"You say he merely showed up at your door and said someone had shot him?"
"Yes sir."
"But he didn't say who?"
"No sir."
"Didn't describe him at all?"
"He was rather preoccupied with trying to stay alive."
The man raised his eyebrow. "You will reply with either yes or no."
I looked him straight in the eye. "No sir, he did not describe his attacker."
"Thank you. About what time did this take place?"
"Around noon."
"Yes, that would be right. I have here from the doctor that he died around half past." He looked up from his papers to me again. "How long did you say he was alive after entering your house?"
"Only a few minutes, sir."
"And you did not call 911?"
I clenched my teeth. "My sister asked me to, but as I was then informed by this martyr that he was already going and there was no point in dialing, I focused my attention on others things like comforting my sister and calling up a friend of hers, after which I rang up the police."
The man jotted something down with a disapproving sound. I shifted uncomfortably. This was not looking too good. I wondered whether Dalia would make it through her questioning.
"So the events were as follows: Eberstark shows up at your door, says he was shot, and almost immediately dies. Is that about right?"
"Yes sir," I managirls nod. "Your relationship with Mr. Eberstark?"
"He had helped me when a friend had gone missing, and we became good friends."
"The, ah, investigation he helped you with was successful?"
"Yes sir." It took a great deal of self control to leave my response at that. He was looking for motives. Well, if I had known who the murderer was, I daresay I would have been guilty with murder before long. The inspector frowned at his notes and then opened a box containing both my and Chris's guns. "These two firearms were found on the scene, one on you and one on Eberstark. They have both been identified as being owned by each of the said carriers. May I ask your motive for carrying a firearm?
Oh, for Pete's sake! I thought to myself. They had already confirmed that neither gun was the weapon that killed him, so why should I be inclined to tell them why I carried a gun?
"I'll answer you." I responded bitterly. "But only to defend my position." He raised an eyebrow and I continued. "I carry that gun in order that I might defend myself and others against the cruelty of this world. I want to be able to protect my sister, I want to be able to protect my girlfriend, I wish I had been there to be able to protect Chris Eberstark. Listen, one day I came home and found the victim of a terrorist attack in my basement. Then, because of the stupidity of a certain policeman, they got her back. Chris helped me go after them, helped me notonly see her safely home, but rescued all the rest of these young women aswell, and captured these terroriststo turn them in! And now you're practically accusing me of murdering him!"
"I never made any such accusation." The man replied. I stood up from my chair and yelled, "It was implied!"
"Sir, please, lower your voice, there is no need for violence. I understand that you may feel as though your personal life is being invaded, and I really do apologize for the inconvenience, but it's a thing that must be done. Now please, have seat." He gestured to the chair and I slowly lowered myself into it. I really wouldn't mind if they did execute me for murder, if it weren't for Dalia and Isabelle. Dalia in particular needed me. I wondered whether she would make it through her interrogation all right. The investigator was letting me go now..."Sir?"
He looked up from his notes. "Yes?"
"Is it alright if I am present for my sister's questioning? This is a great shock to her and I just fear she might be unstable. I'll not say a word."
He considered this. "If I refuse you, will you go into another rage?" He asked, more in jest than reality.
"No." I replied matter-of-factly. "But I'll tell you what I will do; I'll take my sister and I'll move to a different country."
He raised his eyebrow amusedly. "Very well, you may be present."
I exited the room, and the first thing I noticed was Dalia, pale and quiet in the corner. She looked up when I came in, and I crossed over to her and embraced her. She said nothing but shuddered as I held her tight. "Shh, Day, it'll be alright." I drew back and kissed her forehead. "They're going to let me stay with you for the questioning. You'll have to talk to them, though, alright?"
Dalia nodded, still not saying a word. I sighed and squeezed her hand comfortingly just as they were beckoning her in.
Dalia made it through her questioning alright. She kept hold of my hand the entire time and whispered the answer to all the questions. She nearly broke down once, but I gave her hand an extra squeeze and she swallowed and whispered an answer.
It pained me to see her burdened so. I wanted to do something, but I knew that beyond loving her, the only thing that could heal this wound was time.
