CHAPTER 4: The Interrogation
1062 Words
“…has been confirmed as human.”
Silence filled the room.
Richard was the first to speak.
“Do we know if it’s Ethan’s?”
Detective Daniel Foster closed the report.
“We can’t confirm that yet. The sample has been sent for DNA testing. At this point, all we know is that it’s human blood.”
“So you don't know whose it is?”
“Not yet.”
Before anyone could speak again, the conference room door opened.
Margaret and Edward Hart stepped inside.
“Isabella…”
Margaret hurried toward her daughter and pulled her into a hug.
“Mum…”
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
“I don't understand.”
“I know.”
Margaret stroked her hair.
“I’m here.”
Edward walked over and placed a reassuring hand on Isabella’s shoulder.
“Richard.”
Richard nodded.
“Edward.”
“I’m sorry we had to meet under these circumstances,” Richard said.
“So am I.”
Margaret pulled away slightly and looked at Isabella.
“You haven't eaten, have you?”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You still need to eat.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, sweetheart.”
Margaret brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
“You’re trying very hard to be.”
Isabella lowered her eyes.
Detective Foster waited a moment before speaking.
“I apologize for interrupting, but there are a few questions we need answered while everyone's memory is still fresh.”
Edward nodded.
“We understand.”
Foster looked around the room.
“My team isn't here to make this harder. We're simply trying to establish Ethan's movements before he disappeared.”
Richard gestured toward the chairs.
“Please, everyone sit.”
They settled around the table.
Foster opened his notebook.
“Miss Hart, when did you last speak to Ethan?”
“Last night.”
“What did you talk about?”
“Our wedding.”
She gave a faint smile.
“I reminded him not to work too late.”
“And how did he respond?”
“He laughed.”
Her smile faded.
“He told me I'd become worse than his alarm clock.”
Edward gave a faint smile.
“What did he say after that?”
“He promised he'd see me at the altar.”
Foster nodded before turning to Adrian.
“Mr. Adrian Kingsley, when did you last see your brother?”
“This morning.”
“Did anything seem unusual?”
“No. He was exactly as he always was.”
“Nothing at all?”
“He complained about Father's schedule.”
Richard sighed.
“That sounds like Ethan.”
Adrian nodded.
“He asked whether I'd finally stop working long enough to dance at his wedding.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“I told him not to expect miracles.”
Edward chuckled softly.
“I suppose that sounds like you.”
Adrian looked at him.
Edward smiled faintly.
“I've known your father for a very long time.”
Richard gave him a look.
“Maybe too long.”
Edward's smile disappeared.
“I only wish we were having this conversation under different circumstances.”
“So do I,” Adrian replied.
A quiet knock interrupted them.
A forensic officer stepped inside carrying a sealed evidence bag. He leaned toward Detective Foster and whispered something before leaving.
Richard noticed the detective's expression.
“What is it?”
Foster carefully placed the evidence bag on the table.
Inside was a single silver cufflink.
“This was recovered from the passenger seat of Mr. Kingsley's vehicle.”
Isabella leaned forward.
“That’s not Ethan's.”
Adrian looked at the cufflink.
“No, it isn't.”
Edward frowned.
“If it doesn't belong to Ethan, then someone else was with him.”
“That's our working assumption,” Foster replied.
“Do you know who?”
“Not yet. We're having it examined for fingerprints and tracing its manufacturer.”
Richard looked at him.
“Will that help?”
“It could.”
Foster glanced at the evidence bag.
“It’s a small lead, but sometimes small leads become important ones.”
Margaret tightened her hold on Isabella's hand.
“So, what happens now?”
“We continue the search.”
“What does that involve?”
“Additional officers have been deployed. Nearby businesses are providing security footage, and we'll be speaking with anyone who may have seen Mr. Kingsley before his vehicle was abandoned.”
Foster closed his file.
“I know this isn't the certainty any of you were hoping for, but I want to stress one thing.”
Everyone looked at him.
“At this stage, Ethan Kingsley is a missing person. We are not drawing conclusions beyond the evidence we have.”
Isabella took a slow breath.
“So there’s still hope?”
“Yes.”
Richard stood.
“Thank you, Detective. Please keep me informed the moment you learn anything.”
“You'll be the first to know.”
The investigators gathered their files and left.
Margaret turned toward Isabella.
“Come home with us tonight.”
Isabella looked down.
“I…”
Richard spoke before she could finish.
“I understand your concern, Margaret. Believe me, I share it.”
Margaret looked at him.
“But before anyone leaves, there are a few family matters we need to discuss.”
Edward frowned.
“Can't it wait until tomorrow?”
Richard shook his head.
“I wish it could.”
No one spoke.
Richard looked around the room.
“I think it's best if we continue this conversation after everyone has had a moment to gather themselves.”
Margaret nodded reluctantly and helped Isabella to her feet.
Edward placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder.
“Come on.”
They started toward the door.
Adrian reached for the handle.
“Adrian.”
He turned.
Richard looked at him.
“Stay behind.”
Adrian frowned.
“The rest of you may go ahead,” Richard said. “There's something I need to discuss with my son.”
Eleanor remained seated, still frozen by everything the detective had said.
Isabella glanced back.
For a brief moment, her eyes met Adrian's.
Neither of them spoke.
Neither knew that the conversation about to take place would change both of their lives forever.
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