Page 19 of Silencing Stolen Whispers
“Not good enough,” Izzy countered, standing her ground. “Did anyone happen to mention to you that ‘Morgue Marauders’ is in blood-red lettering?”
“Over my dead body will I wear one of those headbands,” Alex exclaimed as he walked out of the small kitchenette, holding a cup of coffee and a bottle of water. “I’m not giving those smoke-eaters anything else to ride me about for another year. The box of headbands is in Wally’s office. Izzy, you keep Wally busy at The Bucket. Kin and I will take a walk over to the morgue. Boxes disappear all the time.”
“I like the way you think, Lanen.” Izzy began to retrace her steps to the elevator but turned to walk backward. “If you two are smart, you’ll show up tonight, anyway. If you don’t, Wally will know who stole the box.”
“Not if we plant evidence to the contrary,” Alex replied before flashing her a wicked smile. He handed Kinsley the bottle of water. “Vice doesn’t want anything to do with those headbands, either.”
Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen. Not just any pen, but Sergeant Dominic Waylon’s pen. The man was asintimidating as they came, and not even Wally would have the audacity to accuse the man of theft.
Well, Kinsley sure hoped that to be the case.
“Oh, that’s pure genius,” Izzy said with a laugh. “You have one hell of a partner, Kin.”
“Don’t open that,” Alex directed right as Kinsley was about to twist the cap off the water bottle. “That’s for Jade Patel. She’s already in interrogation.”
“You suck,” Kinsley muttered when she realized that he hadn’t gotten her anything to drink. “You pull me away from family dinner before I have a chance to eat, you couldn't care less that I’m dying of thirst, and now you want me to frame Sergeant Waylon for theft. You keep this up, and I’m requesting a new partner.”
Alex and Kinsley both stopped in front of the interrogation room. He then offered her the coffee mug that still had a slight swirl of steam.
“Caramel creamer. Remember to pick up some more, because I just used the last of it.”
“Did I mention that you’re the best partner ever?” Kinsley crooned without missing a beat. She handed him the bottle of water in exchange for the mug, breaking into a wide grin. “And I would love to commit a crime with you after this interview.”
Her own words registered as she took a sip of her coffee. The sweetness of the caramel cut through the bitter undertones, but nothing could stop her statement from reverberating through her mind.
She had already committed a crime.
How would Alex view her if he discovered she had murdered someone?
“Let’s see what the best friend knew about our victim, shall we?” Kinsley needed something to focus on other than her own illicit actions. Thankfully, Alex turned the handle, allowing herto enter the room first. “Thank you for waiting, Miss Patel. I’m Detective Kinsley Aspen, and you’ve already met my partner, Detective Alex Lanen. We understand that you and Hannah were close. We’re sorry for your loss.”
The first thing Kinsley noticed when she placed her coffee cup on the table was Jade’s right leg bouncing nervously. She also kept picking at the red nail polish on her fingernails. Her face displayed a mix of grief and anxiety, and the harsh interrogation room lights only made her expression more severe by casting unflattering shadows across her features.
Kinsley claimed the chair across from her while Alex took his time setting the bottled water in front of Jade. She made no move to take it.
“Detective Lanen stopped by your apartment earlier today, but you weren’t home,” Kinsley began, her voice measured as she debated on the direction of the interview. “It’s our understanding that you’re taking some summer courses to lighten your load come fall. That’s very wise. My father and brother are both attorneys, and I know how difficult law school can?—”
“I think I’d like a lawyer.”
Alex had been in the process of collecting his electronic tablet from the side table near the door when Jade abruptly made her statement. He tucked the device under his arm as he exchanged stares of concern with Kinsley.
“I apologize if at any time we made you feel as if you required legal representation,” Alex finally said after a brief moment. He then motioned for Kinsley to join him by the door. “We’ll give you some privacy to make your phone call.”
Kinsley pushed back her chair, but there was something in Jade’s voice that had suggested hesitation. It didn’t come as a shock when the young woman flattened her hands on the table and changed her mind.
“Wait. I’m sorry. I’m just…in shock.”
“You’ve requested legal representation, Miss Patel. Unless you waive your rights at this time, we won’t be able to question you regarding the murder of Hannah Scriven.”
Jade’s eyes filled with tears. She raised her hands to cover her face, leaving her elbows on the table for support.
“Jade, you said it yourself—you’re in shock,” Kinsley said softly as she remained seated. “Your best friend was murdered, and I am truly sorry for your loss. My partner is right, though. Any questions we might have had for you can’t be asked now unless you waive your right to an attorney. Under no circumstances do we want you to feel pressured to do so. We’ll step outside and?—”
“I waive my rights," Jade managed to say before lowering her hands. She reached back into her purse, which hung on the back of the chair, and pulled out some tissues. Once she had composed herself, she cleared her throat and motioned for Alex to take his seat. “You said yourself that I’m in law school. I can handle myself. I’m just...it’s all too much. I can’t believe she’s gone.”
At first, Kinsley wasn’t sure if Alex was comfortable continuing the interview. She didn’t blame him, but Jade kept talking without them needing to lead the Q&A session.
“I’m sure you’ve already spoken with her family. Hannah was my best friend, but she graduated in May. I still have another year, so I asked her to move out so Courtney could move in.”
