All That's Left

Chapter 32 | Dorian

The buzzing fluorescent lights of the police station felt harsher than usual, adding to the pressure building inside me. I sat there in silence, my knee bouncing up and down restlessly as I waited for answers. The officers were murmurming to each other, their voice too low to hear. Every second that passed felt like a lifetime.

Finally, the officer in charge, Detective Marshall, turned toward me and my father. "We've managed to figure out how Lucas got out of prison. Mr. Brüner managed to get the judge to grant Lucas bail, and then he used his connections to push it through quickly. Lucas Reane has been a free man for about a week."

A week.

That bastard has been walking around, planning God knows what, for a whole week, while we had no clue. I clenched my fist so tightly my nails dig into my palms, trying to control the rage bubbling beneath my skin.

Marshall continued, "We're bringing Mr. Brüner and his daughter in for questioning. Based off what you told us, we have reason to believe Eliana Brüner orchestrated Lucas' release."

My father put a hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me down, but his grip only made me more anxious. I didn't need comfort right now. I needed Vania back, safe and sound.

The officer must have seen the anger in my eyes, because he added, "Look, I get you're worried, kid, but Lucas won't harm Vania if he's obsessed with her the way you say. We believe his fixation might keep her safe for now."

I snapped. "Then what will he do, officer?" My voice rose. "He took picture of her while she was getting dressed. Maybe he won't kill her, but he sure as hell won't listen to her when she begs him to stop. Is that what you're waiting for? For him to hurt her in some other way before you act?"

Marshall had the decency to look uncomfortable. He shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. "We've put a BOLO on Lucas, and we have officers controlling traffic on the major roads. He won't get far."

It wasn't enough. None of this was enough.

The detective's next words cut through my thoughts. "Eliana Brüner is in the interrogation room now. She's been asking for you-refusing to speak to anyone else."

My heart dropped into my stomach. Of course, Eliaan would be involved in all this. I had my suspicions that she had something to do with all of this, but hearing that she wanted to talk to me sent a sick feeling through my veins.

I looked up at Marshall. "You want me to talk to her?"

He nodded. "She's not giving us anything, but she keeps saying she'll talk to you. It might help us figure out where Lucas is taking Vania."

"Fine. Let's get this over with."

My father gave me a hesitant look, but I didn't care. I needed answers, and if Eliana was the one holding them, I'd get them out of her.

The officer led me down a narrow hallway to the interrogation room. As I reached the door, I hesitated for a second, steeling myself. I wasn't sure what I was going to say, but I knew one thing-Eliana's lies wouldn't fool me this time.

I pushed the door open, and there she was, sitting at the metal table, her face streaked with mascara and her eyes red from crying. She looked up when I entered, her lips trembling like she was about to start sobbing again.

"Dorian," she breathed, relief flooding her expression as if I were some kind of savior.

I shut the door behind me and stayed standing. I wasn't going to sit across from her like we were still friends.

"Where's Vania?"I asked, my voice cold.

Her eyes flickered, and she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "I-I told you, Dorian. I don't know. Lucas said he would take her away."