Just a little shorty today because work is very busy, and we have inclement weather coming in, so I have to batten down the hatches on the farm. Enjoy. And thank you kindly for the reviews. It means a lot to hear that you enjoy this story.
"Let's try this again, Mister Oseguiro…"
Kate Beckett drew in a deep breath, growing increasingly tired of the circular charade in the interrogation room that was currently costing her valuable time when it came to any form of progress on their case.
Having sensed her inner turmoil, Esposito deepened his scowl and leaned farther forward, thoroughly enjoying the role of bad cop this time around, while she walked along the barren walls before stopping by the one-way mirror, wondering if anybody was watching them from the other side.
"We know that Officer Reece brought you in on a misconduct complaint a day before he was murdered. After avoiding any sort of law enforcement attention since you've been released from prison, that must have made you mad. So mad that you decided to make him the next target for your killing spree. After all, you were feeling entitled, smug even. You thought you'd gotten away with four perfect murders, so why not add another one. Because Officer Re-"
"Listen up, lady.", Oseguiro cut in, his scarred face an angry glare by now as he slammed his handcuffed fists against the table, "I didn't kill this guy. We barely exchanged words. And I sure as hell didn't kill these other people. Quit trying to charge the wrong man, just because you're too dumb to find the real killer!"
"How about you wise up and provide some airtight alibis, Oseguiro!", Esposito fired back and stood up, his chair sliding several inches back as he leaned heavily against the interrogation room table, his hands nearly touching those of their suspect, "Your credibility went out the window when you caused a shootout. That's attempted murder. It also shows any jury that you don't like cops. Then there's unlawful possession of a firearm during your probation period. Trust me, by the time we're done with you, nobody is going to bat an eye if we add five murder charges to your rap sheet. You're going back into the tank and your best bet to reduce your time is to cooperate."
After going back and forth with the stubborn man for the better part of an hour already, Beckett didn't begrudge Esposito's outbreak. If anything, she was positively surprised when the other man glanced back and forth between both detectives for several long moments, wagering his options under the circumstances.
Truth be told, Ruben Oseguiro wasn't a nice man, there was no doubt about it.
He was rude, selfish, police-hating, belligerent, paranoid and violence-loving. But the longer they went back and forth about the subject, the less Beckett felt convinced that he had anything to do with this.
While she still felt accomplished in getting Oseguiro off the streets for the shootout he'd caused, her gut told her that their killer was still out there, planning his next moves, their case far from over.
"Listen guys, for the hundredth time, I have nothing to do with this. I've kept my nose clean since getting out of the tank. Give me the times and dates of the other murders and I can provide you with an alibi for sure, cause I didn't kill nobody. And Reece, he probably didn't wash his uniform and that's why my prints were still on it. We had a small scuffle, that was it.", Oseguiero finally said, visibly struggling with keeping his fiery temper under control, "But for what it's worth, while he drove me to booking, he got a call on his private cell, something about a Mickey needing his help. Maybe that guy can tell you who killed him."