In Charlotte's Eyes

ONE: Parker Investigated

The day went. The next day came. Noon was upon the world, an overcast sky in the air. A chilling breeze wafted inconsistently, which did nothing to dull Parker’s anxiety over this situation. He kept agonizing what they were going to ask him. But he knew that this had to be about Charlotte. It had to.

He stepped out of his car. As he walked towards the police station, his lips began quivering. His brows were unsteady. His palms were uneasy.

He opened the door. The same lipstick woman that was there last time he came was here. She looked up at him. He nervously approached her. “Hello, uhm,” He gulped silently and quickly. “I’m here for an interview.”

The woman nodded, seeming to already know what he was referring to. “That's great—you're Parker Robins, then?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

“Alright, great. I'll just get you checked in here, then I can help escort you to the interrogation room.”

He looked away, uneasy. “-Sure.”

A few moments passed, Parker didn't pay attention to what the woman was doing. Her chair slid back, and that's when his eyes returned to her. She stood up and opened the door to the left of the front desk. “Come with me.”

Parker obeyed, fidgety. He was eager, but nervous.

After taking him up a short flight of stairs, she directed him down a hallway. “Just down here. Officer Ledger is waiting for you.” They walked down the hallway together, to the fourth door down. “In you go.” She muttered, opening the door for him.

It creaked open eerily. The room was black and blue, not very welcoming. This only spiked his nervousness. It made him forget to thank the lady who helped him get here. He took a few steps inside, looking around at the dimly lit room.

There was a wooden table, along with three chairs: an open one for him, and two for the two officers in the room. The one sitting across from the open chair was a woman; a black audio recorder. She had a welcoming, but neutral expression. The other officer Parker recognized. Parker couldn't remember his name, but he remembered him from his last visit here. He had made fun of Parker—taunted him, called him a crackhead. Did he seriously have to be here, of all people? He had a shit eating smirk on his face, clearly still not taking his situation seriously.

“Hi! How are you doing today?” The woman asked. The door shut, which startled Parker. He was more on edge than he thought.

He quickly took a seat in the chair across from her, putting a hand on his cheek to try to ease himself. “Fine. Uh,” He gulped. “Is this about Charlotte?” He bluntly asked.

“We'll get there in a second.” That didn't help. He folded his hands. “Anything you need before we start? Water?” Her brows were raised.

“Water- would be nice.”

The woman looked at the jerk officer. “Water?”

The guy nodded, his giant smirk still present. “You got it, boss.” He saluted, leaving the room.

Parker gave him a side eyed glare. He hadn't forgotten how that jerk had made him feel. The door closed. Thank God he was gone.

“My name is Ava Ledger, I'm with the missing persons unit at the Lucas county police department, all the way up in Ohio.” Ava was much more professional and well mannered than that other guy. It was a good sign. “Um, could you please state your name for the tape?”

He obliged. “Uh, Parker Robins.” He was getting antsy again. The other guy wasn't here. He wanted to get as much info as possible before he came back. “Is this about Charlotte?” His voice wavered subtly at the end of his sentence.