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Chapter 31

   Chance and I went back and forth all night. I know he's telling the truth, I just got to get everybody else to know he's telling the truth. He's missing the point im trying to make. I know me being his wife is what's stopping him from fully understanding what im saying. I was in my office when Blake came in. Hey, I just wanted you to know Chance is here. Why you ain't send him in? He's not here for that reason, he's getting questioned right now. WHAT! Smith and Stevens are questioning him. Stevens is the Mayor of Minnesota, he's who I answer to. He hasn't visit the station in months. He comes maybe 3 times a year. I didn't even know he was here, I said. Who? Stevens, I didn't know he was in town. Aw, yeah he said he got in early this morning. He didn't send out no email saying he's visiting. He said it was urgent that he visit. When did you see him? Robin told me when I came in. So, Smith went on and issued the warrant for Chance? Yeah, Robin said they brought him in like 20 minutes ago. I'm shocked he didn't call me, well not really. Why you say that? We were up all night going back and forth about this case. I tried to tell him it's best if he comes in, do a lie detector test, and prove he's innocent. He wasn't feeling the idea. I don't really blame him, Blake said. You're his wife, he supposed to believe him no matter what. That's the point, I do believe him. It's the getting everybody else to believe him is the part im trying to get him to see. I wish it was something I could do. You know you won't be allowed to watch or hear the interrogation? Yeah, I know. I just hate this is happening to him right now. If he's innocent, he has nothing to worry about.

Mr. Washington good to see you again, Smith said. I wish I could say the same. This is Mayor John S. Stevens, im sure you've seen him on TV or in newspapers. I have, nice to meet you sir. Likewise, Stevens said. I'm sure you know why you're here, but for the record ill have to state it. You are listed as a suspect to some recent murders that occurred in and out of town, out of town mostly. You own a landscaping company, correct? Yes, that is correct. You do a lot of out of town business, correct? Somewhat, Chance said. Would you say you do more out of town business than in town business? It's pretty equal to say. Lately has it been more out of town? Not necessarily, Chance said. Within the last 3 weeks, how many times have you gone out of town for business? Can't really recall but I would say maybe twice. Where did you go, if you can recall? Seattle and Arizona, Chance said. That's interesting, Smith said. How so?

A woman was found dead on her porch in Colorado. Colorado is 20 hours away from Seattle. Then, 3 people were killed in Portland a few days after. Colorado is 23 hours from Portland. I'm assuming you're saying that to make a point. A very valid point that is, Smith said. And what point is that? You could have gone to Seattle for business, then went to Colorado late that night. Something could have triggered you and made you kill this woman. Still had some rage left you in, so you decided to drive to blow off some steam. That's when you ended up in Portland. You were still in rage, so you took it out on 3 people. That's an interesting theory, but it's a terribly wrong theory. How come it is? I saw on the news she was found dead on her porch around 4am. A few days later, 3 people were found dead in Portland around 1am. I was in Seattle for 2 days, which they were found dead 2 days after the woman in Colorado was found. I was back home around 6am, we live here in Minnesota. Portland is 24 hours away from Minnesota. IF I went to Portland to kill them, and they were found around 1am, there is no way I would have made it back home around 6am that same day. You sure you saw that on the news? You can pull it up on any news website if you like. It's kind of strange how your timeline matches up with the death timelines to make you look innocent. Especially considering the fact your wife is working this case. That's not strange, that's the truth. The truth always seems strange when you're being framed or falsely accused. Whichever one is more appropriate in this situation.

The most recent victim was somebody you knew, correct? Yes, Chance said. How long and how well you've know him? I've known him for about 5, 6 years maybe. He was a close friend to my sister. State her name please. I will not, Chance said. Y'all brought me in for questioning, not her. You know we can easily find out on our own? Well, that's what you going to have to do then. How was your relationship with the victim? We were pretty cool, Chance said. How well is pretty cool? Did y'all hang out together, pick up women at the mall, drink, smoke, what? I don't smoke, im a married man as you know, and we only hung out if we were at my sister's house. How well does your wife know him? Again, you brought me in for questioning. I'm missing out on business by being here. So, if you have any type of evidence that proves me to be guilty, just arrest me. That's right, you don't have any evidence. You brought me in for questioning based off a theory you got. A wrong theory at that. The real killer could be out adding another victim to the list. You're wasting time that we both know you don't have to waste. I think I've proved enough, enough for the Mayor to see you're not that good as you think you are. Now I see why you've been at the same position for 10 years. I'm always looking to help people if you ever consider a career change. I'm sorry for keeping you here Mr. Washington, Stevens said. You free to leave. It was nice meeting you Mayor, Chance said. Why did you bring him here knowing you don't have solid evidence? Everything was adding up, Smith said. Clearly it wasn't adding up enough for us to take down this killer.

I was beyond nervous not knowing what they were saying or what they were asking Chance. I hate it's nothing I can do to help him. Did you get anything? They let him go, Blake said. What happened? I'm not really sure, I just know they let him go. I can't believe Smith, I said while shaking my head. I told you, he wants your spot. Now, you see just how dirty he's willing to fight for it. We have to close this case, FAST! We're doing everything we can, Blake said. This not an easy case to break. While Blake and I were talking, Smith and Stevens came in. Hey Stevens, nice to you again. The same, congratulations on getting the Captain position. Thank you! Blake can you excuse us for a minute? Sure thing sir. I'm sure you aware that we questioned your husband. Yes, im aware. He wasn't convicted of anything, Stevens said. I know he's innocent, im sure he proved his self. I have a question, Smith said. What time did he get home from his business trip? I'm sure he told you, but ill tell you again. He got home around 6am. You sure? I think I know what time my husband got home. That's interesting, Smith said. What?

You weren't at home when he got home that morning. You spent the night at your mom's house, correct? Yeah but. So, how can you be so sure he got home at the time he said he did if you weren't there? You got home hours after he did, unless you have cameras at home or something. Is that correct, Stevens asked? Yes sir, that is correct. So, you lied about being sure on what time he got home. How do we know you won't lie about something else to cover for him? I know he's innocent, I said. Of course you're going to say that. I mean, that's your husband. Why would you say anything different? Did you inform him on this case? No, I said. You just lied about being sure you knew what time he got home. How do we know you're not lying now? It was taking every ounce of me to keep my cool right now. I can't lose it in front of Stevens. That'll make me seem defensive and that's the last thing I need right now. Smith, what point are you trying to prove right now? I'm just trying to verify your husband's story. And you know you can't do that, right? For one, im the Captain. 2, that's my husband. If I wanted to know what story he told you, so I could go alone with it; I would have listened to the interrogation. Since that is against the law, I can't do that. Just like I can't discuss this case with him. Especially now, since you've labeled him as a suspect. Smith you can leave now, Stevens said.

I apologize for Smith's actions. It's not your place to apologize for him. He's been after this Captain's position for years now. When I was voted to be the next Captain, he was furious. He's been doing everything he can to make me look like im a bad Captain. Well, don't you worry about him. You're doing a great job. Thank you sir! I'm not going to put any pressure on you to find this X killer. I know you've been stressing out enough over this case. You have no idea sir. I know it's tough, ive been in this position before as well. The higher you climb, the more difficult it is to stay on top. Keep doing what you're doing. Thank you! I was so pissed Smith tried to play me in front of Stevens like that. He dead ass wrong and im going to deal with him. Right now, I need to get home and talk to Chance. Hey baby! Chance didn't respond, he just kept watching tv. I heard you were brought in for questioning. Chance still didn't respond. So, you not going to talk to me? Kaydence, what you want me to say? Tell me what happened. What's to tell? I'm being considered as a murderer, a murderer that killed people you knew. I missed a very important meeting today because I was getting questioned. What else you want me to say? You can't be mad at me or blame me. How come I can't? Because I warned you that you were being looked at as a possible suspect. I didn't want you finding out without you hearing it from me first. I told you everything, which I could get in a lot of trouble for. I'm putting my career on the line trying to protect you. Protect me from what! I haven't done shit to where you have to protect me. You the reason Smith came at me the way he did. How is that my fault? I'm not doing this, Chance said. No, talk to me. We've talked enough about this last night. I'm not talking about it no more. I haven't done shit, end of discussion. Chance walked out the house and slammed the door. He slammed the door so hard, our wedding picture fell off the wall. This just went from bad to worse.