Red Tiles

chapter 5

 I gasped.

"That's not possible! You obviously compromised the evidence or you're lying to me to get me to confess to something I didn't do!" I exclaimed.

"I request to see these results." He shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Kyle. You know I can't do that. I'll have them retest the sample and I will let you know the results myself. Jasper, Dr. Kyle, as much as I don't want you to be responsible for this, I still have a job to do." I nodded, settling down. He was right. I can't get mad at him for just doing what he was trained to do.

"I know. Thank you." He nodded once in content.

"I'm sure you know that I have to ask you some questions?" I nodded.

"Yes. Go ahead." He motioned for me to sit. I did.

"Where were you last night between 11pm and 3am?"

Before I could even begin to register my thoughts, Lillian, my best friend, barged into the room. Perfect timing.

"With me. I stayed the night at her house last night to make sure that she was okay. We stayed up and watched movies and drank wine." Ryan looked at me suspiciously.

"Is that what happened? You guys were together last night?" I nodded.

"Yep." He nodded.

"Okay, and do you know someone named Henry Sterling?" I nodded once again.

"Yes, that's Dr. Sterling's husband. If you'd like, I have his number. I can give it to you." He nodded.

"That would be very helpful. Thank you. Last question. Who has access to your office?" I shrugged.

"Not that many people. Just a few. I can write you a list." He smiled.

"That would be very appreciated."

Tommy handed me a small notebook and a pen from the cup on his desk. I looked at the pen, then at him. He sighed and took the pen back, handing me the one from his shirt pocket.

"Thank you."

I wrote down a list of all the people with access to my office. Myself, Ms. Lillian Bellafonte, Dr. Rosetta Stone, Dr. Chandler Sterling, the security guard Parry Cooper, my assistant, Dr. Jason Harris, and the new intern, Mr. Smith.

I gave the list to Ryan, and the pen back to Tommy. Just then, my phone went off. I rolled my eyes.

"I'll be right back. It's my replacement."

Tommy nodded and opened his office door for me, then closed it behind me as I exited the room, answering my phone in the hall.

"Kyle."

"Dr. Kyle?" Replied an unfamiliar high-pitched, shaky male voice. It was my replacement.

"Yes, Mr. Smith. What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing. It's just, I was wondering when you would be coming back. I'm having a bit of trouble cleaning the bones."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Smith. I am off the case and in no way allowed to obtain information about the remains or details of the investigation," I replied, my voice calm.

"I know, I just thought-" I cut him off.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Smith. As I stated previously, I received discreet instructions as to not get involved in this case, as I have been removed. I am the prime suspect for the time being," I snapped.

"I-I'm sorry, Dr. Kyle. I hope you get assigned back once your name gets cleared. We all know you didn't do it." He sounded frightened by my sudden outburst. It isn't his fault that I'm off the case. I shouldn't have snapped.

"Thank you, Mr. Smith. I am grateful for you and my team's conscious beliefs based off of no evidence." I smiled to myself.

"You're welcome."

"Well, I must go now. Goodbye, Mr. Smith."

I hung up before he could respond, and went back into the office.

"Lil, what are you doing here?" She smiled.

"It's nice to see you, too, Jay. Listen. I have news." She hugged me.

"It's serious. Do you want to talk outside?" I shook my head.

"No, that's okay. We can talk here. I'm just gonna end up telling him anyway," I said, motioning towards Tommy.

"You're not going to like this one bit," she said, the panic clear on her face and in her voice. She sat on the small couch. I sat beside her, and she opened her small laptop and pulled up a recording from the security camera behind the Lab. My face went pale as I saw myself exiting the building, looking around suspiciously as I dumped something shiny into the dumpster and ran back in. I don't remember doing that. She played the tape once more for Ryan and Tommy, frowning at their facial expressions.

"It's a false timestamp, meaning someone tampered with the recording before we got to it," she snapped ferociously. She turned to me.

"Jay, I'm so sorry, but until I figure out how to prove the video was time stamped and tampered with, it shows you're the one getting rid of the murder weapon." I was suddenly overthrown by a wave of nausea and confusion. Why would anybody try to frame me? Curby stood and held a hand out for me.

"I'm so sorry, Dr. Kyle, but until we get this figured out, you are the prime suspect and as such, I have to place you under arrest. Turn around and put your hands behind your back, please." Forget the wave of nausea. It was a tsunami.

"Ryan," Tommy begged.

"Please don't do this. You know she didn't do it!" I placed a gentle hand on Tommy's cheek.

"Hey," I said in a soft voice.

"I'm gonna be okay. I promise." I placed a gentle kiss on his left cheek before stepping back.

"Jasper," Ryan murmured, motioning for me to turn around. I nodded slightly and did as told. The cool metal of the handcuffs brushing against my pale skin sent a shiver down my spine and caused me to stiffen. There was a soft click as the cuffs locked in place, loose around my tiny wrists. I heard a muffled sigh of guilt come from Ryan. I knew what was about to happen. I looked over at Tommy, only to see a single tear sliding down his cheek. I gave him a hopeful smile. And just then, my whole world started to turn.

"Dr. Kyle, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you..."

His voice faded as the world began to spin. What was gonna happen to me?