Capturing Ella

Chapter 8 - Joe

'You're a bit late, Joe, but better late than never,' Susan said. Susan was one of the big bosses in this place, a very tardy lady in her mid-fifties but a very fair person. She will apologise if she's wrong or steps out of line, but will not back down if you've done something wrong.

'I am sure it was your brother's fault as appose to yours.' She shook her hair, her greying bob cutting the lines of her cheekbones. It was clear to see she had a soft spot for Jake, as Jake treated her more as a motherly figure than everyone else, and has even managed to get her quite jokey a few times since I started – something that hasn't happened since her brother died at the hands of a very evil mass murdering Savant two years after Maui was established. I looked over to the window, seeing the man being questioned already strapped up, the recorder recording and the girl sitting in front of him. From this side, I could only see her straight blonde hair falling down her back and stopping just past her shoulder blades – a wonderful natural colour with different shades mixed in. She was sitting cross legged on the chair, with a spotty black and white backpack next to her. In front of her, a clipboard with a plain sheet of paper.

'They haven't started questioning the man yet. Ella's just been getting a base line for herself so she can gauge the reactions properly when you go in. Here are the questions she wants you to ask,' Susan handed me two sheets of paper that were clearly ripped from a notepad or something. Ella's handwriting was neat and block, but italic at the same time.

'Do you know about the case, Mr. Matthews?' Susan asked, looking back through the window and smiling fondly at Ella's back. Clearly, she was a fan of Ella too. I frowned at the formal use of my last name.

'Jake mentioned it was about a man who telekinetically stabbed his wife? Seems quite tricky to convict.' I said, and Susan nodded.

'Correct. We need to him say it which is why we hoped you and Ella can crack him together. She can get under your skin if you're not careful and that's what we need. But yes, an argument about money led to him stabbing his wife multiple times – four, to be precise – telekinetically with a bread knife. You ready, son?' She asked, and I nodded. I wasn't going to think twice about the "son" comment as it's hard to double guess a woman who's been working for Scotland Yard for over three decades.

'In you go then,' Susan said, and I pushed open the interview room. I blinked against the harsh white room, before closing the door. Both the suspected man, and the girl, looked at me and I felt my heart flutter when I looked at Ella. 

Jake was definitely right, she is pretty. Very pretty. Her hair was pushed back, and had a small curl where she obviously tucks it behind her ear like she had done a few moments ago, but it had fallen back out again. Her eyes were a fascinating grey green mix which I could find myself getting lost in if I had a chance and the mixture of freckles across her nose and following the line of her cheekbones were adorable. She sucked her lips for a second, as she eyed me up and down, and a large dimple appeared on her left cheek. That's it – she was absolutely stunning and almost model like. I was quite near the observation deck and could hear a very faint and small sound of a female squeal. I wouldn't ask – I could question who was watching later.

'Is this your partner then, kid?' The man asked, as I took the seat next to her. The man we were questioning was overweight, with a pathetic attempt at a beard and hawk-like hazel eyes, watching my every movement as I sat down. The top of his head was balding but the side's hadn't got the message, leaving him looking like there was a bald island.

'Indeed,' She said, and whilst I could hear the American in her accent, it wasn't entirely composed and had hints of English as well, and an articulated tone.