The P.U.L.L || #Wattys2017

Chapter 18: Allies

Cars whizzed past around them as Joshua, Rick, and Emma looked at the side windows of the police car. A continuous sound of siren pierced to their ears on a sunny afternoon. The whole highway was directly lit by the sun shining at its peak. Because of their exhaustion, the heat wave really affected the three of them, making their heads ache terribly.

Once we get there, the police would ask us certain questions like why did we break in the house or what business do we have with the Quillers. They would probably ask us how we got there, but the probability of them asking that question is low. They might ask us about our escape but the probability of that is low as well. I guess we won't answer anything unnecessary. It would be easier if we just answer anything that they ask and leave it at that. Joshua began simulating in his mind everything that's going to happen once they arrive at the police station.

Emma held Joshua's hands tightly. Joshua winced in pain as Emma clenched it hard out of nervousness. He gently removed her grip and shook off his hands.

Rick, on the other hand, just stared at the window as if he lived in a different world. He didn't speak nor move at all. His gaze was fixed and his leveled head stayed that way.

Before they knew it, the police car screeched to a halt, scattering dust all around it. They have reached the police station, at last. The three of them didn't know how to react.

They knew that they would be questioned soon.

"We're here." One of the policemen said. "Get out of the car and follow the investigator right over there and prepare for questioning."

They got out of the car and followed the investigator as they were told.

.....

The investigator ushered them inside the question room, but he didn't get in. The three of them went inside, getting nervous by the minute. They thought that the questioning will commence right after they got in the room, but no one was there. They found themselves in an empty dark room with table and chairs. A pale white light hung on the ceiling just above the table. It looked pretty much normal for a question room.

Meanwhile, the investigator went to his own private office and began typing on his computer. He knew that he couldn't question them unprepared, so he checked all their profiles based on the government records.

His eyes gaped in disbelief as the information of Joshua, Rick, and Emma was showed on the screen. He couldn't believe it. He dropped the pen and the paper that he was holding as more information was shown in the screen.

Emma? So that was Emma?! Why didn't I recognize her at first glance?  The investigator said to himself as he slammed the computer towards the keyboard out of nervousness, forgetting that it wasn't a laptop.

Crack! The computer went as he scurried out of his office.

The investigator immediately slammed the door open towards the question room. The three of them were quiet taken aback as he rushed to Emma and hugged her.

"I'm so sorry Emma, are you okay? Sorry I didn't recognize you when you got out of the police car. I was too preoccupied at the moment."

Joshua and Rick fell off their chairs in disbelief. They didn't expect the situation to happen.

Who is this  guy? And how come he knows Emma?  Joshua said to himself as he stood up and straightened his chair. Rick, seeing him regained his composure, copied what he did and both of them eased themselves on their chairs once again.

That voice? I know that voice. Emma thought as she tried to understand what was happening.

"U-u-uncle Tratzky?" Emma stuttered.

.....

Meanwhile, the police officers were quite taken aback as well as they watched everything that's happening in the question room from the side. They knew that he was the greatest investigator in the field, but how he had reacted greatly troubled them as they recorded everything that was being said from the room.

"U-u-uncle Tratzky?" Emma's voice said in the recording.

.....

"What brings you and your friends all the way to England." The investigator said after he eased himself on the chair. "Don't tell me, are you investigating on your own as well, regarding the kidnappers?" He whispered.

The three of them nodded.

"So, you broke into the Quillers' house to investigate as well?" He asked. "Funny how you were able to beat the security of that place. Anyway, did you find anything?"

"We did, but we're not giving you any information, not until our innocence is cleared." Emma stated.

The investigator looked at Rick and Joshua. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am investigator Karl Tratzky, Emma's uncle. Nice to meet you, Rick and Joshua."

He reached out his hand to them. Rick and Joshua shook it in response.

I guess Emma should do the talking here right now, we don't know what is happening here. Well, I guess he was really Emma's uncle but...I'll let Emma handle the situation this time.  Joshua said to himself.

"You don't have to worry about that, Emma. The fact that you are a close friend of Gladiola explains a lot. " He said. " And you don't have to share any information. In fact, I'd be glad to share anything that I had dug up while privately investigating myself." He whispered to Emma as he did a thumbs up sign.

The investigator exited the question room and went straight to the recording room just beside it. After giving a few words to the police officers there, the officers agreed to free Joshua, Rick, and Emma and put them under the investigator's custody since they don't have any guardians in England that are recorded in the government's files. After signing a few papers, the investigator quickly headed to the question room to pick up the three of them. He sighed in relief for this has been the shortest questioning that he had ever done.

The door to the question room opened once again, revealing the investigator on the doorway.

"Come on, let's go home." The investigator said. " We have a lot of things to talk about."

"Go home? You mean, the questioning is done?" Rick exclaimed.

"Yup, I had a hard time explaining everything to everyone though. So if they happen to change their minds about their decision? Then, who knows what will happen next. You might be imprisoned for two years at the least, for trespassing the Quillers' property, you know." He said, trying to threaten the three of them.

"So, what did you tell them, uncle?" Emma asked as she stood up from her chair.

"Nothing much, I just told them that I let you check how the security at the Quillers is doing. I think the security right now would have a serious nagging from the government though, since they were beaten by three teenagers. But I had no choice. I cannot bear to let the three of you go to jail, you know." He replied.

"After all, I need allies to defeat the kidnappers." He continued.