30
A fter leaving Roman’s house and suspecting Emily of having an affair with him, Gabriel went straight to the bar.
He knocked back a shot of whiskey and immediately signaled for another. The bartender, accustomed to such requests, promptly refilled his glass. Gabriel downed the second shot and slammed the empty glass on the bar. “Give me a Miller Lite,” he demanded.
As the bartender left to fetch his beer, Gabriel’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw Agnes’ name flash across. He rejected the call and accepted the beer from the bartender. “Thank you,” he muttered, taking a swig. Seconds later, his phone dinged, signaling a new voicemail from her.
Why is she bothering me? Gabriel wondered, bubbling with irritation as he pressed the button to retrieve her message.
Instantly, her panicked voice filled his ear. “Mr. Gabriel, something terrible has happened. The police came and arrested Ms. Emily. Roman showed up, too, and he’s probably heading to the police station now. Don’t worry about Ava. She’s with me, and I can stay as late as you need.”
What in the hell is going on? He slapped a twenty on the bar and bolted out the door. Heart pounding, he jumped into his car and sped down the road. Just a couple of miles later, sirens wailed behind him. His stomach sank. Easing off the gas, he glanced at the dashboard and checked his rearview mirror. As he feared, a police car with flashing lights was signaling him to pull over.
Gabriel breathed into the palm of his hand and caught a whiff of alcohol. Panicking, he quickly opened the console compartment and retrieved a pack of gum. He unwrapped a piece and popped it into his mouth, chewing furiously as he rolled down the window to address the approaching police officer.
“License, registration, and insurance,” the officer demanded.
Gabriel retrieved the registration and insurance documents from his glove compartment and handed them to the officer. He then reached into his back pocket for his wallet, pulled out his license, and handed it over.
The officer glanced down at the license. “What’s your hurry?” he asked, meeting Gabriel’s eyes.
Gabriel replied, “My wife has been arrested. I was on my way to the police station,” hoping to invoke the officer’s sympathy and avoid harsher treatment.
The officer leaned in closer, catching a whiff of alcohol. “Have you been drinking today?” he asked.
Recognizing the officer could smell the alcohol, Gabriel knew there was no point in denying it. “Yes, I had a beer or two,” he admitted.
“That doesn’t smell like beer to me.” The officer stepped back and said, “Please step out of the car.”
Gabriel turned the engine off, opened the car door, and exited.
“That’s quite a shiner you’ve got there,” the officer remarked, prompting Gabriel to touch his swelling eye. Feeling the puffiness, he sighed, “It’s been quite a day.”
“Yes, I can see that,” the officer replied. I’ll need you to close your eyes, tilt your head back, and touch your finger to your nose.”
“Is this necessary?” Gabriel asked, sounding skeptical.
“Yes, it is. Now, please, touch your nose.”
Gabriel reluctantly closed his eyes and tilted his head back. He swayed as he attempted to touch his nose, nearly losing his balance. Quickly reacting, the officer grabbed his arm to steady and prevent him from falling.
“Stay here,” said the officer and went to his vehicle. He returned with a breathalyzer. Holding it up to Gabriel’s face, he said, “I’m going to need you to blow into this.”
“No, I’m not going to do that.”
“Okay, then. Turn around.”
Gabriel turned around. The officer placed handcuffs on his wrists, “You are under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand these rights as I have read them to you?”
“Yes.”
The police officer escorted Gabriel to the patrol car, securely placing him in the backseat. After ensuring Gabriel was settled, the officer returned to his vehicle to retrieve the keys from the ignition.
Upon arrival at the station, Gabriel unleashed a stream of profanities at the officer, resisting every attempt to be led inside. He threatened legal action, accusing the officer of mistreatment. Soon, however, Gabriel’s anger found a new target. Standing at the desk was Roman. Gabriel overheard the police officer informing him that only legal counsel and immediate family were permitted to visit Emily.
“What are you doing here?” Gabriel spat.
Roman turned to find himself face-to-face with Gabriel. A slow grin spread across his face at the sight of Gabriel in handcuffs being ushered into the processing station.
As Gabriel was escorted down the hallway to the booking room, he shouted desperately, “Emily, where are you?”
Once inside the booking room, he was pushed forward and pleaded, “I need to speak with my wife, Emily Anderson.”
Hearing the commotion, Detective Martin rose from his desk to investigate. He walked into the processing room to find Gabriel being fingerprinted. Approaching the booking officer, he inquired, “What are the charges?”
“DUI,” the officer replied.
“Where’s Emily?” Gabriel urgently questioned Detective Martin.
“She’s with her attorney,” the detective replied.
“I need to see her,” Gabriel demanded, his voice dripping with desperation.
“You’ve got your own problems to deal with right now,” Detective Martin warned.
“What has she been arrested for?” Gabriel pressed on.
“Murder,” the detective responded flatly.
The word hit Gabriel like a sledgehammer, sobering him instantly. It took a moment for him to gather his senses. Swallowing hard, he asked, “Who?”
“Maggie Culliver.”
Gabriel couldn’t bring himself to believe it. “No, that’s not possible,” he stammered, his entire body beginning to tremble. He broke down into sobs. “I need to see her.”
“You can’t right now,” Detective Martin said firmly.
“Then could you at least send Daniel Kaufmann in to see me when he’s done with Emily?” Gabriel pleaded, his voice quivering.
“Who?” Detective Martin asked, furrowing his brow.
“Daniel Kaufmann, our attorney.”
“I don’t know who that is. Emily’s lawyer is Stanley Kensington.”
“Really?” Gabriel said, surprised. “Okay, well, can you send him in to see me?”
“Sure,” Detective Martin said, before leaving.
After Gabriel’s booking process, he was escorted to an interrogation room where Detective Martin awaited him.
“Have a seat,” Martin directed.
As Gabriel sat down, he asked, “Can I get a cup of coffee, please?”
Detective Martin nodded to the officer who had escorted Gabriel, and the officer left to fetch the coffee.
“I’d like to ask you a few questions about Maggie’s death,” Detective Martin said, his tone measured and calm.
Gabriel hesitated. “I don’t know if I should answer them without my attorney present.”
“He’s just finishing up with Emily. He should be here in a minute.”
With that, there was a knock on the door, and Detective Martin called outChapter, “Come in.”
The door opened, and Stanley Kensington stepped into the room. He approached Gabriel and extended his hand. “Stanley Kensington.”
Gabriel shook his hand. “Gabriel Anderson. Thank you for seeing me.”
Stanley placed his briefcase on the table, then turned to Detective Martin. “Can we have a minute alone, please?”
Detective Martin rose to his feet. “I’ll be back in a few.”
As Martin exited, Stanley took a seat. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, I was told Emily is being charged with murdering Maggie Culliver, but that’s all they will tell me. This has to be a misunderstanding; Emily would never hurt anyone. What on earth is going on?”
“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you,” Stanley said firmly.
“What do you mean? She’s my wife. Of course, you can discuss it with me!”
“No, it would be a conflict of interest.”
“How?’ Gabriel pounded his fist on the table, his frustration boiling over. “I’m her husband, damn it!”
“You are also a suspect in Maggie’s murder investigation. Since I represent your wife, discussing the case with you would be a conflict of interest.”
“They think we did this together? I had nothing to do with Maggie’s death.”
“Like I said, I can’t discuss this with you.” Stanley stood, picked up his briefcase, and said, “Good luck, Mr. Anderson,” before he left the room.
After the attorney left, Detective Martin returned to the room. Gabriel looked up and said, “I need to make a phone call.”