Fade To Black: Shadows

Deadly Emotions

The cold steel touched his side. Austin jumped back from the chair but he sat back down afterward. All he could see was four grey walls staring at him, two chairs, a table and two strict detectives. 

"Why did you kill Vanz Harier?" Clara asked simply. 

"Shark's dead?" Austin questioned, his jaw dropping to the floor.

"You knew him personally?" Clara inquired, eyes piercing his soul. Austin began to shake.

"No I didn't but I met him in prison. We spoke a few times." By now his heart was racing, his pupils dilating, his pores oozing saltwater and his stomach curling.

"Besides where was he killed?"

"At your workplace," James replied coldly. Shoot, more hot water.

"But I wasn't at work," Austin stated,"you can check the punch-in cards, I was..." James pulled his phone out and placed it on the table.

The dreaded video played. Austin was in it. He was there. His alibi was null.

"Stop lying," James commanded, his face resembling that of a Drill Sargeant,"we know!"

The video played in the background. It seemed like it was replaying every second in Austin's head. A simple snare for simple pray.

"Why lie? We know this is you." James moved in on the suspect. His face six inches away from Austin's. Austin's stomach flipped. He looked at the monsters questioning him. He began to soften easily like gallium.

"Don't put me in jail,please," he pleaded." Look I did not'ing."

"But you lied to us," Clara recalled,"you're hiding something."

"Ok look," the weak man stuttered," I felt like something was gunna happen so I didn't clock in. So I went downstairs and when I saw Shark's body I left." Austin was in their hands. Soft and easy to mold like clay and easy to squeeze like lemons. Just like lemons some things were held back.

"So explain your fidgeting," James enquired. Austin finally broke.

"I helped the killer get out. He did something good OK."

"Black hoodie?"

"Yes."

"Thanks." James grabbed Clara and pulled her out of the room.

"It's Shadow," James concluded. From all of the vital evidence his beloved Sam gave him it had to be.

"James it could be someone else," Clara rebutted.James was set that it was and tried to persuade her but she wouldn't budge.

Clara and James met up with Mrs. Brooks. They took her to the side. She heard the dreaded words from her son and the duo. She had to the ask the obvious question.

"Will he be prosecuted?" The words were heavy on her tongue as her disappointment added weight.

"Yes he will," Clara replied,"he's an accomplice so he has to be." Mrs. Brooks turned away and dragged Jessica out of the room. James mouthed "Get a lawyer!" to poor Jessica as she looked back.

"So what do we do now?" Clara asked. At that moment Shinji appeared. They followed him in to the morgue.

The three stood over Shark's body. They had seen it already but they were still shocked by the disrespect and utter disregard given to his body.

"As you can see," Shinji began,"there are two inch holes in his hands. Also rust is present."

"Tetanus?" Clara asked.