The Devil's Sweetheart

Strolling into the interrogation room, Kurt glanced at the man sitting on the chair with his hands cuffed. ''Looks like you aged a decade in a single day?'' Placing the file on the table, Kurt sat on the chair opposite Landon.

''There is no proof that I harassed my girlfriend.'' Landon hissed. ''You have accused one of the powerful men in the city. You will bear the consequences.''

''Girlfriend?'' Kurt laughed at his rant. Delusional bastard. He would have sliced off his tongue if he was not on duty.

''You might be a powerful man, but remember, I can erase your existence without proof in a second,'' Kurt added on lazily, flipping the pages of the file. ''Coming to the point, how did you secure the position in Leius Pharma labs?''

''You are off the limits. It's none of your concern.'' Landon enranged. The last thing he wanted was to make his boss mad by tangling with the FBI.

''What kind of steroids are you using in the drugs?'' Kurt questioned again, which irked Landon to the core. Kurt knows Landon will not spill the beans that easily. The drugs developed in the company can cure disease in a week, but the side effects are adverse, which will hinder their health in the long run. The strange thing is the drugs don't detect metabolites in the samples when tested. By the time people get sick, the hospital can blame their old age, but in actuality, it's the drugs.

''Mind you, Mr. Weller. You are accusing one of the best Pharma companies.'' Landon said. ''Get ready to deal with my attorney.''

Kurt glanced at the giant before getting up. ''Give him a taste of our treatment before his Attorney arrives. If he had already arrived, make him wait.'' It's a small token for hurting his Loose Case.

''You can't do this, Kurt!'' Landon shouted. ''I am a business man_''

''It's Agent Kurt for you!'' Kurt banged his fist against the table. ''Mind you. This is my territory.''

Landon's mouth sealed in fear.

Signaling the giant, Kurt strolled out of the room. He texted Kyle, and in seconds, he received a reply. [Loose Case: Watching a movie. What about you?]

[Kurt: I am working on a case]

''Will she accept me? The giant says girls don't like FBI,'' Kurt muttered as he dialed Leena's number to get advice. But as usual, she declined the call. ''Arrogant woman.'' His bucket list of murderers includes Leena in the second place with first place being Elysian.

.....

Three brightly lit chandeliers dangled across the ceiling at an even distance, along with the wall recessed lights which mounted harmoniously. The jewelry hanged to the corkboards glistened under the sparkling chandeliers. In a knee-length sea-green trench coat, Leena's eyes twinkled in reverence as she looked around the store, which was crowded with people. ''No wonder Max doesn't care about the shares in Hayes company.''

''Leena? Is that you?'' Leena swiftly turned around to the voice. She stared at the woman standing in front of her.

''Hello, Mrs. Hayes.'' Leena awkwardly smiled. She completely forgot the conversation didnot end well when they last met. 

''Oh, skip the formalities, Leena.'' Rosalie's face shone under the brightly lit lights making her look younger. ''What brings you here?''

''Of course, to buy the jewelry.'' She said.

''A rich girl like you has come all the way to look for my tiny store?'' Rosalie exclaimed in wonder. ''Unbelievable.''

Leena chuckled. ''No, no. Your place is really good.'' Watching the elegant jewelry, Leena's urge to buy the whole store intensified. Thank the gods, he had not gifted the ability to read people's minds. Rosalie will throw her out of the store if she hears her inner thoughts.

''Thank you. I am flattered.'' Rosalie said. ''What brings you here?''

''Can we talk somewhere in private?''

Rosalie frowned at the word private, but in the end, she said. ''Sure.'' She gestured for the assistant to take care of the customers and led Leena to a small cozy private room. ''What do you like to have?''

''No thanks.'' Leena declined politely. ''I don't eat food from outside.''

''Ah, that explains the reason for your slim personality.'' Added Rosalie. ''I heard your mother is awake. How is she doing?''

''She is doing good.''

''Good to know. After all, your mom lost her youth.'' Rosalie's tone held a bitterness. ''Are you still angry with your father?''

''Ummm..no..I don't hold past grudges.'' Her feelings remained the same for Max Hayes. It's void. ''Coming to the point..'' Leena's phone ringed at the peak point. Seeing the contact name, she declined it immediately. ''I need a little information about a person.''

''Who is that person?'' Rosalie's face filled with curiosity.

''Ruth Vaughan.''

Rosalie's eyes grew wide in surprise. ''Ruth? As in Ruth Vaughan? How do you know her?''

''It's complicated, which I cannot explain to you.'' Replied Leena, not going into the details. ''I learned you are close to Ruth. Can you please tell me about her?''

''Ruth is my friend and a distant relative. But there is nothing to know about her. She died in a firehouse accident along with her husband and son around two decades ago.''

''How close are you to her?'' Leena asked. So, a relative like Rosalie is also not aware that Ruth is alive? Leena appreciated Ruth's brain in hiding her identity perfectly. 

''I was close to Ruth when I was young. We used to meet at family gatherings.'' Rosalie sighed. ''But I lost in touch after she went to college.''

''How was she in person?'' She questioned.

''If I have to be honest, she is the most arrogant woman I have ever seen. She was famous in her town for bullying people.''

Like mother, like son, Leena muttered under her breath. ''Do you have her parent's house address they last stayed? I was unable to find it.''

''They switched many places due to her father's remote job. Give me your number. I will text you. It must be in my diary.''

''Thank you.'' Leena contemplated whether to tell Rosalie about Ruth's fake death, but she held back. She doesn't want to scare the poor woman on the first day. She will consider it next time. Her sixth sense told Rosalie would help her in finding Ruth's location. 

''If I may not sound personal.'' Rosalie started. ''Can I ask how Ruth is connected to you?''

''Well, it's a little personal. I will tell you when we meet next time,'' Leena said.

''Okay.''

''Thanks for your time. I will take my leave.''

''Alright.'' She smiled. ''Take care, child.''

The moment Leena walked out, she dialed a number. ''What is it?''

''Finally, you lifted my call? I need your help desperately.''

''For?'' Leena asked, stepping into the car.

''T_o propose a g_irl.''

''What!'' Came an outrightly shocked voice. Leena has to double-check the number for confirmation. Kurt Weller proposing to a girl?