23. Soren #2
“Can you take the contents out please and place them on that table?”
“Okay.”
I took out everything I’d placed inside, as well as a folded sweater I kept there for colder nights, the remains of the snack Jude had packed for me, and the small toiletry pouch I carried back and forth. One by one, I set everything on the table while they all watched.
There was nothing unusual to explain why two police officers had interrupted my shift and brought me downstairs as if I had done something wrong.
“That’s everything,” I said.
Officer Cook stepped closer. “Move the sweater.”
I frowned. “I already took it out.”
“Pick it up.”
His stern tone made my stomach tighten. I reached for the sweater and lifted it from the table. A small plastic bag slipped from between the folds and landed beside my phone.
For several seconds, no one spoke. The bag was no larger than my palm, sealed along the top and filled with a fine white powder.
I stared at it. “That’s not mine.”
Officer Cook pulled a pair of gloves from his pocket. “That’s what they all say.”
“I don’t understand.” I looked from one man to the next. “That wasn’t in my locker earlier. I didn’t put it there.”
Officer Cook picked up the bag and examined it. “You just removed it from your belongings. We all saw.”
“It fell out of my sweater, but I didn’t put it there.”
Aaron finally looked at me. The disappointment in his expression frightened me more than anything Officer Cook had said.
“Aaron,” I whispered. “You have to believe me. That isn’t mine.”
He rubbed one hand over his jaw but didn’t say anything.
Officer Cook opened a case he had brought with him and removed a small testing kit. I watched without understanding what he was doing. My pulse had started racing, making it difficult to follow the conversation around me.
The white powder changed color inside the testing pouch.
Officer Cook glanced at Aaron. “Preliminary testing for cocaine is positive.”
My stomach dropped. “Cocaine? Why would I have cocaine?”
“That is what we’re trying to determine,” Officer Cook said.
“You don’t have to determine anything because it isn’t mine.”
Officer Cook shook his head, and the way he was glaring at me was full of contempt. “For once, I wish your kind would surprise us.”
My mouth fell open in shock, and Phoenix made a sound of protest.
“Now wait one damn minute,” Phoenix cried. “What the hell do you mean by that because this whole situation is suspicious. Who gave you the tip in the first place?”
“I don’t know what relationship Officer Vale has with you,” the cop said, “but I’m in charge here, and I’m not discussing an active investigation with you, so you can take your hissy fit elsewhere.
All you need to know is that we received a tip and acted on it.
If you want to help your friend here prove his innocence, you’ll submit your security footage from tonight so we can get a clear picture of what happened.
In the meantime, you”—he turned to me—“are under arrest.”
Officer Cook placed the bag inside a larger evidence pouch, then reached for his handcuffs. I automatically took a step back, shaking my head.
“You can’t do this. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“If you resist, you’ll only make this worse,” Cook said.
“I’ll do it.” Aaron removed his handcuffs, and the soft clink of the metal made my blood turn cold.
“Aaron, please don’t do this. You know this doesn’t belong to me.”
“Then cooperate so we can find out the truth.” His expression tightened. “Soren, turn around for me. Please.”
“No!” Phoenix protested, standing in front of me. “You searched one locker because of an anonymous tip and found a bag that anyone working here could have planted. Half the staff has access to this room.”
“But how many have access to his locker?” Officer Cook grabbed Phoenix by the shoulder, twisting his arm so hard that Phoenix cried out. “I’m sick and tired of you meddling in this investigation. You intervene one more time and—”
“Hey, get off him!” Aaron pushed Cook off Phoenix and gathered the shaken owner of the club into his arms. “How’s your arm? Did he hurt you?”
Phoenix, face pale, shook his head and cringed out of Aaron’s hold.
“Officer, you just assaulted your senior,” Cook said. “I only brought you along to identify the people involved because you said you knew them. I’m going to have you suspended for your interference.”
“Then go ahead, because I’m sure the chief of police would love to hear about your professionalism tonight.”
My heart thumped wildly in my chest. This was all happening because of me. I held out my arms.
“Leave Phoenix alone. He has nothing to do with this. I’ll come with you.”
“Soren, no,” Phoenix said.
“It’s okay, Phoenix.” I gave him a smile I didn’t really feel. “I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of this. Please tell Jude not to worry. It’ll be okay.”
“He’ll have to spend the night in jail before he can get bail,” Phoenix protested, and my stomach dropped even further. I glanced at Aaron, silently begging him to help like he’d done the first time, but he merely shook his head.
“I won’t let anything happen to you in there. Just trust me.”
What else could I do but stand trembling as Aaron secured the handcuffs around my wrists. Who could have done such a horrible thing to me? Had someone made a mistake with the wrong locker? But how would they have gotten my key?
My stomach rolled.
“I didn’t do it,” I whispered. “I really didn’t do it.”
Aaron guided me toward the door, speaking over his shoulder. “Let Jude know what happened and get him a lawyer. The sooner the better.”