The Killer Boss

Chapter 4

Chapter Four:

An Interrogation with Scarlet Monroe’s parents.

—

EDWARD’S MIND WAS spiraling.

There is an inkling inside of him that automatically made him think of all the possibilities about the investigation. It was as though there was a switch in his mind and was laying out all probable deductions in correlation with the current case—giving him an overview. Nonetheless, he needed to be professional and immediately shrugged off all of the assumptions forming inside his head—he even mentally reprimanded himself for thinking in such a hasty way. Something that is nowhere near one of the characteristics of a sleuth.

Moments like this made Edward think of why he even became one. It’s not like he’s downplaying all the hard work and effort he exerted in order to achieve where he is now. But, there are times that it seemed as though his mind had thoughts of its own—making him jump into conclusions whenever solving a case. Not that it had ever ruined any of the cases given to him though. Detective Edward made sure that he wouldn’t make any errors whenever a case was given to him.

On most days, there are just times wherein his gut feeling would just get a hold of his thinking, making him feel that way. In addition to that, there were times where his instincts had proven to be an absolute truth—reminding him that those were purely based on his deductions rather than assumptions.

And now, he'd cling to that thought.

Edward’s colleagues were waiting for him to speak any word as he was the Lead Detective of this case—so it was only natural and respectable that he would manage all of them. But when Edward was so lost in his reverie, Detective Suarez knew that he had to take over. He wasn’t up for the matter of Edward making a fool out of himself. Thus, he decided to step in.

Suarez cleared his throat before speaking. “May we please escort you to the interrogation room?” he voiced out, completely weary to be careful around them knowing their relation with the victim. “We want to ask both of you some series of questions that might be helpful with… Scarlet’s case.” Even though Suarez hasn't been in their situation before, he’s trying to put himself in their shoes so he wouldn’t be able to do anything that might trigger the two. The least that he wanted was to cause an uproar or emotional breakdown for the victim’s parents.

Both of them gazed through the unit with such cold eyes, scanning the people who just presented themselves. Then the two of them nodded in return as a sign of response towards Suarez’s inquiry. Neither one of them spoke or utter a single word, and stood from the bench, then followed the sleuths.

As the victim’s parents were guided towards the investigation room, they were told to be briefed and questioned separately.

The first one to be investigated was the woman with blonde hair that had casually flowed just above her slim shoulders. Pearl earrings, pearl necklaces, and even a pearl ring was what caught Edward’s eye. Aside from that, she was well groomed and her clothes—albeit Edward didn’t have a clue of the brand—he’s mindful that it must’ve cost a fortune to own just with how classy and elegant it seemed. Aside from the jewelries she wore, there was also a gold watch latched onto her other wrist. This woman is really loaded. Considering the business of the family, it was only natural for them to be this wealthy. Thus, Edward clearly took note of that fact as it could be related to the case.

Most of the time, money can be a huge factor when it comes to cases like this. Knowing that the victim’s cause of death was unnatural. That being said, Edward was considering wealth as a motive.

Although it isn’t adequate to be doubtful of many things while investigating a case—it’s only natural for any sleuth to be observant in that manner. Not that they are openly saying to them what they’re thinking anyway. It’s important for detectives to keep all the questions and deductions inside their heads not until there’s solid evidence that would justify the said presumption.

The woman sat on the metal chair just across Edward while he placed a file on the metal table in front of them. His hands grazed on the cold surface, somewhat simmering the heat of curiosity nestling inside him. Although, it wasn’t entirely enough to diminish the interest that wanted to be satisfied. Edward reached for his tumbler sitting atop the desk then drank fluids to refresh his seemingly growing dry throat—as he was kind of nervous with the outcome of the interrogation.

Before he could even query her, Edward gaped over the two-way mirror on the wall, indicating that his team should start recording the interrogation. He didn’t even wait for a response as he’d commenced with the interview.

Edward cleared his throat and fought the urge to let out a heavy sigh. “I’m Lead Detective Edward Conrad and I’m assigned to this case. Under-Sheriff Collins mentioned that you already identified the victim as your daughter the moment he showed you a picture for clarification,” he paused, waiting for a reaction from the woman but there was none. Initially, his reaction would be confused as ever since this is practically the first time he encountered such a person.

For a moment he was perplexed, still, he continued. “There will be sets of questions that you need to answer—should you answer all of them with nothing but the truth.” Edward implied as he was looking directly at the woman’s eye.

The woman in front of her could only nod to everything that he’d spoken. Her eyes were also laser-focused on Edward’s face, not even trying to break eye contact. In Edward’s perspective, she was being utterly fixated on what he was saying so that she won’t be able to miss even a single detail. In which, Edward found convincing. The lead detective clasped his hands together as he didn’t break eye contact with her. “What is your name and relation to the victim?” he asked, despite already knowing the answer to his very own question.

“I’m Sylvia Monroe and I’m the mother of the victim,” she answered, voice remaining monotonous, emotions kept at bay. Not even a hint of sadness was present. Instead, her tone stayed flat as well as her facial expression remained impassive.

Edward, already being aware of the woman’s relation to the victim, had scanned her profile a while ago even before they’d gotten inside the interrogation room. In addition to that, he also learned a little more about her background. But since he needed to follow a certain procedure, he still asked about it—so that it’d be included in the whole recording process. So that they can look back to the recording and assess whether the information thrown to them was nothing but the truth. All of these were due to the fact that any information disclosed is vital when it comes to interviewing relatives of the deceased victim as well as any witnesses related to the case.

When Sylvia said nothing more, Edward took that time to move on to another process. Laying out numerous pictures of Sylvia’s daughter on the table, Edward waited for a reaction from the mother. The pictures consisted of Scarlet’s pictures when the police found her body at the crime scene as well as the result of the medical examiner’s autopsy.

All of the pictures were graphic, enough for any normal human being to show emotions while looking at them, but as Sylvia scanned all the pictures placed before her, a stoic expression remained on her face that brought Detective Edward in total confusion.

It was as though she was resisting to show any kinds of emotions.

Seemingly like she is afraid to make a mistake that Edward might use against her. As much as Edward wanted to hide his turmoil, he’d also kept a straight face while observing Sylvia. He’s the one interrogating, after all, he needed to be rational and professional in line with his work. Edward knew how crucial it is during times like this but he wanted to be careful approaching the victim’s mother.

The old woman reached one of the pictures laid in front of her eye—one where Scarlet’s arm had multiple needle marks—then neatly placed it down on the table. Her eyes particularly landed on the picture where there were countless healing bruises on her shoulder blade, back, waist, abdomen, chest area, thigh, and hip. The bruises were considerably invincible when Scarlet would wear clothes. It was as if someone who did it to her—knew where to blow the punches and the kicks.

It was a horrid sight to look at, for a parent, Edward knows because he himself is a father of one.

As to how Sylvia had remained unfazed by the sight of that, rattled Edward. It’s only natural for any parent to feel pain just upon seeing what their child had gone through.

Moreover, knowing that their child had perished.

Despite that information, Sylvia was still silent, waiting for the detective’s next words.

Edward cleared his throat, “Is this your daughter, Mrs. Sylvia?” he inquired, mentally wishing that there would be any changes in her reaction, facial expression and even the tone of her voice.

Sylvia nodded promptly. “Yes, that’s Scarlet,” she answered, clipped. Not even a subtle change in the sound of her voice went well with her expressions.

Disregarding how Slyvia showed no reaction, Edward just continued doing his job. Maybe later on, Slyvia would react in a way somehow. “According to the autopsy result, she died due to a drug overdose. Are you aware that your daughter took drugs?” he questioned, trying to keep his emotions in check.

“Yes.” Slyvia answered and once again, timid and curtly.

Albeit shocked at her words, Edward had to continue the interview. “Has she ever been an addict?” he added, trying to gather as much information as possible.

Shaking her head sideways, Slyvia replied. “Not that I knew of. I was told that she only took them occasionally.” Disturbingly enough, the woman in front of her still showed no emotion, and her voice was as stable as it could be.

Edward just couldn’t disguise his bewilderment anymore. So he reached for the picture wherein Scarlet had numerous bruises on her body. “How about this, Mrs. Monroe? Are you aware of these bruises?”

She only sighed at his remark, and couldn’t seem to form words as she kept a straight face. “Scarlet is a very naughty girl, she mostly gets into fights.”

“And she told you that?” Edward raised a brow as he inquired. “That she gets into fights and that’s where she’d get the bruises on her body? Are you sure, Mrs. Monroe?” Edward inquired in series, seemingly like he was trying to push her to an extent where she would show another emotion.

That being said, his plan did work.

“Yes, I’m certain, Detective Edward.” Slyvia responded almost immediately—like there was a threat laced in her voice. “Scarlet most definitely told me that,” she continued but the threat was no longer there, her tone monotonous, again.

He could only snicker mentally. Apparently, she is disclosing information that can’t possibly be proven because the person to testify those words is basically… gone. Edward scoffed inwardly, this woman in front of her would intimidate others but he wasn't backing down—not when his instincts were telling him that this woman might be hiding something.

“Where were you on the night your daughter died, Mrs. Monroe?” Edward’s voice was sternly loud, one could flinch at his scary tone, but not Sylvia.

However, she could almost claw his face at what he just sputtered. It was clear to her that this detective in front of him was already suspecting her. Yet, she remained calm and composed—this very action might’ve meant a big ounce of self-control for her to pull it off.

Edward grew aware of how her facial expression changed with what he just inquired. Asking these questions have always been a part of the interrogation and he’s just doing his job as a detective. That being said, he’s wondering why Sylvia's expression made it feel like something isn’t right—like he muttered something that he wasn’t supposed to.

His plans to push her buttons were slowly showing, especially when he could see the way Sylvia’s hands curled into a fist on her sides.

“What are you implying?” Sylvia’s voice was full of disgust which made Edward raise an eyebrow at her words.

I was only asking the questions, Edward almost answered but instead he decided to pry more into Sylvia’s irritation. “Answer the question, Mrs. Monroe. Where were you on the night your daughter died?” he harshly repeated, his words almost coming out as a scream. His emotions started to boil as Sylvia refused to directly answer his question.

On the other hand, there was a fuming rage inside Sylvia—one that Edward noticed as he saw her clenching her fists with much more force than before while throwing eye daggers onto him. Edward could only smirk at her mere actions but in just a blink of an eye—the smirk vanished.

She heaved a deep sigh, “There was a party at our house, it was for business matters. Scarlet didn’t come home that night or the day after. We thought that she was just with her friends so we didn’t bother looking for her. It was when his brother informed us that her friends didn’t even see her for those two full days—we’re completely unaware that she’s missing already at that point.” Sylvia explained briefly as tears began to form in her eyes, now actually showing some emotions that should’ve been there before as soon as he saw them in the lobby.

Edward had a lot in his mind and wanted to ask her every question that would pop inside his head. Something just doesn’t sit well with him. He’d been a detective for about five years already. Edward met and encountered a lot of individuals but not once did his instincts fail him. Not that he solely relied on it, but it seemed as if his hunch were never wrong. And right now, his gut feeling is telling him something.

As to what it was, he’s unsure yet, but is willing to unfold the thought.

“Do you have any idea who she’s with the day before she disappeared or on the day that she died?” Edward now cooled down, kept his posture and his professionalism during the interview.

“She always hangs out with her friends—Scarlet has a big circle of friends. However, she’s closest with Claire and Alyssa.”

Another lead, Detective Edward thought. He gazed through the two-way mirror and even though he could not see his colleagues—he already knew that some of them were already taking notes about the newly found leads. The names mentioned should be interrogated the next day since it was already getting late.

“Does she have a lover?” The question almost came in an instant, as the thought suddenly entered Edward’s mind, even though it’s still included in the lists of questions.

Sylvia shook her head. “She wasn’t interested in that kind of stuff.”

“Has Scarlet ever had an enemy? Someone who would do this to her?” The assumptions were unnecessary, but Edward knew that he had to think outside the box if he wanted to ever solve this case.

“She’d never mentioned anyone regarding that. Scarlet isn’t fond of arguments and fights. She’d rather stay silent when there are things bothering her.” Slyvia explained as she glanced over the pictures that were scattered on the table.

By her words, Edward almost smiled in front of her. He knew damn well that this woman in front of her was indeed hiding something. She just had twisted her own words. Edward had been in this field long enough to be quick at analyzing things—his deductions over the top.

Instead of showing a hint of triumph, he continued on. “Can you think of someone that could do this to her? Anyone who has motives? Or anyone in particular that wanted her gone?”

Sylvia was thinking hard as she dug deep inside her mind on any person that could’ve harmed her daughter but to no avail, she couldn’t think of one.

“Maybe she did this to herself?”

Detective Edward noticed the confusion laced in her voice despite the stern voice that she wanted to imply. Diverting his eyes onto the table, he could only release a sigh as to how a young girl with much ahead of her, died in such an unfortunate way.

He could almost feel the rage inside of him—how can a mother accuse her own child of committing suicide? Edward knew that he doesn’t know much of Scarlet and her family, but judging by only this small part of the interview, she must’ve had it difficult.

“We’re still investigating further to confirm whether such allegations are true. You have to trust us with this case. We’ll do everything we can to achieve justice for your daughter.” When there wasn't any response from the woman, Edward averted his eyes towards Sylvia, who clearly wasn’t showing any hint of emotions at the very moment.

Oddly enough, considering that it’s her daughter that they were talking about. Edward would’ve been devastated if he was in her place—he could be relentlessly screaming and cursing anyone that could’ve done it to her daughter.

He could even kill the suspect. His morals would be down the drain if it involved his family.

Edward shook the mournful thought away and with a deep breath, he withdrew the picture that was inside another envelope—which could help them with the case. The picture was the back of Scarlet’s neck burn mark of a dandelion. Something that Edwards believed to hold a huge significance regarding the case. Ever so slowly, he placed the picture on top of the other photos, clearly showing Mrs. Monroe the printed material. Then as if on cue, Slyvia’s eyebrows knitted together.

“Do you identify this mark?” Detective Edward questioned as the woman reached for the photograph and lifted it up to see much clearer. She was so focused on the picture that she’d forgotten to respond, making Edward repeat the question, “Do you know that your daughter has this mark on the back of her neck?”

Noticing the trembling of her eyes as she saw the symbol, she redirected her gaze to the man in front of him, much bemusement plastered on her face. “This… I’m not aware,” she informed him with a raspy voice.

“Is your daughter not a part of any sorority group that uses this kind of symbol as a proof of their loyalty to the association?”

“No, Scarlet is not like that. She doesn’t want any part of that.” Sylvia muttered as she was shaking her head in some sort of disbelief.

“What made you certain to say that?” Edward had cupped his bearded chin as his elbows were prompted off the metal table.

“That is part of the rule.” And with her words, Edward had immediately sat up straight, intrigued about her words.

“What rule?” he had questioned but Sylvia remained silent. Obviously refusing to give him an answer.

It had been like that for more than ten minutes so Edward had just decided to end their interview at that. He thought that maybe all of this was just too much for Scarlet’s mother to digest and he respects her emotions at this given time.

Although there was still a lot going on inside Edward’s mind, he made sure that all the queries would be answered when he interrogated the husband and the head of the household.

Furthermore, as much as Edward wanted to leave the room and join his team for a huddle about Mr. Sylvia Monroe’s investigation, he still has a job to do.

The meeting can wait later.