Blaze

Distrustful Assumptions

~_____~

A narrow strip hallway funneled around them as they trekked down the hallway. Officer Choi was in a meeting and would be with them later. As they walked down the hallway with the lead of the officer in charge it was explained to them that the gang were just being interviewed.

"What's the process?" Donghae asked.

Process? Lay wasn't aware there were other interrogation methods used at the Detention Hall. He only knew of the watch room and the question room below. If they conducted things differently here, Lay felt really surprised. For the first time he really felt like he was stepping on different territory, none he'd been on before.

The way Donghae managed his works and how he was linked to all these facilities tended to amaze Lay to no end. He felt like Donghae was a really capable man despite all the arguments that went on and off between him and Victoria. It led him to wonder what kind of relationship the two had and why there was so much tension between them. Was it because they both held high titles in the group that they felt the need to compete for the lead? Or were there perhaps other matters mixed between all this?

"We're currently planning on doing one-on-ones," the officer replied, "but since there are so many of them, Officer Choi is best thinking of a way to get around it."

"One-on-ones are too time consuming," Donghae agreed.

"One-on-ones led to more accurate results," Victoria butted in, "they conspire with each other if interrogated in groups of two or more."

Donghae swiftly turned to eye Victoria with distaste without the slightest movement of his head.

"Get me a room," Donghae ordered the officer, "bring two who seem most in charge of the gang in."

"But that..." the officer began, but Donghae's eyes grew stern with silent threat and business. The officer's courage seemed to wilt under Donghae's authority before he immediately bent forward, "Yes, sir."

Lay turned to watch when the officer started back down the hallway they'd come from before twisting around to see Victoria step up to Donghae.

"What do you think you're doing?" Victoria hissed.

Donghae tilted his head somewhat to look at her, "I'm getting things done. Have you tagged along to pester and interfere or are you here to do your job?"

Victoria pursed her look with irritation on her face. Lay wondered if they never tired of going against each other; almost as if it were a routine night and day.

Clearing his throat he said, "You two could be mistaken for newlyweds arguing."

The two immediately stared at him, expressions of disgust and calling him stupid lit their faces. Lay had meant it as a joke in hopes of lightening the atmosphere, but even Victoria didn't give him the slightest laugh. Realizing the joke failed he licked his lower lip.

"Should we go?" Lay said.

A few minutes later they were waiting inside a room the size of a casual office big enough for two shelves, a drawer, and a desk. All that was, except it was empty and bare but with a white table and two chairs. After aligning one of the chairs next to the other one and making sure they were against the wall so that the two gang members could sit facing them, Donghae leaned against the wall and stared at his watch. Victoria actually stood far enough from him with crossed arms staring into space.

The two were knocked back to the present when the door opened and two officers led the handcuffed prisoners in. They were limping due to the shot wounds in their legs, but despite that they looked ragged, upset, and irritated to have been brought there. The lead officer with them earlier walked in after them and ordered them seated. He reached for the handcuffs around their wrists with a key.