Chapter 4 #2
“I want to apologize if any of my detectives were too aggressive or overbearing towards you,” he says as he motions me to take a seat. “We’re homicide, and we’re used to dealing with assailants, not victims such as yourself.”
A cold hand grips my stomach and squeezes. “Am I going to be charged with something for protecting myself? For escaping those two monsters?” I ask him.
“That’s not up to me,” the major replies.
“But I sincerely doubt it. This looks like a clear and obvious case of self-defense. We’re going to do a full workup on the events leading to your kidnapping and escape.
We’re hopeful that by gathering more information about the movements of the deceased leading up to your kidnapping, we can establish their motive and track down whoever else may have been involved.
We’ll keep you updated throughout the investigation, and if you could let us know where you’ll be staying the next few days, we’d like to loop in local officers and have them keep an eye on you until we know more about why and how this happened. ”
“I’ll have to ask Maximo—Mr. Luciani. I’ve been staying with him recently, and I gather he has multiple residences.”
“We can ask him when he arrives.” Major Henry nods in satisfaction.
“We’re going to do everything in our power to help keep you safe, Ms. Monroe.
I know Detective Tillman had some questions for you about your father’s death.
After everything you’ve already been through today, that was tactless of him.
I hope you’ll accept my apologies. Your father’s case has been a bit of a mystery to the detectives from the other precinct.
They haven’t been able to establish any reasonable motive for the arson that claimed his life.
I’ve been told that their best working theory is that it was a robbery gone wrong, but that doesn’t put us any closer to making an arrest or even having any suspects in the case. ”
“I know they’re doing their best, and I appreciate their efforts,” I reply calmly. I will my face to stillness, afraid that the major, who has the same soul-scouring gaze as his detective, can read my every thought.
“I’m sure they are,” Major Henry agrees.
“The sad truth is that a lot of murders in this city do end up going unsolved. I hope that we can help bring some closure for you. We’ll keep the detectives working your father’s case looped in on our investigation into this kidnapping.
I’m hopeful that we’ll have both of your assailants identified and the local surveillance gathered by tomorrow.
We’ll figure out the next steps of our investigation from there.
Now, while we wait, can I get you anything? Are you hungry, thirsty?”
I left the cup of coffee I barely touched back in the interrogation room.
I lick my dry lips and try to think of something besides water that isn’t caffeinated.
I could go for a margarita in a salted glass, but tequila is definitely off the table for a bit.
“Could I trouble you for a Sprite?” I ask him.
“Sure. I’ll be right back. Please just relax as much as you can after the day you’ve endured. I promise you, you’re safe here,” he says as he rises from his desk and leaves the office, pulling the door shut behind him.
I sink back into the padded chair as I try to exhale some of the tension from my body.
I still can’t believe I fought off two men and killed them both.
Every time my thoughts turn back to those moments of brutal violence my stomach clenches and rolls.
I know if I just lean over the wastebasket and release what fragile control I’m holding onto, I’ll puke my guts out.
I won’t let that happen, though, I resolve as I grit my teeth.
I won’t let these hard-eyed men cast pitying glances at me.
If I’m going to have an emotional breakdown, I’ll be damned if I do it here, in this office.
I’m going to swallow it down and wait until I’m alone in the shower.
God, I can’t wait for a hot shower to wash the grime off and let the grief pour out of me.
When Major Henry returns a few minutes later, he’s holding a can of Sprite, which he sets on his desk near me.
From the inside pocket of his suit coat, he also pulls out a pack of peanut-butter crackers and a Snickers bar.
“Hope you’re not allergic to peanuts,” he says as he places them beside the soda.
“You look so pale, I was worried you might need something,” he adds.
“I’m not allergic. Thank you. I appreciate the thought, but I ate just before…well, just before everything happened. It’s hard to believe it’s only been a few hours,” I admit with a heavy sigh.
As the major steps back behind his desk, he glances at a blinking light on his phone, then picks up the receiver. “This is Major Henry,” he says.
“Ah, good,” he says a moment later and spares me a grin. “Send them on up and I’ll meet them at the elevators. Thank you, Sergeant,” he adds before hanging up. “Mr. Luciani and his entourage have just arrived at the front desk. Please, sit tight and drink up and I’ll go escort them to you.”
“Can I just come with you and leave?” I ask, twisting in my seat to ask as he heads for the door.
“Soon, I promise, Ms. Monroe. I just need to get some contact information and find out where you’ll be staying, so we can dispatch some units for your protection.” With that, he leaves again, pulling the door closed behind him.
I crack open the Sprite after he leaves the room and drain half the can with a few huge gulps.
I hadn’t even talked that much, but I’m such a bundle of nerves that my throat is raw.
I surprise myself when a low, rumbling burp erupts from me and burns in my nose, making my eyes water.
I feel a hysterical giggle rising inside me and struggle to choke it down as the door squeaks open once again.
Major Henry is holding the door wide. Maximo sweeps past him and crosses the office to me in two long strides. I stand to meet him, and he wraps me in his arms, pulling me to him and squeezing me tight. I return the hug fiercely, clinging onto him as if my life depends on his embrace.
“I’m so sorry,” Maximo says as he kisses the top of my head.
My hair is still crusty with dried gore I couldn’t wash away in the sink.
Maximo’s grip loosens, and he steps back from me, looking me up and down.
“Were you injured? You’re a mess.” His voice trails off as he raises a finger and tugs at the neck of my sweater, which is stiff and tacky with the blood it absorbed.
“It’s not my blood,” I assure him. “Please take me home, Maximo. I want to get out of here.”
“Did the officers cause you any problems? Have they treated you well?” Maximo asks me as he turns his eyes to Major Henry, who is still standing by the door.
“No, no, they’ve been wonderful. Detective Tillman had some questions, but I’m afraid I wasn’t much help.” I know Maximo catches the underlying message. I didn’t tell them anything.
“I know you’re eager to leave, Ms. Monroe,” Major Henry tells us as he walks around his desk.
“Mr. Luciani, I spoke to Constance about assigning some patrol officers to help keep an eye out for her over the next few days, while we investigate what led to this kidnapping. If you could just let me know where you two will be staying and leave us some good contact information so that we can call you with our updates, we’ll get you out of here. ”
“Of course, Major. I appreciate all your assistance and will make sure the mayor and commissioner hear what a help you’ve been to us during this ordeal.
Here’s my card with my personal cell phone number,” Maximo says as he reaches inside his suit coat and produces a small white card with gold lettering, which he lays on the major’s desk.
“Constance and I have been staying at my residence in Scarsdale. Are you okay with going back to the mansion?” he asks as he turns his attention back to me.
“Whatever you think is safest,” I agree. “Though I’d like to go by the hospital and see Melissa, if we can.”
“Let’s get you cleaned up first. You would terrify her if she saw you like this,” Maximo says as he smiles at me. Turning back to the major, he rattles off the address of the mansion, which Major Henry repeats back to him as he types it into the computer.
“I’ll make some calls to Scarsdale, then, and try to have a patrol car stationed out there by the time you get home.
Either I or Detective Tillman will call you with an update as soon as we have a chance to review all the witness statements and surveillance from the area and get positive identification of your assailants.
In the meantime, if you need anything or have any concerns, you can call us directly,” he adds as he passes his card to Maximo.
“Thank you again, Major. I look forward to hearing from you,” Maximo says as he puts his arm around my shoulders and leads me towards the door.
Standing just outside is his new captain, Trenton, who is surveying the large open room filled with detectives going about their business. There’s a slight frown on his face.
“Damn,” Trenton visibly startles when he glances over at Maximo and I, then does a double take at me. “You ‘bout scared the shit out of me. You look like that girl from that movie, Carrie!”
“This isn’t pig blood.” I wave a hand to take in my ruined clothes.
“So I heard.” Trenton nods.
“Enough for now,” Maximo whispers just loud enough for the two of us to hear. “It’s time to leave.”
“Yeah, I’ll text Joey to pull the truck around,” Trenton agrees. “Let’s get out of here. Place makes me fucking nervous.”
“Guilty conscience?” I ask with a wan smile as we walk to the elevators.
“You have no idea,” Trenton snorts as he hits the button on the wall. The door closest to us dings open immediately, and we step forward together, all of us eager to leave the detectives and their suspicions.