Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Security footage. I should’ve expected that. Even if they haven’t seen it yet, they’ll eventually see me and maybe even the guys. “Um, I was there, but it all happened so fast, you know? I don’t know if I can help you with anything.”
“Right… right. That’s understandable, but all the same, we’d like to bring you to the station, ask some questions and get an official statement.”
“Can’t we just talk here?”
Detective Harris shakes his head. “I’m afraid not. As a person of interest, the interrogation has to happen in an official space so we can ensure everything’s by the book.”
“Person of interest?” I squeak. “You don’t think I had anything to do with it, do you? I mean, I totally get that you guys have all sorts of rules and stuff…” I back up a few steps. “How about I come in later this week and—”
“We’re going to need you to come with us now. I’d prefer not to have to force the issue, but we will if we have to.”
“I’m sure you understand how important it is to cooperate with the investigation,” says Anderson, sounding totally reasonable and a little threatening at the same time.
It’s not a request, I realize that. Him being polite is just a pretty little bow on top of a brick they intend to throw if they have to.
“C—can I get changed first?”
“Of course, and how about you throw together a bag with some things. You know, just in case this takes longer than anticipated.”
“Um, thanks. I’ll be right back.” I make a break for my room, trying not to look suspicious. I need to call Wraith. The last thing I want is to end up in deep shit with both the cops and the Screaming Eagles.
Footsteps follow me up the stairs.
I spin around. “Excuse me?”
“Standard procedure.” Anderson holds out his hands apologetically. “Since we had to track you down, you’re considered a flight risk.”
“Flight risk? Are you serious? I’m a twenty-one year old salon assistant who still lives with her parents and currently doesn’t even have a car. Do you think I’m moonlighting as an explosive expert or something? I had a bad morning, went in for a slushie and ended up in the middle of something I had nothing to do with. That’s it!”
Detective Harris gives me a flat stare, taking over with a dark, gruff tone. “There’s no need for theatrics. We’re only doing our jobs. This case has serious implications for the safety of this city and we can’t afford to take any risks because it makes you uncomfortable.” He gestures to Anderson. “I told you we should have done this my way. She’s resisting. Cuff her.”
“What? What are you doing? Stop that! I was just surprised. I’m not resisting anything!” No matter how much I beg, it doesn’t stop Officer Anderson from pressing me up against the wall, pulling my arms behind me and snapping cuffs on my wrists. “I haven’t done anything wrong!”
“Then you have nothing to worry about, do you? Let’s go down to the station and get all this worked out.”
These are supposed to be the good guys? Yesterday I met a bunch of men that these guys would call criminals, but even when they were being scary like Eagle-eye, they treated me nicer than this.
They confiscate my phone and I’m marched out of the house and into the back of their cruiser. Harris slams the door shut, while Anderson goes around to take the wheel. When we get to the main station downtown, I expect to get signed in, my fingerprints taken, something, but instead I’m locked in a completely bare interrogation room and left alone. There’s nothing but an uncomfortable chair, a metal table and a door with a frosted, reinforced window. On the wall is a gigantic mirror that based on the crime shows I’ve watched is probably one-way glass.
This really doesn’t feel right.
Don’t I get a phone call? They could keep me in here and nobody will know what happened to me. One day I just vanish. Poof. Gone.
I stand up and pace around the room in the rainbow fleece lined crocs I wear around the house as slippers. The clank of the door opening sends me running right back to my seat. I clasp my hands in my lap and focus on looking cooperative. The truth is on my side. I haven’t done anything, and the video will show that Wraith and the others weren’t responsible either.
It’s Harris and Anderson again.
“Sorry about the wait. Something came up,” Anderson says in a soft voice. He’s carrying a glass of water that he takes a sip from and puts down in front of himself, not me. Right up until I saw it, I didn’t realize how thirsty I was. “Now how about you start at the beginning and tell us exactly what happened yesterday afternoon.”