The Unseen Red String

A few weeks has passed and I haven't seen Officer Quintero in awhile. I just finished some paperwork and told my boss that I will be going to lunch and if he wanted me to do anything. He nodded his head and I exited the store, leaving for home for lunch. After an hour, I came back to the store and saw that there was a police vehicle in the front with their red and blue lights on. I walked into the office and saw my boss Henry and asked what happened.

"Two associates got into an altercation in the back and one of their parents called the police on the male associate, saying he threatened the female associate." Henry answered.

"That is crazy to hear, did you want me to do anything?" I asked.

"Yes, I need you to print out the witness statements for 8 associates and to pull video for the encounter. It happened before their lunch, so I would say 5-6pm in the backroom." Henry answered.

While printing out the witness statement form and trying to get video of the encounter, another manager stepped into the office and it was Lee.

"Did you want them to start filling out the statements or bring them in here one at a time?" Lee asked.

The door opened behind Henry and Lee and I heard a familiar voice.

"While I am speaking to them one at a time, they can start filling out their statements." Quintero answered.

I turned my head slowly while giving Lee the witness forms. I felt my chest get heavy and I felt more anxious. I could see Officer Quintero wearing his uniform with his black long sleeves and a black beanie. His vest had all his gear and he had a notepad and pen in hand.

"I'm going to have Summer in here for a witness due to the female associates, is that okay with you?" Quintero asked.

"Yes, of course. She is going to show you video of the encounter."

Quintero came closer to me. I could feel his warmth and then my chest got heavier. I scooted my chair to make more room for him to see the video. He turned and looked at me. I couldn't stand his gaze so I stood up and moved the chair. I turned away for my face felt like it turned red. Once I felt my face go back to normal I turned around and saw Henry and Quintero both looking at me.

"Are you ready for the interviews?" Henry asked.

"Yes, I thought I was about to sneeze." I answered.

I saw Quintero smirk and turn towards Henry, gesturing for the first associate to come into the office.

"Hello, I'm Officer Quintero. I'm here for the incident that occurred between two of your co-workers. Do you know anything or heard what was said or done between the two?" Quintero asked sternly.

"I know there was a heated argument between Sierra and Presley, but nothing physical. It did get louder though, that's all I can say." The first associate ended.

The way Quintero was stern to each associate was interesting. While each one walked in, he would look at their name tag and address them by name. He would get the details from each witness within seconds and they would leave after. I listened but kept my body towards the computer. Before the seventh associate would come in, he turned towards me.

"So how did I do?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I can see your body language on my peripheral and you seem uncomfortable." He answered.

"To be honest, this is my first time hearing and witnessing an officer ask questions and bringing in the witnesses one by one into the office." I answered.

It was quiet between us for a few minutes until Henry came into the office and said they were trying to find the last two in the store. He mentioned that the female associate was crying somewhere in the store and the male associate hasn't come back from lunch yet. Quintero looked at me after Henry left.

"You should come work at the Police Department, you did pretty good since I've worked with you." He said.

"I barely work with you... Don't you mean since the last time, I improved?" I asked.

"Yeah, the guys at the department told me about you calling now, you improved a lot more than the first time I worked with you." He said sarcastically.

I wanted to mention, it was because of you. It was inappropriate to say but I could feel my heart beating faster. My watch told on me and sent a loud warning that my heart was beating fast even though I wasn't doing anything. He turned and looked at my wrist and gave me a soft smile.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, I was thinking about the put back on work I have to do after this." I answered.

The door swung open, almost hitting Quintero. He looked and saw the victim of the call, Sierra. While I was sitting back down, I looked at Quintero to see if he was okay and looked at me, smiling. I turned my head towards the computer and felt my cheeks get red.

"Hey Sierra, I just want to know what's going on." Quintero said.

"We were just talking and he went off on me saying my mom was a drug addict. My mom isn't a drug addict and it triggered me so I started yelling at him because of all the steroids he takes and then he yelled back saying he was going to have his girlfriend kick my ass!" Sierra answered crying.

"I see, what else was said?" Quintero asked.

"Nothing, he started motioning towards me like he was threatening me and I had to call my mom because of everything I went through when I was younger. I can't deal with this and then my mom called you guys and here we are." Sierra answered.

"Okay, go ahead and fill out your statement and I will get back to you." He said softly.

While Sierra was about to exit the office, I grabbed her some tissue and handed it to her. She looked at me with watery eyes and walked out the office. I put the box of tissue down near the desk and I felt warm again. I turned and Quintero was standing closer to me. I could smell Bourbon and then I caught myself taking a deeper breathe. I turned fast to act like I was moving some things around.

"We have one more left, can you continue to be my witness?" Quintero asked.

"Yeah, why?" I answered.

"I can tell you have a soft heart, under all the black that you wear, I can see it." He said.

Before I can say anything, the door opened and Presley came into the office. I sat back down and started typing and getting video ready.

"Hello Presley, I think you know why I am here." Quintero said.

"Yes, because Sierra wanted to snitch that I did something to her but I didn't touch her or anything." Presley said.

"Yes, but verbally threatening her and instigating action is causing a fight. Shouldn't you mind your business and be the bigger person to walk away. I know you know about her mentality but you chose to challenge it." Quintero said.

"I know, but I don't think it should've been a call to the Police." Presley said.

"Me neither but here we are. Go ahead and write your statement and I will talk to your boss to see what we should do." Quintero said.

While we were waiting for the statement to come back from all the witnesses, Quintero discussed of how the situation should be handled.

"So do you think this is a matter for me or for you guys to decide?" Quintero asked.

Henry and Quintero both looked at me as if I were the one who had an answer. I looked at Henry but he didn't bother to try to answer the question.

"I think this matter is for the store to make, usually we don't let stuff like this escalate, but Sierra's mother was the one who called due to Sierra telling her what was going on and there was no management around." I answered.

"Good answer, I knew you were learning and listening. I trust you are going to do better at what you doing now. Especially now." Quintero said.

What the fuck does that mean! We barely spoke and on top of that, I tried my best to ignore conversation with him. I can't believe this guy and his smirk every time and then BOOM! I caught him! Once I turned around from separating paperwork, I saw him skimming from my legs to my face and he turned, slightly biting his lip. Did I just catch him checking me out? I glared and grabbed my paperwork, walking towards the exit of the office.

"Where are you going?" Henry asked.

"I need to breathe, it's been crowded in this tiny office" I said walking outside.

While I was sitting outside, I finally started to feel how cold it was outside. I thought about the situation that happened and kept thinking about Quintero and the dominance he showed. Why couldn't I think about anything else? Why was he on my mind even though my co-workers just had a fight? His long black hair and his attire, I couldn't think of anything else. I put my face in my lap and felt my body heat go up again. Why him? What was so special? Maybe it was just his uniform? Maybe I had a thing with men in uniform? No. I worked with his co-workers and they didn't make me feel different whenever I worked with them.

"Summer?"

I looked up.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes" I answered.

"Let me help you up." Quintero said.

I felt my heart beat fast and I got so nervous...

"Can I look at your Police vehicle?" I said as fast as I could before he could try to help me up.

"Yes, I have time." Quintero answered...