Chapter 10

Once we got to the station, I was escorted to an interrogation room where the detective and I waited about ten minutes for the interpreter to show up.

"Where were you Friday afternoon, Ms. Darwin?"

"Out," the interpreter said, translating for me. "What's this about? Am I under arrest?"

"No. You aren't. Do you know Agatha Gordon?"

"Yes, she's my next-door neighbor. Why?"

I knew Mrs. Gordon as more than just my next-door neighbor., though. Mrs. Gordon had been the only person to befriend me since my vow of silence. She was a charming elderly woman, who always insisted on having me over for holiday meals. She learned sign language when she found out I didn't speak. She never asked why; she just accepted that I didn't talk. She only bugged me around holidays, so she could make sure I had a warm meal. Or so she said. I thought it was more that she was lonely and wanted company, what with her daughter living on the other side of the country. She was lonely, and even the company of the weird black woman who didn't talk and always wore gloves was better than being lonely.

"I'm afraid she's dead."

I blanched at the information. I felt as if the Earth had stopped spinning beneath me and had just dropped away. My throat felt like it was closing up, and I could feel tears stinging my eyes. Mrs. Gordon was dead.

"What does that have to do with my whereabouts Friday afternoon?"

"A neighbor placed you coming out of her home, making you the last person to see her alive."

"You think I killed Mrs. Gordon?" The interpreter held less passion in his voice than I expressed with my signing, but I guess that was to be expected. They couldn't get as emotional. "I was staying at a friend's house since Friday morning. I can text them to confirm."

"If you did that, it would be appreciated."

I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Thanatos and Charon telling them I was at the police station and needed them to tell the cops that I was with Thanatos all weekend. After I sent the text and got a reply that they were on their way, I showed it to Detective Ortega.

He read over the messages and nodded his head.

* * *

There was a knock on the door about an hour later, and a cop poked his head in, stating that there was someone there to speak with Ortega. The detective left, leaving the interpreter and me alone.

It felt like hours before Ortega returned. The interpreter spent the time trying to calm me down and reassure me that they would catch whoever killed my neighbor.

"You're free to go," Ortega said when he finally returned. "Your alibi checks out."

I looked up at him, my eyes filled with surprise and hope.

"Your friends, Charon and Thanatos, just came in and spoke with me. They said you were there all day Friday."

"Thank you. I hope you find whoever hurt Mrs. Gordon."

I wiped my face and quickly walked out of the room, tears falling once again when I saw Charon and Thanatos. This time they were tears of gratitude.

"You're coming back to my house. Give Charon your keys so she can get your belongings," Thanatos said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and walking me out of the building.

After handing my keys to Charon, I followed Thanatos out to his car, a navy blue Hyundai Genesis. He opened the passenger side door for me, closing it once I was in the car and had my seatbelt fastened. He then made his way around to the driver's side, getting in and fastening his own seatbelt before starting the engine.

"I can go back to my place. I don't want to be a burden," I said once Thanatos had closed his door.

"Nonsense. You're not a burden. Besides that, someone who looks like you is trying to get you in trouble with the law. For your safety and my peace of mind, you will be staying with me."

I nodded my head and sat quietly as we drove to Thanatos' house. It was a longer trip to get to his place from the police station than when Charon had brought me from my house. This led me to wonder how many laws the man broke to get to the police station when he did. Or if, perhaps, he just so happened to be at the office when I texted.

"I've made up my mind," I said after about an hour and a half of driving.

"About?"

"Joining The Ferrymen. I'll do it. I'll work for you."

"I'm glad to hear that. Though I hope you don't think that's the only reason I'm helping you."

"I don't. And I really do want to join."

Thanatos nodded, and we continued the rest of our ride in silence.