His Perfect Wife Strikes Back

159 You're Under Arrest

"What are they doing?" I asked Mark.

"They demanded a search of the manor on charges of our harbouring criminals." Mark whispered. "They also claimed that Eva was Daley's wife and was suspected of involvement in the crime. So..."

"So what?" Frade demanded.

"So the police need to take Eva to the police station to investigate," Mark says, glancing at me.

"To hell with the police," Frade roared. "I'll never let them set foot in the manor."

"Frade, calm down," I advised him. "It's not in our interest to go against the police right now. Let them in. They can't find Daley with their dogs."

Frade pondered silently for two minutes. He told Mark, "Tell the cops I need to talk to their boss first."

"OK. I'll let them know right away," Mark says and leaves.

Soon we saw two uniformed policemen in the living room, one tall with a buzz cut, the other small but shrewd-eyed. The two of them stood together like a dwarf beside a giant tree, looking so discordant.

"Hello, Mr Logan," said the little policeman, who introduced himself first, "My name is Eric, Chief of the West Side Police Department, and this is my deputy, Davy."

"Hello, Mr Logan," the tall policeman said to Frade, "We're sorry to have to disturb you, but we need to search the estate."

"Why search my home?" Frade slowly lit a cigar, ignoring the friendly hand extended by the two policemen.

"We suspect you have important prisoners on your property," Sheriff Eric said with a smile, "And that prisoner is not only your brother but also the lady's legal husband. We have reason to suspect that you are harbouring a criminal."

I took a deep breath. This Eric knows me. It is obvious that they came here prepared. They will not rest until they are allowed to search.

"Where's the evidence?" Frade glanced at Eric. "Is that the way the police do things when they break into a citizen's private home on suspicion?"

"A witness saw Daley leave the compound late last night," Eric said calmly, "We got a warrant this morning. Mr Logan, if you continue to obstruct our operations, I will arrest you for interfering with police business."

"I think you should talk to my lawyer before you act," Frade sneered.

"Frade," I whispered, "Let them search."

"This is a very understanding lady," Eric said, looking at me. "This won't take long."

"Then please take a good look," I said, glancing at Eric.

"We will," Eric ordered his deputy, Davy, "Let them in."

Police swarmed into the manor, and Frade arranged for Mark to keep an eye on them in order to avoid any privacy issues during the search.

Well-trained police searched the manor from top to bottom and even collected hair and fingerprints. Luckily, the maid cleaned Daley's room this morning and the police won't get what they want.

During the police search, Eric said to me, "Mrs Logan, we need you to cooperate with the police investigation."

When Frade tried to say no, I cut him off and motioned for him to stop talking.

"Of course, I'm willing to cooperate with the police."

"Let me go with you," Frade said worriedly.

"I'm afraid you can't go with her, Mr Logan," Eric said. "I'll need you to sign the papers after the search."

"I can sign it later," Frade said.

"I'm afraid that's not possible," Eric said firmly. "You must cooperate with us."

"Frade, it's okay," I assured him. "Just cooperate with the police. I'll be right back."

Frade hesitated for a while and finally agreed with my decision.

I got in the car with Eric and his deputy, went to the police station, and they put me in an interrogation room. Then a female police officer came and questioned me.

The policewoman, who identified herself as Lacey, tried to ask about me and Daley.

"When did you get married, and whether you knew Daley was running a drug business."

With the police requiring skill, she tried to catch me and press me for more information. I didn't answer many of the questions, even if the police asked many times, I still said 'I don't know'.

After nearly an hour of questioning, the policewoman finally lost her patience. She left the room with a stack of papers.

I was sitting alone in this cold interrogation room, and when I looked up, I noticed that there were cameras in all four corners of the room.

I had a hunch that someone was watching me through the camera. They were watching my reaction when I spoke and trying to find a flaw.

Maybe whoever's hiding behind that camera is Eric and his deputy. They must be discussing how to deal with me.

'Eva, take it easy. Stay Calm.'

I kept consoling myself. However, my palm even out of a cold sweat, uneasy feeling more and more intense.

The door opened and Eric walked in. I quickly stood up and asked him, "I think I have done my job. Can I leave now?"

Eric sat silently in the chair in front of me, his face cold, his pale grey eyes fixed on me.

"Is there a problem?" I asked.

"Mrs Logan," Eric said, crossing his fingers on the table, "I'm afraid you can't leave."

"Why?" I asked. "You have no right to detain me."

"Calm down,," he said, looking at me coldly as he threw a document in my face.

"This document is an indictment of you for the murder of your stepmother," Eric said, revealing his true colours, "If I remember correctly, you were wanted for murder. Unfortunately, the murder charge was dropped. Now it's back."

"What does that mean?" My hand clutched the table. "Why are the charges that were dropped reappearing?"

"That's a good question," Eric said, laughing as he fell back, "Because you're being charged with murder again, so let's talk about how you killed your stepmother."

I slumped in my chair. It turned out that the real target of the police was me.