Murder Case opened

Babysitting the Mafia’s Heir

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Chapter 3: Murder Case opened 

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Jesse furrowed his brows, taking a step back, and readied himself to bolt into back his apartment as he wondered why the cops would come knocking on his door in the morning.

One of the men, however, pulled a badge from his pocket. “I’m detective Hugh. That’s Inspector Cassidy.”

Jesse swallowed thickly, wondering why the police wanted to talk to him.

“There’s something we wanted to discuss with you.” Hugh said.

“I don’t think I understand what this is all about.” Jesse eyed them apprehensively, still not believing them.

“You are a close friend of a girl named Jessica Hal who’s in coma in the ICU unit right now on the case of attempted murder, she was found half dead in a ditch last night outside of a club that you were sighted at,” the man called Cassidy said. “We are here within reason, Mr. Jesse.”

Jesse’s mind was spiraling as guilt washed over him for not checking with Jessica after he dropped her off before leaving the said club to go with a handsome man who just happens to be in the fucking Mafia.

Wait...

She wasn’t with him at the club.

She didn’t even know which club he was headed to.

“Since you’re already familiar with the information of what happened to your friend, Jessica Hal, I’m sure you’ll be able to follow what we are going to tell you. Several major and minor crime syndicates run illegal activities in here in the city. The Cobras used to be one of them.” Hugh said as he turned his phone screen toward him. “Biggest of them all is the Dragons.”

Cassidy cleared his throat. “We suspect that your friend, Jessica, must have being attacked by a dragon member.”

Jesse narrowed his eyes as a few photographs popped on the screen. His throat constricted with a sudden ball of emotion clogging it. All traces of confusion were gone, replaced with shock and fear. His heart hammered and he wondered if his face showed what he felt.

His hands were becoming clammy and he held them together in a tight grip as he stared at the bloody pictures showing the stabs on Jessica’s body. And the craving of a dragon on her skin.

Which was obviously not by her will.

“The rumored suspect of her death is her boyfriend, or should I say Ex, who is under investigation.” A portrait was pulled up and Jesse froze recognizing the asshole.

Cassidy began to pull the photos one by one, studying Jesse’s expression carefully. “Now you know why we wanted to see you this morning,” he continued.

“Mr Javier, mostly known as Ivanov in the underground circle, the rumored kingpin and the man we also suspect to be behind the murder of your friend. The most ruthless mob boss even the other gang leaders fear. He’s a nightmare to the police.” The man scoffed. “Do you know what happened to those who go against him?” He questioned and continued to answer without waiting for Jesse’s response. “He’s a ruthless killer.”

Jesse was very well aware of the horrors of the crimes that dragons syndicate always commit. Had witnessed the extent of the victim’s sufferings and the scars that were left on them.

No. Cassidy was wrong.

Ivanov was none of those things to him today or even yesterday. He was the kindest and caring man who doesn’t even raise his voice at him. Jesse couldn’t tear his gaze off the screen even when the photo changed.

“Next, we have Wallace, his second-in-command. He’s just as ruthless as Ivanov. Our sources claim that he’s the only one who could talk to him the way he does and get away with.”

Once again the detectives was wrong.

His brother, Wal was the funniest and goofiest person to be around. He was one giant fluff ball who loved cuddles and any sort of affection Jesse showered him with.

“I’m sorry to spring this on you like this, Jesse. But by now you’d have understood the seriousness of this all.” He turned off his phone. “You are mingling with criminals.”

Jesse pursed his lips, his mind was in turmoil and his heart hammered in his chest.

“I know it’s hard to process.“ Hugh said.

“We need your help, Jesse.“ Cassidy spoke convincingly. “Your best friend needs your help.”

Jesse still didn’t meet their eyes as he stepped backwards to close his door. “I’m just a student, Sir. There’s nothing I can do to help you.”

He closed the door shut and turned letting out the breath he was holding.

Jesse was confused on what to do. His best friend was in coma and his brother is the number 3 suspect.

———

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"Got a potential job opportunity for you."

Jesse looks up from his computer and over at Joaquin as he walks into his apartment, helping himself to an apple. "The door was locked."

Joaquin wags his eyebrows, dropping down to sprawl across the couch, though he gives no explanation. "Job opportunity, Jesse. Are you listening?"

He sighs, trying to remove the situation with the police from his mind before setting his tablet down and turning in his chair. "What is it?"

"Babysitting."

Jesse’s eyebrow twitches up, looking at him over the top of his glasses. "Elaborate."

"Babysitting my boss' kid."

"Pass," is his immediate response, picking his pen and tablet back up.

Joaquin sighs, and Jesse can see him sitting up from the corner of his eye. "I knew you'd say that."

"Then you shouldn't have asked, should you?" He shoots back with a syrupy sweet voice, going back to shading.

"You need the money."

"I also need my brother to find a new best friend."

Joaquin tosses the half eaten apple at him. "Come on, Jesse."

The younger sighs, scratching his forehead with the end of his pen. "Thank you for thinking of me. But I don't want to get caught up in your little world of crime and rebellion."

"How many times have you heard that babysitting ends badly, huh? Nothing bad ever happens when a kid is involved," Joaquin protests as Jesse picks the apple out of his lap, dropping it in the trash.

"I'm sure there's a whole category dedicated to babysitting horror movies. You know, there's a horror movie just called The Babysitter. Try harder," Jesse rejects, eyeing his screen as he takes a sip of his coffee.

Joaquin sighs, coming to lean against the side of his desk. "Like me or Wallace would let anything bad happen to you."

Jesse scoffs, "Oh, that makes me feel so much better, thank you."

"Yah. I'm serious," Joaquin mutters with a scowl, swatting at Jesse’s chest. "You think I'd ask you if I thought there was any chance it was dangerous? You think I'd ask you if Wallace hadn't approved of the idea?"

Jesse can tell he's not going to get anymore work down while Joaquin is hanging around. With a frustrated sigh, he twists back in his desk chair to face his brother's best friend. "Why isn't he proposing the idea to me, then?"

"Busy."

He hums, "Vague. Busy doing what?"

Joaquin meets his eyes, both of them staring each other out before the elder's shoulders sag. "Alright, so Wallace doesn't know yet, but when I... briefly mentioned the idea, he didn't completely dismiss it."

Jesse gives him a vacant look.

"Jesse."

And no, Jesse won't tolerate whining. "Get out," he dismisses, attempting to swivel back around in his chair, but Joaquin doesn't let him, planting his hands on either shoulder.

"Please, kid. This isn't just a potential job opportunity, but a favour to me, too."

"I knew it. Why?"

Joaquin purses his lips. Jesse raises an eyebrow, waiting. "I told my boss you'd already agreed. You're actually meeting him tonight."

Jesse laughs before his face drops and he shoves Joaquin back so he can go back to work. "No, I'm not."

"Look, it's just over the weekend. You can take your work with you, the kid is as good as gold. I'll make sure you get paid handsomely. Ah, just like you, huh? Handsome?"

His brother has made a terrible choice with this friendship.

"Come on, Jesse. Two days and you walk away without having to feel guilty about Wallace paying your rent," Joaquin tries, knowing exactly what he's doing.

Jesse shoots him a sharp look. "That was a low blow, asshole."

Joaquin doesn't even pretend to look apologetic, just stands there and picks at his nails.

Fucker.

"Alright, fine. But if Wallace gets mad, that's all on you. I come out as the hero. Little brother taking up a job to pay his own rent and to help out big brother's best friend. Deal?"

Joaquin beams. "Deal."

"Now leave me alone."

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TBC