The Dying Place by Charly Cox

Author:Charly Cox [Cox, Charly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Just over ninety minutes later, a reluctant and nervous Raider sat in an interrogation room, fidgeting as he alternated between drumming his fingers on the table and spinning his phone.

‘Thanks for agreeing to come in and speak with us,’ Cord said. ‘Before we get started, can I get you something to drink?’

Raider’s answer was barely audible, so he cleared his throat and tried again. ‘No. Thank you. I’d rather just get this over with if you don’t mind. I didn’t kill Rheagan, and I’ve got nothing to hide from the police, so…’

‘We told you on the phone why we asked you to come in. And I just want to make sure you understand your right to have an attorney present if you’d like one. But right now, all we’re after is some answers.’ Cord’s calming voice notably relaxed the nineteen-year-old, and he stopped spinning his phone.

In a move that resembled his father, Raider raked his fingers through his hair, leaving a wake of brown and sun-kissed blond down the middle. ‘If I call my dad’s lawyer, then I’d have to tell him why, and for real, I have no desire to do that. I’d like to keep my old man out of this for as long as I can. Forever works for me.’ He shot an apprehensive grimace over at the red blinking light that reminded him the interview was being recorded.

Alyssa scooted her chair closer and dived right in with the two most important questions. ‘Why did you lie about what time you saw Rheagan Saturday, and more importantly, why did you lie about not speaking to her?’

Raider squeezed his eyes closed for just a second before releasing his breath in a loud exhale. ‘One, because I didn’t need my dad breathing down my neck about why I was hanging out with Rheagan, and two, because I was afraid if I told you two the truth, that you’d ask more questions, and if you knew we were supposed to hook up later that night, you’d think I offed her or something.’ He winced at hearing his own callous words. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.’

‘Did you off her?’ Cord posed the question using the same vernacular.

‘No! I swear. I’ll put my hand on a stack of Bibles or swear on my mom’s grave.’ He choked back an embarrassed sob. ‘Man to man, I liked Rheagan. A lot. More than she liked me, I know, but I swear, I would never ever hurt her.’

His reaction in addition to what they’d seen on the security footage convinced Alyssa the young man was telling the truth, and she told him that. ‘We believe you.’

Raider’s eyes became round orbs that caused the lines in his forehead to deepen. ‘You do?’

‘Yes. But we still need you to provide some answers.’

Relief might’ve relaxed the muscles in Raider’s face, but his suspicion lingered. ‘Okay. Here’s the truth. I’d been hanging out with some friends, playing video games, but I knew my dad wanted me home early.

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