Walk Through Thorns

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The room stunk of cigarettes. Even the ceiling was stained brown from smokers. There was a metal d-ring on the table, perhaps to handcuff suspects to.

I could hear the cop's hacking cough as he came down the hallway. As soon as he opened the door, I stood to stare him down.

"Its been hours. What is going on?"

His eyes narrowed. I could see the sweat dripping down his neck. He was thin, like someone who was starving. "Take a seat. I need to ask you some questions."

I didn't sit yet. "Am I under arrest?"

"No," he answered, but when I made to move he said, "I didn't say you could leave."

"What? But—"

The aluminum chair squealed as he pulled it back. He didn't sit though, he leaned forward staring into my eyes. I flinched from his gaze, but he still hadn't blinked.

"What's going on?" I asked, "Where is Greta?"

He put a manilla file folder down on the desk. "That's what we are trying to figure out."

My heart was sinking. Shouldn't they have found her by now?

The cop, Lt. Gordon, said, "What happened between you and Greta?"

I said, "Nothing. Victoria splashed us with blood!"

Lt. Gordon said, "Is there anyone outside of your friends who can corroborate your story?"

H didn't look up from his notepad. He just made a a few notes while clearing his throat over and over.

"You don't think I did anything wrong, do you?" I fought back hot tears, welling up behind my eyes.

Lt. Gordon looked up from his notepad. He was silent for a moment as he set his pen down. As though he were choosing his words with care. "We are considering all possibilities right now."

That didn't make sense. In fact, it was completely insane.

I said, "You're wasting your time asking me questions. You need to form a search party. She could be hurt."

Lt. Gordon picked up his pen and made another note. "Is there any reason you think she is hurt?"

Greta's oma had warned me. The Children of the Briarheart. They were the police. Everything I said right now was just entrapping me. But could I trust Howard?

"Fine," I said, "I want a lawyer then."

Rather than calling a lawyer for me, they just cut the interview short. I had a suspicion that wasn't legal, but Brandon and Avery were waiting out front for me. The police station's exterior lights were so old they had a yellow tint.

I asked, "Did they grill you too?"

Avery said, "No, they barely asked me anything. We've been waiting out here for you."

Brandon had given Avery his leather jacket. Our breath came out as mist.

"They were treating me like I'm a suspect," I said.

Avery looked away. One of the station lights flickered as the bulb died.

I said, "Come on, I was with you the whole night!"

She said, "That doesn't mean it's not your fault."

That was really unfair of her.

Brandon waved his arm between us and said, "Hey, we're tired, let's not start an argument."