If You Met Me First...
Searching for Evidence
NYPD Precinct Interrogation Room Manhattan New York
Hugo seemed to think of a man who was close to his wife because after all, Salsabila worked in a famous brand boutique and all his co-workers were women.
"Mrs Melker still works at the Channel Boutique on Fifth Avenue, Mr Melker?" asked Thea with a serious face.
"Still and I don't think it has anything to do." replied Hugo floating.
"What about the clients who shop at the boutique?" Thea looked at Hugo. "Is it possible that one of those clients was the one responsible for Mrs Melker's death?"
Hugo fell silent. It is possible to cheat with one of the buyers. Actually Hugo had long asked Bila not to work because their lives were well established but his wife quibbled bored at home.
"It's possible that could happen to Mr Melker" Thea said.
Hugo rubbed his face. Who is that guy?
***
"Captain Bradford, if you look at Hugo Melker's phone history, it doesn't all point to him. Hugo has a solid alibi, a solid cell phone history in accordance with his statement and he was very unaware that his wife was having an affair" said detective Muncy.
"What are the chances of him hiring a hit man?" ask Detective Carissi.
"If there really is a conversation, it appears on his phone but frankly this is the most boring phone I've ever investigated !" answer Ruben.
"Request to Marisol Braga, warrant letter all the gadgets in TKP. Ruben, you're with Muncy to demand a warrant for evidence. Looks like CSI units are still there." Chris Bradford looked at his men.
"Yes Captain." Ruben and Detective Muncy go to the public prosecutor to ask for a warrant letter.
"Carissi, investigate Salsabila Melker's workplace on Fifth Avenue. I suspect Salsabila's affair started there." Chris looked at the detective. "It's been almost 48 hours we've been investigating and lest we lose much evidence."
***
Hugo Melker is temporarily released but stays in the hotel under heavy guard while Thea heads to the morgue to get an update before herself to the Channel Boutique.
"How's Doc, has a second person's DNA test been found? At least what doesn't belong to my client." Thea looked at the forensic doctor who knew Joey Bianchi and was also the head of the forensic laboratory.
"Miss Ramadhan, there is a bit of skin epithelium and we are investigating it through CODIS and national data. Please be patient because it is not easy to get data from epithelium that is only a few millimeters in size."
Thea could only sigh long. "Good doctor."
The young lawyer left the forensic lab.
***
Manhattan New York Fifth Avenue Channel Boutique
Detective Carissi went straight to the boutique manager to ask about Salsabila Melker.
"Sasha, as she is called here, is an employee that many of our clients love. Even our sales increased when we found out she was Hugo's wife. Clients love her husband's work and sometimes leave her husband's novels to sign" the manager said.
"Did you mind seeing your client leave Mr Melker's novel to Mrs Melker for signature?" ask Detective Carissi, who is accompanied by lieutenant Sam Tutuola, a former partner of Chris Bradford. (Read The Four Emirs) Lieutenant Tutuola is now in the Major Crimes under Chris Bradford.
"No, because after they left the book, Sasha kept it in her locker and went back to work with professionals."
"The average person who leaves a book is a woman or a man?" ask Sam Tutuola.
"Most women. Our clients are mostly female detectives..."
"Lieutenant " correction of Sam Tutuola.
"Oh sorry Lieutenant. But... " The manager seemed to think. "There's a guy who regularly leaves books to Sasha."
"Can we see your CCTV footage ? When was the last time the man was here?" ask Detective Carissi.
"If it's not wrong, the day before Sasha dies." The manager invited the two detectives into the monitor room.
"Did you notice when the man first came?" ask Lieutenant Tutuola.
"Looks... Six months ago."
"Can we request CCTV footage from at least a year ago?" ask Detective Carissi. "We'll bring you a warrant."
The manager looked at the two detectives. "For the day before Sasha dies, I'll show you but for a year, I'm waiting for a warrant."
"No problem" replied Lieutenant Tutuola.
***
"Thea?" call Lieutenant Tutuola. "What are you looking for?"
"Proof client Mrs Melker."
"Lawyer, all the evidence we're processing" Detective Carissi said.
"I just want to know Mrs Melker's activities before she dies" Thea replied firmly.
"You can see here, Thea" Lieutenant Tutuola said as he took out his tablet and Thea saw Salsabila Melker's activities.
"Who is this guy?" asked Thea when she saw Salsabila received a book written by her husband from a man who was quite handsome.
"That's what we're trying to figure out, Thea."
Thea turned to the boutique manager and introduced herself. "Hello, I'm Thea Ramadhan, Hugo Melker's lawyer. I want to know Mrs Salsabila Melker's daily life while working here."
"Saaj... Eh Salsabila Melker is a professional clerk and never a problem."
"Sasha's? Why is she called Sasha?" asked Thea confused as well as the two detectives who did not care at first call Salsabila Melker.
"Because he hates that name, like food. Salsa sauce so she changed her name to Sasha while working here."
Thea and the two Detectives looked at each other. Makes sense anyway.
"And that guy?! Did he buy anything here?" ask Thea.
"He only bought two clutches."
"What's the payment?" ask Lieutenant Tutuola.
"Cash."
The two Detectives were instantly limp from being untraceable.
"Lieutenant Tutuola, please send the CCTV footage to my email account. Let me investigate too." Thea looked at the middle-aged man who had already eaten the salt acid of the evil world.
"good. What's your email name?" ask Lieutenant Tutuola and Thea mentioned her email address.
"You think your client is innocent, Miss Ramadhan?" ask Detective Carissi.
"Positive" Thea replied as she looked at her mobile phone notification indicating an email from Lieutenant Tutuola had entered.
***
The next night, Thea visits Hugo Melker's hotel room with a picture of a man who is thought to have a special relationship with Salsabila.
"Miss Ramadhan, what about Bila's corpse? It's been 48 hours and you know that as a Muslim, the body must be buried immediately!" hugo grumbled when he saw Thea coming.
"As long as the medical examiner hasn't declared Mrs Melker's body, we can't do anything about it, Mr Melker" Thea replied because it was the truth. Thea had to wait another day for the decision of the forensic doctor whether it should be taken and buried or not.
"Brengseeekkk !" curse Hugo. He was so tired physically and mentally that he didn't know what to do. Even crying Salsabila back was not able to.
"Mr Melker's... I'm gonna show you something."
"What is Miss Ramadhan ?" Hugo looked at Thea with a tired face.
"Do you recognize this man?" Thea shows a photo of a man who met Salsabila at his workplace.
Hugo stared at the man's face for a long time.
***
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