Devil in the details...

Maria collected the now-empty cups; the lingering smell of tea and coffee faded. Only one cup remained, and the smell of sweet chocolate was now lingering in the air.

A small hum came from the infrared dryer behind Maria, Mitsuko, and Akio.

Akio's soaked clothes spun as they tumbled with a constant thump, livening up the dreary kitchen unintentionally with its machine melody. Maria leaned over to slow the drum's speed with a single beep, the thumps getting slower and duller.

Kendleton and Hinnakow were no longer standing; the now-sitting officers were hunched over the edge of the small brown table, their legs giving way to the allure of chairs.

Both of them unintentionally copied Akio; the three were embroiled in their notepads, hastily scribbling away, but only two were writing down Mitsuko's words. Akio was still drawing; his attention was fixated on his trusty yellow notepad, ignoring the adults and the conversation at hand, occasionally flicking back to the book at one of the fossils. 

As she watched Akio become engrossed in the book she had just given him and the sight of the hunched officers, Maria grinned, reminiscing about her students, momentarily transforming into a teacher once more.

Mitsuko briefly glimpsed Maria's mirthful aura before the male officer intervened with a soft but sceptical flurry of questions, wanting to wrap up the night and the light interview to fill in the gaps. His tiredness and the kick of caffeine were at odds with each other 

Kendlton: So only you saw this, Mr Aherra? (Jotting down something on his notepad.) You didn't notice any distinguishing features? (No longer writing.) Scars, jewellery, tattoos, a piece of clothing with a logo, something along those lines... (Rotating his pen in the air.)

The flicking of pages rustled.

Kendleton: You said that you saw a hand reaching for the door handle, so they were pretty close, weren't they? 'Dubious.' You must have had a really good look...

Mitsuko thought back to the time he locked eyes on the shadowy figure and began to speak of his condensed recollection, trying to picture the shadowy form in his mind.

Mitsuko: As I said, 'Calm.' We parked the car, and my wife jumped in the back to check on Akio. Soon after, I saw someone standing behind the bushes. (Moving his hands to the table.) I reached for the medical bag in the glove box, and when I turned around, the guy was there...

A hand shot up, interrupting Mitsuko, and a pen was placed back onto the paper. 

Kendleton: What makes you think it was a bloke? (Scratching something down.) Could it have been a woman? 'Condescending.' Also, what was wrong with Akio that caused your wife to jump in the back and ask for a medical bag?

Both officers stared intensely at Mitsuko, waiting for an answer. Before Mitsuko could speak, Maria took over the conversation for a moment; her hand slid under the table, touching Mitsuko's bare, hairy legs.

Maria: 'Flustered.' You see, Akio fell over in the alley. I didn't notice the cut on his face until he told us about it in the car.

The male officer glanced over at Maria, then back to Mitsuko, swallowing the answer and not wanting to pry any further.

Kendleton: I see 'Unconvinced.' Very well, Mrs Aherra.

The female officer spoke up, putting her notepad back into her black vest, not wanting to continue the lines of questioning any further, feeling the night had been dragged on for too long.

Hiinakow: Please excuse the crass tone of my partner; we are both running on empty tonight. 'Friendly.' I think your wife's brew might have kicked started his brain; you know the old saying, "The Devil is in the details." 'Smiling.' We just want to be as thorough as we can. (Looking to Maria.) According to what your husband told us, all we can do is canvass the area for anyone acting strange; the description alone is little to go by, sadly.

The atmosphere in the small kitchen settled, and both men sighed. 

Mitsuko: It's fine; it feels like I have wasted your time. (Moving his hands from the table.) When I initially called, I wasn't entirely forthcoming with all the details of what I saw. In all honesty, it happened so quickly, and it was pretty dark; it could have been either a man or a woman. As soon as I saw them by the door, I floored it. 'Lost.' I was protecting Akio and my wife.

Mitsuko sat in the chair, holding the back of his neck. As soon as Mitsuko finished talking, Maria was pushing a lingering question past her lips.

Maria: 'Concerned.' So, what about Akio? (Looking at Mistuko.)

The two officers glanced at each other, the young boy's position slipping their minds, as Kendleton shuffled in his seat, returning his scribblings to the back of his trouser pocket. The female officer laid out what would happen next.

Hinnakow: 'Proffesional.' Officer Kendleton and I will make sure that he arrives home safe and sound. I already have Akio's address in our system. (Looking at Kendleton.) We'll notify his parents of the situation. You two have done enough for one night. Thank you for looking after Akio. We will now take it from here. 'Comforting.'

Mitsuko and Maria exchanged glances, feeling a sense of relief wash over them that soon faded as the buzzing of walkie-talkies illuminated the room, causing everyone to jerk in surprise—all but one. A clear, monotone voice of a young woman broke out in the small kitchen, crackling from the loudness.

Walkie-talkie: 10-52 on Rele Drive. All available officers are needed. I repeat, 10-52 on Rele Drive. Possible 101-6... 'Crackling.'

Mitsuko heard it and knew what it was—all but for one code—before the two officers switched to their ear pieces, hushing the squawking walkies.

Both officers sat in silence upon hearing the final code and the rest of the message in their ears. Mitsuko watched as their faces drained of all colour. Maria moved to the dryer, opening the door, not fully understanding what it all meant.

Kendleton: (Removing his ear piece.) Mr and Mrs Aherra, could you make sure that Akio has all his things? We really need to get Akio home now. 'Anxious.'

Maria moved away from the table, slowly bagging Akio's partially-dry school uniform. She noticed a tear on the back of the blazer; her thumb moved it, feeling the silk liner underneath.

Maria: 'Muttering.' Oh dear, I hope the dryer didn't do this.

Both officers left the kitchen feeling like someone was watching them from afar as they took their conversation from prying ears. Mitsuko and Maria couldn't hear the voices of the two officers now in the hall, their huddled movements made it seem like the call was worrying.

Maria: What was all that about? It must be something serious. 'Interested.' Nights like these really do bring out the crazies. (Turning to Mitsuko.) Don't you think so, honey?

Mitsuko sat in silence, staring down the hall, as the code "101-6" ran through his mind, not answering his wife's question as it lingered in the air. 

An inaudible tear slipped past the teachers as the book Akio was drawing from closed. The smell of chocolate no longer lingered in the air as Akio began to drink from the now-cold cup.