Werewolf Of FeverPeak

Chapter 7 - The Interrogation of Clara Bucker

Aiden jolted awake, the memories of last night's chaos flooding back-his encounter with the gargoyle at the deli, the terror in Detective Summers' eyes, and the haunting images of the Bucker family's tragic end. He rubbed a hand over his face, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep and dread. Today, he would be interrogating Clara Bucker, the last living connection to the gruesome events that had shattered her family.

After a quick shower and a strong cup of coffee, Aiden dressed in the same clothes he had worn the day before, this time adding a tie as he adjusted it in front of the mirror. He couldn't shake the feeling of urgency that gnawed at him; they needed to uncover the truth before the darkness consumed them all. As he arrived at the bustling police department, the tension was palpable. Officers hurried past, their voices a mix of hushed conversations and urgent commands. Aiden spotted Detective Summers at her desk, her brow furrowed as she pored over case files. She looked up as he approached, her expression a blend of determination and impatience.

"Ready to crack this case open?" Summers asked, her tone sharp.

"Let's hope so," Aiden replied, trying to keep his own anxiety in check. "Clara's waiting for us." They walked to the interrogation room, a small, sterile space that felt heavy with expectation. Clara sat at the table, her face pale and strained, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and defiance. Aiden could sense her vulnerability, and he knew they had to tread carefully.

"Clara, thank you for coming in," Aiden began, keeping his voice calm. "We're here to ask you some questions about your parents."

"I didn't do it!" Clara blurted, her voice trembling. "I loved them! I would never hurt them!"

"I believe you," Aiden said, making eye contact. "But we need to understand what happened. Can you tell us what you were doing the night they were killed?"

"I was with friends," she replied, tears brimming in her eyes. "I stayed the night at my friend's house and went to school with them. I didn't even know anything was wrong until the police came and got me in the middle of class."

"Did you hear anything unusual in the days leading up to the murders? Anything at all?" Aiden pressed gently.

"I... I heard strange noises from the woods," she stammered. "But I thought it was just animals. I never thought it could be anything more."

Summers leaned forward, her eagerness palpable. "What kind of noises? You need to be more specific, Clara. We can't close this case if you're holding back."

"Growling," Clara said, her eyes widening with fear. "It sounded... unnatural."

"Were there any people around? Anyone who might have had a reason to hurt your family?" Aiden asked, sensing an opening. Clara hesitated, her gaze darting around in thought.

"Well, there was the neighbor... Mr. Jensen. He helped us fix the back deck a week ago. My parents planned on inviting him and his son over for dinner to thank him."

"Mr. Jensen?" Aiden repeated, jotting down the name. "What do you know about him?"

"He seemed like an asshole if I'm being honest," Clara said, her voice shaky. "But I don't know much about him. Just that he was money-hungry and offered to help. But... now that I think about it, he did act strangely sometimes. Like he was hiding something."

Summers scoffed, clearly impatient. "And you didn't think to mention this sooner? You could be protecting a killer."

"Stop!" Aiden interjected, sensing the tension rising. "Clara, you need to understand that we're here to help you. But accusing you won't solve anything. If Mr. Jensen is involved, we need to gather more information first."

"Why should we give her the benefit of the doubt?" Summers argued, crossing her arms. "We have to consider every angle. If she's withholding information, it could jeopardize the investigation."

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Aiden countered, keeping his tone steady. "If Clara believes this neighbor could be involved, we need to look into it. But we can't arrest her without solid evidence. That will only create more chaos."

Clara looked at Aiden, her expression one of desperation. "I just want to find out what happened to my parents," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"We'll get to the bottom of this, I promise," Aiden reassured her. "But I need you to trust me. Tell us everything you can about Mr. Jensen."

Clara took a deep breath, her shoulders trembling slightly. "He lives two houses down. I don't know much about him, but he's always been friendly. I saw him in the yard a lot, fixing things and helping other neighbors."

"Did he ever act strangely toward you or your family?" Aiden asked, sensing a lead.

"Not really," Clara replied, shaking her head. "But... he did seem to hate when people tried to talk to his son. He never let him outside; it was a chore to get him to agree to allow his son over for dinner. And... sometimes, I would see his son watching me and my friends ride our bikes, like he was curious about us."

"Interesting," Aiden said, his mind racing with possibilities. "Summers, let's check out Mr. Jensen's background before we make any moves. We can't afford to make mistakes."

"I don't like this," Summers muttered, frustration evident in her voice. "We're chasing shadows, Aiden. You know that."

"We need to follow every lead, even if it feels off," Aiden insisted, meeting her gaze. "If Clara's right, we could be on the verge of uncovering something significant."

Clara nodded, her expression softening as she saw Aiden's determination. "I just want to find out the truth," she said, her voice steadier now.

"Then let's work together," Aiden replied, his resolve solidifying. "We'll investigate Mr. Jensen, and I'll make sure you're kept informed every step of the way."

Summers scoffed, grabbing his arm and leading him outside the interrogation room. "Aiden, this is our lead suspect in a homicide. We have to keep her out of the loop, and you want to bring her into it? What the hell are you thinking?"

Aiden smirked. "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you? I know what it is; you just want an easy win at any cost? Innocent until proven guilty, Detective-remember that!"

Summers stood closer to Aiden, her eyes fiery with frustration. "Aiden, be realistic. She's the only one who would have been in that home. Her own friends said she would constantly wish for her parents' deaths!"

"How many children wish for their parents' deaths because they're angry? Should we go out and arrest them? You're using a hunch to arrest this girl!"

Before the two could continue, Commissioner Richie stepped over. "Dammit, Aiden, open your eyes! This is our first clean-cut case we've had in a while. Just because you have a soft spot for orphaned children doesn't mean that should get in the way of your job. Leave your problems at the door. You're a detective, dammit!" Richie said in an exasperated rant.

"Now, Summers, I'm going to allow you to arrest her and take her down to the precinct. Have the judge figure out the rest. Good job, you two!" Aiden looked at Summers, who averted her gaze.

"Jesus, Richie, just give me more time! Let me look into this Jensen guy; it might be a lead." Richie looked at Aiden, wiping the sweat off his forehead with a napkin.

"Aiden, you do whatever you need to do. As of now, I've got my answers. It ain't my job to help you get yours, dammit!" Richie walked away, shaking his head as Summers handed Aiden the case file and returned to her desk. Aiden glanced back at the interrogation room door, then at the file in his hands.

"I'll get my own answers, I guess, but I don't think you're going to like it, Richie. Not... one... bit!"