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“DO YOU HAVE something to hide, Ms. Nikolas? Because when someone brings up their lawyer, it usually means they do,” said Stone, frowning.
“I’ve got nothing to hide,” I said, glaring at him. “And I don’t appreciate you making me feel like a victim.”
“A victim?” he repeated.
“Yes!” I cried. “Not only have I just found out that my best friend was kidnapped, but I had this monster following me around earlier, a man who scared the hell out of me on purpose. Now, you’re looking at me like I’m the guilty one around here? That’s a bunch of crap!”
Just then, the front door opened and my mother walked in.
“What is going on in here?” she asked, staring at all of us in surprise.
“Mom, Krystal’s been kidnapped,” I said, rushing over to her.
“Kidnapped?” she repeated, as I threw my arms around her. “By whom?”
“We don’t know,” I said.
She patted me on the back. “Honey, I’m so sorry. That poor girl. Her mother must be worried sick.”
“I haven’t talked to her yet, but I’m sure she is.”
“Ma’am, my name is Detective Stone and this is Detective Williams. Your daughter has agreed to come down to the precinct for an interview. You’re welcome to join her.”
“Of course,” she said as I released her. “But, I don’t understand, why does she need to do this?”
I explained what had happened, starting off with Breaker following me this morning.
“That’s why you were acting so strange today,” she said, looking upset. “This man was harassing you? The man that’s been killed?”
I nodded. “Yes and they think I might have had something to do with it.”
Her face turned red. “Of course you didn’t,” she said angrily. She looked at the couple. “My daughter wouldn’t hurt anyone! This monster was obviously shot by someone else. How dare you even accuse her of something like this!”
“We aren’t accusing her,” said Stone. “We just need to interview her properly.”
“Why can’t you do it here?” she asked. “Adriana isn’t under arrest, is she?”
“No, not at all. We’d just like to record the interview,” he replied. “And see if your daughter might agree to a polygraph test.”
“I can’t believe this is happening,” I moaned, staring at Trevor, who was very quiet.
“I’m going to call our lawyer,” said Vanda, taking out her cell phone. “Before you start agreeing to anything, Adriana.”
“If she’s innocent, she doesn’t need a lawyer,” said Williams. She looked at me and sighed. “Look, just come down, pass the test, give us a statement, and you’ll be on your way. That will be cheaper and a lot easier than bringing in a lawyer.”
I sighed. “She’s right,” I said, looking at my mother. “I’m innocent. I haven’t done anything wrong. I’ll take the test and give them a recorded statement. If it will get them off my back.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, looking concerned. “I can call him. You remember Stanley Bruebaker, don’t you? He’s the lawyer I used when your father passed away. I’m sure he can direct me to a lawyer that will help us with something like this.”
“No, I don’t remember him,” I said. “Anyway, Mom, I haven’t done anything wrong so it would be silly for us to fork out money when we don’t need to.”
“Adriana, I’m sure you haven’t committed any crimes, either,” said Williams, digging into her wallet. “This is really just nothing more than a formality. Here’s my card with the address to the precinct. We’ll meet you there?”
I nodded.
She turned to look at Trevor. “I’d like you down there, too. For further questioning.”
“I’ll be there,” he said, moving to my side. He put his arm around my shoulders. “Now, who’s going to be searching for Krystal while you waste your time with us?”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Larson, we have people searching for her,” she replied, smiling coolly.
“Tell me, Raptor, isn’t it? Do you think Krystal’s disappearance could have anything to do with Thomas Kramer’s execution?” asked Detective Stone.
“Execution?” repeated Trevor. “Hmm... I don’t see it.”
“You don’t think it might have been for some kind of retaliation between the two of your...clubs?” he asked.
Trevor’s expression was stoic. “No. We’re all good.”
“Even with Mr. Kramer harassing your girlfriend?” asked Detective Williams.
He grunted. “Breaker deserved an ass kicking for that. But murder? That’s extreme, even for us.”
“Well, someone sure felt he deserved it,” she replied, studying his face closely.
“I’m not saying he didn’t deserve it,” said Trevor. “He was the scum of the earth. A guy who enjoyed raping women. Now, some of those women he assaulted can sleep better at night.”
“That was the monster who was following you today, Adriana?” asked Vanda, her eyes wide. “A convicted rapist?”
I nodded.
Her eyes were stormy as she turned to the detectives. “When you actually do find out who killed him, call me. I want to thank him personally.”
“For murder?” asked Detective Williams.
“For protecting my daughter and every other girl who caught his eye,” she replied.