She turned the car on and carefully entered the roadway. It was still early, which reduced the number of other drivers on the road.
She slowly made her way toward the location where the key was located. She noticed after a few turns from leaving the park that a familiar looking car was behind her. The hairs on her neck prickled and she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.
It was Richard’s town car.
I’m being followed. I wonder if it is my old driver who wants my inheritance,she thought as she turned right on Main Street instead of left toward the key.If he wants to follow me then he can join me at the police station.
She parked in a spot close to the entrance and got out. The town car drove past before she could get a good look.
There was a decision to make, to either ask the police for protection in retrieving the key or to attempt to do it on her own and risk another run-in with Richard’s driver. After a few moments, she sighed and hung her head in defeat.
Going to the police for help is the most logical solution and something a normal person would likely do in this situation.
She took the stairs up to the building, an ugly tan square building that desperately needed a facelift to fit in with the buildings surrounding it. Most of the architecture was of a French persuasion, and the police station stuck out with its stucco exterior walls.
Inside was a room full of desks, most facing another desk, some facing a wall. Stacks of paperwork along with case files were strewn about amongst the various desks. She was more focused on the officers. She was looking for either Johnson or Wagner.
Darla felt most comfortable with them since they knew she had been with Richard when he had been killed. They would be the easiest to convince of her innocent nature and the fact that she couldn't help that the wealthy dead man was giving her his fortune.
“Can I help you, miss?” An older gentleman in a uniform approached Darla. She was still standing in front of the door and stuck out like a sore thumb in this room of coordinated chaos.
“Oh, yes. Actually, I am hoping to speak to Officer Johnson or Officer Wagner. Are they here today?” Darla looked past the man, hoping to spot them herself.
“Yes, Wagner is here. Johnson is out on patrol.” The old man turned and waved his hand beckoning her to follow him. “Have a seat here at his desk, and I will track him down for you; might be in the back getting a cup of coffee. Apparently, he had a late night working on a case.”
Darla blushed and wasn’t sure what triggered the reaction. She knew that Wagner was at her apartment last night asking questions with Johnson, but the fact that she knew an intimate detail about a man she just met must have released the blood to her cheeks.
How long has it been since I have considered a man this way? I need to keep my head and heart in check. I’ve forgotten how easily women blush.
She sat in the chair next to a desk. It was the only one that had stacks of papers in neat piles. There was no clutter on the desk and no family pictures. She tried to remember additional details about his physical appearance. He seemed young, likely not married. She found it strange he wasn’t out on patrol with his partner, Johnson.
“How can I help you, ma’am?” A deep rich voice spoke above her as Officer Wagner pulled out the desk chair to sit. A wry smile played on his lips as he took in the sight of her sitting there, coffee in hand and a sleepy disposition.
Despite his weariness, he was an attractive man. He had green eyes and brown, wavy hair styled into place out of his face. He had a slight shadow where a beard might grow, and he had obviously skipped the shave this morning.
“Good morning. I don’t know if you remember me … ” Darla began, allowing the silence to go on too long as she studied his handsome features.
“Of course I remember you. How are you holding up? I hope you got more sleep than I did last night.”
She hadn’t. After they left, she had removed the remainder of the photos of Doug and eventually had a fitful night of sleep. She had never outwardly killed anyone before. Richard was left to die in Ellen’s mangled body, which was eventually found and made headlines.
“I must admit I did have a hard time falling asleep. I am thankful I am able to conceal it better than men can with a little bit of powder.” She smiled weakly, a private joke to herself after spending so many years as a man and having to relearn how to be a woman in this decade.
Officer Wagner nodded, understanding. “Yes, what you went through yesterday will stay with you for your lifetime.” Darla watched him closely after he spoke, curious if he had experienced murder firsthand as well.
“Well, you must be here to give your official statement, right?” Wagner asked as he took a sip of his steaming coffee, watching her face closely.
His intensity made her blush again.
“I actually came to ask a favor. It is a complicated favor, but I knew that after everything that happened yesterday, you and Officer Johnson would be the most compassionate to my situation.”
“We really do need your statement.” He glanced over his shoulder and lowered his voice. “But I will do my best to oblige a lady in need.” He smiled and she felt a drop in her stomach.
It was distracting in the best way. She looked down, attempting to regain control of her thoughts.He wants to protect me. Dare I think, take care of me? I can’t remember the last time a man wanted that.
“Well, as you know, I was spending time with my friend Doug and Mr. VanHugh in the park. Mr. VanHugh took a liking to me, the same that a father would with a daughter. He told me, ‘You are the daughter I wish I could have had,’ and he explained to me that he wanted me to inherit his estate and entire fortune.”
Darla watched Wagner’s face to see if a sense of disbelief showed. It remained stoic, deep in thought, so she continued. “I was quite in shock at first, and told him I couldn’t possiblyaccept. He insisted, saying it had to do with me losing my parents earlier this year and trying to navigate life on my own.”
