I thank her and leave quietly

{if GM==1}"Thanks," I say, before leaving the station. I try not to show my disappointment.

Before I was out of the building, she calls out. "John! How about coming back in three days? Since we have a couple of clerical interns assisting in our paperwork, maybe we could have that covered as well."

My face beams. "Thanks again," I say.

I smile to myself. I won't be needing Julia anymore. In three days, I will know everything about Mom. I glance around. It is still quite early in the evening.

A Prime Transport truck swings by towards the local branch of the courier service, located one block to the north of the police station.

I am reminded of that woman's LinkedIn profile-- the one with the intriguing eyes. It's very much unlikely that she would be still working for the same company, although it is possible that she may already be branch manager. But why am I interested in her? She's not my mom, and that photo was 14 years ago. She would have aged by now-- and those eyes would be very much different.

Well, there's no harm is asking about the rates for overseas deliveries. I could do a quick scan of the employees, then I'd be gone. As I proceed towards the building entrance, I momentarily see a flash of red hair inside.

Oh shit. Before I could change direction, I come face-to-face with Julia who was just exiting the building.

"Why are you here, John?" She asks, surprised.

"Ahh ahhh I was ..." I stammer, trying to think up of something plausible to say.

"Were you spying on me?"

"I was actually looking for you," I finally manage to say.

She grins with amusement. "Why? You already miss me?"

"I have something to ask you," I say as we both head home.

"If that's about Mom, it's not yet tomorrow, so I can't give you an answer."

"It's not about Mom."

"So, what's the question?"

"I really tried my best to recall, but I can't remember anything about what you called a 'thong treatment'. Can you explain what that means?"

Julia looks at me with an expression I could not decipher.

"Honest, Sis. I really don't know!"

{elseif@ GM==0}Please turn on GAME MODE.{endif}