Letters to Maxine

CHAPTER 45

Krystal

12:20 HOURS

Maxine was quick to take off her long sleeve. Kelly's Uncle Mike bounced his eyes as she released the velcro straps to her body armor and slid it over her head. She put the long sleeve back on and tucked it in.

Last time, he couldn't help but stare at my chest. Let's see if little Ethan can resist.

She let go of her ponytail and shook her head from right to left. As her hair fell to her shoulders, she brushed and teased it with her fingers.

She looked at the two-way mirror as she undid the second and third buttons on her long sleeve and pushed down the neckband of her white t-shirt.

I'm going to make sure he sees the bruises and what that piece of shit friend of his did to me.

"Well, then," said Kelly's uncle. "Looks like we're on the same page. Make sure you taunt him. Say whatever you want, but don't touch him."

Maxine nodded as the phone rang, and he answered. Their conversation was brief, and he wasted no time before hanging up the receiver.

"Shitheads father and attorney are in the lobby. So make it quick, but make it hurt."

Maxine took a deep breath and started to the door, but Kelly's Uncle Mike stopped her.

"Hey," he said. "Whatever you do, don't ask him a question. This isn't an interrogation. This is a terrorization."

"Got it."

Maxine pushed through the door as everything seemed to be in slow motion. She took in the stains and scars on the pale yellow walls. The room, renowned as the interrogator's favorite, emitted a distinct stench of sewage and rotten eggs, making her crinkle her nose in disgust. And as she stared at Ethan Martin, she smiled in contempt.

"Wait, what?" he snapped. His voice was high-pitched and cracked. He wept and continued to fight the cuffs for freedom. His face went white, and his lips pale blue. And when he pushed the seat back, trying to stand, the four-by-four metal table brought him to his knees.

"Krystal? You're—"

"An eyewitness to everything that you did," said Maxine. Her voice was calm but alluring. She teased him with her tone. Her gaze shifted downward, lingering on his crotch as a mischievous smile played on her lips.

Ethan's eyes remained fixed on her countenance, tracing a path downward to her chest and, finally, her thighs. His expression betrayed a terrifying astonishment.

"I told you, little boy," she said. "They're too big for you."

Maxine circled behind him and stepped to the chair lying on its side. Ethan Martin moved from his knees as Maxine positioned the chair against them with care.

She stepped to the right corner of the table, leaning as she tried to catch his eyes. He refused.

"I don't want to look," he said. "Just, no. Leave me alone, please." Ethan Martin shut his lids tight and winced, baring his clenched teeth.

"Where's my father?" he shouted.

Maxine moved to the center of the table, leaning toward his ear.

"That night, you wanted to get in my pants something fierce. It was cute but pathetic. And these bruises on my neck...I can only imagine what's in store for you."

Maxine straightened up as she cascaded her hair over her shoulders, releasing a whiff of her perfume into the room.

"You're a handsome little boy," she said. "And good with the ladies when they're under the power of your secret little love potion."

Maxine opened her mouth, feeling the smooth surface of her top teeth with her tongue. "And, ah, how does it go? Right, right. Those depraved inmates are going to love you from dawn until dusk."

She leaned over, reaching almost nose to nose with him. She pursed her lips and breathed on his chin before tilting her head.

He opened his bloodshot and swollen eyes. His face, etched with weariness and tension, seemed to sag under the weight of exhaustion. The room filled with a heavy silence as he held his breath, his chest tightening. Their eyes locked, and he could feel the intensity of Maxine's gaze.

"You can remember me when you're being raped," she said. "When the monsters condemned for their murderous and heinous acts have you by the throat and are choking the very soul from your body, you can remember me." She tilted her head and sighed. "And when they break your teeth and force themselves inside of your cute little mouth, you can remember me."

Maxine stood up and smiled at him. Ethan said nothing, but he fixated on Maxine's face and beauty. And he couldn't help but stare at her chest.

She chuckled and shook her head. "You really are a boob man."

As she turned and stepped to the door, she looked over her shoulder for one last look at Ethan Martin.

"Have a good time, little boy," she said and smiled. "And don't clench. It only makes it hurt worse."