The Writer's Dilemma

Confessions

    The room had begun to spin, the news of a second death was too much to bear. The already dark meeting room glowed darker as it faded to the background, left unimportant. Audrey was sure that the detective was trying to ask her something but her body was beginning to shut down. Her memory traveled backward to the first meeting. No. She couldn’t even call it that. She had seen the assistant trail after Marius at the airport in Quebec City. She hadn’t even taken the time to ask to be introduced. She thought back to the previous night, when the man was dripping in sweat, looking nervous and uncomfortable in Marius’s company.

                “Miss Marchand?” The detective asked, bringing her back to the present, slightly aware that she had begun to shake. “I’m sure anything you tell us may be of help,” the detective had lightened up slightly, leaving Audrey to believe that there was such a thing as bad cop, good cop. She gave herself a minute to steady her breathing, going into detail about the to times she had met Mr. Cagnat, visually taking in the sight of the detective writing down her words and information.

                In another fifteen minutes, Audrey was being released back into the dimly lit hallway, her hands shaking as they felt along the wall. A door in front of her opened, letting a bright gleam of light into the hallway. Marius walked out of room, his form casting a long shadow that haunted the enclosed area.

                “Thank you, Mr. Alarie. You are free to go.” Another police officer directing him down the hall, however, the glimmer in Marius’s eyes caught Audrey huddled against the wall. The door closed, removing the bright light and leaving Marius and Audrey trapped in the dark. Time slowly ticked by as Marius and Audrey remained silent and unmoving. Finally, Marius turned towards the large meeting rooms, taking a few steps before he stopped again.

                “Miss Marchand.” Marius’s voice was the coldest Audrey had ever heard it. “I believe I told you no dating.”

                “I-.”

                “Before you tell me that you and Mr. Bassett are not dating… can you tell me that there is no foundation for it?” Marius turned back to her, his hollow glare scaring her. She bit her lip, remaining silent. Marius approached her, trapping her between the wall and his tall frame. “You remember what my rules were. You’ve broken them… with a murderer no less… Be prepared to face the penalty.” Marius growled, leaving her trembling against the wall. What had he meant? With a murderer? Audrey shook her head. He was trying to confuse her. She trembled the entire way back to the meeting room, stopping just inside the door.

                “Audrey?” Kerem’s voice reached her first. She looked up into the chocolate brown eyes of whom Audrey was absolutely sure could not be a murderer. His eyes held concern and perhaps a gleam of something else, steadying her and boosting her confidence. He put a supportive arm under hers, surprise transforming his features. “You are shaking.” He took off his top coat, nestling it onto her shoulders.

                “What happened?” Pierre appeared beside them. Audrey looked around for any sign of her manager. “Jocelyn was called in for questioning not too long after you. She should be out soon.” Pierre filled her in. Audrey nodded, sucking in a large gulp of stale air.

                “You will find out soon enough… Mr. Cagnat, Marius’s assistant, was the one who was found dead,” she couldn’t keep the dread out of her voice or help but feel a little vexed. In a short amount of time, two people she had recently met were now dead, and she feared that it wasn’t just a coincidence. Audrey faced Kerem, giving him a pleading look, only to be accosted by two more policemen.

                “Mr. Dupont? Mr. Bassett? Could you come with us please?” Pierre obliged instantly, waiting for Kerem to follow.

                “One moment please,” Kerem asked of the policemen, getting a hesitated nod in response. Kerem pulled Audrey to the side, one hand on her shoulder. “What did you want to say to me?” Kerem lowered his voice. Audrey gulped, unsure how to put what she was going to say in a nice way.

                “Mr. Bassett… I think we should remain professional and only see each other at work. Please, don’t care too much about me,” Audrey unwrapped herself from his overcoat, handing it back to him without another word. She turned on her heel, finding Jocelyn walking through the threshold of the meeting room.

                “Audrey, wait!” Kerem’s voice stopped her. The grief in his voice struck a chord with her, paralyzing her where she stood.

                “Mr. Bassett? Now!” The policeman barked. Kerem moved in front of her, putting his hands gently on her shoulders.

                “I like you! Only if you tell me that you don’t like me back… that is when I’ll stop fighting for you.”