Chapter 52: Sniffer Dogs

Chapter 52: Sniffer Dogs
Leo

The door busts open, letting in about a dozen police officers who throw themselves into my apartment. Their shouts fill my house and three German Shepherds frantically search the area.

I watch as three other officers follow the dogs as they move to the sink and away in uncertainty.

Two police officers walk to me. I slowly get up, glaring at them before they get to me.

How are people going to take me seriously when I look this fucking weak?

“What the fuck?” I roar in a low tone, keeping my eyes on them. The rest of the officers are not paying attention. Instead, they search the cupboards, yelling at each other to work faster.

“Sir, you are under suspicion.” One officer who looks young, and probably fresh out of the academy, says timidly.

“For what?”

“Drug creation,” the authoritative brunette lady next to him chimes in. “Sir, we are really going to need you to co-operate. These allegations against you are serious.”

“There are other cops in your other apartments. It is said that  you are a very dangerous man.” The 'fresh out of college' guy says looking at my face and probably studying the band-aids I kept to convince Willow that I’m healing like a normal person.

“My apartments have tenants in them. You would know if you did your research.”

“What about your lab in Tacoma?” She raises her eyebrows.

“It’s a lab,” I shrug.

“That’s where you make your drugs. Isn’t it?”

“What are you doing to my man?” Willow yells as she walks into the kitchen, and everyone stops, all eyes looking in her direction. “Can’t you see that he’s not feeling well, and you come in here with your sniffing dogs and, and...” She sinks onto the floor near a cupboard, and her tears fall anew.

“We thought you had to fetch a file,” the guy who was speaking to me says accusingly. “It’s you! Did you come here to warn your boyfriend about us? You knew he was under suspicion for drugs?”

“What drugs?” She sniffles.

“Limbicus?” The guy says.

“You mean thee limbicus? We all know who sells limbicus and you turn a blind eye when it comes to him!” She roars, suddenly commanding the entire room.

“Who?” The brunette asks.

“Mike, the owner of the THC club.”

“Mike doesn’t sell limbicus. People who go to the club sell it.” The guy says.

“You don’t have to explain these things to her," the brunette glances at the guy.

“I think you do. You are supposed to do your job as police officers and find the real culprit. This drug killed my brother." Her voice breaks. "Do you know Marcel Gordon? You can Google him, he was an international model. So, I think you should explain yourselves to me because I need answers.” She screams, and then starts sobbing.

The police and I watch awkwardly, the room filled with the echo her cries. Even the dogs have paused and are looking at her.

I gaze at her, a gut-wrenching feeling washing over me, and I wonder if this is a cry of regret. Maybe she wishes that she could get the imbucus out of the drain. I reluctantly walk to her.

I kneel and I hold her. Her screams dies down and her tears fall silently.

“There’s no trace of limbicus here,” the brunette says in a shaky voice as she blinks back tears.

“I told you that the dogs weren’t ready to smell limbicus, they needed a little more training. We should’ve waited for some time instead of barging into someone’s apartment like this. We were supposed to be sure.” Another guy says in a commanding voice.

“That guy sounded so sure," the brunette says.

“I’m going to sue the hell out of you!” I grumble. “Now leave! My girl is upset as it is.”

They mumble apologies as they walk out, leaving the apartment silent once more.

“I have to go,” Willow breaks the silence, then she breaks free from my hold, sitting a few inches away. “I wish you all the best and you will never see me again."

" What do you mean?"

"I’m going to resign as your TA, and the semester is almost over. You will not be my professor anymore. I promise to always stay out of your way on campus.”

“Willow, why did you not let them take me?” I whisper.

“And tell Mike to kidnap someone else when he needs a new batch. I want nothing to do with you.”

“You said you needed my protection.”

“I don’t know what I was thinking, I don’t know what I was saying”

She gets up and fetches her handbag from the living area. The door closes in a thud as she leaves.

I look around the messed up kitchen. I punch the wall, a cry of regret following the action.

"Asclepius?" I whisper without receiving any response.

I text Professor Malino to tell her, so that she plans ahead for when Willow wants to see Asclepius.

My phone rings, Jessica's name flashes on screen and I just watch it until it stops ringing.