SHE AIN'T LIKE A SISTER NO MORE

Chapter 68 ~ "Where were you on the night of..."

JUSTIN

I'm seated across the table from both of my arresting officers, in a small room and surrounded by one way mirrors.

"May I ask you a question officer?"

"We ask the questions, you answer them Mr. Bieber."

I ignore him and continue, "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"I'm married with two kids. What were you doing at the home of Zac Reed on the night of Sunday the twenty-seventh of April?"

"When did you meet your wife sir?"

"A long time ago Mr. Bieber. Now answer my question."

"Do you have two boys?"

"No I don't. I have an eight year old son and a four year old daughter."

"I met Jen when she was just three years old. She already had long wavy curls down her back, although it was a few shades lighter back then, because I remember how it would lighten when the sun beamed down on it. When she turned around for the first time, she looked straight at me with these massive, innocent, bright blue eyes." I can't help but smile at the memory. I can see it all clear as day, even now.

"I was only a kid, not much older than her, but I prayed that night. I prayed that god keep her safe from harm. I prayed that he'd give me the power to always protect her. The power to save her from any heartache and be able to take any sadness away. I also made a vow to myself that I'd never let anyone hurt her."

"Mr. Bieber..."

"I failed. Come to think of it, I've failed her a lot over the last fourteen years. When she was six, she had her lunch stolen at school. I saw her wandering around the schoolyard and I didn't do anything. I should have asked her if she was okay, then I could have given her my lunch but I was too busy playing basketball..."

The male cop, Officer Dean, I've now learnt, clears his throat and leans back into his chair.

"I can still see her sad little face. She was so confused. She was so innocent that she didn't realize how cruel kids can be. Still, I didn't do anything, because the team we were playing against were six points up, and I don't lose. I couldn't walk away from the game. I was a shit of a kid. I should have been there for her."

I look up Officer Dean and Officer Ramsey who have small smiles on their faces. They don't want to, but they're there.

"When she was nine, a boy punched her in the playground. I wasn't there at the time, but one of her friends came to get her brother and I. I punched him back, then kicked him. It didn't change the fact she had a black eye for days, but at least I hurt him like he hurt Jen. I got suspended for three days. I thought my Mom would be angry when she found out, but she was proud that I was sticking up for Jen and I knew it wasn't right for boys to hit girls."

I reach forward and take a sip of the water that's been placed in front of me, then run a hand through my hair.

"Mr. Bieber, we really need to ask you these questions..."

"Her dad died when she was thirteen."

Officer Dean raises his eyebrows, and leans back into his chair again.

"He was an amazing man. He was around when my own father wasn't, and not once did he ever complain when he saw me sitting opposite him at their dinner table. My mom was a single mom and worked a lot, so I'd go over to their house after school. It was a second home, but if I'm being honest, my real home was probably my second home. I slept there so often that one day I turned up and Ray, Jens dad, took me upstairs to show me a room. He'd gone out and brought me a bed, drawers, bedding...he kitted out a whole room just for me." I feel a tear roll down my cheek and quickly wipe it away and clear my throat.