The Writer's Dilemma

The Questioning

    The music and dancing came to an abrupt end, leaving in its place a flurry of whispers. The air felt like it was being sucked out of the room. A police officer entered the room, hands on his hips, a stern expression on his face as he addressed the room. Audrey shifted uncomfortably.

                “No one will leave until they’ve been questioned and their information has been taken down.” The officer left as quickly as he’d come, leaving the room to mill about for answers.

                “Are you ok?” Kerem asked her again, placing a hand on the small of her back. Audre gulped down the lump that had formed in her throat. She always felt a little unsteady and nervous when death came into the equation. Audrey looked up into the chocolate brown eyes of Kerem’s, biting her lip.

                “Sorry if we were a little rough. We just didn’t want Marius to keep hurting you.” Jocelyn said as she and Pierre appeared at their side, interrupting the brief moment they were having.

                “Marius was hurting you?” Kerem pulled her back to look at him, shock written on his face. Audrey fell silent, unsure of what to say.

                “It wasn’t very obvious. He was twisting her wrist in a way that looked natural for dancing, but we could see the look on Audrey’s face which told it all. Maybe I should become a detective…” Pierre sounded proud. Jocelyn stood next to him, nodding her head.

                “Wrist,” Kerem said the word, his eyes glazing over. There was a pause in which his facial features turned dark, his chocolate brown eyes turning into dark orbs. “Is he the one who hurt you?” Kerem’s voice was strained, his entire body becoming rigid.

                “Kerem, listen to me. Calm down first,” Audrey, not liking this side of Kerem, placed two gentle hands on his chest, preventing him from going off to find Marius. The room around them became more excited too, police officers trying to organize a large number of guests. Audrey looked back at Pierre and Jocelyn for help, getting shrugs instead.

                “I, for one, wouldn’t mind seeing Marius getting it handed to him,” Jocelyn piped in.

                “I hardly know the guy, but he does seem to be a bit of a t**t in need of a good stuffing,” Pierre laughed, his eyes closing slightly in enjoyment. These small comments only gave Kerem more confidence.

                “Kerem!” Audrey sandwiched his face between her two hands, pulling his gaze back down to her. “Please,” She was able to plead with him, giving him a puppy dog face before she was roughly pulled away.

                “Stay away from her!” Marius’s voice cut through their small group in a growl, gaining several other’s attention. Kerem rushed forward, pushing Marius slightly. Marius came right back, meeting Kerem so they were mere inches apart, staring daggers at each other.

                “Funny. That’s what I should be telling you. I swear… if you hurt her again,” Kerem’s reply sounded angrier than Audrey ever remembered hearing him sound. There were a few seconds of silence as the two men stared at each other, hatred pouring out of every inch of them.

                “Mr. Alarie?” A police officer stepped into their small circle, not realizing the situation currently going on. “We need a few words. Is there a Miss Marchand present?” The police officer scanned the few people around him. Audrey shot her head up at the sound of her name. “We need to talk to you too,” The policeman walked away. Audrey followed him, refusing to look at anyone. She was led to a small room where one detective was waiting for her. He looked up at her when she entered the room.

                “Miss Marchand. Take a seat,” The detective gestured to the seat across from him, his face showing no emotions. She complied immediately, her heart rapidly thumping in her chest uncomfortably. “Miss Marchand, do you happen to know a Mr. Cagnat?” Audrey thought for a minute before shaking her head no. The detective seemed to hesitate, leaning forward towards her. “You are in Vancouver with Mr. Alarie, are you not?”

                “I am.”

                “And you’re telling me that in all of that time you haven’t met his assistant?” The detective grumbled. Audrey was surprised, sure that it was written on her face.

                “I’ve met him… twice. Once at the airport on the way to Vancouver, the other time in Mr. Alarie’s hotel room. I never knew his name… what does that-” She was cut off by the detective in charge.

                “Mr. Cagnat was found was found dead this evening.”