taking advange of the situation to make them see each other again. But he hardly doubt those cops would just play along with it. There must be an actual reason why he was asked in here.
"Right..," Free moves back to the area where he was sitting earlier, searchs his bag. "Since you are the only one I can really ask this.. I count on you." He pulls out this folder full of papers and a tablet computer which he places down on the table, showing Kain to sit down.
After another sigh Kain sits down, instantly taking the folder and opening it. Free was here because of the case. If cops needed more Kains knowledge about the ones he pointed out earlier he should just help. For Free he was ready to do mainly anything, albeit he generally didn't like who with Free was now.
But the moment Kain realized he wasn't looking some official case documents or anything like that, but some math test papers along with some other papers full of multiple-choice questions, his mind went totally numb. "Are you.. studying.. law?"
"That and biology at the moment. Don wants me to know the basics, or something. I've been stuck with that ever since I came back from the training. I'm here for the case but I also have a deadline. I have tests monthly," younger snorts and taps the tablet with his fingers. "I will read later. Now I need you to help me with my homeworks. Pretty please."
"What training..? Wait, you really understand this..?"
"Hell no. But I will have to.."
Kain tsihs. He wasn't here for the case, what is quite a relief actually, but to be a cheating hand. To think this guy was now sincerely trying to study something from this level for this new page of his life he suddenly chose to take felt both ridiculous and wonderful to Kain. What hasn't changed a bit was how seriously Free could be, running determinedly toward his goal, as always. The reason behind must be something very great Free to fight this hard for it. It's been over half a year they all went their separate ways. Everything has changed from the night of the fire. When Kain just came back to where he left, simple continuing from that, Frees life has taken a huge turn. Which Kain should support, like he earlier decided to do. "Okay. But you shouldn't really cheat. You will get caught," Kain gives up, spreads the papers on the table, eyeing the math problems. "With these I can help."
Others affirmative act made Free hum happily. "Can you also take a hold of my instagram and tiktok accounts. My phone is beeping repeatedly." He shows his phone, ready to give up this phones ownership to his brother here. Just to lose this unexpected burden.
Once again Kain turns to look at him with widen eyes. "Tik..tok..?"
- - - -
"I can't stand him, really.."
The person Free was eyeing from the back of the hall was no one else but Benjamin, changing some words with those female idols, showing his best sides out. Sure, that guy was tall and quite good looking. Will easily be grouped as a heartkiller, making girls fall deeply and cry after. Having this strong self-esteem aura around he definitely was more like a leader than someone taking orders from others. And everyone inside his friend circle seem to think him as one too, when they were all willingly standing aside, letting him be the main talk. Simple, people like Benjamin gather weaks and lead them to blindly follow him.
In school environment, one like Benjamin could become a good behaving model student with a bright future ahead, showing example to others, protect those weakers who follow him, lead them right. Use his abilities for good. Or he could choose the other path. Go too high, build a world around only for himself. School was a microcosm of the real world, a stop-over to learn social skills and your own strengths and weaknesses. A place where young people finds their places in the system. Or gets left out from it for good. Benjamin was most likely to success in both school and the adult world, thanks to his family background and school accomplishments. As long as he doesn't lose his stand. Overall, his life was just about to begin.
This was how Milo characterized Benjamin earlier to Free. Briefly explaining how he saw the school system working in reality and how to use that to describe ones distinctive nature. When Free doesn't have any of that knowledge from school, no experience. Of course, roles in school life were not that far from any other social places. Essentially any social circle were the same; roling us to adapt or leave.
But non of this guys social skills or his role in his friend and family circles will not matter soon if he was indeed responsible of what happened to his friends three weeks ago. Even if what happened was a woeful accident, hiding the truth was reprehensible. From what Free has seen during this last week and todays short chat earlier with Benjamin, his suspicions felt even more stronger, albeit that also made him feel slightly confused. There was no way one with a pure conscience would act this carefree. And still Ben seem to be sincerely a very nice person. Almost making Free doubt himself.
"They are really fuck ups. From good areas. Good families. No actual under contacts or anything. Not under trickers. Just random users who live in their own small bubble, thinking highly," Free continues, making sure to keep his voice down. It was just the two of them, but he wasn't taking any risk someone hearing them and questioning their motives to be here. In others eyes they were here as part of this shallow event. "But personally I don't like this one at all. All flags over him."
"Even if you could confirm he buys and sells ecstasy, you sure he is the one messing the shit?" Kain points out while editing some of Frees photos, not even looking the guy they were talking about. After they managed to go through those homeworks, Kain devote his time to handle Frees social media posts while following his fake idol brother here, back to the gym, nose stuck in phone. "I agree, he doesn't look that sorry for what happened to his friends, but it doesn't mean he hides something. We all mourn in our own way."
"I already confirmed that, kind of.."
"Did not. You just believed those rumors over the facts."
Kain talk as tentative as ever. That timed point of view sure could be beneficial, especially with someone like Free who has the habit of too hasty decision making; acting first, thinking later, hoping the best. But this time Free wasn't buying others candid act, when it sounding like an excuse. "You believed those rumors enough to tell me. They all knew each other. All were inside that house that day. Acting dirty despite the fact his friends just died is enough reason to question him. And don't say you don't see it too. I'm here now 'cause you already knew it was them."
"I might be as blind as you. Cause I'm angry.."
True. But Free has always followed his instinct. And when there was some he truly trusts, right here, by his side, deep down thinking the same thing as he, he will rather follow that thought than turn a blind eye. Until someone proves him wrong. "What kind was he? Oliver.." The brother of Noel. Kain wasn't that good of a faker. It was clear as a day what happened really bother him. Friends or not.
And indeed, Free mentioning that name instantly pull a sad cloud over Kain. The fingers stop. And young man finally raises his eyes up to look at the tall guy further. "Naive. Maybe a little too good for his own good. But he was popular because of that. Everyone liked him..," he clears then. "They organized a memorial for them in school. Just days after. Was more like a defence call than memorial. People just lynched them. All those who were with them in the party. No someone like Noel would ever take drugs. Or do so much he overdose.." That was what they all though here. An overdose. Non ever suspect poisoning was the real case. "You say it was a mix. Doesn't matter to me. I know, who ever was able to bring him in that house, made him drink and made him swallow those pills was someone close to him. Someone he trust enough to do something that stupid. And that someone is the fault here." Growing a little annoyed now he turns to look at Free. "You are right. I can see it. I'm not fucking blind.."
As they looked at each other Free knew no matter what Kain would say later those were his real thoughts. Which he tried to hide. Because it would do no good for the actual investigation. They didn't know yet what really happened there. Speculating meant nothing. Their personal feelings meant nothing. "But when time pass non is speaking out what they think anymore," Kain adds then, moving his eyes back on the phone screen. "It's hilarious how we can do it. Just get used to something when we can do nothing about it. Once the anger is let out, everyone just move on. We feel it but choose to smile with them. Cause if we keep talking without proof we end up becoming nuisances to others. We will be the problem then. Right?"
What he could even say back. Free couldn't but agree. They weren't living in streets anymore. In a way life there was very black and white compared to this circus here. The more customs and rules there was the more complicated everything become. When ones word against your own couldn't be solved by violent or threatening.. Or you couldn't torture one to spit the truth out of them.. Leaving things hanging was unavoidable, only feeling very incomplete. That wear all out.
While spotting this young man wearing a dark hoodie stepping inside the gym area, eyes locked on Benjamin and other football team members on stage, Free hums back, knowing it was time to drop their conversation here. His other target was finally hear. "No matter the situation, I will end it what's best for myself. I will fight until I'm satisfied," Free states out, reminding Kain how boldly selfish his brother could be when he wants something. And now he wants a solution what could ease Kains mind. Prove them right. "I'm in a position I can suck them dry. I keep talking until I'm heard. They will not just walk away from what they did." After that he wears his usual confident smile while pushing himself to move, leaving Kain adore his ever going strong will, also snort back to point out youngers show up was sounding too corny to him.
Since Noel was here only to meet with his friends, not actually caring about this pointless event a bit, but him being more like forced to come here against his will, he plan to avoid people in while approaching Benjamin and others. Even the guy who was now sneaking closer to him could easily see how uneasy he was, overall. Avoiding looking around. But that ignoring attitude only made others task more easier here when it didn't take that much effort to surprise attack him. When this baby blue eyed young man boldly steps in his way, knowingly blocking him from getting any further, Noel has no way but stop.
Wasn't this the same guy they met in the field last week? Noel could easily remember him when his looks were so outstanding. Among all the people he has ever met offline, this one was one of the most good looking. Even cuter than some girls. Which made it even more confusing since Noel was not into guys. He was straight. Still there was definitely something warming in him the moment their eyes met.
And Free was very aware of his own charm. Instead of saying anything at first he simple kept eyeing the other, showing his best smile. In a way Free really liked interacting with people his own age here. When they all seem so naive and simple, easy to read. Not like people from streets, these guys felt like aliens, very weird, in a good way. You could approach them with needs, mind full of lies, acting dirty, without worrying them biting back. Cause they are clueless. They don't know how to doubt you. Simple because in their normal life they don't need to be so cautious. If someone like Benjamin could act so all and mighty with his friends it shouldn't be a problem to Free make them eat out of his hand.
But if he trys to act too pushy he might lose everything. Adapt. Go with the flow. Stay and wait. Learn from them, dig deeper. Live in your lie. Clear the way. Then bite when they were unguard. "I was afraid you wouldn't come at all," Free finally speaks out, ready to do anything to get this guys attention. "Your friends been here for hours. They are nice but I prefer you." Leaning a little closer Free lows his voice. "Quiet ones are usually more.. interesting. Definitely my type."
That took Noel off guard when he couldn't really tell was the other joking or not, when he seem just too hyper, like last time too, acting silly. "I'm not here for the interview or photos," instead of going with this clear attempt of small chat, Noel tries to escape by simple walking past Free. He doesn't want to have anything to do with the people in this event when he was here only to see his friends and leave with them.
But like Free would be that thoughtful and let other ignore him. "You hold back? I know I'm your type, you looking me like that," younger awes while rushing next to Noel to walk with him. "We match. Don't turn me down before giving me a change."
"I'm not gay..," Noel clears, really not knowing how to nicely get rid of someone this persistent. This guy wasn't gross or anything. They were just playing in different league so clearing that out right away was normal. He wasn't interested, really.
"I know. But I like challenges," Free comments, making Noel look right back at him. Friendly and so well behaving. Instead of telling him to fuck off he settles for just trying to ignore him. How cute. Looking so innocent. Could someone like him really be involved with drugs, be the reason his brother was now dead? This one was very withdrawn, keeping his feelings in? You kind of couldn't take anything out of him at the moment when he was still mourning. Especially when there was a shadow watching over him. The same shadow who Free has seen daily escorting Noel, acting like a jealous lover.
While moving his eyes toward the man in question, Free dares to land his hand on Noels shoulder, making sure the one watching back at them could see his action. And as expected, the glance back was so sharp and kind of panicking. Even someone outsider like Free approaching Noel could make Benjamin look this nervous. Making him drop the conversation he was in the middle of and rush to meet his friend.
This was just way too easy. That overprotecting act toward Noel Free saw earlier through the surveillance cameras was happening right in front of his eyes. When Noel seem to be true with his act, Benjamin here sure wasn't. He was fully out of it, filled with pressure. Everything in him was so fake Free couldn't but feel like looking at the mirror; staring the eyes of another pretender. This wasn't his imagination, nor Kains. Something was going on here. Something more sinister than what they want others to see. No doubt. To get the truth out of them, Free will do anything to separate these two. Create a situation which will lead one or the other talk out of turn.
"Hey, Free. Didn't waste your time," Benjamin smirks, meeting them halfway, giving the most widest smile to this blue eyed media assistant from XI Magazines who, apparently, was more interested in his friend here than doing what ever he was supposed to do during this event. Since this morning, Free has been asking about Noel, not hiding his interest. "Don't bully my friend."
"I told you I want to see him. I like him," Free points out while finally releasing his touch and checking Noels reaction next. Showing a teasing smile. "And this is not bullying. This is me determined to pursue him."
"You are just making him feel uncomfortable..," now Kains voice speaks out, older guy giving a mild shove to get his best friends attention here. When their eyes met, he shows the phone on his hand. "Here. I need to get going. My break is over soon."
Free hums, totally dropping his act for a second. But doesn't take the phone back. Instead he gives it a very frustrated look before turning his look away. "You keep that. It's your child now.."
"Unbelievable..," Kain sighs out, not a bit surprised from that idiotic comment. These accounts weren't cheap, first of all. There were tens of thousands followers in. And now when they became useless for the case, for now, Free seriously plan to ditch his own idol project to Kain to deal? Sure. Very responsible. "Right. About the nightlife prop you asked earlier. These guys know the best places," guy drops, shamelessly pointing Noel and Benjamin here, thinking to give Free this last supporting push before leaving. "Their parties are deathly good. You will love spending time with them." The look on his eyes is sharp and full of spite, but his calm and friendly voice with a smile made his words sound innocent. If you weren't very aware what he meant you couldn't really tell the real meaning behind.
But that small, bold statement was enough to make the air around them change. Even Free wasn't prapared his friend suddenly speaking his mind out like that. But he knew, depending on his own reaction Kains interaction could be very ugly or very useful. So he fastly acts back. He was not supposed to know anything about the deaths, nor know about the tension between people around him. "Really?! Lucky me!" he asks joyously, once again taking a hold of Noels shoulder, acting totally clueless, ignoring others petrified faces. Even the other guys around them went slightly charged here. "I'm visiting town just a couple days. And I really need a day off here. Anything is fine. Please? It's Friday. You are going out anyway, right."
Because of Frees cheerful reaction everyone could cheer up a little, players trying to ignore Kains rude comment about what this newcomer has no idea. "Sure," Benjamin nods, taking his role as a leader here. No matter what, speaking like that in front of Noel, everyone here knowing they were in the same party as their dead friends, sadly witnessing it all, Kain should not have speak like that. Acting like accusing them. That was all behind them. Everyone already knew that whole incident was a horrible accident, an overdose. No one is to blame.
"You are coming too, right?" youngest keeps excitedly, smiling to Noel, lowing his hand, taking a step further, giving other his space back. "I was joking earlier. If you don't like it, I won't bother you. I swear. Let's be friends."
"I'm not going..," Noel quietly states out.
"Ha? That's a blow.."
"Hey, Noel. Just come," Benjamin steps in now, even giving this encouraging smile to his friend. "It will do good for you too. Get some fresh air."
Like feeling confused at first, Noel took his time to answer. But finally just hums back.
Nice save, Ben! Now Free was worrying he needed to fastly think some sort of plan how to drag Noel out to barbecue him but Benjamin just made everything easier.
"I'm out," Kain calls next, showing with a hand sign he was leaving. His job was done here when he surely couldn't tag along, support Free more with his mission. He has a curfew what he simple can't evade without a major negative consequences. And these guys would definitely not be happy him around. When he was a big reminder about what happened to Oliver and not all accept the simple gloss around his death. Even when police and the families of the victims all say it was an accident, there were still some who saw them guilty.
"Oh, yes. Call you later!" Free says after him, thanking Kain in his mind from the bottom of his heart for this perfect opportunity he helped him create. If it was up to Free, he would have gladly taken Kain with him, to help him through this whole case. Like in the old days, they were the best team ever. They knew each other well enough to be able to hold on a show even under pressure, no matter the situation. But that all was behind them. From here on Kain couldn't follow him. Accepting that was part of their lifes now. "So! I have still some job to do. I gotta go too. Ben, give me your number. Let's plan our date." After Kain was gone, taking that cold atmosphere with him, Free should put a finishing touch to make sure they couldn't escape from him. It would be too unnatural to just stick with them from this very moment. He still needs to keep his show role on.
- - - -
"It's called a camo blindness. From far you great your first impression, the first presumption, about a person, a situation, a place.. Your previous knowledge and, possible, the knowledge from others merge and you get the best limited solution. That is what human primarily follows. Instinctively," Milo gives his explanation after thinking a second about what the young man sitting next to him inside the car just told him. About his doubts. "To become a smarter hunter you need to think outside the box. Learn to see when to doubt your own limits before your own instinct fails you and you end up just enlarging your box a little, instead of keeping your walls open to see better. The moment you approach your target and can see them from different perspectives, you should be able to just simple grow your knowledge. If you need to question your original judgement and totally change it after, you let your instinct control you. You became camo blinded."
To even get a statement like this from someone like Milo felt somehow random to Free. When Milo was actually quite young looking to be a cop in the first place, feeling so casual in every way possible, Free just couldn't imagine him speaking like Don. Not that he didn't look up to Milo. But this guy felt more like a brother than his superior. "I don't question myself. I was.. just surprised how easy it was to get near them. How.. nice they all feel when you get to know them better. That without me even doubting were they honest or not. They were honest." After chit chatting this and that with Ben before making up the plans for the night and totally leaving the school area Free couldn't shake off these confused feelings in him. Like, everything what Kain said earlier were sternly stuck in his mind, with all what Free previously knew about these people, especially about Ben. The facts Free have seen were undoubtable. Something was definitely off. But, indeed, just because Ben and his friends were outgoing persons, smoking and drinking, nothing was suring they actually have anything to do with those deadly drugs other than unwittingly bringing them in and sharing them. Even if Milo could eventually prove they bought those drugs, that wouldn't bring to light what happened to the victims. Who bother to redo those Molly pills and why? For more fee? Was it them? Someone else entirely?
The gab between the dealer and them was in hiding still. A low profile dealer like their dealer here was was nothing but a reseller in his area, having a normal job and life style under, only some minor offences. Milo was certain guy has nothing to do with the mixing. He also believed the RD was added after students get a hold of them. But that circle was also uncertain. Only these kids could tell them what happened for real. If there were some others involved.
"Of course they feel like that. After all they are normal kids," Milo points out then, ready to crush others dogged opinion which was clearly wrong under his view, to give Free a reality shot he needed to move on, grow from here, learn. That was his duty as Frees mentor. "You won't let a grown ass mans smile blind you, how you let their nice act ravel you. Because you think they are like you?"
"Not. Maybe.."
In a way Milo understands what other was trying to say. Someone like Free who had entirely different childhood than 'normal kids' could only learn from tales what it's like. Being still just sixteen years old, even his teenage years were far from normal. Even the rest of his life will never be normal. And the fact this one would probably never even want to seek this 'normal' when he already knew it was out of his reach made his mind and line of thoughts even more special. "When you were with Tony Maren, were you as speculative or did you trust your instinct all the way to the end? How did you see him?"
That was quite sudden just now. Bring out this mans name out of the blue. So sudden Free couldn't but hum back for confirmation was Milo serious here. And the look on him made it clear he was. "I think you had your doubts but you kept your guard up. Simple because it is the way you have live your life until now. It is in your nature. With an adult like him you know to scare. You know to be careful. Because you know from experiment they can't be trusted," Milo clears out without waiting Frees answer, calmly opening the water bottle while speaking. After drinking some, he continues. "The feeling of danger keeps you from straying from your path. Keeps you from overthinking when surviving yourself means more to you than others feelings. But the students here are not threat to you, so you prone to become sensitive around them. You feel more sympathy toward them. And you start to think them as someone you can trust simple because their positive energy. Without danger you become an easy prey." Now man smirks, giving Free this frustrated look, rolling his eyes, clearly teasing other. "If danger is your only true motivation, you are more like our Boss, useless as what and need to stay behind the desk. Never go out."
Free snorts. The way Milo explain that was like man was seeing through him, clearing out his thoughts for him. That was actually quite scary. Even more when Free had no idea how much Milo seem to know about him. Once again Milo was sounding similar to Don. "How much you know about me exactly..?"
"I know everything about you. It reads all over your face," older snaps back. "Did you get my point or do you need me to dig even deeper?"
"No. I get it.." In a way Milos big brother mold was starting to shatter the more Free witness these new sides of him. Not that it was a bad thing. Suddenly man felt very superior. And because of that, Frees respect toward him increase in an instant.
"You might end up letting your feelings effect the final results. From that you can only learn from after. But right now you still have time to make your mind clear. I trust your pure instinct when it's your strength," Milo adds then. "You need to learn your limits. So you know to quit here before messing up so badly I will make you quit. If you can't bring us anything from them, it's okay. That means our manner of approach was wrong or we failed to use it well to get results. Both happens occasionally. Backing up early only cost harm for your ego. We are no rush here really. But indeed the possibility learn anything new will drop the more time passes. That's wasting time. Which we also want to avoid."
"If I don't clear my mind I'm wasting our time. I get it. No need to rub it in more..," Free finally speaks up, already tired of hearing Milos quite frank and judgmental point. This was work. No mercy here.
"Exactly."
"Did you learn all this from Don? You sound like him so much.."
"If anything, Don learnt it from me," Milo tsihs back. Even showing this very belittling smile. Like man suddenly showed his true feelings about their Boss here. "As we planned, I will drop you off at the hotel. The reception knows you are coming. Call Nadin when you leave. When I get my part done, I'll catch up your records and watch you from here. If you need me, you know what to do."
Free hums, straightening his pose. True, they were close to begin their second encounter with the suspects. Even when Free really would have wanted to clear out why Milo sounded so frustrated about Don when during all this time before he seem to be respectful, this clearly wasn't the time for that. And man isn't looking like he has any intention to explain himself either. To get ready for the night mentally was Frees main aim.
"There is a limit I can cover your doings there. Be sure to remember that. Lets get this done so we can go back home."