She's My Sleeping Pill

And watching his wife being quiet while watching the passing scenery outside their car, Stefan felt so bad and guilty. He wanted to see her happy. He didn’t like it when she’s feeling down.

Cayenne noticed her husband’s reflection on the window and even though she was worried, she decided to face him with a smile. “Everything will be fine.” she said, wanting to reassure him even though she needed assurance as well.

When they arrived home, they tacitly understood that they needed rest. They’ll leave everything to their friends and business partners. Those who chose to trust them will never regret doing so.

***

Early in the morning, the Police Academy opened up its huge gate for students who would arrive early. Some students chose to stay in the dormitory while others decided to commute from their homes outside the campus. And Riley’s twin decided to stay in the dorm. It should be time for vacation but some students would still go to school to do their projects and whatnot before the classes resume. Others wanted to get free use of the gym and the track-and-field. Some were just diligent to continue with their training like Jackie.

Vincent was holding his cup of coffee while the other cup was placed on his car hood, waiting for the recipient to come and drink it. He’s not a student there but he was very early compared to some students.

.....

“Good morning.” Jackie greeted while jogging towards him. She gave him a short hug and a quick kiss on his cheek. “What brings you here so early in the morning?”

“I want to see you.” Vincent stated with a huge grin on his face.

Instead of feeling happy with his response, Jackie raised her eyebrow and elbowed him. “That’s only part of the reason. So, what’s the main point?”

Vincent chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose. “Can’t really hide anything from you, huh.”

“Get used to it.” Jackie snorted as she picked the cup of coffee from the hood of the car. “So?”

Vincent put down his coffee, walked to the passenger’s seat and pulled out the envelope containing the documents he got from the doctor. “I need your help with this.”

Jackie received them and flipped through the pages to see the information. As she continued to look into it, a frown appeared on her face and it was getting deeper as she flipped the pages. “Hey! Are you messing with me?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Then, why are you showing me these?”

“Oh! It’s not about what happened a year ago. It’s about Stefan’s grandma.” Vincent responded before she’d get mad at him. He didn’t want to incur the wrath of his girlfriend. “Mrs. Sugo was poisoned with almost the same poison that you use on the Summers last year.” Vincent whispered, not wanting other people to hear the second half of his statement.

“But it’s not the same.” Jackie replied when she pointed on a certain part of the documents. “This component isn’t present on the second part of the documents that you gave.”

“Yes. They’re slightly different. So, I was hoping that you could help get the antidote?”

Jackie closed the documents and gave it back to him. “I’m thankful for this energy-boost coffee but I can’t help you. I am not good with poisons and antidote.”

“But last year – ”

“I only used the poison but I didn’t make it. You should visit my sister instead. She probably knows the antidote.”

“Sister? Riley?”

“No. It’s Jill.”

Vincent was stunned upon hearing this from his girlfriend. He knew that Jillyanna was no ordinary woman but he never thought that she was responsible for the death of more than a dozen people.

“No evidence will lead back to her so, if you are thinking of reinvestigating the case of the Summer family, I can only step out and get – ”

“Who says I’d reinvestigate the case? If I do that and the public hears the news, I’d be receiving the brunt of their anger. I love my position and I worked so hard to get here. There’s no way I’d risk my life for those who experimented on human. And – ”

“And?”

“There’s no evidence. Even if a different squad decided to reinvestigate what happened, they won’t find anything.”

Jackie could only roll her eyes and finish her coffee. ‘Of course, there’s none. The only evidence left in the scene was my hairclip and you picked it.’

Vincent returned the documents to the passenger seat before throwing the empty cup on the nearby bin. “I’ll go and visit you sister, then. Are you planning to spend your vacation here?”

“It depends on my mood.”

“Alright. Give me a call if you want to go home. I’ll give you a ride.”

The two of them talked for few more minutes before they parted. Even if he wanted to spend more time with his girlfriend, a life was currently hanging on a thread and he needed to be fast for solution.

After half an hour of driving, Vincent arrived in front of Jillyanna’s home. He saw Travis watering the flowers with his daughter, Jade and the new additional to their family – Monique.

“Good morning.” He greeted them with a faint smile on his lips. “This is quite a sight. I have never seen you water plants before.”

“Dad does this sometimes when he’s got something in his mind. I am only his assistant today.” Jade responded while holding the hose. “Uncle Vince, you look awful.”

“Didn’t get any sleep?” Travis questioned with a side glance.

“No. I was wrapping up my work when Stefan called. By the way, is your wife awake already? I wanted to talk to him about something.”

“She should be at the backyard with Raizel.”

Vincent nodded his head and excused himself to find Jillyanna. Monique only slightly bowed her head towards him and Vincent smiled at her. Just as Stefan said, she was indeed at the back with their son. Raizel was crawling on a huge thick blanket while Jillyanna watched him on the side. Before he’d reach the edge of the blanket, Jill would come and get him to start over again.

“Morning. What brings you here today? Jackie isn’t home.” She stated without looking back to see who arrived. From his footsteps, she could already tell who her guests was.

Vincent wasn’t flustered at her keen observation. He continued walking and crouched low to meet the kid’s eyes. “I’m here to show you something and see if there’s anything you can do. Jackie was the one who informed me.”

Jillyanna narrowed her gaze at him but sensing that he has no evil intention, she calmed herself and carried Raizel back inside the house. Vincent was following behind her.

“Give me a sec.”