1

“And that my friends is the tour. Despite popular belief, they will let you have a second call based on good behavior.”

“Come on, kid, stop with the games. Cops still have a few questions to ask you,” a dejected officer urges.

“I guess you should tune in next time for Eli’s Escapades,” Eli mutters, annoyed with the sudden interruption, putting his phone away.

“Lead the way.”

As he and the officer walked back into the interrogation room Eli wasn’t surprised to see Detective Lewis waiting for him.

I told you Wisdom, they always stick me with the old ones.

“Alright Mr. Elliot, before your parents get here, can you continue where you left off,” asks Lewis.

“Sure, since you asked so nicely,” shifting in his chair, Eli continued. “I was walking back from hanging at the movies.”

“What did you see?”

“A slasher. Figured I saw enough and left earlier than my friends, who knew I would encounter one on the way home.”

The cop grimaced not fully sold on his answer. “Okay, and?”

“ And. That’s it. Saw some guy in blue drowning some lady. Cops came, the killer ran, and now I am here. Can I go?”

“That’s all?” questioned the detective.

“That’s all. Man, you’re hard of hearing.”

“What about you being at the beach, near another crime scene? Very convenient I must say.”

I forgot about that Wis, what should I tell him?

Eli shifted once again, unsure what to say without blaming two murders on himself.

“I-”

The door bangs open, Eli’s lawyer gesturing him to go outside. Shaking their head at the audacity of the police.

“My client has nothing to say. Or must I remind you Lewis what your jurisdiction is again?” The lawyer handed Eli his bag, speaking before closing the door. “Elijah, your parents are waiting for you in the front, please refrain from talking to anyone else. I mean it.”

Everyone keeps telling me to shut up. I’m offended Wis.

As E puts his bag on his shoulders and begins back towards the entrance where his are, he bumps into a familiar face.

“Shoot, my bad man, gotta watch where I am going, am I right.”

“Huh? Yeah, sure, sorry, kind of in a rush.”

The detective hurries down the way, staring at the files in his hand before opening the door.

“Hey Lewis did that kid leave yet, I had a few questions to ask him,” implores Diaz.

“Yeah, the jerk. He was just here, surprised you missed him,” lets out the opposing officer.

“Know where I can find him? This is important.”

Lewis now fed up with all the questions being thrown at him huffs and gets up.

“Just go and get the contact info they left. As a detective, you need to shape up. Goodness Diaz.”

2

A shadowy figure passes by and I can’t catch anything but the color of his shoes.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Blue.

There it is again Wis, there is that color.

“ I don’t think stalking is allowed on campus. Blue shoes. Might have to let security know.”

“Come on man, you’re not exactly hiding.”

Eli pauses his walking not sure if he should entertain the person following him.

“Sharp kid, the name’s Detective Diaz. I had a few things to ask you.”

Diaz flashes his badge at Eli, trying to smile at the skeptical person staring back at him.

“I already answered any questions I was asked at the station. Would this be off the record?”

“Scouts honor,” muster Diaz, sticking his hand up in solidarity.

Eli amused with the officer’s antics, sits at the nearby bench and gestures for the cop to ask what he needs before his next class begins.

“You’re not good at this. I thought detectives knew how to question people. You have fewer skills than that old guy back at the station.”

“Ouch, didn’t think Lewis was more in touch with the youth than me. Anyway, when your next class is over meet me at that cafe. The Olive Branch.”

Diaz hands him his card and walks off, not giving Eli much of a choice but to oblige.

This can’t be that bad of an idea. Talking to the police. Off the record he says.

Should I trust him Wis?

E sits at a vacant desk in his next class, blocking the interaction from his mind as Daniel steals the penny he was tossing in the air.

3

“Verdigris.”

“I don’t speak gibberish Sir,” Eli retorts, sliding into a booth, gesturing towards a waitress.

“Can I have a hot chocolate, please?”

After the woman took his order Elijah waited until she walked away before giving his attention to the inquisitive Detective.

“Hot cocoa?” mocks Matthew.

“Coffee stunts your growth, and matcha smells like grass, everyone knows that,” he shrugs, before taking a sip of his newly arrived drink.

What a weird guy, judging my tastes.

Anyway. “What’s verdigris? Something that will tie me to the murders,” Eli jokes.

“The stuff on your pants. Touch any pennies lately?”

How did he know, what is this guy, Bruce Wan?

“Won’t say, that’s on a need-to-know basis. So what did you want to ask me about? Just the stains on my jeans?”

“ No, I thought we could team up, off the record. For some reason, you are around the crime scenes.”

Again how does he know this, you’re not ratting me out are you Wisdom?

“Not confirming what you are saying is true, but what makes you think I want to work with you?

Diaz stares at the boy unamused.

“I guess your parents would be happy to know you were digging around in an official police crime scene.”

I’m convinced you’re cheating on me Wis. How does this guy know this?

“Still not confirming anything, but go on.”

“Look I’m not the type to go against protocol but this killer is good. Now every wise bone in my body is screaming to let you go and stick to my gut, letting this case get cold. But just as I am a last resort, so are you.”

Eli stops smiling, not liking what this Detective is implying.

“ You have been in the vicinity of these murders roughly 4 times, considering the stuff on your pants isn’t a coincidence. And kid you’ve got something.”

“I’ve got a death wish, that’s what you are insinuating. I think that even if what you are saying wasn’t nuts, I couldn’t agree with your idea. Essentially, I would be used as bait.”

What a psychotic idea. I can’t do this. My Dad would kill me, heck, his lawyer would skin me for this impromptu conversation.

But what if I do go through with this? What if I take a chance with my mild case of plot armor and catch this psycho? I mean he doesn’t seem to target males. Advantage Eli. Am I really considering this?

I will regret this. But not today, Wisdom. Not today.

“Stop,” Eli stammers.

“You’re right, what am I thinking I am a detective I could solve this on my own. I don’t need the help of a kid 15 years my junior.” Diaz rambles while sliding out of the booth dropping a tip on the table.

“Rude. I was just asking you to slow down bro.” Elijah interjects.

“I’m in. What are we going to do?”

Wisdom, what are we going to do?