Chapter 8
The overcrowded police station murmured in a wave of chatter. Benton guided the fragile Ms. Scott ahead of him, as though she wouldn't be lost in the sea of people. Eventually, the trio marched out of crowd and to Vecchio's counter. Ray placed his phone that he was talking on back in its holster.
"Benton, I have to talk to you...in private."
The two left as the girl just sat down and tolerantly remained there until the returned. Dief dimly sniveled and slipped his furry head underneath her soft hand. She looked down and smiled in his dark, dismal eyes. Cass began to pet him.
"Bennie, I just spoke the Utica Police Department and one of their officers will be escorting the kid home. They will also take over the investigation." The detective reported.
"There must be a way for us to at least hold her..." Fraser disagreed.
"It's beyond our jurisdiction. They will find out what she's not telling us. Just make sure everything's ready."
"Right, Ray."As they returned, the seat next to the desk was empty. Underneath was where the canine was laying on all fours. He cocked his head up and innocently stared at the two officers.
"I pay...I pay..." Benton talked to himself aloud.
Cassie had never had this type of thrill in her life. She felt like she had done something wrong and she was going to get away with it. She sped across the bystanders on the streets, perfectly dodging obstacles that were in her way. In the far distance, another group (besides Ray, Fraser and Diefenbaker) had followed the athletic student. They were ghosts from her past that were disturbing her present and future. In their hands were weapons that were going to be described in her violent passing.
Running into an alleyway, she hustled through the large maze. Attaining a dead end, the female stood there panting heavily. She was then apprehended by her followers
"Elaine found some more information about the murder in New York. Victim was Lynne Barnett who was a junior at Sauquoit Valley High School. This place is a hick-ville, located in central New York. The kid was stabbed thirty times in the chest and the perps hung her from the pole vault. Talk about no respect for the dead. Local police suspect students did this but there are no other leads. This Cassie girl was best friends with the victim." The detective detailed.
"I assume that Ms. Scott is the only witness?" The constable wondered.
"Correct. She can solve this thing if she makes a statement...which I doubt that she'll do."
"At this point in time, yes. However, if I can get Ms. Scott to trust me, I believe that she will be willing to cooperate."
"Good luck, 'cause you'll need it."
"Thank..."
"Yeah, yeah." Ray grumbled.
The handsome Mountie soon gaited inside the interrogation room. Sitting on the opposite end, the traumatized girl fidgeted with her hands, attempted to pass the time.
"No, don't even think about it." She nodded no while she cradled herself in her hands. Sadness engulfed her, madness was drawing near.
"I beg your pardon?" Benton seemed perplexed.
"You came here to give me a lecture about how I should tell you who killed my friend."
"I can give you protection and so can my partner. I assure you that you will be safe."
"I don't want to runaway again. Do you know what that feels like?" The young woman ashamedly asked.
"What happened?"
"When I was fifteen, I was going out with the son of a crime boss. Well, the relationship didn't work out because I knew that he was drug dealing and knew where and who he sold it to. I wouldn't agree to not go forward to the cops and so they were going to silence me. They almost did...but they killed my parents by hooking a bomb to my car. My father wanted to borrow it so I let him, not knowing that the bomb was there. Soon enough, they raped and killed my mother. At first, I didn't want to runaway from my problems because I didn't think it made any sense. But when they killed my parents, I decided to go into the witness protection program. They killed my original identity and gave me a new life in Sauquoit. It seemed so fitting to start a clean slate like that. A new mom and dad to call and come home to, and this time I was popular. I soon forgot until I came back home...back to my Chicago home. That is why I have a little obsession to go here for a visit from time to time. Unfortunately, I have no one to accompany me because my friends think this is nothing but a waste of space." She explained. "But now, I'm alone..."
"Think of the justice your friend will receive if you tell the police." Benton begged her.
She thought of his offer for a brief moment. She then responded, "I'll have to think about it."
