Chapter 15 #2
“I want them to know him. If something happens to me, they should be with their daddy. It’s a privilege to have one,” she said, her mind drifting back to a time so long ago that she was starting to lose some of the memories.
“I want Messiah to raise them, but you and Alani have to raise him. Messiah bucks against rules, against dependency, and against structure, but family is what he needs most.”
“Sounds a lot like someone else I know,” Ethic quipped without looking back at her.
Morgan scoffed.
“You don’t have to worry about the trust or the twins. Just focus on right now.”
The next hour felt like a blur. She rode shotgun as Ethic drove her to the police station, and although she knew this was serious, her mind was stuck on her child.
“Messari is with Aria. She’s going to bring him to the house today. I know Alani isn’t at one hundred percent, but…”
“We’ll take care of Ssari. He’s good. Don’t focus on that right now,” Ethic stated.
“And Einstein?” Morgan asked.
“He’s already there,” Ethic stated.
She nodded and reduced herself to overthinking as they made their way to the police station.
When they arrived, Einstein stood at the door, awaiting them. Morgan looked like yesterday. It was obvious she hadn’t slept, and her fancy dress was wrinkled.
“Good morning,” Einstein greeted. “They’re ready for us.”
Morgan took a deep breath and gave Ethic a look of uncertainty before following Einstein inside.
“I’ve got her from here,” Einstein said, stopping Ethic in the lobby.
Dread filled Morgan, and her eyes instantly watered.
Ethic stepped closely to her so that only she could hear him.
“Appear weak, but be strong,” Ethic stated. “You can do this. I love you.”
He hugged Morgan, and she squeezed him so tightly she wanted to bawl.
She held him like she had when Raven had died.
She held on like she had when she was a child, and he would come show her that monsters weren’t real.
He had lied back then. Monsters were very much so real. She had encountered a few.
She reluctantly followed Einstein to the front desk, and they were escorted to an interrogation room.
“Thank you for coming down to the station, Ms. Atkins. I’m Detective Moore, and this is Detective Evans. Would you like coffee or something to drink before we get started?”
“No, thank you. I’m good,” Morgan replied.
“I have to let you know that this interview is being recorded,” Detective Moore informed.
Morgan squared her shoulders and crossed her legs. “I’m not quite sure why I’m here, but I don’t have a ton of time. My two-year-old daughter is hospitalized. If I can be helpful, I will, but can we make this quick?”
“Very sorry to hear about your daughter,” Detective Evans said. “We don’t want to take up too much of your time. A few questions and we can have you on your way, ma’am.”
Morgan clocked their demeanor. Good cop was Detective Evans.
He was hiding his malice under the veil of kindness.
He was a brother, not much older than Ethic, and he wore plain clothes.
Morgan wondered if he was chosen to sit in just to make her comfortable.
Detective Moore was the hardass. He was Hispanic and older with a disposition that told Morgan he wouldn’t hesitate to lock her up if she gave him even an inkling of suspicion.
“Let me remind you gentlemen that my client is here voluntarily and that we may leave at any time. Like she said, she has more pressing matters at hand, so let’s use our manners and play nice today,” Einstein reinforced.
“When is the last time you saw your fiancé, Sebastian Fredrick?”
“Well, umm, it’s been quite a while,” Morgan replied, remaining vague. She didn’t know what evidence they may or may not have. She didn’t want something as damaging as a timeline to trip her up if she said the wrong thing.
“Most women remember things like a breakup,” Detective Moore said.
“My daughter is dying of cancer. I have more important things to keep track of,” Morgan replied. It was the perfect warning from a mama bear before she attacked.
“Why did you end the relationship?” Detective Moore inquired.
“Things became tense when I decided to move back to the States. He wanted to be in London. I wanted to be here in Michigan. I wanted my kids near family,” Morgan answered.
“So, it was amicable,” Good Cop said.
“I wouldn’t call it amicable. He was upset. He didn’t like the support system I had here. He had less control of me here. We ended our engagement on tense terms. He was my friend, and it hurt to lose a friend,” Morgan said.
“We have reports of a gentleman showing up to Sebastian’s classroom and threatening him.
Funny thing is, Michigan State campus police have no footage for that building the day of the alleged occurrence.
A few students confirmed that it happened, however.
Would you happen to know the gentleman who threatened Mr. Frederick? ”
“I wasn’t aware that he was threatened. I don’t know anything about an altercation at State,” Morgan answered.
“Where were you on the night in question?”
“Likely home. I have twin toddlers. Most of my nights are spent with them,” Morgan answered.
“Except when you’re stripping. You’re a stripper, right? You dance for money.”
Morgan scoffed. “I’m a college graduate. I’m a part of a choreography group called Stiletto Gang. My clothes stay on. I perform at shows and bookings, not in strip clubs, and it’s a hobby.”
“Hmmph,” Good Cop huffed.
Morgan glanced at him as he scrolled through his phone. He concentrated hard on whatever was on his screen, lifting his eyebrows in reaction.
“I guess clothes are relative, huh, Ms. Atkins,” he commented as he set his phone down on the table, revealing a viral clip of her dancing.
“What is this, officers? Let’s get to the point here,” Einstein stated firmly.
“The point is, Ms. Atkins, you seem to have a lot of male followers. A lot of fans. Girls like you, on the club scene. Prominent cats in the streets see you, and I imagine they’re in love before they leave.”
“Is there a question?” Morgan asked.
“Were there any extracurricular relationships between you and any of the men who frequented your performances?” Good Cop asked. “Any other suitors throwing their hats in the ring? Anyone who gave you problems? Any who got obsessive?”
“No,” Morgan answered.
“I find that hard to believe. No regulars. No men in your DMs. No dates. You were completely faithful. Nobody had a reason to have conflict with your fiancé, Sebastian Frederick?”
Morgan wondered if they knew about Ahmeek. They could be asking questions they already knew the answers to just to test her integrity. She couldn’t, in good faith, sit up and put him on their radar. So, she lied.
“No. I’d like to help find Bash, but after our engagement ended the way it did, I doubt if he wants to hear from me.
We had a lot of good times. We loved each other once.
It just didn’t make it to forever. His parents weren’t too happy with the breakup either.
Wherever he is, I hope he’s taking the time he needs to heal, because I’m doing the same. ”
They were waiting with bated breath for Morgan to incriminate herself, but she chose her words carefully.
“Is it unusual for Sebastian Frederick to just disappear?”
“What makes you think he’s disappeared? That seems like the worst-case scenario, don’t you think? Have you contacted his parents? If anyone knows where Bash is, it’s Christiana. No one is closer to him than her. He’s probably in the French Riviera underneath another woman by now,” Morgan said.
“His parents can’t seem to be located either. They’ve been reported missing.”
“What?” Morgan said, brow frowning in fake confusion. “Reported by who?”
“Apparently, they made plans to be back in London, and they never showed. Haven’t paid their estate manager, their driver, and their mail has gone unchecked. It seems their life has just gone dormant, like they aren’t living it at all.”
“Oh gosh, I really hope things are okay. The first thing that comes to mind is the Fredericks are a very notable family, and they’re private.
Bash and I were set to be married. Announcements were made.
Walking away from a public engagement was embarrassing for him, for their family name.
It’s no big deal over here, but in London, it’s just not what they do.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Christiana is letting this blow over, but it isn’t like her to leave important things undone, so I don’t know.
I’m sorry that I can’t be more helpful, but…
” Morgan shrugged, leaving her sentence unfinished.
The look of frustration on their faces told Morgan that they had expected to receive something more substantial from her.
“Last question, Ms. Atkins, then we can send you on your way,” Good Cop said. “Is there some place we should be looking?”