Her Secret| ✓

09

The most important thing to remember is, you're mad, and everyone else is insane. - Mad Hatter

Talk To Me - Cavetown
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"ONE MORE TIME FOR the recorder, Ward," Larson said, swearing under his breath. He told himself he could not recall her scent, sitting across from her. And those eyes, he shook himself and refused to let himself to break down.

Diana Ward placed her empty mug on the living room table, the coffee had run out and she had run out of things to say. Today's meeting is a formality, Diana reminded herself as she shut her eyes to the world.

"I am not sure exactly what you want from me, captain Larson," Diana managed in a steady voice, she licked her lips and focused on his iridescent eyes, damp air blustering through the open windows. Larson straightened and worked his jaw, crossing one leg over the other as he stared at the wall behind Diana in exasperation, too tired to wrestle with her.

At the risk of sounding like a lunatic, Diana refrained from asking if he was quite certain Natalie Gideon was dead, again. "I cannot explain why I think she is alive, only that I do. She was alive last time I saw her; I do not know any more than that. Can't you understand?" She asked emphatically.

"I do understand, Diane, this must be a trying time for you. However, I need you to recall the events of January the fifteenth," Larson said in a thin voice, he suddenly felt regret for opting to question Ward alone, he wanted the truth—would it really be that difficult?

"Her mother needs closure, you need closure," He said in a much softer voice, Diana gawked open-mouthed at him but before she could say anything, he had replaced his tough exterior.

"There are eyewitness accounts that place you near the park at the time of death. Can you explain your reason for being at Carkeek park that night?" He asked again, more forceful than he would have liked, he shifted in his seat and offered her an apologetic wince.

"Captain, I have told you everything I know. What else could you possibly want from me?" Diana asked in a diffident voice, gesturing vaguely. Deep in his eyes, Diana could see his earnest plea, almost felt his words in the air. "You can do better than that."

Is it even worth it anymore at this point? Larson asked himself as he repetitively tapped his shoe against the floor. You are always holding back; do you even know want the truth?

"Answer the question, please," He said with a long, drawn-out sigh. Larson could sense it, a subtle change in the wind, something seemed different about Diana. It was a small uncertainty, an insignificant doubt in the back of his mind—for now.

"Of course, anything that will help," Diana said nodding, distraction in the hall to her left pulled her attention away. Alec stood in the doorway; his casual jacket draped over one shoulder. He must be on his way out, she considered his mysterious, almost warning grin for a moment before flicking her eyes to his. Cold amber eyes stared back, leaving a chill in her chest, he stared right through her.

Opposite Diana, Larson unpretentiously watched their exchange and an odd thought occurred to him: from the efflux way they looked at each other they were like to halves of a different puzzle somehow fastened together. Larson was reminded of fitting half an orange and half an apple together, it left an unsatisfactory impression on him.

Larson had not been aware he was still staring at Alec until the barely younger man shifted his eyes on him, an ungenuine smile plastered on his face. Larson scrutinised his features and cleared his throat, hoping he had not appeared too obvious.