Falling For The Suspect ✔️

Chapter 5 ~ Sage

SAGE'S POV

I watch as Chase stalks past me and heads towards the door. He doesn't even look back at me as he walks through the glass doors. I mean, why would he? He probably thinks I'm such a creep. First I take his seat and then I crash into him at the police station.

And I thought today couldn't get any worse! Well, I suppose it wasn't too bad. Alice was nice and introduced me to two of her other friends who seemed equally as sweet. In fact, my first day at my new school was quite alright if you excluded my two encounters with Chase Rivers. Oh, and also being referred to as 'The girl who sat in Chase River's seat,' in the hallways. I mean seriously, what is this school? It's just a seat!

Suddenly, a young police officer walks out of a nearby office and gives me an odd look. Only then do I realise how strange I look. I'm still sitting on the cold, tiled floor of the town's police station. I've dropped my bag containing a file my father left at home and asked me to quickly rush in. I give the officer a sheepish grin and quickly hurry to pick up the bag I dropped when I crashed into Chase Rivers. Or Chase Rivers crashed into me. Whichever really.

As I walk down the hallway in search of my father's office I begin to wonder why Chase was at the police station to begin with. Maybe someone stole something from him? Like maybe a dog, or his car or... his seat. I push that thought out of my head, knowing how stupid it would be for him to report me for stealing his spot. Imagine going to jail for sitting in Chase Rivers' literature seat. I chuckle to myself, earning another weird look from a passing by police officer.

I find my father's office, tucked away in the corner of the police station and tap my knuckles against the door. As I wait for the door to open I look around. Across from my father's office is what looks to be the interrogation room and next to that is another office. I hear a creak as he gets up from his chair and hear his footsteps make their way over to the door. It swings open.

My father stands there, his dark hair a bit of a mess and his blue eyes looking tired. I have my mother's auburn hair and my father's clear blue eyes.

"Thanks, Sage! I can't believe I left it at home," he says as I hand him the file.

"No worries," I smile.

"So how was your first day at school?" He asks as he walks back into his office and sits down at his desk. I follow him in.

"It was alright. I made three friends. How was work?" I ask, eager to divert the topic of conversation.

I look around the office. It's an uncomfortable space, very cold and quiet. The only sign of life is my father's desk which is covered with papers, photos and documents. I notice a photo of whom I predict to be Brett Reed in the corner. He is tan with blonde hair and wears a smug grin in the picture.

"Not too bad, just been working on the case. Talking to people, finding out information and going over details," he nods, rubbing his eyes as if it will help him to stay awake.

At that moment a police officer pokes his head through the door. It's the same one who heard me laugh to myself in the hallway. Great. He thankfully chooses to ignore my presence and looks over to my father.

"Detective Hill, we need you to come look at something quickly," he asks, obviously not being specific because I'm in the room.

"Ah, yes, of course, Dylan," my dad says, getting up from his desk and putting the file I just gave him into his desk drawer. "I'll see you at home Sage," he says looking at me. I give him a nod and a smile before exiting the office, avoiding eye contact with the officer.

I walk down the hallway, trying to remember my way out of the building. I become very aware of my father and the officer Dylan walking a fair distance behind me, talking in hushed tones. I wonder if they're talking about Chase?

Desperate to know if he's the topic of their conversation, I quickly bend down, pretending to tie my already tied shoelace. I strain my ears and my pulse quickens.

"Did the Rivers kid give any new information?" Officer Dylan asks, clear distaste rolling off his tongue as he mentions Chase's surname.

"Nope, only information that we already know," I hear my father sigh.

I thought my father was solely working on Brett Reed's disappearance case. Why was he interviewing Chase Rivers? Maybe another officer was away and he had to quickly fill in. But wouldn't they get a different officer like Dylan to do that rather than a detective?

"Don't worry. I assume he'll open up soon. There's only so much kids can keep to themselves before it eats away at them," Officer Dylan says. What does Chase need to open up about? Their footsteps come to a stop and I realise they must be standing outside a door.

"So what did we need to talk about?" My father asks.

I realise how long I've been 'tying my shoe laces up for' and slowly stand up. As I begin to slowly walk down the office towards the door I only just make out Officer Dylan's next words.

"Whether Brett Reed is, in fact, alive or presumed dead," he sighs. And with that I quickly hurry through the doors of the station before I can hear my father's response.

Dead. As in non-living. Someone in Mapleville, my age could be dead. Murdered. A chill runs down my spine as I glance around at the quiet street I am now walking down. I am living in a town with a murderer. 

I curse myself as I remember that Officer Dylan did not state he was dead, but could be. The last thing I should be doing is rushing to conclusions. If I was any real danger my dad would not be letting me walk these streets alone, let alone living in a town with a murderer on the loose. 

Brett has been missing for over a week now, leaving no evidence to his whereabouts behind. No wonder the police are thinking the worst.

Many questions start floating around my head as I push the topic of Brett Reed to the side. Will the desirably good looking Chase Rivers kill me for crashing into him? Should I drop out of literature in fear of another encounter? Why was Chase at the police station? Why did my father interview him if he's only working on the Brett Reed case?

As I nearly walk into a park bench it suddenly occurs to me. My father's words slowly play over in my head, "Talking to people, finding out information and going over details." Chase must have something to do with the case. That's why my father was interviewing him. Maybe he knows something. But then why were the officer and my father talking about him not opening up?

I sigh, confused with my own questions that are floating around my head, pestering to be answered. 

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