FLASHBACK - A lie leading to another

Kate was sitting in a cubicle. In front of her was a police officer, probably the head officer she thought. Beside him stood a female officer. She was giving Kate a disgusting look as if Kate had actually committed a crime. Kate was feeling nervous even though she didn't do anything wrong.

"Hmm..so Kate Brooke, right?"

"Yes sir"

"You and Susie were in the same school as well as in the same class. Am I right?"

"Yes sir. She was my best friend."

"How was she? What was her behaviour like? Did she have any unusual habits?"

"She was really lovable. I don't think she had any enemies. She was a very outgoing girl and could adapt to her situations and people really well. As for any unusual habits, as far as I know she didn't have any."

"So recently did you see any change in her behaviour?"

"I didn't"

"Where were you when Susie committed suicide?"

"I was at my home"

"Where were you before that? Between 8 to 9?"

Kate hesitated a bit, but she replied in a manner as honest as possible.

"I went out to take a walk at around 7:30 pm and on my way I met our friend Ashton."

"And who's Ashton?"

Kate stopped for a while, but immediately answered.

"He's is a friend of Susie and me."

Kate couldn't say he was Susie's friend first and then they became friends. It would put Ashton in a difficult situation.

"How did you meet him?"

"In our school during the volleyball team selection, he came to visit the school. He's an alumni of our school. "

"How did you guys start talking?"

"He saw my volleyball game and complimented me and even helped me to learn some new moves,"

Lie. A total lie.

"And how did he become Susie's friend?"

"Susie is my best friend, so naturally whenever we met, Susie used to be with me. So we became as trio group."

The reason Kate could say all of this without battling an eye was because she knew almost everyone had seen Kate, Susie and Ashton together. Or sometimes even only Kate and Ashton together. So even if the police asked this to some other school student, it wouldn't be a lie.

"Where is this Ashton right now?"

"Probably at his college or home. I don't know."

"When did you hear of Susie's death?"

"The next morning, through the news channel."

"You said you met this guy Ashton at around 7:30. Am I right?"

"Yes."

"Where did you go after that?"

"We sat in the park and chatted for a while."

"And after that?"

"It was almost 8 as I was getting late, so I said I wanted to go. Ashton offered to give me company and I agreed."

"And?"

"On our way back we met Susie."

Suddenly the police officer raised an eyebrow and the female police officer sneered. Kate ignored their looks and continued.

" Ashton was holding my hand at that time. We had known each other for a while now, and I like him and he likes me as well. We came across Susie at that time and she saw as holding hands."