Burnt (13 page)

His heart was now racing.
Just get me through this,
he thought.

“So, you and the victim did go out once before. That’s it?” Officer Jessup asked. He nodded, still looking down at the desk. “Where were you last night?”

His eyes widened. He never thought he was a suspect. How could this happen?

“I was with my girlfriend the whole night.”

The officer poised her pen, readying her little notebook to document his answer.

“Girlfriend?” she asked. “And what’s her name?”

“Tara Matthews,” Kevin replied simply. He had nothing to hide.

“Tara Matthews?” Officer Grayson repeated her name, looking across at Officer Jessup. “Is she the next one on our list to question?”

Officer Jessup nodded.

“She can vouch for your whereabouts?” Officer Jessup asked.

“Yes,” he said, rolling his eyes and hoping that they didn’t notice.

Kevin was anxious to get out of that room. They would belt out questions, look down, make notes, and nod to each other. Yet, there was no reason he should be questioned at all. He had not done anything wrong, let alone something criminal.

“Am I free to go?” he asked.

“Just one more question,” Officer Jessup stopped him. “Do you have any idea what Ms. Watters was planning on doing last night? Or, perhaps who she might have been with?”

He shook his head. “I wish I could help. I didn’t know her well and we rarely talked. I saw her here yesterday, but only briefly and just long enough to wave. I’m sorry I can’t provide any more information.”

“Okay. You’re free to go. Send in Ms. Matthews.”

He sighed as he got up from the chair. He walked out of the office and went to Tara.

“It’s your turn,” he said.

She turned to him. “How did it go?”

He smiled. “Let’s just say, if you know anything...you better share it. Nothing gets by them.”

“Okay. Thanks for the heads up.” She moved past him and he watched her disappear into the office. She hoped it would be over with soon.

***

“G
ood morning, Ms. Matthews.”

“Good morning,” she replied, nervously sitting down.

Tara thought of what they might have asked her, but now, facing the two of them, it was just a jumbled mess.

“First off we just have a few questions to ask you. We hope to have you out of here quickly,” the female officer shared. Tara smiled, looking between the two.

“My name is Officer Tina Jessup and this is Officer Roy Grayson. First question for you...how well did you know the victim?”

“Well...we started working at the petting zoo at the same time and I enjoyed talking to her. I think we could have been good friends, had we gotten the chance.”

She cringed at the thought, because the words were true. It killed her inside how Amy died so violently, and so young.

“Where were you last night?” Officer Grayson asked.

Tara expected the question. She had no doubt in her mind they were all suspects. The police needed someone to blame and it made sense if they could lay blame on one of them.

“I was with my boyfriend, Kevin, all night. We got together about seven o’clock and didn’t leave each other’s side until this morning.” She didn’t feel strange admitting it. She needed them to know the truth.

“Did he tell you to say that?” Officer Jessup asked.

Her inquiring stare was like something Tara had never seen. She was quick to answer.

“What? No...it’s the truth. Kevin and I were together all night. I swear!”

She nodded. “Okay. Calm down. We have to ask to be sure.” 

Tara tried to calm her nerves. It felt like they were trying to break her. Tara refused to cave. She had nothing to hide.

“Do you know anything about what might have happened? Maybe you weren’t involved, but do you have any idea who she was going to be with? Or, what she was going to be doing?”

“I don’t know what she was going to be doing, but I do know who she was going to be with. Yesterday we talked and she told me she was going to be going out with her boyfriend last night. They were supposed to be having an important conversation, and she was very excited and nervous about it.”

Both officers were taking down notes. “Have you ever met her boyfriend? Do you have a name?”

Tara shook her head. She wanted to be able to assist them further.

“I’m sorry. She never told me. I just know they have been dating for a month...possibly two. I’m not even sure. She said she didn’t know his family, but I’m not sure if her parents knew him.”

“Well, we appreciate the information,” Officer Jessup concluded. “If we need anything else, we’ll be sure to contact you.”

She got up from her seat and before leaving she looked back at them. “I hope you find this person and they rot in jail for the rest of their life. Then hopefully this town can get back to being like it was.”

Officer Grayson and Officer Jessup nodded their approval. “I can tell you one thing...” Officer Jessup stated. “We’re on the case, and we’ll work diligently to get our guy...or girl.”

Tara nodded, leaving the office. She walked back to where Kevin was sitting. He immediately stood up.

“So?” he said.

“I want to go home,” she replied, feeling depleted and ready to forget the day. He wrapped his arm around her and she hung her head on his shoulder. Tara hoped they meant what they said, because she didn’t know how much more she could deal with.

***

K
evin looked up from his homework as Jake came down the stairs. He had a suitcase in his hand.

“Where are you going?” Kevin asked, putting his notes to the side and staring at the suitcase.

“I thought I would go stay with Marcus for a few days,” Jake answered.

“Marcus?” Kevin asked, perplexed. “I have never heard that name mentioned before.”

“You don’t know all my friends,” he answered.

Kevin picked up on Jake’s defensive tone. He shot Jake a glance.

“He just moved into a new place and has an extra room.”

Kevin frowned, processing the information. “Do Mom and Dad know about this sudden vacation?”

He stared at Kevin. “I’m old enough. I don’t need their permission.”

“I know you don’t, but it would be nice if you told them. After all, you’re still living under their roof.”

“Maybe not for long,” Jake mumbled.

“What??” Kevin asked, looking over at his brother with curiosity.

“Nothing. I have every right to do what I want to do.” He stared at Kevin, waiting for a rebuttal. “Do you mind?”

“No...not at all.” He watched Jake until he reached the door. “Got a number where you can be reached?”

Jake turned around, “I have Marcus’ number on my dresser. Any more questions?”

Kevin shook his head. “No. Have fun bro!”

“Thanks,” Jake mumbled, turning back to the door.

He opened the door and Kevin’s eyes looked past Jake. Two officers were climbing the porch step.

“Hello...Jake Crawford?” Called one of the officers.

Jake hurriedly shot Kevin a glance. Kevin walked to the door, instantly recognizing the officers from earlier that day.

“Officer Jessup. Officer Grayson. What are you doing here?”

“Mr. Crawford,” Officer Jessup replied.

She turned back to where Jake was standing. Her eyes honed in on the suitcase and then to Jake’s face. “Going somewhere?”

“I...I...” Jake stammered.

“What are you doing here?” Kevin asked again.

“We’re here to see Mr. Crawford.” She raised her eyebrows, “The other Mr. Crawford.”

Kevin looked at Jake, and back at the officers. By this time, Officer Grayson had removed his handcuffs.

“Mr. Jake Crawford, you are under arrest for the murder of Amy Watters.”

Kevin stood in shock, watching the officer put the handcuffs on his brother’s wrists.

“I didn’t do anything,” Jake shouted.

Kevin looked down to where the suitcase was sitting on the floor and he quickly pushed the thought away.

“Anything you say, can and will be used against you,” Officer Grayson was firm as he recited the Miranda Rights.

“You can’t be serious,” Kevin argued, following them out the door.

They quickly walked him to the police car, with Kevin was trying to defend his brother as they walked.

“You have the wrong guy. Why would you ever think Jake had anything to do with this?” He paused as Officer Jessup turned to him. “He didn’t even know the victim.”

Officer Jessup opened the driver’s side door and looked at him.

“You’re wrong, Mr. Crawford.” Officer Jessup answered. “It turns out they knew each other quite well. He was her boyfriend.”

She climbed into the car. Kevin opened his mouth to shoot out another argument, but she kept talking.

“You’re more than welcome to come down to the station, but if we have anything to say about it, he won’t be going anywhere.”

She slammed the door shut and the car pulled away from the curb. Kevin looked on as the car drove off, noticing Jake staring back at him through the rear window. His stomach sank. He turned away and ran back into the house, nearly tripping over the suitcase.
Why was he leaving in such a hurry?
he thought, grabbing his phone and calling up the one person he could confide in.

“Hi Kevin,” Tara answered. “Baby, I’ve been thinking about you all day. Want to come over? The house would be all ours.”

“Tara...” he quickly interrupted, “something awful has happened. Please come to my house. Jake...he was just arrested.”

“What? I’ll be right there,” she said, disconnecting the call.

Kevin fell to the living room couch.
Jake was a suspect in a murder case
? He couldn’t believe this was happening.

***

T
ara tried not to panic as she drove to Kevin’s house. He had not had the chance to explain what was happening and she already feared the worst.

“It will be okay! It will be okay!” she chanted, trying to believe her words.

She turned into his driveway and he was watching for her from the front window.

He hurried out of the house and ran to her car. When he jumped in, they looked at one another.

“Thank you for coming. I can’t get a hold of my parents and...” he took a deep breath.

She could tell he was a nervous wreck.

“It’s going to be okay,” she said, backing out of the driveway.

He sighed heavily in the seat next to her and turned to look out the window. She didn’t want to pry, but she was concerned about him. She was about to reply when Kevin suddenly spoke up.

“You’re not going to believe what they think Jake has done,” he replied, never turning back to her.

“What?” she asked with caution.

There was a long pause, before he continued.

“Murder...” he finally let out.

Her eyes widened, but she tried not to look away from the road. The one word answer kept running through her mind.
Murder?
It was no longer a stretch to realize what he was saying.

“You don’t mean to say they think he had something to do with the murders in town?” she asked.

She turned slightly and saw the side of his head. He was nodding.

“Amy?” she asked slowly.

Again, he nodded his head. She couldn’t believe it. It didn’t make sense.

“Why? What motive would he have? He doesn’t even know her.”

Suddenly, he turned back to face her. She only briefly looked at him before looking back at the road.

“According to Officer Jessup...they were dating.”

Tara flung her head around to look at him.

“Dating?” she said, shocked to hear the news.

This was all so surreal. It couldn’t be possible. She could barely think.

“They have to be mistaken,” she replied, just as the car turned into the police station.

“What would be the chances?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know, but I don’t want to believe it. If he murdered Amy, then...”

“He probably murdered the rest of the victims,” Tara finished for him.

Their eyes locked as she parked. There was no time to wait. They both quickly exited the car and rushed to the entrance. He was way ahead of her, but she understood why. They got inside, and on reporting their visit, were guided to another floor. She could see how nervous he was, from his actions and the sweat on his forehead. She wanted to reach out to him, but she was afraid to distract him.

Finally, Officer Jessup and Officer Grayson made their appearance. They moved closer to the two officers.

“I want to see him,” Kevin said.

Officer Grayson nodded. “You’ll get your chance. They’re fingerprinting him now. We’ll be sure to let you know when you can have a few minutes.”

They started to walk away, but Kevin persisted.

“You have no right. What proof do you have?”

“We’re not at liberty to discuss the details with you,” Officer Jessup remarked.

“You’re locking him up like a criminal, when it’s possible he didn’t do this. I know my brother and he would not kill someone. You have the wrong guy.”

Officer Jessup nodded. “For your sake and his...I hope we do. We’re going to question him now. Step back sir, we’ll get to the bottom of this. I promise you.”

They walked away, leaving Kevin standing frozen, looking forlorn. Tara could see the pain and confusion on his face. She reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him closer to her.

“It will be alright,” she replied, although she had no idea what was going to happen.

“I hope you’re right,” he said, shaking his head. “He said he didn’t do it. I have to believe him.”

Tara wanted to believe him too.

“Let’s sit down,” she said, pulling him over to two empty seats along a wall.

She continued to hold his hand in hers. All they could do was wait for the officers. She hoped it would all be over sooner than later.

***

A
bout two hours into the wait, Kevin got up and began pacing. He couldn’t take much more of this waiting, because it only brought about more worrying.
What are they talking about? When can I see him? Why do they feel he was involved? Was he involved?
All the questions kept running through his mind. He felt like he was going to go crazy.