Rachel Shore's Answers

Chapter 4: The Pendulum Drops

I let them handcuff me and didn’t say much. They led me to an interrogation room.

“We believe that you are connected to the murder of officer James Richland. You were contacting him and an anonymous report shared that you were seen fighting in the vicinity.”

It felt like a lie. There's no way he's dead. I don't know what to say. He can't be dead. My one ally in this fight to find my brother. I felt a tear fall down my cheek and tried to compose myself.

“He can’t be dead. Are you sure?” as I said this I realized that I should have my lawyer present for this.

“He was found dead this morning and we have reason to believe you are the perpetrator. Where were you around 12:30 last night?”

“I would like a lawyer” I said feeling very conflicted. All I wanted to do was help them find out who did this but I really don’t want to go to prison for something I didn’t do.

“I will find proof. Solid proof of what you did and will not give you any mercy” the officer said as he stormed out of the interrogation room.

I had to wait for several hours before my lawyer showed up. When I was finally alone I started to cry. I felt horrible. It is my fault he's dead. I wanted answers and I dragged him into it. Apparently he was really close to finding the answer. I sat pondering this. If I had kept researching would I be dead now? Wait, no I wouldn't because I could never put the pieces together myself. As I continued to think about the shocking news I heard footsteps coming my way and the door opened.

“Hello, my name is Mike Bronzwell.  I will be representing you."

"Hi. I'm Rachel Shore"

"I need you to be completely honest with me about what you did. It will be confidential. The more I know the better I can represent you.”

I was mildly concerned because I don't think he will believe that I'm innocent.

“I don’t know what all to share so I will probably overshare. I met Richland and he was helping me on a case. He said that he was finding more information and almost had solid evidence. I was really excited because I have some personal investment in this case. I thought all was going well until I found out this morning that he’s dead.” As I talked I could feel the tears starting to roll out of my eyes. Why is this so hard for me? “He was my only chance to find out what happened to my brother. The only person who believed me. Why would someone do this? This is so unfair!” I don’t know why I felt like those details were important but I did nonetheless.

“So what you are trying to say is that you are innocent? Where were you last night and can anyone prove it?”

“I was in my apartment. It was night time. There should be some proof that I was in there from the cameras outside. They would have seen me come in and not come out. I don’t have a roommate though so no one saw me.”

“I'll see what I can find. I will help you prove your innocence.”

“I know they want to interrogate me. What should I say?”

“Honesty is always best. I will look at you when you should answer and interrupt when you shouldn’t.”

The interrogation started about the same as last time with the same guy telling me that I am the top suspect in a murder.

“What reason do we have to believe you are innocent?”

“I was at my apartment asleep when he was killed. Maybe there is security footage you can look at.”

“How do you know when he was killed?”

“Because you are asking me about where I was last night. He was killed sometime last night. Right?”