Interrogation

Although Lola was grateful that her husband was also invited to the station by the chief of police, she was heartbroken by his cold behaviour towards her.

Brian wouldn't look at her even for a second. He wouldn't touch her. He wouldn't acknowledge her presence. Most annoyingly, he was unfazed by Ian's arrogance toward her.

Sulking up whatever courage was left inside of her, Lola braced herself for the chief of police address.

"Ahem!"

The chief of police cleared his throat loudly to get everyone's attention. Even though his office was well ventilated, it felt as though they were all in the middle of a scorching desert. With just a little spark of light, everything would turn chaotic.

"Mr Brian Hart, please accept my deepest apology once more for dragging you down here. I am aware of your challenging health conditions and I sincerely apologize for the disturbance."

"It's fine, Sir." Brian's lips thinned out in what looked like a creepy smile.

"Please, if you don't mind, I would appreciate it if this issue is resolved quickly. I need to go back home and take some of my medication to avoid a relapse." Brian said in a deadpan tone.

"Certainly!" The chief of police adjusted the tie on his neck.

"I have with me here..." The chief of police waved a sealed medical report in his right hand. "...the just conducted lab test results of Mr Brian and Mr Ian's Forde HIV status, from one of the best certified medical facility here in Westler city."

Lola felt an uneasiness in her chest at the chief of police's words.

"But... before I go ahead and make known this result, I would like to ensure that everyone here is on the same page. Having said that, permit me to read out the charges levied against Mr Ian Forde."

The Chief of police put on his reading glasses and lifted up a piece of document. This document contained Lola's handwritten statement.

Clearing his throat one more time, the chief read the statement out to everyone's hearing.

"According to Mrs Lola Hart's statement, My boss, Mr Ian Forde drugged and raped me on the fifth of June, this year at one of the presidential suites in De Lamont Hotel. Is that correct, Mrs Hart?" The chief of police looked up in Lola's direction.

"Yes." Lola dabbed the tears blurring her vision.

"Approximately fifteen days after the incident, I was confirmed HIV positive and also pregnant by a certified Clinic, here in Westler City. Is that also correct?"

"Yes..." Lola cupped her quivering lips as more tears streamed down her face.

"Okay." The chief of police slowly put away the written statement.

"Now according to your boss's lawyer, you came to him for financial assistance to save your husband's life. Is that true?"

"Yes, but he..."

"Shh..." The chief of police placed a finger on his lips. "Mrs Hart, I have read your statement and I have listened to all your complaints against your boss. Now, all I want from you is complete honesty and a simple yes or no reply. Can you do that for me?"

Lola nodded her head in reply. She felt cold air creep down her spine, chilling her blood and making her shiver.

"Good. Now, on the said date, did you reach out to Mr Forde seeking financial assistance?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Did you meet with him at a fancy restaurant?"

"He was the one that asked me to come over and..."

The chief of police raised his right hand in the air, cutting Lola off. "Give me a yes or no answer," he reiterated.

"Yes Sir..." Lola felt corned and victimized.

"Did he transfer the sum of two hundred thousand dollars to your account after you pleaded with him for help?"

"Yes..." Lola folded her hands across her chest dejectedly.

"Did you willingly have dinner with him?"

Lola felt all her wall of self-preservation slowly crumbling before her very eyes. She was here to seek justice against a man who abused her. Why was she being interrogated as though she was a criminal?

Suddenly, Lola felt all alone in the chief of police office. She could feel everyone's piercing gazes all around her as though she was a wicked witch. Her husband was scowling at her. Ian's sinister glare spoke volumes of his deadly wishes. Ian's lawyer wanted her thrown behind bars. Even the chief of police seemed way too biased in his facial expression and judgmental eyes.

"I am waiting for your response, Mrs Hart."

"Yes, I did it out of courtesy." Lola sniffed, wiping her teary eyes angrily.

"Thank you, Mr Hart, for your sincerity."

The chief of police didn't bother hiding his displeasure in his words and actions. Having been a victim of a cheating wife, he despised unfaithful married women.

"Now, according to Mr Forde's statement, you desperately needed money to save your husband and you were willing to do anything to get that money."

"Work!" Lola angrily interrupted the chief of police. "I was ready to work for three years without pay until my debt was settled."

The chief of police shot a final warning look at Lola.

"I am not interested in your noble motive, Mrs Hart. This is a rape case we are handling. So we need to get everything straight. I will suggest you stop interrupting me and allow me to complete my statement."

"I'm sorry, sir." Lola lowered her head in shame.

"Now, Mr Forde admits to adding some substance to your drink to make you feel relaxed. He also stated that he took you to the earlier mentioned hotel, where you both consummated your business and he paid you the remaining sum of 1.2 million dollars. Is that correct?"

"No..." Lola shook her head, more tears streaming down her reddened cheeks.

"Are you claiming he didn't pay you that some of the money?" The chief of police asked in a repressed tone.

"He did but I didn't approve of..." Lola stared in her husband's direction, the remaining words hanging in the air.

It was as though Brian was in another chaotic world. He was staring at a painting behind the chief of police with such a sinister look. His eyes were bloodshot and his aura was devilishly dangerous.