Hey Punk, Keep This a Secret

Chapter Ten: Danny Stewart

 It was shortly after the conversation that we talked to the police. Chance was definitely asked the most questions, but CJ and I were asked quite a few as well. I let the police read through the whole notebook of my findings.

"This is a very detailed analysis, young lady," the interrogator told me. "You'd make a spectacular detective."

I was sort of shocked by the comment. "Thanks," I said.

"You were able to predict the outcome of their relationship, even with the little evidence you were able to gather. I'm rather impressed." With each word, I became more thrown off by the compliment.

"It was just a coincidence," I said. "I only even considered the possibility because I didn't know much about Hart other than his age, and the age gap was rather risky."

His eyebrows immediately raised at the mention of his age. "How old is he?" I'm sure he asked Chance the same question, but he'd asked me as well. He probably wanted more solidity in the answer. So, I answered honestly. I told him that Hart was 20, according to Chance.

"Now, how old is Chance," he asked. With those words, he took off his glasses and stared me down. It must be an interrogational tactic of some sort. I have to give it to him, because it made me pretty uncomfortable.

"Fifteen," I said. "Fifteen and a half, maybe."

He put his glasses back on, and asked me more as he wrote down what I had told him already. "Out of curiosity, what made you find a five year age difference worth investigating?"

I was almost repulsed by the question. It felt like he was either taking me for an idiot, or he was genuinely uneducated on the laws.

"Uhh, it's illegal? Chance is a minor, and even under the Romeo and Juliet laws that are in some states, any age difference over 3 years is criminal and the adult will be classified as committing a sex crime. I thought I wrote it in the notebook." I didn't want to be a jerk about it, but I couldn't help but give some sass in response to such a stupid question.

"Hm. Good answer," he said. The question must've been asked that way on purpose. "This is off topic, but do you by chance have interest in entering the criminal justice field?"

"It's something I've considered," I told him honestly. "I know that Carly is aiming to go to law school in her future." I refrained from using her nickname, because I didn't think he'd know her by CJ.

"Well, that's very admirable," the interrogator said.

"Thank you, but we should return to the original discussion. This is about Chance and Hart, not me," I said. "Let's get this over with and bring the proper justice to Chance as soon as we can."

"You're absolutely right, Danielle, that's my mistake," the interrogator said, and turned to a new page in his notepad. "It almost feels like you're a coworker, and not a potential witness to a crime," he joked

The interrogator changed his tone back to full seriousness faster than I could snap my fingers. I suppose it's a common talent among those that work for the law.

"Do you mind if I keep this journal temporarily? I will return it after the court case, of course," he asked.

"Of course. I wrote it for evidence purposes. It may as well be used for the intent it was made for," I said.

The rest of the interrogation was just basic questions about my relationship with Chance. I assume this was orchestrated to determine that I'm not a suspect. It was the only assumption that made any sense.

Most of the questions were simple, asking me about what our shared interests are and why we get along. There was one about how we met, and I didn't enjoy explaining that we used to hate each other until we gave each other a chance. I had always hated how stupid and dramatic he was, and he had the impression that I was a stalker. It wasn't until we really started talking that we found out we could actually get along if we tried.