Nurse Or Nanny?

Chapter Three

The officers that met me by my vehicle have brought me into the police station and now I'm in a room waiting for a police officer to come and take my statement.  Someone has brought me a glass of water and another person asked if I wanted tea or coffee but I politely declined.  I just want to get this over with and go home and have a freak out by myself.  I also want to get out of these scrubs I've been in for thirteen hours now.  And I need a drink.  After what seemed like forever a women comes and introduces herself.
"Hi, I'm officer Brown, I'm here to take your statement.  Did you need anything, a cup of coffee or something?"
"No thank you, someone else was by and asked. I would just like to get this over with if you don't mind. Also, do you know, or can you tell me, is Paul dead?"
"Okay, and yes, I'm sorry to say he is.  He was pronounced dead at the scene shorty after you arrived here." She sits down and puts a recording device and a paper and pen on the table and asks me if I will write down my statement. I take the pen and I start writing down what happened from the moment I left my vehicle.  I noticed the black SUV out front, also that Paul's lights were on. How when I buzzed him it wouldn't go through and that in the past I have let myself in through the patio door and that's when I saw Paul tied up in the living room.  I described the man, he was a bit older, maybe late thirties early forties, standing at about six feet, tan skin, buzz cut and a slim build.  His eyes were terrifying, I didn't write that down though.  But I'll never forget the look he gave me before I ran out the door.  As I'm writing things down more details are coming back to me, like the duffel bag on the floor that looked like it had a lot of money in it and some clothes. Was Paul going to run, did he rip off his old boss or something and was going to hit the road?  And then I really start to think about Paul.  Was there anything I could have done differently to possible help him?  Were there any warning signs I missed in the weeks previous that could have given me a hint that something was wrong?  Like I had said in the meeting that morning, he seemed to be doing okay and was really looking forward to moving.  He was really eager to move, was that a sign?  I think officer Brown could tell I'm struggling with this and takes the pen from my hand.  She pushes over the glass of water and says, "hey, I know this is hard and if you want to come back later and do this, it is completely fine. Officer Hale and I will take you home."
"Sorry, I just started thinking about if there was anything I could have done..."
"Stop. No. You did everything right, you got out and you called for help.  Had you stayed there yo might also be dead and we wouldn't have any leads on catching whoever did this. Put those thoughts out of your head right now."  I know she's right but I also know it's going to take me a while to come to terms with that has happened. I have lost people as a nurse before, dealing with death comes with the job, but witnessing a murder is a whole different ball game. I am a little scared to go home. I also don't know how I am going tell Kristen what happened. Am I even allowed? "I think I'm ready to go home now.  Can I come by some time tomorrow and finish this. I think sleep will help."
"Yes, of course.  Let's go."

We arrive at my apartment building and there is a police car outside. "Why is there a police car in front of my building?"
"That's officer Clark, he came by after you arrived to make sure whoever killed Paul didn't come by your place looking for you.  They also realized your roommate was home and stayed till we got here."

"Oh my god. I didn't even think that Kirsten would be in trouble! Should she go and stay with her parents for a while? Is it safe for me here?"

"It should be, the man saw you, but he doesn't know who you are and there is no way he could find out.  No one has followed us from the station and there hasn't been any suspicious activity."

"Oh, okay." I am less sure that officer Brown is. Officer Hale lets me out of the back of the car and takes me up to my apartment.

"Here is my card. If you need anything you just call me, and if you feel threatened in any way just call 911."

"Thank you. Will I see you tomorrow?"

"Yes, I will be at the station for most of the day unless something comes up that takes me out."
"Okay, maybe I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Laura."

I went into my apartment and not two seconds later Kirsten comes up and gives me a hug. 
"When you text me that you were at the police station and wouldn't be home for a couple hours I turned on the news. I heard what happened! Are you the witness? I saw the police car outside and when you didn't pick up your phone I started thinking the worst. What happened? Can you tell me?"
"They said my name on the news?" I asked in horror. Did I hear her right? They wouldn't put that kind of information out there. Would they?
"No, no they said a man was found dead in his apartment on Anglewood, they had a witness in custody and I started putting pieces together."  She said in a fast single breath to calm my nerves.
"Oh sorry, my mind is a little fried right now and I thought you said they said they had me as the witness in custody. And yes and screw it, I'm telling you everything because I need to get this off my chest and cry a bit.  Where's the wine?"
"It's already in the living room, come on, I'll make us a snack too."
After we've talked for a while, I am beat and head to bed.  I have a hard time falling asleep, all I can see when I close my eyes is Paul, and the terrifying eyes of the man who killed him.  I eventually drift off and the nightmares begin.