A hot shower.
That was all Tessa Roads needed. She didn’t know how long she was in the bathroom for, neither did she ever wanted this dream to end. But if she doesn’t finish up soon, she’ll become pruny. Reluctant, she finished up her shower, wiped her body, and slipped on her new clothing.
Sweat shirt, sweat pants, thick socks. She thought she was about to go on a run, until she kept remembering officers were waiting right outside.
Tessa stared at her make up and skin products...should she? Or don’t bother? She wasn’t in the mood. But she didn’t know when she’ll ever come back. Is this the end for her? Will she ever see her apartment again?
...Eh. Might as well.
After spending a few minutes to moisturize her skin and do her daily routine...she knew her time was up. She had to go. She gave one last look in the mirror, staring at her own reflection.
“...I didn’t kill him...I didn’t kill him. I’m innocent.”
A small chant to herself, before she smoothed the cream on her face to make it disappear. Finally, she unlocked the door and walked out.
CRUNCH. Munch. Munch.
Only to see her coffee table spread out with chips and crackers, pried open. Along with three officers sitting on her couch, eating those chips and crackers.
A small potluck.
“Ah. Miss Roads.” Detective Merlin waved as he popped some crispy square crackers into his mouth. “Hmm. This is good stuff. Where did you get them?”
“...Wal-Mart.”
“I’ll make a note. Please, have a seat.” Merlin waved a hand, gesturing the host to her own chair. Officer PC 9527 and PC 3868 perked their heads up, cheeks stuffed like squirrels. A slow awkward chew as they stare at the owner of the snacks. Merlin just waved a hand. “No worries, we’ll claim this as investigation expenses for you.” And ended with a small burp.
Tessa had the eyes of staring into a deep abyss. Not a word was spoken as she marched over to PC 9527, yanked a cushion he had squished behind his back, and plop down in an open lounge chair to curl up and hug the cushion like a doll. She was too tired to even file a complaint.
Merlin popped another salted cracker in his mouth. “Miss Roads. Can I call you Tessa?”
“Sure.”
“Mind if I say something, blunt.”
Tessa gave a weak shrug of her shoulder.
“So, I realized that. Ahem...” The detective thought over his next words. “When I first met you at the hotel, you give off the impression of being fun, exciting, and unpredictable. However, after being with you for a couple of hours, I came to realize--”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Merlin pulled up a box of chocolate Pocky sticks and tapped it with a palm as if grabbing a cigarette. “You’re actually the opposite. Boring, monotonous, and have zero flare in your life. Your apartment, your decorations, even your closet is screaming for Macy’s salvation.”
Tessa just hugged her cushion, the only barrier she had to the reality spitting in her face. She tried not to show it, at least she hid her growing snarl behind her fluffy wall. PC 9527 felt the atmosphere grew heavy between the two speakers...but those ketchup chips were tempting. He moved as slowly as he could, perhaps slow enough to turn invisible to the naked eye.
Only for Tessa to assault the officer with a smack on his hand, and dragging the tasty bag of chips out of his reach. Her only means of politely venting.
Merlin on the other hand continued to help himself to the host’s food. While he wiggled some crumb-coated fingers, to pick the next best taste, he spoke up. “Why you?”
Tessa’s eyebrow twitched. “Wh-what do you mean?”
“Liam Ferguson, your boss, is what.” The detective counted his fingers. “Magazine cover handsome. Lives in a hotel with housekeeping and room service at his beck and call. We just dragged his Tesla to the police impound in near mint condition. And he is your company’s top agent, right? Women would be flocking to him like bees to honey, and no doubt they would have done a little Boom-Cha-Cha just to get on his good side yet...”
Merlin gestured a hand directly at the suspect. “Why did he choose you?”
Tessa gripped her fingers into the cushion. “...Detective, I’m tired. What are you trying to say?”
“Hear me out, okay? Why would such a successful man lure you – a dinosaur – into his pricey hotel? Not shaming you or anything, but you’re not exactly someone I would put on a Tinder profile.”
PC 9527 and PC 3686 went ‘ooooooooooh’ – and bailed the F out of the couch and conversation.
The grinding of teeth could be heard coming from Tessa’s pursed lips. “Detective Merlin. I understand I am a suspect in a murder investigation...but could you please save some dignity for me?”
Merlin suddenly shifted over to sit closer, plopping down where the officers vacated on the couch. “You don’t get it? Of all the women in the world, in his office, why did your boss pick you as his target? Did you ever give him mixed signals?”
“N-no! I told you I’m not into those office dramas, I have zero interest in starting any relationships at work!”
“Did you give him Chocolates on Valentine’s Day and he misunderstood your good will?”
“Just Hallmark Cards. Box set. Everyone! Even to my clients!”
Merlin gave the suspect a quick look over. “Nylon stockings? Pencil skirts? Shaking hips?”
“Detective. I am going to hit you.”
Merlin hopped back a seat, holding his hands up in complete surrender. “Alright, new approach. Does your boss have any other lady friends?”
Tessa Roads pinched her nose bridge. “Detective, I know I said he’s my boss – but I’m not his secretary. I don’t keep track of what he does outside of the office. I’m a leader of one of his branch teams. I just report to him our progress and quota. I don’t ever want to be seen as woman who gets too cozy to climb the corporate ladder, so I keep my distance to a professional level.”
“Clients?”
“Well. He has mixed male and female clients...actually a lot of female ones. Usually they seek him out, given his reputation – and he’s really good at his job. Now that I think about it, he’s always been really good with words. His quota always comes in by the millions.”
Merlin chewed on a Pocky stick, snapping it in half with his lips. “Where do you work again?”
“Precious Life Insurance Company. It’s what, a bus drive away from my...wait why are you smiling like that? Stop it, I feel insecure!”