Scars

Chapter 29

The tall woman keeps her eyes on me as I sit down across her on the sofa. Before I can start speaking, or the sheriff could start questioning me, the girl who I consider as my friend also appears as the doorway.

Her eyes are confused as she takes me in as she comes in hesitant about what this is about.

Well that is only till her eyes land on her mother and her expression.

Nicky Waine is one hell of a girl, add in the guidance of her mother, she is exceedingly observant and this is clear in the present.

Just the single glance at her mother made her pull her shoulders back and tense, almost ready for anything as her face goes blank and unnerving. The face of a police officer when they are about to start an interrogation.

The ticking of the clock marks seconds as all three of us sit in silence, each waiting for the other to break first and speak.

When it is clear that none of us are going to speak, Nicky decides she has had enough of the silence.

"Ashlyn Greene, do you have any specific reason for your disturbance at this time of the day?"

I supress a flinch at her sharpness, internally battling my emotions at the sure outcome this meeting is to have. I am about to lose another very important and special friend.

"Yes," outwardly I straighten up, ready for a business deal, even if I have to use the thug approach.

"As a matter I do have some reason for being her at this time, and it's not for friendly one either."

"Thought as much," Nicky mutters under her breathe, which is audible to the all of us.

"What is it that you can help me with Miss Greene?"

This is the first time Sheriff Waine has spoken to me and I am not sure if I should be surprised at the slight gruffness and the tinge of harshness in her voice. She has, after all, been on force for years and there must have been a lot of use of her voice. Be it interrogating or shouting.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees and weaving my fingers together.

"First, I want to get your word that you will listen to everything I have to say before you will decide what to do."

I wait for a few minutes, letting them contemplate before receiving their nods. I blow out a small sigh before I finally speak.

"I can help you with the Murder of Kane case... I know who the murderer is, and I can and I will give you the evidence if and when you want."

I hear Nicky gasp, but I don't take my eyes of the older woman in the room. From the slight twitch in her eyes, she did not expect this.

Good.

A surprise reaction means that they are more likely to bite what I feed them.

"Who is it?" The sheriff asks.

I see Nicky take a seat on the same sofa as her mother, her eyes still on me in a totally foreign manner. Like she couldn't believe who I am, or whether to trust me or not. Not that I blame her.

Straightening up I speak, "It's me."

This time the sheriff is the one who leans forward while Nicky speaks, "And that was the reason you were my friend? Here I thought you are one of the few decent ones I knew of."

I bite my tongue, not wanting to snap at the girl and hurt her anymore.

"Motive?"

"Huh?" I respond to the sheriff distractedly before shaking my head to focus on her more than her daughter.