Kyle scratched his head, his mind racing wildly. The moment the flashlight hit the purse, his heart thumped in his ears as he was totally blank of any idea.
"Sarge, we've got one of the boys! You can't believe what we found on him." One of the officers who had gone after the gang yelled.
In a split second, when the officer looked up from the car, Kyle ducked in immediately and grabbed the purse, throwing it quickly into the bag of junk wrappers, then quickly started picking up other candy wrappers around as well, for a cover-up.
The sergeant pushed Kyle out of the way as he left, eager to see what was going on. As soon as he left, Kyle sighed in relief and quickly ducked his head back into the car, resuming his duty. He roved his eyes around quickly for any other incriminating item that belonged to April. His hands were moving as fast as tyre wheels in motion, when he heard the shuffling of feet behind him and a voice that followed.
"What do you think you are doing?"
Kyle turned around. It was another cop. One of them who ran after the gang, and had just returned from his futile chase. "No offense, sir. I was just trying to clear up this mess here. I understand my space ought to be neater than this." he said, clutching the trash nylon tightly. But for no suitable reason, the officer had his eyes fixed on his hand.
"And what have you got in there?" he motioned to the nylon.
Kyle shook his head meekly like a kindergartener. "Nothing much. Just a mess of items. Junk wrappers and the likes. Waste food."
The officer motioned to the floor. "Empty the contents here, let me examine them. How do I know you are not in partnership with those bad guys we are chasing?"
"No, I'm not. In fact, I am a victim of their bullying, and it was you guys who actually came to my rescue, or I would have been dead meat by now." he confessed.
The cop gave a sarcastic nod. "Let's see about that. Empty the contents you have with you first." he ordered.
Reluctantly, Kyle emptied the contents on the floor, as the cop stooped low and peered at them closely, while training an eye on him just in case he tried to pull any stunt or anything stupid. Kyle felt grateful because the first thing he had succeeded in hiding the purse before this second cop came. Next, the cop pored around the car, noting some items here and there. He touched the bag containing April's meal and opened it, examined the contents and everything else.
"So, why are you here?" he queried. "Are you homeless?"
"Yeah. Just got kicked out by my landlord because I can't afford the rent. So, I'm left with no choice other than to hang around till I'm able to save enough for a new place." he rapped just as the sergeant who had been questioning him initially, returned.
"Really? You got kicked out? Mr. Grey?" The sergeant exclaimed.
Kyle shuddered in fear for a moment. He hadn't even told this cop guy his name yet, nor shown him any ID, yet he knew his name?
"Your sister is Rosita Grey? Isn't she?" he continued.
"Yeah." he mumbled, averting their gaze. Oh. Hell no. They only knew him through his 'industrious and hardworking sister'. Sheesh.
"You are her kid brother, aren't you? And you both have been living together for years, ever since your parents passed on. She only recently bought the house where you guys now live, and you two are in great terms. You work with her in this cereal company; Happy Crunchies, don't you?" he flashed his light on one of the wrappers, littered on the ground.
"Yeah." Kyle mumbled, struggling with the urge to roll his eyes. Too much history and narration. This cop might have as well worked with a broadcasting station, and develop his skills further. Probably the job of a radio announcer. He resolved in his mind to set something up for himself once he was done with this shit. He would leave Rosita for good, and build his own life his own way. Else, he would rather stay with Nathalie, his second sister after Rosita, who was still single, but lived on her own with a great job in a publishing company, somewhere in Nashville. His only problem was, he hated Nashville. But if being there would be away from Rosita who was hell bent on controlling his life like a TV remote, then he would not mind bearing it.
"Won't you answer my question? Are you daft?" The sergeant nudged him back to reality.
Had he been speaking to him? Kyle was at loss. "Huh?"
"Why are you lying about camping in your car then? You even worked with your sister earlier this afternoon, didn't you? Why then are you suddenly making up a story about rent and being broke?" The cop pressed.
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to get you guys off my back." he murmured, looking away. "Figured I just needed some space out and time to think. Sometimes you get tired of life, people and everyone around you, and wanna be alone." Deep down, he hoped April wouldn't suffocate there as these cops didn't seem ready to leave till dawn, like they had nothing else on their plate at the moment, save his sorry ass.
The sergeant took a deep breath as he roved his eyes all over him suspiciously. "Really? Are you sure? So, where is she? We know you are not alone, Mr. Grey."
His heart thumped at the question. He thought he had safely evaded that already. Notwithstanding, the way he pronounced Mr. Grey made his skin crawl. It made him feel like an old man, and besides, Grey was their father's name and they hated it for reasons best known to them, except Rosita. They rather answered Cole, their grandfather's name. But most people who knew Rosita always assumed him to be Grey, and he always took his time to put them right, but tonight was different, and it was best they led themselves on with a fake ID he didn't give them.
"Mr. Grey. Where is she? April Scott. We are very much aware she is with you, isn't she? And you are aware she is a murder suspect, aren't you?"
Kyle's mouth hung half open. Of all the things he knew about her, he didn't think any other person was aware of this particular information, aside himself. How did they know? What made them so sure? "Really? I remember speaking with her this evening after we were done and she seemed so relaxed and normal. I even offered to have tea with her but she declined, saying she was in a hurry to leave."
"But you later picked her up at the gas station, didn't you?"
"Yeah, hell sure, I did. That is exactly what I am trying to say, because she later came to me saying she was broke and needed a ride to the park. She has a friend in Washington she wishes to see urgently."
"Washington." The Sergeant mulled, his forehead creased, as his eyes looked lost in deep thought. "Did she by chance mention the name of the friend or why she was going there?"
Kyle shook his head. "No. She didn't seem willing to divulge much. Look, we don't even know each other. We only met for the first time today because she volunteered to help, and I thought she was pretty and cool to hang out with. I sincerely don't see how she can be a murder suspect as you guys claim."
"Neither do we see you enjoying solitude here as you claim."
"Yeah, I know, right? It sounds dumb to the ears." he admitted coyly.
"Look here, young man, we are not here to play charades with you. That street bum we just arrested, confirmed you were with a lady now." he insisted.
"Fine. It's obvious you choose to believe a street bum over me. If that be the case, why not ask him to describe the lady he saw." Kyle suggested confidently.
"No. I have a better idea. Why don't we search your car instead?" he asked.
Kyle spread his arms wide in agreement, and with more confidence. "Sure, go ahead. The vehicle is all yours." he took two steps back as he spoke.
The sergeant poked his head here and there with his flashlight, touching and examining the cartons carefully and beneath the seats as well. He nodded to his satisfaction. Next, he turned around to the back of the car. "Come and open your trunk." he ordered.
Kyle followed boldly and obediently. "You wanna search the trunk?" he asked loudly. "I got a spare tyre and a jack. By chance, you guys need anyone?"
"Would you open it or keep asking dumb questions?" The other cop fired. Kyle took his time before finally opening it. Just as he said, the only thing they found was a jack and spare tyre.
"What was it you said you guys needed?" his asked cynically with a lopsided grin.
"Shut up." The command was sharp. "Thomas would take over your wheel. You would come with us to the station."
Kyle's brows went high as he looked around with a scoff. "Thomas? Excuse me? Who is Thomas?"
"Detective. Thomas." The sergeant replied stiffly. "He is Detective Thomas, and I am Sergeant Adams. He would take over your wheels and you would come with us to the police station."
"Why?" Kyle was totally irritated. He was damn tired and looked forward to catch whatever sleep he could before daybreak. What the hell was their lot?
"To give a written statement of your assault. Didn't you just say you were bullied by those guys? Besides, I can see the remnant of what looks like a slap across your cheek. I don't know if you may want to press charges or not, but come with us, and drop a statement. It is necessary for the safety of other citizens, so we could add it to list of other charges we have against then. With these and more, the prosecution would be able to make a good case when would sue them to court and have them locked up to pay for their crimes." he rattled.
Kyle stared at him with hate muttering a foul word under his breath.