Web of Deceit

On That Note...

Again, I have no idea of my mother's whereabouts. I am reporting the vandalism of my vehicle. Why are we talking about Maribela," I ask the officer.
" Your mother-" starts the cop.
"Let me stop you right there. I have no contact with Maribela Santos Sandoval. I'm aware she has escaped lock up, but I have no knowledge or interest in her whereabouts. If we could get back to my vehicle and the fact that it was vandalized, that would be great."
"Ma'am if you could calm down so-" starts the cop again.
I turn to the other police officer beside him. " Sir, I will not be condescended to. My vehicle was vandalized. I will give a statement about that. I will also answer all questions related to the vandalism. What I will not do is be spoken to in a derogatory manner. I will not engage in any investigation related to Maribela Santos Sandavol," I explain.
"Ma'am," says the condescending cop.
"No, I am done speaking to you," I say. " I wonder why you two are even here, I didn't think vandalism rated two detectives. Why are you here rather than two beat cops?" I ask the second officer.
" Ms. Flores," says the condescending cop.
"Suficiente, he terminado de hablar contigo. Mi nombre es Sra. Flores o Sra. Sandoval Flores.Tu idiota titulado irrespetuoso. Deja de hablarme," I snap.
" We're in America-," starts the condescending cop.
" If your next line is speak American, asshole, I promise you will not have a job come morning," states AJ as he walks up to me. I see Stacia with her phone out recording slightly off to the side of us all.
"Sir, I need you to step away from our active investigation," tries officer number 2.
"Active investigation," I ask. "What exactly are you investigating? You were called about my vehicle being vandalized. Why are you here if not for that?"
"Well, ma'am-" tries the condescending cop.
"Ugh, ¿por qué estás siquiera hablando?" (why are you even talking) I say as I turn my back on him. "I will speak only to you," I tell his partner.
" No we are done here all together," says AJ.
" We haven't taken her statement," says Officer number 2. 
"Sounds like a you problem. As I said, we are done here," repeats AJ. He takes my hand to lead me away. "¿Qué diablos es esto de todos modos," he asks me. (What the hell is this anyway?)

"Ellas solo preguntan por Māribela," (They only ask for Māribela) I tell him. "Todo esto es sospechoso, hermano." ( All this is sus, bro). We all walk toward a car parked behind the one the two detectives pulled up in. The raised voices of the officers are loudly heard behind us. There's the sound of a car door slamming. I look up to see BT walking over to us.
"Imelda, are you okay? What happened?" he asks.
"My car was vandalized while we were working," I explain to him. "These detectives are more interested in asking questions about my family than my vehicle, so we're leaving. I don't think they like that much."
I feel a hand on my arm from behind me. I stop walking and turn around. I glance at my arm and the officer holding on to me still.
"Quita tus manos, ahora," I say calmly. " No tienes derecho a tocarme." I look over to AJ. He looks heated. Before he can open his mouth,
"Det. Quimby, is there a reason you are holding on to Mrs. Flores? You wouldn't happen to be harassing another person of color so soon after the last complaint would you," asks BT.
I look into the face of Det. Quimby. He has a flush going from his neck up his face. A unique shade of reddish pink I can't quite name. He drops his hand from my arm and I take a step back. AJ places his hands on my shoulders protectively. BT steps in front of me.
" Det. Lorrey, maybe you can take Mrs. Flores' statement so she can be on her way. Unless there is something that needs to be handled at the station, I think you have wasted enough of her time, ya?"
Det. Lorrey turns to me to apologize. "Ma'am sorry for the delay, I can take your statement now and if there is anything further, I will call you."
"As long as it is you and not your partner, I don't see a problem with that," I reply.
"Let's start with the basics," says Det. Lorrey " How long were you parked here?"
"I arrived shortly before 2 pm for a meeting at the cafe," I reply.
" Did you notice anything taken," he questions.
" No, I didn't at first glance. This is a relatively new vehicle, so there wouldn't be much in it. I noticed the smell of gardenias as soon as I opened the door. That smell makes me gag, but I didn't touch anything outside of that."
"Is there anyone that would want to hurt you," asks Det. Quimby.
" Well, I have only two people I am in conflict with, but as far as I know they have no idea where I am," I state.
" Please provide the names," he requests.
" Emiliano Flores and Maribela Santos Sandoval, my mother and ex-husband."
"See, you do have information about Maribel Santos," says a smug Det. Quimby.
"Este hombre tiene que ser denso.." I mutter. I look over to Det. Lorrey. "Sir, if you have anything more to ask, please use the information I left on the form. We are leaving."  I turn to see BT is still standing with AJ and Stacia. Damn, I really like that. This man doesn't really know me and stepped in to defend me. He may be one of the good ones.
" I still have a few questions to ask you," starts Det. Quimby. Det. Lorrey looks over at his partner. " Hey, um Doug. Let's let these people go home. We can always call her if we have anymore questions, yea?" Quimby pulls up short. He grabs his partner away. The two begin to a quiet back and forth which ends with Quimby storming back to their car.
Det. Lorrey walks back over to me and offers a card. "If you remember anything that will help us with our investigation, please call," he says. Confused, I take the card. " Investigation, you mean my car being vandalized," I question...
"Have a good night, ma'am, and stay safe," is his reply.
This entire encounter has been tiresome and confusing. All I want is to get home, eat some food, and go to sleep. I walk over to AJ, Stacia, and BT. "Hey, thanks for stepping in. This whole situation has been.....a lot. I just want to go home and wash this evening away," I explain.
AJ reaches for me and I walk into him to grab a hold of the support he's offering. Big little brother hugs are still awesome, probably more so now that they are so far and in between. I look over and see BT looking at us both.
" I was telling your brother and Stacia about that gilipollas detective. He just came back from administrative leave. Too many complaints to ignore, but rumor has it that he had court-ordered remediation and the city paid out a few lawsuits."
" He's problematic," I state.  "I don't need that right now. I need to get my vehicle towed and secure a rental or something in the morning."
"I know someone, if you trust me to get the tow set up, I can call you tomorrow with all the information," says BT.
"And how will I know it's you," I murmur. "You still haven't given me your name."
"As much as I want to continue our game, I think your safety is more important," he says.
"Soooo, gonna tell me your name? Or do I continue to call you BT in my head?"
"BT," he questions. "What does that stand for?"
I stand there on the sidewalk in the cold and my cheeks feel hot. I look up to see Stacia hiding a smirk behind her hand. I straighten my shoulder and decide to brazen it out.
" BT stands for Baby Tyson, as in Beckford. The model from the 90's," I explain with a wave of my hands.
" You think I look like a model?" That damned smirk makes its appearance. He looks at me with his head cocked to the side.
"Sir, are you gonna drag this out? You know what you look like, I will not be stroking your ego tonight," I say a bit put out. I look as his smirk grows to a grin. Querido Dios! Either this baby is moving, or he has my stomach quivering. I do not need to be thinking about this man like this-
"Mateo, Mateo Coté," he replies. " I'll stop messin with you tonight. I want to make sure you are okay though. Leave me the keys to your ride and I will call you in the morning."
"Thank you Mateo," I say as I hand him my keys.
"Teo, my friends call me Teo," he says holding on to my keys and my fingers gently.
"Is that what we are, friends," I ask. I step away from him moving toward AJ and Stacia.
"I would like that very much if we can be," is his answer. "Good night Imelda."
I wave and head toward the vehicle again. I see Stacia and AJ whispering together. " Come on peanut gallery. I want to get home please."
As we head home Stacia clears her throat. I turn to her in the backseat. "What Chica?"
"Well.... Sis, what's with all the flirty flirty with BT,huh? Then you actually gave him the keys to ya ride? We don't know him," says Stacia clapping her hands together.
"He stood up for me when he didn't have to. He gave us information we might need about the po-po round here. And we have a business deal in the works," I list off with my fingers, feeling agitated.
"Hmmm you see she ain't even touch that whole flirty ish, Stacie," sings AJ.
"I mean it might have been some mild flirting, but we all know I have too much going on to actually entertain any of that for real," I snap.
"Whoa. Look who's all touchy... sheesh," states AJ.
We sit in silence for a bit of the ride home.
"My ride smelled like gardenias, AJ. You know I hate that ish with a passion. I didn't say anything earlier, but I smelled it before I went to that meeting with Teo," I tell him.
"Are you thinking that she did this,that Maribela found you out here? I been thinking of getting security cameras set up at the house, but I didn't want to worry you. I'm gonna set it up in the morning, have one of my guys set it up."
I shake my head as we pull into the driveway. "On that note... I'm gonna eat,shower, and head to bed. In that order." I shake my head again as I open the door. "One of his guys..." I mutter. "Like he's some kind of mafioso."