AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Got it, tinman. No sense of humor.” I said, still grinning. I knew that my actions that day had been a matter of scrutiny, so I needed to tread carefully. I provided a valid reason for my presence at the bar, explaining that I had been meeting with a group of partners.
John raised a brow. “A group of successful businessmen... at Clooney’s?”
I shrugged. “Their choice, not mine.”
John's skepticism was evident as he leaned forward and said, “Igor, we have reason to believe you were involved in Connor's death. Do you have any proof to support your alibi?”
I couldn't help but grin, a calculated and subtle response to John's accusation. I knew that I was always two steps ahead of the police, and my ability to outmaneuver them had been honed over the years. I replied confidently, “Proof, Officer? Of course, I can assure you that I have nothing to hide. I'm always willing to cooperate with any investigation. Tell me what you need, and I’ll do all I can to provide it.”
“Proof, Igor,” he deadpanned, and I handed John my phone, determined to navigate through the shithole with the skill and precision that had served me well over the years. It didn’t matter how hard the law enforcement tried; they were never able to lay anything on me.
As I sat in the dimly lit interrogation room, my attention was consumed by the ongoing conversation with Officer John, who relentlessly doubted the proof I showed him. He bombarded me with more questions, and I calmly answered everyone he fired.
The tension in the room was so thick that one could almost slice a knife through. But I maintained my composure while John shouted, cursed, and repeatedly slammed his hands on the table, his frustration obvious.
Just when it seemed that the interrogation was reaching a tight juncture, the door swung open, and a female police officer entered. At first glance, I almost mistook her for Grace. Their shared features and a certain intensity in their eyes made me do a double take. The woman had blonde hair and green eyes, just like Grace. The only difference was that the woman looked older.
Even Alexei had a brow raised as he stared at her.
John, looking somewhat irritated, immediately turned his attention to the woman and questioned, “Why are you late?”
The woman shrugged and explained, “Something came up, I'm sorry. I lost my phone a couple of days ago, and I've been searching for a replacement. It took longer than I expected.”
I looked at her intently, with my eyes glued to the name tag on her uniform,“JenniferEmery.”
She turned her attention to me, her gaze sharp and steely. Her words were as direct as her gaze as she said, “If we don't have proof against him for Connor's death, let him go.”
“Let him go?” John roared and pointed an accusatory finger at me. “This man is a murderer.”
She shook her head and exhaled, almost as if she weren’t in the mood for the interrogation. “We don’t have proof, John.”
“That’s because we are not pressing hard enough, Jennifer,” he snarled. “We never press hard enough and that’s why these bloody bastards—mobsters, walk around in broad daylight with fucking building blocks as bodyguards, like they were the fucking president of the country, while they have blood on their hands and body bags rotting in their boots. Then, we fucking praise them, call them businessmen, philanthropists, and let them go free.”
“I’m not praising anybody, John. You might have a valid point, but without proof, this man is innocent before the law. We have to let him go.”
I was taken aback by her statement. Everyone in the mob knew that Jennifer Emery was the woman who had a child with Connor, the leader of the Irish mob.
As I stared at the woman, who was no doubt Grace’s mother, what intrigued me was how she didn't seem particularly concerned with bringing me to justice. It left me perplexed and questions ran through my mind. Why did she not pursue justice for the father of her child?
The revelation sent shockwaves through my thoughts, and it raised more disturbing questions. If she was here at the police station, then who had Grace gone to meet?
Someone must have deliberately lured her into a trap, using her mother's identity to deceive her. Jennifer did say she lost her phone a few days ago. It made sense that it must have been stolen by the culprit and used to contact Grace. And that could have only been done by someone who knew the connection between mother and daughter.
It was a sinister plot to lead her into danger. With a mixture of frustration, anger, and concern, I rose from my seat. I had reached the limits of my patience with the investigation.
“Hey!” John bellowed. “Where the fuck do you think you’re going?”
The smirk was off my face now. If Officer John didn’t know who he was messing with, I was willing to show him. “I thought we agreed not to waste our time here. I’ve had fun and now, it’s time to go.”
“Did I tell you our session was over?” He challenged, and I stepped forward, and so did Alexei. I had to give John some credit; he didn’t cower like I expected him to.
“You didn’t have to officer,” I said, my brows twitching. “I am done here, and that’s final.”
I needed to leave; Grace could be in danger; I couldn’t waste any more time.
However, Jennifer Emery turned out to be a woman with a strikingly bold demeanor. She blocked me, stopping me in my tracks.
Her fierceness and feisty spirit reminded me of my wife. At that moment, I couldn't help but think out loud, “Like mother, like daughter.”
