Because I had this week free, you will get two chapters in a week. Just don't get used to it 'lol. Enjoy!

Thank you to Senema for her quick beta, I'm so grateful for her help to make this story better.

Chapter 12

Chloe entered the interrogation room and Dan followed directly behind her. She went to the table while Dan closed the door and then leaned against the wall.

"Before we start, is it okay to message my other sister that I will be present for the interrogation?" Freya Mikaelson smiled politely. "I want to turn off my phone and my siblings can sometimes act very rash when they can't reach me. They worry quickly."

Chloe nodded after a moment's thought. "That's okay." She watched as Freya typed a short message into her smartphone, sent her message and then switched off the phone. Chloe took the vacant chair next to Charlotte. "First I want to go through the entire evening again."

"As you wish, detective", Elijah replied friendly.

While they went through the previous evening again in detail, Chloe examined Elijah extensively. His statements were not very different from his previous ones, more detailed but nothing conspicuously contradicted each other.

It gave her the opportunity to pay closer attention to Elijah's non-verbal responses. He was still as calm and polite as in the previous interrogation, but Chloe was too observant not to see that there was now an edge in his demeanour that hadn't been there before. He appeared restless and tense but Chloe attributed that to his time in prison. She had seen this reaction too often in other suspects who had spent a night in prison for the first time.

Sometimes she got the impression that this restlessness grew stronger, as if Elijah was about to lose control. But every time that happened, Freya put a hand on his arm or made physical contact with him in another way and Elijah remained calm.

Chloe didn't think his behaviour was due to guilt, it seemed more like post-traumatic stress syndrome to her. However, what was the original incident that caused it in the first place? It was too noticeable, so she paused the interrogation for a moment. "Are you okay, Elijah? Do you need a short break?"

Freya looked at her in surprise but then she smiled warmly at Chloe.

"No thank you, Chloe. But I appreciate your offer", Elijah replied politely.

"Hm, okay. If you change your mind, please let me know", said Chloe. They had now reached the point where Charlotte had interrupted them previously.

"You were with Linda until a taxi came and then you waited for her to get in and drive away. How far is your hotel approximately from LUX?" asked Chloe.

"Maybe a twenty-minute walk if I don't dawdle too much", Elijah replied calmly and Freya grinned slightly, even if Chloe didn't quite understand why.

"Why didn't you take a taxi, too?" Chloe asked curiously. "It was late at night, you were slightly drunk and certainly tired, too. Not to mention that the area is not exactly a safe place for walking."

"I felt the need to walk and I wasn't that drunk", Elijah replied with a shrug. "Plus, New Orleans residents don't have the same dislike for walking as people in Los Angeles." He smiled wryly. "And the night and whatever moves in it really doesn't scare me."

Chloe looked up and noticed Dan rolling his eyes. He didn't seem as tense as before but he didn't take his eyes off Elijah either. "What happened next?"

Elijah sighed. "I made my way to my hotel. I was in no great hurry and thought about the evening. I passed the alley beside Lux and heard suspicious noises, it sounded like fighting and then I heard someone moan loudly in pain. I followed the noises and saw two men beating up a third man. I called loudly and the two men ran away, before I could take a good look at them. So I can't describe them to you."

"Let's suppose what you say is true. What would you have done if the two men hadn't run away?" Chloe asked.

"If they had attacked me, I could have defended myself against them", Elijah replied quite confidently.

Freya looked down at the table and smiled slightly again.

"Interesting." Chloe made a note. "What happened next?"

"After the other two men were no longer holding him, the victim fell to the ground and he made clear noises of pain. I went over to him at once, turned him around carefully and saw a knife stuck in his stomach." Elijah paused for a moment.

"There was blood all over his belly and when he saw me, he reared up and grabbed me. I tried to reassure him that if he let go of me, I could call an ambulance and the police, but he wouldn't let go of me. There was so much panic and fear in his eyes."

"Did he say anything to you?" Chloe asked quietly. Again she had the impression that although he was telling the truth, he was also leaving something out.

Elijah shook his head. "No. To me he looked like he was in shock. In any case, he didn't stop moving and he kept trying to pull the knife out." Elijah made gestures as to imitate the victim. "The knife had this large hand guard and he kept pushing against the bottom of it while I grabbed the knife handle to keep it inside.

I once read that as long as an object remains in an injury, the victim's chances of survival are far better. I did my best, but eventually I could no longer hold the knife in his body." Elijah swallowed. "After the knife was out, the blood literally gushed out of the wound and splashed all over me. Within a few seconds the man went limp in my arms, his eyes broke and I knew he was dead."

"Which would explain the blood on your hands and clothes", said Chloe thoughtfully. "Also, why you kneeled this way next to the body."

"Next, two cops ordered me not to move and you know what happened after that." Elijah fell silent, clearly finished with his report. Freya took his hand between hers and rubbed it comfortingly.

Chloe sighed. "I want to be honest, Elijah, it doesn't look good for you. We received an anonymous call that a man in a light grey suit attacked another man with a knife."

Charlotte had listened the whole time without intervening but now she spoke up. "Elijah, you said earlier that you can defend yourself. Does that also include knife fighting?"

Elijah shook his head. "No, it does not. I do a little boxing, judo, karate, just enough to defend myself if need be. Hand-to-hand combat is a hobby of mine, nothing more. I'm good, but there are certainly better ones than me."

Freya turned abruptly away for a moment so that Chloe couldn't see her face.

"Does the knife belong to you?" Charlotte asked further.

"No, knives are irrelevant and useless to me", Elijah replied succinctly.

Dan snorted softly and Chloe frowned at him. Somehow, he was acting a little weird today.

"Hm. But why would an anonymous caller lie about your involvement?" Chloe asked gently, she was curious about Elijah's answer.

"I have no idea", Elijah answered honestly. "But they are lying, why else are they hiding their identity. I don't own a knife and I haven't attacked anyone with it."

Chloe shrugged. "Or the caller is telling the truth and just doesn't want to be drawn into the matter. I would also be interested in why a successful businessman like you has knowledge in hand-to-hand combat?" Chloe asked intractably. "Do you have enemies, Elijah?"

Elijah chuckled. "Like you said, I am successful, so yes, I have enemies among other business people."

"Would any of your rivals set you up in that kind of trap?" Chloe asked next.

"No, I honestly can't imagine that." Elijah looked thoughtful. "Would they try to pin a scam or a nonviolent crime on me, maybe. But a premeditated murder? No, never."

Chloe shrugged again. "Or you and the victim happened to meet a second time and continued your argument."

"You can't seriously assume that the previous argument is a sufficient motive for murder?" Charlotte interfered again.

"Maybe not for murder, but what about bodily harm resulting in death", Chloe replied. "The victim harassed the woman you are interested in; maybe he insulted her when you met again. You got angry and lost your self-control."

Freya laughed softly. "Excuse me. I know I promised to be quiet during the interrogation, but I know my brother. It is absolutely unlikely that Elijah lost control of himself in this way. Assuming the two had met as you portray it, Elijah would have withdrawn from the argument. Had the victim attacked him, Elijah would have easily incapacitated him without permanently harming the victim. I've seen my brother fight. He doesn't need to use a knife and I've never seen him fight with one before."

"I'll take note of your statement." Chloe sighed and checked her watch, it was quite late and she would have to end the interrogation soon, so that Elijah could arrive on time to his bail hearing. She was also really tired. "You know that if the bail isn't granted, you'll have to go back to the cell?"

Elijah grimaced but said nothing. Freya, on the other hand, straightened up and suddenly looked ready to fight.

"Good that you mention that, Chloe. Tell me, how well do you know a Sergeant Daviss?" Charlotte asked grimly.

Chloe looked at her in surprise. "He's the most senior and highest-ranking sergeant down in the cell block. I know him, but I've never had much to do with him. Why?"

"I just wonder why Sergeant Daviss felt it appropriate to lock Elijah in a cell with three members of the Russian Mafia after hearing that you are handling Elijah's case." Charlotte smiled wickedly at Chloe.

Chloe jerked backwards in shock and looked at Elijah. "He did what? Are you hurt?"

"No, I was able to come to a peaceful agreement with the gentlemen, which was much better for everyone involved", Elijah replied dryly and smiled.

Chloe noticed out of the corner of her eye how uncomfortable Dan was moving back and forth and looked over at him.

"Daviss was a good friend of Malcolm's", Dan said gently from his position against the wall. "The two were always tight and although it could never be proven, there were rumours that Daviss was involved in Malcolm's dirty dealings."

Chloe swallowed. "I see." She looked at Elijah. "It looks like part of my past caught up with me. I regret that it had these kinds of consequences for you."

"Don't worry about it", Elijah replied gently. "It wasn't your fault and nothing happened. I also know all about how it is, when your past catches up with you." For a moment, he and Freya looked very grim and serious.

"Excuse me for a moment!" Now it was Chloe's turn to smile grimly. "I have a good friend in the prison wing, and according to my information, he's on duty today. If your bail is not granted, he will keep a close eye on Daviss so that he cannot pull that number with you again." She got up and left the interrogation room.

xxxxx

Dan had to admit, he was both impressed and amused by Elijah's performance. As harmless and innocent as some of his remarks were, when he considered that Elijah was a vampire, they took on a completely different meaning. A couple of times he had been unable to prevent an involuntary reaction, which Chloe had noticed.

In addition, a few comments and responses from Elijah and Freya had only deepened his concern regarding the wisdom and shrewdness of the council's plans.

But what was most importantly to Dan, Chloe had no suspicions yet about what Elijah really was.

What confused him, to be honest, was Freya's relationship with Elijah. She was clearly alive, so she couldn't be his sister. She was very likely either a witch or a werewolf. At first, he had thought that she was working for Elijah and only played his sister, but their relationship and behaviour with each other were too familiar and too full of real affection and trust.

When Charlotte brought up the Daviss incident, Dan almost broke into a sweat. When he imagined what could have happened if it had been a vampire with a more volatile temperament, he felt sick.

He wasn't surprised that Chloe left the interrogation room to ensure Elijah's safety. He could have told her it was unnecessary as the bail would definitely be granted, but how could he explain that to her?

As soon as Chloe left the room, Dan pushed away from the wall. "We don't have much time until she comes back. The room isn't monitored, so we can talk freely."

Dan quickly shared why he knew about the supernatural and why he no longer worked for the council. Then he related what Shelley had told him.

Elijah frowned thoughtfully before looking up at Dan. "This is important information. Why are you telling us this?"

"First, I know that you are innocent, at least as far as this murder is concerned." Dan looked meaningfully at Elijah. "Second, I know there will be a lot of collateral damage if the council carries out its plan. My first duty is to the ordinary people of Los Angeles, not the council." Dan looked angry. "Whatever they are planning, I don't think it's in the best interests of them. Third, I am not helping you for free, I want something in return."

Freya started to speak, her expression annoyed, but Elijah raised his hand and she closed her mouth. In any case, Dan now knew who the spokesperson between the two of them was.

"You have already given us all the information we need", said Elijah seriously. "What kind of compensation did you have in mind?"

Freya's expression turned thoughtful and she leaned back in her chair.

"First, if somehow at all possible, I want Chloe to be kept in the dark about the existence of witches, vampires, and werewolves. She is the one who raises our daughter and it would destroy her innocence and thus that of my daughter if she found out about you", Dan explained in a slightly desperate voice.

"A sensible request", Elijah replied calmly. "I give you my word that I will continue my charade to be a human where Chloe is concerned, at least as long as the momentary circumstances don't change."

"And what if circumstances change?" Dan asked sarcastically.

Elijah shrugged and didn't answer.

"I'm afraid I'll have to be content with that. Second, I've heard enough about you guys that I know there will probably be a bunch of deaths in retaliation." Dan fixated Elijah and Freya. "If at all possible, spare those among the vampires, witches and werewolves, but especially among the humans, who have nothing to do with the council's plan."

Elijah sighed and looked at Freya, who swayed her head sceptically. "That promise is honestly a little more difficult to give and to keep, at least as far as the supernatural races are concerned. Niklaus is on the warpath and as long as I'm in here my influence over him is limited. Depending on what he learns while I'm not there, my ability to exert control may be inadequate." Elijah looked serious. "After a certain point even I can't bring Niklaus back to his senses anymore, but I'll do my best."

Freya snorted and rolled her eyes. "Our little brother is a drama queen. And I join Elijah's promise that I too will do my best to keep the death rate among the innocent as low as possible."

Dan looked at her uncertainly. "Sorry, but how can you be a sister to the Originals? I know they are very old vampires and you are human."

"It's a very complicated and long story", Freya replied, smiling sadly. "But I'm really Elijah's older sister."

"At some point I definitely want to hear this story", Charlotte joined the conversation for the first time; she had previously only listened attentively.

"I think when this is all over, we'll take the time to do it", Freya replied and looked over at Elijah, who nodded in agreement.

"I'll hold you to your word", said Charlotte and smiled, even if it wasn't a particularly nice one.

Elijah tilted his head. "Chloe is on her way back."

With the timely warning, everyone had enough time to return to their previous positions and make an inconspicuous impression.

Chloe looked very pleased when she walked back into the room and sat back in the chair. "All done!"

"Thank you, Chloe", said Elijah and smiled warmly at her. "I really appreciate it and will not forget, what you did for me." He looked first at Chloe and then at Dan.

"Like me", added Freya.

Chloe checked her watch. "Okay, this interrogation is over. If the judge grants your bail, I would still ask you not to leave town."

Elijah smiled serenely. "Oh, I give you my word that I won't leave Los Angeles until proven innocent. It is very important for my reputation that the real culprits are exposed and then atone for their crime."

Dan, who knew his ex-wife too well, saw the slight shudder she couldn't suppress. He knew that she didn't even know, why she was reacting this way. However, he could understand her and he knew why, because seeing that smile was absolutely chilling. And the dark promise in Elijah's voice made him feel a certain compassion for those it was meant for.