Swamp Monster Love

Chapter 12: They Found a Body

"Your fingerprints were on Todd's cell phone, you were covered with mud, and we found dozens of Christine Felcht's hairs on your clothing when we searched your house."

They searched my house?

"Your mother gave us permission," says the officer, noticing my reaction. "She said we could question you too. As much as we want. In case you were wondering."

I am really only wondering one thing. "Water?" I asked before, but I'm not sure they heard.

"Sure. But why don't you answer the question first?"

What was the question?

"Brian, we know you want to do the right thing." This is Principal Snyder, designated as good cop, I guess. He's holding a water bottle. Probably the police figure I'll trust him because of our many months of roaming the same building and being despised by many of the same people.

Snyder opens the lid. "We're not looking to blame anyone, Brian. We just need to find them. Do you understand that?"

I nod and reach for the water, hoping he'll put it in my hand. He doesn't.

Bad cop: "Your brother, Chip, says you've been acting different the last few days. He said you and Todd planned a trip to Hansen's Pond because you thought Christine might be there."

Chip is such a tool. I reach for the water again. The principal dumps it into a fern. So much for good cop. It's all I can do to keep my legs from gushing out.

"Look at you, Brian" says Snyder. "You're pale. You're sweating profusely. Obviously you have something to tell us. I know Christine's group of friends. We've talked to most of them – they hardly know who you are. What made you think she'd want to meet you at a place like Hansen's Pond?"

"I..." That's all I manage to croak before the secretary opens the door. When the two men look away, I draw the moisture from the fern, the officer's coffee cup, and an open iced tea bottle on the desk.

"We were in drama together," I say, feeling weak, but functional. "And who cares if her friends don't know me? Does that make me guilty of something?"

"Her hair on you does," says the officer. The secretary hands him a phone. He covers the receiver. "You told me you hadn't seen her. That's giving a false statement."

"That's circumstantial." I'd like to say this legalese gains me new respect, but the officer clearly takes it as a sign of guilt. He steps between me and the door before talking into the phone.

"Jacobs." His face draws tight. "Okay. Okay. I'm coming."

He hangs up. He looks from me to Principal Snyder. "They found a body at Hansen's Pond."