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The police station was very one huge frenzy. Police officers ran all over the place. Besides the big case Deputy Mendonza had in his hands, there was still the daily happenings like robberies, muggings, traffics accidents, and others. Barely anyone noticed a lean man, with wide and spooked black eyes, black hair, and about one meter and sixty-five centimeters in height, walking awkwardly in the entrance hall of the station. The young man approached an officer at the reception desk and said with a barely audible voice. “I want to talk to the one responsible for the kidnapping case.”
“Excuse me, lad?” Asked the officer.
“The kidnapping. The one in the TVs and newspaper. I want to talk to the leader.” Said the man even more shyly.
“And what would be the reason for the meeting?” The officer sounded quite disdainful.
“I saw something. I think it’s related to the case.”
The officer didn’t seem likely to cooperate, but all of them received a severe command that should be immediately passed directly to Deputy Mendonza, and the officer was not keen on getting reprimanded because he neglected something that could be important.
“Please, wait here. Do not leave this desk.”
“Thanks.”
The officer headed towards the Deputy’s office, who was in a meeting with a few agents and investigators. He knocked. Mendonza signaled he waited and came back later. The subordinate rolled his eyes and suddenly came in. Everyone turned towards the noise source and Mendonza snapped. “What’s the meaning of this? Officer...”
“Andre Cunha, sir. Excuse me for disturbing, but you...”
“Didn’t signal you to come back later?!”
“Yes, Deputy, but you also said that any information about the kidnapping should immediately be brought to you, sir.”
Mendonza’s countenance changed.
“Information? Of what nature?” he asked.
“A lad says he saw something related to the case.”
“What? Where is he?’
“In the hall, sir.”
“Bring him, immediately!” ordered Mendonza.
“Want me to guide him towards the questioning room?”
“No, bring him here! Sires, dispensed.” He said to the presents.
The officer from the reception desk headed back again to building’s entrance. However, upon arriving, he couldn’t find the lean man that should have been waiting there. Andre Cunha despaired; he couldn’t have lost the sole lead that came to light since the day the girl disappeared. He circled the hallways distressed, asking everyone if they’d seen the lad with that description. His neck was on the line, the Deputy must’ve been impatient in his office. When he had lost all hope, Cunha saw him. There was the lad, coming out the male WC. A sense of relief overcame his body. He approached the lad, saying harshly “Didn’t I tell you to not move away from the desk?”
“Yes, but I needed to use the toilet. I was just getting back, I swear!” the young man flinched, startled.
“It’s alright, come with me. Deputy Mendonza’ll welcome you.”
Grabbing the man’s arm, the officer led him towards the place Mendonza expected him.
