Agent Kelly Tomlinson

Twenty Five

"What's wrong?" Ryan greeted me at my car door when I pulled up to Rita Ora's home.

Even before I said hello to him, he could see right through my facade. It wasn't that anything was really wrong per say. I just had a lot on my mind.

"Lottie decided to pop in last night and say fuck you," I hopped out of the car and walked by Ryan's side up the walk way. There were a couple of personally selected security guards standing outside the house for Ora's safety, understandably. "I've got so much to tell you."

We showed one of the guards our badges before he let us slide in the front door. Her front door led to a foyer, equally as large as Louis and Harry's. To my right, a spiral staircase that led upstairs to a hallway that overlooked the foyer. She had a beige marble theme going on. I also noticed some expensive and famous looking paintings hanging on the wall.

"You must be Agent Kelly and Agent Benson. Rita and her mother are waiting in the kitchen area." A woman officer walked us to where Rita and her mother were. Rita looked exactly like her pictures. Naturally beautiful with very little physical flaws. Although, the cut underneath her temple caught my attention. It was dark brown, most likely scarring over. Her eyes were dull as if the light was sucked out them, her skin was pale, and her hands were tightly wrapped around a hot mug of tea. Her mother sat next to her. She looked equally as exhausted, but there was a clear difference in the kinds of suffering these two had gone through the past month. Beside them was a skinny male with gelled hair and a brief case. "This is Will Laeson. He is representing Rita during any kinds of questioning."

"A lawyer?" Ryan questioned.

"They know you mean no harm," The officer assured. "But they just want to make sure he's present at all times when the case is being discussed."

"That's fair," I nodded. "Thank you." Ryan and I approached the kitchen table and stood behind two chairs across from the broken women. Interviewing victims had always been a weak spot for me because I always sympathized with them and felt myself becoming biased to the case. "Miss Ora?" I said. "My name's Agent Kelly and this is my partner Agent Benson. Do you mind if we sit?"

Rita nodded and motioned to the seats in front of us with her hand. "I was told you would be coming today. I've heard about you guys before. You guys are good."

I smiled tightly. "Thank you. How are you feeling? Was your flight home comfortable?"

"Yes, thank you."

Ryan said, "Miss Ora -"

"You can call me Rita." She cut in sheepishly. Her voice was light and shy.

Ryan smiled at her warmly. "Rita. We're going to be asking you some questions that are going to make you think back to when you were taken. If you ever want to take a break or feel uncomfortable, you can let us know. Okay?"

I nodded along with Ryan. Usually, Ryan was the tough guy not very in touch with his soft side, but when it did come out, it was enough to make anyone swoon and become comfortable with any situation.

"Okay," Rita agreed. Her mother nodded as well and rubbed her daughter's back supportingly.

"What do you remember from the night you were taken?" I asked, trying to keep my voice as soft as possible, but I was anxious to squeeze all the information out of her. However, I tried to hide that emotion from my voice.

"Chaos," Rita looked down at the table, closing her eyes to get a picture of that night. "Smoke. I felt hands around my arms. I assumed it was one of the guards getting me out of there. But then it got quiet and my mouth was taped shut and a bag over my head. I was thrown into some trunk, I think. It smelled like cigarettes and fast food. I blacked out for a little bit, and when I opened my eyes again, I was in some building. It looked like a corporate building."