STUBTLE THERAPY.

CHAPTER 24: SUBTLE THERAPY.

Justin looked intently at Agnes. There was no doubt about the fact that she was beautiful. All who gazed upon her could tell at an instance of her beauty. 

She carried herself on her averagely busty curvaceous body frame. Justin could tell she was a regular at a gym. 

"Excuse me, I asked if I could get you anything," she reminded Justin. 

"No, I'm okay. I don't need anything."

As a matter of fact, he did need something. He was a bit hungry, but he sure wasn't going to be asking this stranger to meet his needs, even though he could. 

He didn't like the way she seemed to be groveling around him. Or was he mistaking her actions for something it wasn't? Justin gave her the benefit of the doubt. 

Either way, he was done trying to get familiar with any girls anytime soon, after his experience with Samantha. 

"Okay, but if you do, you know where to find me," Agnes said, running her eyes all over Justin seductively as she walked away, making extra effort to wiggle her waist. But he couldn't care less if she twerked even.

The moment she exited the office, Justin sighed in relief. 

"Is that what I will be dealing with, if I accept this position?" he wondered, dreading that future. He hadn't made up his mind yet about the proposition. He was still making his considerations on the matter. 

___________

Detective Savannah and Riley got out of their car and leaned against it, as they looked around the unfamiliar terrain they found themselves in. 

Although they dressed up in suits, no one paid them any attention. Everyone just went about their ways.

Riley reached into his pocket and got a cigarette, and lit, drawing some of it. 

"Care for some?" he offered Detective Savannah. 

"Nah, am good," she declined. "If this job doesn't kill you, I'm certain this would."

Riley laughed. "Thanks for looking out for me, mom."

Detective Savannah shook her head disappointedly. 

"So, where do we begin from? We don't know who he is nor what he looks like," Riley stated. 

"Where's the one place most gossips are peddled?" Detective Savannah asked. 

"Hair salons?" 

"Jesus. I wonder how you ever became a detective," she remarked, shaking her head, as Riley laughed.

"Bars you idiot. Bars are where you go and return with knowledge of things you never knew. So, what bars do you see around here?" she asked.

Riley looked round drawing some smoke, and pointed, "That one?" 

"Yup. That one," Detective Savannah affirmed. 

"Let's go get some drinks," she said, as she began walking towards the bar. It was definitely a Chinese bar as the name outside was written in Chinese.

Detective Savannah first walked in, and scanned the room, assessing the threat level. But she did that in a matter of seconds as she walked straight to the counter, taking her seat. 

Riley did the same, after a little while, but sat a few feet away from his partner, not to create suspicion. 

"Give me a bourbon," Detective Savannah requested of the bartender. 

"One bourbon coming right up," the bartender replied as he had it served, and handed over to his new customer. 

"Mm, never disappoints," Detective Savannah remarked, trying to get the bartender's guard down and open to talk. 

"It sure doesn't," the bartender responded. 

"If I was trying to disappear, do you know who could pull that off for me?" Detective Savannah asked. 

"I don't know who could do that," the bartender replied. Detective Savannah looked round, and stretched her hand, unveiling some cash. 

"I can make it worth your while."

The bartender looked at what she offered and smiled. 

"Keep your money. But I'd lie to you if I told you I knew."

"Okay, what if am trying to find someone, anyone at all. Who could help me with that?" Detective Savannah asked. 

The bartender looked round and leaned in closer to Savannah, and whispered, "The informant. But I guess you already knew that, so drop the act." 

Detective Savannah was surprised that he knew, and it made her think. 

"If you already knew, that means, you're-"

"In the flesh," he nodded his head slightly, in acknowledgement. 

"Wow," Detective Savannah smiled, shaking her head. 

"I guess you already know why am here then."

"I know that the motivation behind what you seek is personal, and noble, but, you're treading a very dangerous path young lady. I'd caution you to quit it," the informant said.

 Being reminded of her past stirred up a little bit of rage in her, but she kept her cool.

"What do you know about the recent clash between The Bulls and Night Clans? Why did they resurface out of nowhere, making such a bloody statement?" 

"Since you seem like one who can't be deterred, once you set your mind on something, here's what I'll tell you. Love makes us go the extra mile."

"What do you mean by that?" Detective Savannah asked, furrowing her brow.

"I truly hope you find what you're looking for," the informant said, and he took off the apron, leaving the counter. 

"Wait. What do you mean by that?" Detective Savannah asked, following after him. A huge Asian man abruptly stood in her way. 

The informant tapped him and he stepped aside. Looking at Savannah, he sighed shaking his head.

"You can't find the right thing looking in the wrong place detective. Leave this be."

Saying that, he left her for good this time. Detective Savannah stood there, not knowing to say. She didn't come for therapy, but it sure felt like she was leaving a therapy session.

She angrily exited the bar, and Riley followed after her, not knowing what had happened.

"Hey, wait up," he called out. "What happened? Aren't you going to try to find the informant again?"

"Who do you think I've been talking to? The janitor?" she replied harshly, unlocking the car.

"Someone's in a bad mood," Riley said. "So what did he say?" 

Detective Savannah didn't reply her partner. She just started the car, and sped off, recalling memories she had long shoved aside. Or so she thought.