Convicted

Chapter 3: The Meeting

I'm on the roll with this chapters. This chapter might be longer, I'm not sure. Enjoy! Shoutout to Joanne,Syafini and Adeline, my homies. I can sense u.

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"Having a nice chat? Should I bring some tea in?" Emmett said sarcastically, shutting the door and dumping a pile of papers and books on the table. He sat across me.

I bit the inside of my lip to not say any nasty things back at him. I didn't want to challenge a figure of authority. It was obvious I didn't have a say here.

Austin moved back and stood near the door, giving me a reassuring smile.

"Valerie Fowler." Emmett said, he opened a file and I watched as his fingers scanned down the document.

"Strangled to death." He read off the page, staring right into eyes, gauging my reaction.

My hands were shaking. Who could be so cruel? People die everyday, but this happened to Valerie. I worked with her just a few days ago. She's gone now. That thought frightened me.

"Where were you 3 a.m. this morning?" He queried, his voice was icy.

"I was at home...sleeping." I answered, my voice as timid as a child's. My fist balled up and my fingernails were digging into my skin. I could feel myself trembling. I was afraid I would say something wrong.

"I'll ask you again, where were you at 3 a.m. this morning?" He repeated, opening another file, this time not looking at me.

"I was sleeping. I swear!" My voice came out uneven, I started to find it hard to breathe.

"Sir, I think she's not-" Austin interrupted but was cut off when Emmett held up this hand. Austin's shoulders slumped in defeat, his expression full of worry but he nodded at me.

"We checked her phone records. She called you last night at 10.23pm. What business did both of you have?" He questioned, giving me a very skeptical look.

I couldn't recall. Did she call me? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

"She..." I struggled to piece my memories together in my mind. My mouth was open no words came out.

"Why did Valerie Fowler call you last night, Cecilia Evans?" He reiterated, his tone impatient.

"I don't know! I don't know! I don't know! I don't even remember if she called!" I exclaimed loudly, feeling the urge to cry. They would definitely think I'm guilty. I lowered my head, staring at my skirt.

"Look up." Emmett ordered.

Looking up, I saw him began to lay out magazines. Each of them had my face at the front cover.

"Tabloids?" I spoke out, confused as to why he was showing me this.

"Have you read this?" He asked, he didn't sound as aggressive as before.

I shook my head.

"Never wanted to even touch any of those magazines, they write a lot of bad stuff. As if my life isn't bad enough already." I explained myself.

He then picked one of them up and put it infront of me.

"Read it."

"JUICY GOSSIP!! CECILIA EVANS OF "CONVICTED" JEALOUS OF CO-STAR MELANIE(VALERIE FOWLER)? FIND OUT ABOUT THEIR RIVALRY ON PG 31"

Emmett then placed another magazine, next to the first one.

"UH OH! FALL OUT BETWEEN CECILIA EVANS AND HER FEMALE CO-STARS ON THE SET OF "CONVICTED"! PG 14 TO FIND OUT THE DEETS!"

I shook my head profusely, feeling beyond pissed. I was livid.

"This is bull." I said, diverting my attention back to Emmett.

He nodded in understanding.

"You can go. Austin. Unlock her cuffs."

What?

"What?" I said it aloud. I was feeling very puzzled at his sudden change of decisions. Austin had unlocked me, giving me a relieved smile and pulled me out of the room.

"You're innocent." Emmett said. "I can tell. Valerie Fowler didn't call you last night. If you however, prove me wrong in our future investigations, I would bring you back here by hook or by crook and make sure you spend your whole life behind the bars." Emmett continued, his eyes dark.

I gulped and nodded, just content with the fact that he let me go.

"Austin drive her home. I'm staying in the office."

Emmett then turned the opposite direction, not looking back.

"Let's go?" Austin sounded very uncertain, like he was wondering whether it was right for him to drive me back home. The whole situation still baffled me to the core.

What the heck is going on?

I nodded, then followed him out the of building and to the parking lot. I didn't exactly feel safe with Austin because I just met him but I felt that I could somehow trust him. He won't do anything shady, I hope.

He climbed in the drivers seat of the police car. It was dark outside.

What time is it?

Austin scratched the back of his head, the atmosphere between us was very awkward.

"Uh...you can sit at the back if you don't feel comfortable beside me-I mean I'm not going to hurt you-I mean the seat at the back is safe-um." He stuttered, swearing under his breath at the end.

I fought the urge to laugh. I went into the seat beside him, putting on my seatbelt. Waiting for him to drive.

He didn't.

He looked at me as if waiting for me to say something. I raised an eyebrow, wondering what he wanted.

"Is this an invitation for me to kiss you?" I joked, trying to lighten the atmosphere. To my surprise, his cheeks grew pink.

"Wha-no,no. No- it's not that I don't want to kiss you but-wait no it's not that I want to kiss you-I..." He stumbled all over his words, looking really embarrassed. I gave him an amused smile.

"You didn't...give me an address? How do I drive you home?" He said slowly.

Oh god, I feel like I have been torturing him.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" I apologised, mentally slapping myself.

The drive back was interesting, I got to know more about Austin, how this case with Emmett was his first real case and that he was new in the workforce. And how he repeatedly tried to convince me how kind Emmett was. One example was how Emmett got Austin to drive me home when he could have just left me to go home alone. That lead us to an argument about Emmett. Just because Emmett did that doesn't mean that he is kind. Austin, of course, defended Emmett in every way possible.

Reaching my place, I got out of the car, waving him goodbye. Before I walked into the house he called after me.

"What is it?" I asked, I was tired and irritated.

"You live alone?" Austin queried, his eyes scanning the area.

I nodded, too tired to answer him.

"That's not safe, take my number, call me if you need anything-I mean you can always-you know-call the police station." He passed me a note.

"Will do. Thanks for tonight, Austin." I thanked him, heading towards my door.

"Um Cecilia," he called my name again hesitantly. I tilted my head at him.

"May I get your autograph?"

After taking a quick shower, I hopped into bed, preparing to sleep. My phone beeped.

It was a text.

"Can we talk? - Michael"