Chapter 27: Turning the Tables
"Have you lost your mind?" Jason grunted.
"I'm not going to call her... she stole my findings and passed them off as her own," Jason said angrily.
"Sir, she did what she had to do... she got the information and published it," Oliver reasoned.
"Plus, this tells us she likely has more information about the killer and the victim, which she'll probably reveal in the next session," Oliver added.
"And before she does this and seals your transfer, we should collaborate with her and reach an agreement that benefits both parties," Oliver suggested politely.
Jason listened silently to Oliver, realizing he was absolutely right. He knew that Kate was one of the most efficient and capable investigative journalists in Australia. If she claimed she would soon reveal more facts about the Ryder murder case, she would deliver.
"Sir, what are you thinking? Stop hesitating and call Kate to invite her for a meeting," Oliver urged.
"Why would she agree to work with us?" Jason asked in a low voice. "If she had substantial information about the case, she could solve it on her own."
"There are two reasons why Kate Miller would agree to work with you. First, she approached you a few days ago, asking to collaborate. So it’s clear she already wants to team up with you..."
"And the second reason is she intentionally revealed those facts about the Ryder murder case. She knew that by doing so, Commissioner Bob would pressure you to solve the case before her, leaving you no option but to ask her to work together," Oliver explained, and Jason knew he was speaking the truth.
"Sir, it’s not Kate’s style to reveal partial findings midway through her work. She always discloses her findings at the end, when she knows who the culprit is," Oliver added.
"You’re right," Jason acknowledged quietly.
"I've been following Kate Miller's vlogs for a long time, and I know her style very well," Oliver continued.
Jason shot Oliver a sharp look.
"You know she’s a brilliant investigator, and I watch her vlogs to learn from her," Oliver defended himself.
"You always say we should be open to learning new things in life, and Kate Miller's vlogs are a source of learning for me," Oliver justified his praise for Kate.
"Get up and go back to your desk. Find out about the symbols Mia gave us, and determine if the symbols on Ryder's belly, the torn page from the Rubaiyat, and the symbols found in Ryder's car were drawn by the same person. Also, find out whose blood the killer used to draw the circle of continuity on the page found in Ryder's car," Jason instructed seriously, prompting Oliver to get up instantly and return to his desk.
"Roger that, boss," Oliver acknowledged before leaving the room.
Now, Jason pondered how he would contact Kate and ask her to work with him, especially after he had arrogantly refused her offer before.
"I turned down her offer out of pride... but now I need her to save my job. I can’t uproot my family and risk my children’s future by moving them to some far-off place. They need a good education and environment to become the best versions of themselves," Jason muttered to himself.
He then picked up his mobile phone and composed a message: "Come to Café Tofu at 5:00 P.M. I’ll wait for you there."
Jason took a deep breath and sent the message to Kate Miller. Her number was already saved in his phone. Now, he had to wait for her reply and get to work on the case, as he couldn’t afford to waste a single minute.