I Checked Out the Badboy's Boxers

(26) Suspecting

[INTERVIEWER] I am correct in you stating you had nothing to do with this incident that occurred sometimes in the late hours two days ago?

[SUSPECT] That is correct, sir.

[INTERVIEWER] Where were you at that time? Please describe in detail.

[SUSPECT] I was with my friend at-

[INTERVIEWER] This friend's name is?

[SUSPECT] Parker Jansen.

[INTERVIEWER] Noted. Please continue.

[SUSPECT] We were hanging out at the mall for a while. I can't remember why we went. I haven't seen the kid in a while. I can't remember.

[INTERVIEWER] At what time did you leave your home to meet him?

[SUSPECT] Around two. I think.

[INTERVIEWER] Were you filed as under the influence of anything, alcohol or drug related?"

[SUSPECT] Parker drank. I did not.

[INTERVIEWER] Was this Parker Jansen in the car with you at the time of the collision?

[SUSPECT] No, no he was not.

[INTERVIEWER] So it is to assume he drove himself home?

[SUSPECT] Uh, yeah, I think so.

[INTERVIEWER] You are aware that he was under the influence and that if he could be linked to this, you could potentially be charged as well?

[SUSPECT] Look, cmon man, I just want to go home.

[INTERVIEWER] Unfortunately, you need to be held here until we can piece together the full story of what occurred that night.

[SUSPECT] I told you, I had nothing to do with it.

[INTERVIEWER] Where did you go after departing?

[SUSPECT] I went home.

[INTERVIEWER] Sir, could you please stop fidgeting? We are trying to conduct this interview in the most pleasant way possible.

[SUSPECT] Well nothing can be pleasant when you're treating me like a fucking prisoner!

-

"Mase. Cmon."

"Lexa, I told you I'm not going." He looks at me, his eyes welling slightly at the corners, "I need to be here."

"You're coming with me. We're gonna crash at Elle's place while she stays here with Jared."

He gets up slowly, "Only since you're coming with me." He smirks.

"Oh, shut up." I roll my eyes, "She has good nurses looking after her right now. Is Elodie still your neighbor?"

"Yes. She doesn't need to know. She's..too innocent for this. She's a little girl. She doesn't need to know that the world is so much more than butterflies and rainbows. It, well, it sucks balls." He leans across the bed and kisses his mother's forehead, before crossing the room and pausing in the doorframe, waiting for me.

I follow him, "Mason Derivan, you're something else."

"I want to drive." He says.

"I want to live." I mutter, "You haven't slept in three days, you'd fall asleep at the wheel."

He nods, climbing into the passenger seat, and he's out within minutes.

I hum along quietly to the tinkling radio and continue the rest of the way to the apartment building.