“That’s impressive, Scarlett. Did anyone know about that? Did Theodore?”
“Umm, I may have mentioned it. Why?” I ask, thrown by this new line of questioning.
Instead of answering me, Rubio jots something down in his pad, writing for what feels like forever until he motions for Winslow to continue.
For the next thirty minutes, it seems to be nothing but small talk. Sure, that’s probably a tactic they use to try and sneak information out of me, but I can’t see how. I’m not saying much.
Their next question once again takes a turn, but at least it’s easy.
“Scarlett, did Theodore ever talk to you about issues he was having with his wife? Any problems in their relationship?”
Filtering through the conversations I’ve had with Theodore, I only respond with what he said I could share.
“Um, well, she was cheating on him with some guy she worked with.” I struggle to remember his name for a few seconds, but when it comes, their eyes light up like a Christmas tree.
“Joshua Kellar? Are you sure about that?”
I confirm my answer with a nod, adding, “She was constantly with Joshua. That’s why it was so easy for me to see Theodore… because she was never around him.”
“We’ve spoken to Mr. Kellar on multiple occasions, and on each, he’s vehemently denied having any sort of relationship with Beth.”
“Well, he’s lying,” I announce, firm in my conviction, because I know it’s true. I don’t have to lie about this one, nor do I have to fake confusion because it’s already there.
“Why would Mr. Kellar lie? He and his family are very well respected in this community, and with no wife, he has no reason to be dishonest.” Theodore had said internal relations in her workplace were prohibited, but if your side piece was missing, why lie?What does Joshua have to gain by doing that?“You and Mr. Ellis, on the other hand, have reasons for deceit. Now tell me, who would you believe?”
“I never denied having an affair with my teacher. I will admit that what I did to another woman was shitty, but I won’t say I didn’t do it and enjoy every minute of it,” I argue, feeling my temperature rise. “I have no reason to lie to you, Detective Winslow, Detective Rubio, and neither does Mr. Ellis. What you should be worried about is why her lover of over a year is continuing to lie about their history.”
I did it; casted enough of a shadow to have the ripples of doubt running through their mind. The detectives no longer look at me with suspicious glares; rather, with a calm defeat.
She’s not our perp, their eyes read, and I’m fucking basking in it. But, of course, I’m not in the clear just yet, so I keep my smug smile hidden behind a straight face. Inside, my heart is doing backflips.
I give the two-way mirror a long, weighted stare, knowing my father is standing right there behind it. I offer him my relief. Maybe now, he’ll feel some of his own. I know it must have been torture to stand outside, watching as my life and experiences got torn apart. The detectives did their best to paint me in a nasty light, but at the end of the day, they just don’t have enough.
“Okay, Scarlett. Uhm…” Detective Winslow states, flipping through the notes she took. “Thank you for coming in today. We appreciate you answering all our questions. At this time, you are free to go. If we need you for further questioning, we’ll make sure to contact you.”
Standing from their seats, they guide me out of the door, their faces stern and emotionless as they return me to my father.
“Noah,” Winslow acknowledges, tipping her head to my dad as she walks right past him. He turns to watch her while she slips into an empty office, eyeing her curiously before giving his partner, Rubio, his attention.
“Hey, would you mind walking Scarlett down to the garage? I need to get a couple of things from my desk?”
Handing me the keys, he walks off, disappearing into the busy mass of officers, leaving me to stand awkwardly beside Detective Rubio.
Offering me a kind smile, he leads the way, guiding us into the quiet, isolated elevator.
“You answered the questions well in there. Must be a benefit of having a cop for a father.”
“Or a perk of having nothing to hide,” I retort, challenging him with a humorless glare. Something must be funny because the next second, Rubio is laughing. Brown skin turning a blushing red, he beams up at the reflective tiles above our heads, wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes.
“You know you could cut glass with a scowl like that… give half of these men a run for their money.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “A man will never be as daunting as anyway.
Noah
Winslow pokes her head up once I begin knocking at the conference room door. Exhaustion darkens the bags under her eyes, but she still offers a tight smile.
“Noah, hey. Come in,” she says, gesturing to the seat across from her.
