The Goddess of Don Pablo
Chapter 12: The Bright Point...

Ray's not in the office today. He plans to go to the home of Jessie, his co-worker who was pronounced dead of a heart attack. Because of Jessielah's death, Ray was recruited to replace him into a special team that handles global drug trafficking in the Bellarose region. But Ray doesn't trust the forensic results. He was suspicious of the death of his co-worker.

The weather was quite warm at the time. Ray buys lemon ice with a dozen donuts as a hand for Jessie's family. After waiting in line for a long time, Ray drives his car to Jessie's family residence.

Only about 45 minutes from the donut shop, Ray has entered a fairly beautiful residential area. He stopped in front of a house number 23. The front page is decorated with colorful roses. There is a car garage, where a black sedan is parked there. Ray pulled over and parked the car on the sidewalk. He walked while carrying a cardboard box containing donuts.

Ting Tong's....Ting Tong's.... Ray pressed the doorbell button. After 5 minutes he stood in front of the door, a woman with a blue blouse patterned with small yellow roses, looking from the door slit that is still attached to the key chain. When the woman saw Ray wearing a police uniform at the time, she opened the door.

"Welcome to Day ..Is there anything I can help you with, Officer ?" ask the woman to Ray. Jessie's wife doesn't know this man. When Jessie was alive, Ray was one of the forensic officers for murder cases. After Jessie died, Richard asked her to replace Jessie.

Good afternoon...Sorry to bother Mrs Jessie..I happened to pass by here, so I intend to stop by for a while..why not bother you ?" ask Ray to the woman. For a moment the woman seemed a little hesitant. He finally smiled and nodded his head.

"Please, the officer." He gave Ray a way into the house. After looking to the right and left around the house, the woman locked the door again.

"Please sit there, Officer...What do you want to drink ? hot or cold ?" ask the woman back.

"No need to bother, Madam ..just water" replied Ray briefly. The woman, return to the kitchen and take a glass of water. Ray's eyes twisted in all directions in the room. He saw some family photos plastered on the wall and on the table by the fireplace. After 5 minutes, the woman brought a glass of water. Then he sat down on the sofa opposite Ray.

" I'm sorry before, officer.I've never seen you. Can you know your name ?" ask the woman to Ray.

" Oh, sure...Madame. You have never met me. Me and....Jessie, your late husband was in a different division first. I am currently replacing your husband. My name is Ray..Miss Jessie.." Ray said a little nervously with his friendly smile.

"Oh.don't call me that. Just call me, Michelle", Michelle replied kindly.

"All right Michelle ...Oh yeah, here I bring a little snack for you and your kids.." said Ray back.

" Oh, you shouldn't have bothered.but thank you.." he returned while receiving the doughnut wrapper he was given.

"I'm sorry, Mike and Jason, they're busy playing games in the room." said Michelle telling her about her two children with Jessie.

"Hmm ..I'll keep in mind..Jessie didn't seem to show anything strange before her death.but.hmm.if I don't remember wrong about 2 days before someone called home.I'm the one who first picked her up. A man called my husband and I gave it to Jessie. They don't seem to talk too much, like a normal phone. I thought it might be a co-worker in her office." Michelle explained.

"Hmm...wasn't there anything strange about their conversation back then or maybe you had a certain premonition ? ask Ray back.

" Well, I didn't listen to their conversation. Because after I gave it to Jessie I was busy preparing breakfast for my kids...I remember that moment, after my husband broke off the conversation he said to me: "maybe the day after I don't have dinner at home and I might come home a little late.." and another one...the day after my husband's funeral, someone sent me a bouquet of flowers to offer his condolences. But no sender's name was written there. I thought maybe from his co-workers in the police.That's all I remember...By the way are you asking this matter ? Is there anything strange in my husband's death ?" ask Michelle in a full-fledged tone.

Ray, a little surprised by Michelle's straight-to-the-point and inquiring question, recalled Richard's superior's words not to alarm Jessie's family.

"No. There's nothing Michelle.It just so happens that because I'm the one who takes her place, I just want to know about Jessie and her family. Well..just just a friendship.."replies Ray tried as calmly as possible.

"I thought there was something strange about my husband's death. Because ..honestly, the Employer ..I as his wife did not think he would leave so soon.no 10 years we were married.and Jessie is not the type of drunk or likes to eat food outside...Usually he prefers to eat at home with us.unless there is something urgent..But maybe that's the fate of her life." said Michelle with teary eyes.

"Sorry, Officer ..I am too emotional.every time I remember him .." he answered back quickly while taking a piece of tissue and hurriedly wiping the tears that would come down flowing from both eyes.

"It's okay.Call me Ray .and if there's anything you want to share or tell me about Jessie or anything about you and your kids...you can call me right away." said Ray giving his card.

"Thank you, Ray .." replied Michelle receiving the business card. He looked briefly at the business card he was given, then he looked back at Ray.

"alright...Michelle...Sorry I can't stay here long ...I still have to be on duty. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me. And once again, I'm heartbroken at the death of your husband, Michelle." said Ray as he extended his hand to greet the woman. The woman replied with a smile. Then, he led Ray to the front door. He saw the man enter his car and close the door. Then he went back inside the house and closed the door.

In the car Ray thought hard about what Michelle said just now. He is increasingly convinced that Jessie's death was not a coincidence or a sudden heart attack. But this must be a premeditated murder. It must have something to do with the mysterious caller Michelle was telling you about. Who exactly is the caller ? Is that Jessie's killer ? And the sender of an anonymous wreath..is this all related to Jessie's death ? Various questions arise in Ray's mind as he drives a car. Ray believes something is wrong with the death of his co-worker.

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