Chapter 2

Elizabeth POV

The hot summer air brushed harshly against my face as I opened the heavy iron door.

I stepped into the lonely alley along uncompleted building structures.

"Find Lance” My father's voice rang in my still aching head.

Lance was my father's best friend since recruitment. They had gotten into the police force together and the last time I saw him, he was a constable officer. He didn't spare me a glance when I was young and never asked about my family. I guess they were just best friends in the police force.

I pulled over my black hoodie and headed straight to the police station, keeping my head low as I walked.

"Good afternoon officer," I greeted a chubby man in uniform behind the desk chewing a mouthful of Cheetos.

"Afternoon miss. What can I do for you?" He responded, barely sparing me a glance.

I swallowed my saliva hard and "I'm looking for a man named Lance. Officer Lance, he works here." I said with a gulp, almost choking on my words.

He turned to me, sizing me up and down with his eyes, "And who are you?"

I blink, contemplating if I could trust anyone with my identity after just escaping death.

"Miss, you either answer me when I talk to you, or you're gonna need to leave. You're wasting my time."  He stuffed more Cheetos in his mouth.

"Elizabeth Holmes! Sergeant Holme's daughter!"  I blurted out. " Now can I see officer Lance please?"

He stares at me in disbelief and then shakes his head.

"Alright, young lady, you'll have to leave for real by yourself or I'll arrest you for causing a nuisance in a police station. Sgt. Holme does not have a daughter."  He said in disbelief, pointing to the door.

Did my father hide my existence? And why?

"Officer, wait." I try to convince him, almost yelling. "He does, I am his daughter."

"Okay,” he shrugged, “I'll give you a benefit of doubt, show me proof?"  

I searched my pocket for my wallet, but it wasn't there. I figured I might've lost it escaping.

“I can't find my wallet, but I'm speaking the truth. Why else will I come looking for an Officer Lance like a psychopath? My father always talks about you and the last words he said to me was to find you,” I said angrily with finality.

I guessed my words finally sunk in as he slunged his shoulders in defeat. “Okay. I believe you. I'm Officer Lance. What really happened?” He asked, not out of curiosity.

"This morning, I flew in from Quebec. I wanted to surprise my parents. I came back and we were having breakfast and-." I said, choking on my words.

“Calm down Miss. Don't shed tears here and slow down.” He said emotionless and got a notepad.

"So you flew in from Quebec this morning. What time?"  I watch him scribble something down on the notepad in his hand.

"Yes, I landed at exactly eight forty-five. I was hoping you could help save my parents, Lance."  I pressed, praying to get the reaction I'd hope for.  It started to feel like an interrogation.

“Do you have proof of your flight?” He asked.

“That's not the bone of contention here. I need you to save my family, please” I said with a sniff.

"I thought you said your father is dead?"

"Yes, No. I'm not certain but I heard both my parents get shot. But there's a chance one of them might be alive." I said hopefully.

"I already sent my team to the scene, Elizabeth, we'll be informed once I get news."

My countenance fell, I prayed silently for both of them to somehow still be alive.

"But how is it that you made it out alive?"  He asked, squinted his eyes at me.

Confused as to what end his questions were going, I narrated every single detail to him.

"Did you see the shooter?" He asked curiously and somehow anxiously, relaxing back into his seat.

"No, not exactly. He was backing the closet where I hid."

"Oh, too bad–"

"He had a tattoo!"  I remembered,  "A tattoo of a saw scaled viper on his right arm."

"Are you certain of what you're saying?"

"Yes, Officer Lance, I am."

"Your father and I had been tailing one of the biggest Mafia gangs for five years now, Elizabeth.  I backed out last December."  He sighed.

"What Mafia?"  I sat up straight.

"The Viper, headed by their boss, Adam Mich. He controls two-thirds of Montreal's network. With that much power, bringing him down was not an easy feat for your father.  I'm amazed he even continued to take up the case." Lance said and sunk into his seat.

"Why would he come for my family?" I tried to hold back another round of tears from my already swollen eyes.

"Isn't it obvious? Your Dad was this close to getting evidence of their unauthorised importation of Cannabis."  He raised his index figure slightly above his thumb.

"These people are brutal, they'll eliminate anything and everything that poses a threat to them."  He adds.

There was a light knock on the door,a junior officer walks in.

"There's a call for you Sir."

"Connect it to my office."

Lance picked up the office phone a few seconds after.  I tried to pay attention to the conversation in case it were about my parents, but Lance kept things vague. I still didn't understand how he kept a poker face, almost unconcerned that his best friend might have died.

"Sergeant Lance on the phone...Yes...how bad?... Anything else?... And the bodies?...ok.  Report back once you're done"

My head started to feel heavy on my neck.

"Bodies?” I blurted out.

“Stay with me, Elizabeth, Elizabeth!” Lance screamed before I submerged into unconsciousness.