Chapter 19
“Look, Kyle, we’ve got footage from around Tangle Lane, and that’s the last place Phoebe was seen alive,” Robin warned Kyle, his tone suggesting that honesty would be a wise choice.
Kyle became defensive, “She could go wherever she fancied; we didn’t make her go there on the 15th!”
“You’re still not coming clean!” Robin slammed his hand on the table, frustrated.
Kyle’s temper flared as well. “This whole mess started with Dexter. He’s the one pulling the strings. If you wanna know what happened to Phoebe on the 15th, ask him. I’ve got an alibi for that night. I was hammered at Nocturne, and there are a few regulars who can vouch for me.”
Robin glanced at the clock and signaled to his colleague to escort Kyle out.
“Could it be that Dexter, fearing his dirty secrets with Phoebe might come out, killed her under the guise of this serial killer on the loose?” HIs partner speculated.
Robin remained silent, now he was also suspecting Dexter.
I sighed and listened quietly, wondering what kind of heartless statement Dexter would make during his interrogation.
Soon enough. Dexter was brought in, sitting at the interrogation table with a displeased look.
“Mr. Fitzgerald, we need you to cooperate and clarify some things for us,” the officer taking notes stated sternly.
Dexter seemed impatient, “I have the right to remain silent until my attorney arrives.”
“If you want Phoebe to die, then you can remain silent forever,” Robin said gravely.
Dexter furrowed his brows and remained mute.
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at the sight of Dexter. He was really wishing for me to drop dead.
“Did you have Phoebe dress up in Melody’s clothes on the 13th, 14th, and 15th, walking alone in Flare Alley and Tangle Lane to lure out the killer?” Robin asked, his tone heavy with disapproval.
It seemed like a risky move that the cops would never dare to make, yet Dexter had thrown Phoebe into danger without mature planning.
Dexter met Robin’s gaze briefly but said nothing, clearly uncooperative.
Robin seemed like an officer who empathized deeply with the victims. He hit the table again, anger rising, “If Phoebe was targeted because of your arrogance, can you imagine how desperate she felt in her final moments?”
I sat shivering in the room. Robin was right. I did feel utterly hopeless.
13:15
I was sent to hell by the man I loved, cared about most, and the one who once saved me.
“Officer Robin, provocation won’t work on me. You don’t understand Phoebe. I knew her better than anyone else in this world. She’s not dead. Until I see her body, I won’t believe any news of her demise,” Dexter responded calmly. He truly didn’t believe I could be dead.
“On the 15th, Phoebe went into Tangle Lane and vanished. The cameras show she never came out.” Robin said, sounding defeated and somewhat pitying Phoebe.
“There’s a timing error. I’m not sure if it’s intentional, Officer Robin. We did send Phoebe out on the 13th and 14th to draw the killer, but not on the 15th,” Dexter clarified earnestly. “And it was Flare Alley, not Tangle Lane.”
Robin studied Dexter silently, as if trying to see through any possible lies. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
And there I stood behind Robin, quietly observing Dexter.
How ironic…
“Tell me about Phoebe, what was she like in your eyes?” Instead of confronting Dexter with evidence and surveillance footage, Robin asked him to describe me.
What I truly meant to him?
“Her?” Dexter scoffed with a cold laugh. “She looked innocent but was cunning at heart.”
Robin leaned back in his chair, continuing to watch Dexter.
“She was an adopted daughter in our family. She is infatuated with me for years, and would stop at nothing to marry me. She was even plotting against my fiancée,” Dexter spat out with
venom.
I stood there, numb, wanting to slap him for his lies, yet feeling it was pointless.
“Melody Burton?” Robin latched onto that lead. “Would you mind shed some light on the feud between Phoebe and Melody?”