Chapter 13
Interrogation
Paul
Inever understood why Jon disliked his stepfather so much. Humphrey—or, as Jon called him, Shitface—had been nice to me, and even got Emily out of jail. But when he ordered Mom and Dad to wait outside while he questioned me—as if I wasn’t the victim here!—I got suspicious. It wasn’t an interrogation room like you see in movies with a two-way mirror and stark, blank walls. But Humphrey’s spotless office was still the embodiment of a police chief’s authority. The walls were covered with commendations and awards, and a large bookshelf stood behind him, filled with law books and case files.
By now I had told him everything about the assault, yet he kept tapping his index and middle fingers on the desk, waiting for more. I noticed a family picture on a shelf portraying everyone but Jon. Lauren, Jon’s sister, looked about twelve in it. My dislike for Humphrey grew.
“So that’s all?” he said, drawing my gaze back to him.
I tilted my head. “Yes?” It came out as a question despite being sure that I’d mentioned everything.
He frowned. “You’re suggesting that a black van had been following you, and subsequently a man with a gun attacked you on the street in broad daylight. The only reason they left, according to your account, is because Jon told them to leave you alone.”
“Yes.” This time my answer was more determined.
Humphrey leaned back in his chair and folded his hands. “If you find yourself embroiled in a senseless altercation and wish to avoid parental reprimand, there are more prudent methods than needlessly occupying police resources.”
I jumped to my feet. “Are you serious?” I yelled.
The door opened and a younger police officer rushed in. Humphrey raised his hand and told him to leave. Then he cleared his throat and pointed at my seat. I sat, feeling like a pawn in a game beyond my understanding.
“Did Jon put you up to this?” Humphrey said, his gaze piercing but measured.
“Put me up to this?” Now I got what Jon’s issue was with this guy.
“I want you to be honest with me, Paul. Did Jon have something to do with this?”
Last night I would’ve replied yes. When Emily defended him in a heartbeat, I couldn’t understand. Jon was the one with the criminal connections—I was just the guy who tagged along every now and then. But now that Humphrey was twisting my words to find a way to blame him, my protective shield went up.
“Jon helped me. The only reason he was there at all was that it happened in front of his house,” I reminded him.
Humphrey sighed. “Very well. I will record your statement. However, I regret to inform you that given the limited evidence you’ve provided, the prospect of an investigation appears quite improbable.”
I slapped my palms on the desk. If the chief of police wasn’t going to help me, I had nothing to lose. “Jon was right about one thing,” I said. “This place is nothing more than a circus act.”
Humphrey didn’t even flinch. I didn’t bother to wait for a reply.
Outside, I told my parents that it all went well. I would’ve said anything to reduce their concern.
As I submitted my final exam for my environmental science class, I didn’t feel any relief. I thought I’d be glad it was over, but studying for it hadn’t felt like a burden. Maybe I should submit a last-minute application for college after all and try to bring up my grades till the end of the year.
Exiting the exam room, I made my way to the bench where Kiki and I had agreed to meet. She sprang up when she spotted me. “How did it go?” she asked, handing me a to-go cup of coffee.
I sipped at the foam gratefully. She had added extra cocoa. “I would say decent.”
“Just decent?” She raised her brows.
I shrugged. “Fine, maybe I aced it.”
She smiled broadly. “Welcome to Team Nerd, Paul Shields.”
Her smile did something to me in that moment. The way she took time out of her own study routine to celebrate my success... I cocked my head to the side. “Does this team have cool shirts or something?”
She gasped at the side of my face. “Paul, what—”
“Please don’t.” I held out a palm. “I had to talk so much about this already. Can we just celebrate and pretend I don’t look like a bad-ass rebel? I want to be part of Team Nerd for once.”
She gave me a look. “No, we’re friends now, so I deserve to hear what happened. But if it helps, I’ll get you cake while we talk.”
I sighed. “Fair compromise. Just no apple pie, please.”
By the time I got home, darkness had settled in. I was relieved I hadn’t fucked up our friendship by bawling my eyes out in her room the other night. The opposite: we were even closer now.
I came in through the front door and toed off my shoes—Mom was glaring at me from the top of the stairs, arms crossed. “Where have you been?” she said, clearly pissed.
“Hanging out with a friend...?”
“You were supposed to come home after your exam!”
I raised my palms. “Geez, I didn’t know I suddenly had a curfew.”
She stormed down the stairs. “Paul, you were attacked on the street! Do you know how worried I was?” Her anger morphed into a grimace, and I noticed tears gathering in her eyes.
“Mom... I know. I’m sorry.”
“Paul Shields, you almost killed me.”
I went up to her and tugged her into my arms. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again, okay?” I hope.
“I know you’re eighteen already,” she sniffled, pulling me in tighter. “But until the police finds out who did this I won’t be able to sleep easy.”
“They’ll find out who it was. I’m sure they will,” I lied, patting her on the back. But I didn’t want her to worry. If I had to keep up another act—I would.