Interrogatus Interruptus

The detective requested Rorri stay on a series of benches near the elevator; Ana found she wished her friend could go into the questioning with her, if not for support then for someone to hold if she should break out into tears.

Surprisingly since last night, none had flowed. Yet.

The first thing Ana saw was the table. It was clean, more or less, with scratch marks, burn marks, bubbled areas from spills, and chipped edges where suspects' chins or teeth had probably contacted. A microphone stand stood solitary in the middle. The chair was just as uncomfortable as those seen in shows like Law and Order or NYPD Blue... yet Ana sat in it without complaint. Her escort asked her if she wanted water or coffee; Ana thanked her but said no.
It was cold, Ana discovered, after the door was closed. The huge mirror at the far end gave it a stark feeling, seeing herself, hair up in a bun, her thick glasses bridging her nose, winter jacket still hanging about her shoulders. A long table beneath looked brand new, and there was a contact scratch on the wall behind it. The single window was covered in chicken wire, or maybe it was built into the glass. Either way, there was a strong beam of winter sunlight flowing through it. She wiggled her chair a bit to her right to sit in the light, but it was almost warmth-less. Strange.

After a few moments, a taller male detective arrived. Dark eyes and short black hair topped a rather attractive, angular face. Rusty suit coat showed no stains, but the paler tie had a few splotches here and there. In one hand he carried two steaming styrofoam cups; in the other, a microphone and a manilla folder. His voice was deep and confident as he spoke.

"Ana Kensington? I'm Lieutenant Santiago."

"Glad to meet you, Lieutenant." Ana wasn't honestly glad; courtesy reared her pointy head for a moment, though, preventing Ana from saying what she almost had.

"We're going to record this session, strictly for recordkeeping, accuracy, and ease."

"That's fine." The tall man sat on a table under the mirror and, reaching into a pocket, pulled out some packets of creamer and sugar. "Coffee here if you want it. Decaf, just to be on the safe side. Nothing special, but it's fresh."

Ana nodded her thanks and just watched him as he stirred two packets into his cup. It did smell good; she just didn't think she'd be able to hold anything down for the moment.

As he sipped, he flicked on the microphone and slid it into the stand.

"Please state for the record your full name and address."

"Montana Brandy Kensington. No current address; I moved from Buffalo, New York."

"How did you meet Olivia Denton?"

"We played the same video game together. Online roleplaying game called World of Warcraft. I've known her for a little over a year; we started talking on the phone last December. I came to Nachton to visit her, perhaps move in with her. She needed a roommate; I needed a more accessible friend."

"What do you mean, more accessible?"

"All my friends from home and school left. Moved away. Got married, had kids, got great jobs, whatever it is that takes people away from home. Olivia was there for me at a time I needed a friend, and I wanted to be there for her in a similar way. She invited me to go to the Nachton Charity Gala, so I drove down yesterday morning to attend with her. She was supposed to meet me at the Quickstop on Rudderow about noon... but she wasn't there. I called, but there was no answer. I was able to find her building with only a little difficulty. The front door was open, which I found kind of odd, being one of those buzzer doors. I went up to her floor, turned the corner, and... Well you know the rest."

"I know it's painful for you but please describe what you saw."

Breath hitched in her chest for a moment, Ana explained. "When I turned the corner, there was blood everywhere... On the floor, splattered up a little on the walls, all following a path into Olivia's apartment at the end of the hall. I screamed and ran to find a phone. I'd left my cell in the car when I parked. The next thing I really remember is the female detective telling me I didn't need to stay in the hallway. I really wish I could remember her name; I know she did tell me."

"Did you see anyone near the building when you drove up?"

"No, I didn't. I wouldn't even be able to tell you if I saw any suspicious cars, since it is my first time here."

"Did she ever mention a boyfriend?"

Ana giggled and shook her head. "Olivia didn't have much time for boys. She'd been heartbroken a few times recently by those she thought was 'The One'. She'd tried Internet Dating with one of those matching sites but she never got in contact with anyone she said was clean, dependable, and not allergic to sunlight. Which was kind of ironic, considering she and I both spend quite a bit of time in front of our computers."

"So the last time you spoke to her was about your trip?"

"That's right. It was the night before last. I told her when I'd be leaving, how many stops I expected to make, that I'd probably get lunch, and that she'd need to meet me somewhere on the outskirts of town near I-95 since, as I said, I'm new in town. I don't recall now if I made the call from my home or cell phone... You should have both of the numbers if you want to pull the records."

Santiago arched an eyebrow and sipped from his cup. "Thanks, I will. Can you remember anything else she might have told you recently about the building or the neighborhood?"

Ana lifted a hand to her face and tapped a nail against her teeth. After staring into space for a moment, she replied, "She did mention a few new tenants, oh and told me about a building exploding a few blocks over. Of course, I was worried, it's not every day a building just up and explodes in the middle of a modern city, you know?"

Santiago nodded. He seemed to be fidgeting with the edge of his coffee cup. "Well, Ms. Kensington, I think that'll just about cover everything..." He stood off the table and snapped his fingers. "Oh! Did Olivia ever mention family in any way?"

Ana tilted her head. "No, she didn't, not really anyway. I got the feeling they didn't communicate much, if at all. She'd been on her own for at least six years, she had said, before..."

She'd been doing so well. Now that the questioning was over, the emotions were starting to well up inside again. She slammed her eyes shut, feeling tiny tears squeeze from between the lids. A large hand covered hers gently and the lieutenant's voice was soft as he said, "I know what it's like to lose a friend. But unless I miss my guess, that girl you brought in with you will help you find your way again."

He cleared his throat and Ana opened her eyes, looking up. She stood also. He extended his hand, a good two times larger than her own; she shook it firmly. "I'll be staying at the Piazza. Thank the department for their hospitality and the female detective -"

Santiago corrected her, "Martinez."

Nodding, Ana amended, "Thank Detective Martinez for her special assistance with everything. She is wonderful. Anyway, Rorri - that's the girl who came with me, I met her at the Piazza on random chance - has offered me her free bed and an ear to bend." The tears finally made their way down her cheek. Ana sniffled, and fished in her pocket for a kleenex. "And an unlimited supply of kleenex."

Lieutenant Santiago escorted Ana back to Rorri, and ordered a nearby sergeant to carry them back to the Piazza in a patrol car.

Ana could see questions burning in Rorri's eyes, but she focused on the road outside her window until the door was opened for her at the hotel.

The clock standing in the square across the street read 9:09, but Ana couldn't really read it. The chill wind burning across her face had frozen her tears.