“When did you first start to date Mrs. Russell?” Alex asked, leaning forward at the table. “It was recent, man. And it’s not like we planned it. We just liked each other.” “Bullshit! You were with her before Jeffrey’s death!” Michael shook his head. “Why do you say that, man? We just hooked up. And it was a few months ago, after I signed for the Lyons again.” “You were banging her. You were with a married woman, you little piece of shit.” “No, I wasn’t. Our relationship started after her husband’s death.” “I don’t believe you,” Alex stared directly into his eyes, waiting for the slightest sign of weakness. Alex took a glance at Jack, who was visibly frustrated. He stood up and lit a cigarette, pacing back and forth silently. Michael remained in his chair, appearing relaxed. “Okay, let’s start again,” Alex said. “Why were you fired from the Lyons?” “I don’t know, man. They didn’t tell me why. I was just notified they were going to pay my clause and let me go. The Tigers wanted me. So I didn’t give it too much thought. After all, they were paying my clause, it was free money, you know. I was free to go and sign with another team. So I took money from the Lyons and from the Tigers. I didn’t care why they were letting me go.” “Maybe it was because you were involved with the boss’ wife, don’t you think?” “No,” Michael raised his voice. “I already told Linda that I started seeing each other after Jeffrey’s death.” “You know, Michael, Jeffrey was a splendid man. He gave a lot to the poor. But he wasn’t a fool. Why would he pay for someone’s clause and let him sign with the rival team? It doesn’t make sense to me. Plus, you were having a remarkable season. Businesswise, his decision is not one you could expect from him.” “Well, I’d tell you to ask him. But the man’s dead.”

“Where were you on March twenty-seven last year, at eleven thirty in the morning?” Michael raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “I don’t know, man. Why would I remember such a thing?” “You’d remember it because you need an alibi.” “I don’t remember where I was, but I wasn't killing somebody, okay?” Alex took another drag from his cigarette. There had to be something. This dumb, pretty boy couldn’t outsmart him. “Damn, if he’s telling the truth, I’ll be in the exact same place again. If he’s not, he’s a hell of a liar. Maybe Mrs. Russell prepared him exhaustively for this kind of interrogation.” He looked at Michael, getting closer. Michael thought he was going to hit him. Alex’s eyes had a thrilling expression, as if they were reading and scanning Michael’s body language. Alex got even closer, throwing all the smoke in Michael’s face. “What are you doing, man? I quit smoking.” Alex stepped back. He went to look at himself in the glass, which from the inside was a mirror. “What are we doing with this prick, sir?” Jack asked. He was inside there, just witnessing the interrogation, as Alex was in charge of the questions. “This isn’t over. I’m making up my mind on a few things. I know this dumbass knows something; he’s just really well-trained by that bitch Linda.” “Hey, come on, man. She’s a lady. You should at least respect that. You can tell me everything, I don’t care. But have a little respect.” “You didn’t respect her husband when you rag dolled her, being a married woman.” Jack chuckled. He loved being present in interrogations because Alex could get very creative. For him, Alex's bad mood and ruthless techniques were straight comedy. He used to say it to him sometimes, when they went for a beer after a long day of work. “I already told you my relationship with her started before that bastard’s death.” “Uhh, what did I just hear? Why was he a bastard for you?” Michael shook his head. “Because he was. He was always trying to diminish my work, and exactly like you do, make me look like a dumb super athlete. Okay, I get it. Maybe I’m not the smartest of men, but I do my job well. I don’t want to be no Einstein.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Very well said, Michael,” Alex lit another cigarette. “This is the smartest thing I’ve heard from you since I've known you, actually. But it's not over.”

“But why, man? I already told you what I know.”

“No, you haven’t.”

“Of course I did.”

“No, you haven’t.” Alex came onto him again, looked into his eyes with that fierce intensity. He took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled all the smoke into Michael’s face again. “You see, Michael, men like me, especially in my position, with time and experience, develop something we call a sixth sense. Pretty much like you, when in the batter's box, just know the pitcher is coming with a fastball. You sense it. You feel it. Well, I can feel you’re not being fully honest. There’s something you’re hiding from me. This is gonna be a long day. Jack, make someone bring him some crappy fast food and a soda. We’ll continue in an hour.”

Alex was outside the building. He needed some fresh air. Jack came by.

“Hey, so what do you think? Is he telling the truth?”

“Definitely not the whole truth,” replied Alex.

Jack reached for his pocket, took out a pack of cigarettes.

“A smoke and we go back?” he said, showing the pack of cigarettes to Alex. “There was only Marlboro at my regular shop. But I bought it anyway. They aren’t so bad…”

Alex remained silent for a few long seconds, ignoring completely Jack’s comparison of cigarette brands.

I quit smoking.

That’s what Michael had said to me in the interrogation room. But had he? He recalled his fingers, stained, and he remembered Mrs. Russell's apartment smelled like they tried to cover the smell of smoke with perfume.

“That dumb son of a bitch,” Alex said and went into the building running full speed. Jack knew his boss had found something. This was going to be fun. He ran behind Alex with the cigarette lit and pressed between his lips.