Brutal Interrogation

A few cruisers pull up to Donaldson's house. Jumping out of their cars, the rookies take their assigned places.

The officer pounds on the wooden barrier harder than before. "Berryville PD. I know you're in there. So open up, or we'll break it down." The officer waits a moment and then adds. "This is your last warning. Either come out, or we'll drag your ass out. You choose. "

Jeff glances behind him to find his kidnappers are gone. He figures one is upstairs with the girls, while the other is in the basement doing god knows what to his wife. Taking a breath of courage, Jeff slowly opens the wooden door. The sickening feeling returns. Bile rises to his throat. He gulps it down. "Can...Can I help you, officers?" Jeff asks, taking a quick look around. He expected to see a swat team but only saw a few cruisers parked in front of the house.

"We need to talk to you about a recent event," Stepping closer, Joe takes a quick peek inside.

"I've been here all day. I swear I have." The landline rings. Jeff glances at the noisy device. It could be Bambini telling me what he wants me to do. "I need to take this." He rushes inside before they can protest. The officers follow.

"Hello?" Jeff answers, fidgeting with the cord. "But I..." he begins. Luigi interrupts. Jeff looks over to see the detectives taking a quick inventory of their belongings. They're probably looking for evidence. Well, they won't find any, not here anyway. Jeff replays the crimes in his head. Sharp pains shoot through his stomach. The pain is so severe that it takes his breath away. The pain radiates across his abdomen and down his legs. Jeff grabs the table for support. He glances at the officers to find they're still snooping around. "I know, and I won't. Yes, I understand. I will. I love you too."

He finds the officer behind him when he hangs up the phone. Feeling a little intimidated, Jeff takes a step back. "That was my wife calling to check on me. I was sick this morning, so I decided to stay home, which I rarely do. Today is the first time I haven't gone to work in over five years. Julie, the mother hen, called to make sure I was alright. You know how women are, always worrying about the tiniest thing." He takes another step back. "I bet she's called over a dozen times this morning and will probably call another dozen or so more." He laughs and adds, "I'd hate to see what she'd be like if I were terminally ill." He pauses, then says, "She probably wouldn't leave my bedside for a minute, not even to relieve herself. I know I should feel lucky to find a woman who loves me that much, but the constant hoovering can be tiring and sometimes draining, having someone constantly worrying over the tiniest thing. She's like a mother hen on steroids. One sniffle and she rushes the kids to the ER. You wouldn't believe all the bandages she uses on a tiny scrape. You'd think the kid lost a bloody battle or something." Jeff chuckles.

Tiring of his chatter, Joe steps towards him. Placing a firm hand on the suspect's shoulder, Joe spins him around. "Jeff Donaldson, you are under arrest for arson, grand theft auto, and burglary."

"But... I..." Jeff says, turning to face him.

"Turn around, hands behind your back." The sergeant pulls his handcuffs from his pouch.

"I... I didn't do anything." He protests, feeling the cold metal clamp against his wrist.

"We'll discuss it at the jail." Joe recites the Miranda Warning as he leads him out the door.

***

Dragging his suspect into the interrogation room, Joe tosses him in a chair. The furniture tips sideways. Jeff falls to the floor. Grabbing him by the collar, the sergeant straightens the seat and shoves Jeff down.

The furnishings consist of a table and two folding chairs. There's a mirror in front of the room and off to the right. A barred window is off to the left. The frigid temp and flickering light give the room a daunting feel.

The sergeant circles around the suspect, hoping the intimidation tactic will make Jeff talk. Joe being six foot eight of pure muscle, it often works. He leans across the table and glares into Jeff's eyes. "Where were you yesterday around noon, huh? Where?" Joe moves in closer. "Don't say you were at the office because I know you weren't there."

"I'm not saying anything until my lawyer gets here."

Luigi told Jeff not to say a word and that a lawyer would be there soon, reminding him what would happen to his family if he screwed up.

"A lawyer will drag it out with all their legal mumbo jumbo, but if you tell us where you were, we can verify it, and you can go home. That is unless you're hiding something from me." Jeff looks away.

Joe pounds his fist on the table. Leaning across the table, stopping mere inches from the suspect's face, Joe yells, "What are you hiding, boy? Huh, what?"

Jeff springs back in his seat. His handcuffs clink against the metal furnishings. "I'm not hiding anything."

"So, where were you then?" Jeff squirms in his seat.

"You better speak up before I toss you in a cell," he yells, inching closer. Seeing the fear in his suspect's eyes, Joe decides to elaborate. "They're all monsters back there, animals, murderers, drunks who beat their wives. They wouldn't think twice about adding you to their list. After having a little fun with you, of course." Joe glares into Jeff's eyes and says, "They haven't had fresh meat in a while."

"Mur…Murderers?" Jeff stampers.

"Cold, heartless beasts. A pretty boy like you won't stand a chance. So, it'd be best to tell us where you were."

Jeff wrings his hands, trying to decide what to do.

Joe taps his watch. "Clock's ticking." The sergeant circles him again.

I could tell them what Luigi told me. They'd try to verify my story, which would buy me some time. What if they throw me in the cell while they corroborate my story?

Joe grabs his arm. "Time's up."

"No... No, wait, stop. I'll tell you." Jeff pulls away from his grip.

Joe taps his foot. "I'm waiting."

Jeff glances at the door. I wish my lawyer would get here.

"Let's go." Joe reaches for him.

"Ok, ok, I'll tell you." He looks towards the entryway again.

"Spit it, now."

"I was at the firm all day except when I took my client to lunch."

"What time was that?"

"Around noon. We met at Bambini's."

"Can anyone verify this?"

"My waiter can."

"Do you remember his name?"

"No."

"Describe him."

"He's a tall Hispanic guy with dark black hair and brown eyes."

"You just described over half of their employees."

Jeff tries to contain a smile. I know. "That's all I can remember, honest."

"Did he have any tattoos or birthmarks?"

"I didn't pay attention. I was too nervous about the presentation I would give to look."

"Who was with you?"

"Just me and the client. Betty, my secretary, can vogue for me." Jeff remembers the meeting at the elevator and adds, "So can my boss."

The door squeaks open. A distinguished gentleman clears his throat as he strolls into the room. The stranger man is prominent in both size and stature. He carries himself in such a way that exhibits both prestige and success. "I'd like a few moments with my client before we begin." He plops his briefcase on the table and then turns towards Joe.

"I'll be outside when you're ready." A few more minutes and I'd have him singing like a canary, Joe thinks as he shuffles towards the door.

"My name's Mr. Mancini. Bambini hired me to represent you."

"I'm so glad you're here."

"What did you tell the police?"

"I told them I met with a client yesterday afternoon at Bambini's."

"Good, now tell them you had to cut it short. So you met the client at the same restaurant at 8:30 and stayed until the place closed. Then you headed home."

"Someone will vouch for me?"

"Yes. Don't elaborate any further unless I tell you otherwise." Walking over, the attorney taps on the glass.

"Are you ready to talk?" Joe asks as he steps into the room.

"My client has informed me he has an alibi for the entire day."

"What about last night?"

Jeff looks over at the attorney. The man nods. "I was home until 8:00 and then met with the same client at Bambini's. Our meeting was cut short, so we agreed to finish up later. When he could get away."

"How long were you at the restaurant?"

"It was nearly one, I believe."

"Where did you go next?"

Jeff looks over at his lawyer. The man nods again. "Home."

"Can Julie verify that?"

"I wasn't feeling well. So instead of taking the chance of making her sick, I spent the night on the couch. That's why I look so ruff."

"Stay put while I check on your alibi."

Joe sees Jerry outside the door when he steps into the hall.

"I just spoke to the restaurant manager. He remembers seeing him twice yesterday. The first time at noon and then again at night. He said Jeff stayed until after they closed."

"The guy is sure it's him?"

"He described him to a T."

Joe glances back into the room and sighs. "Release him."