Chapter 7: Support and Questioning

"You are the one who discovered the body, correct?" The officer asked. The man's voice was strict and harsh, but a soft undertone could be detected beneath the harsh exterior.

Jonas nodded. "That's correct."

Dark blue eyes stared at Jonas, scrutinizing the young man, looking for signs of lies, but when none were found, the man continued with his questioning.

"Explain to me how exactly you came to make the discovery." The blue-eyed man replied. A light wind brushed by, tousling the man's black hair.

"It was just chance, really. I got up this morning, went to open the window, looked down, and I saw the man from my window. I hurried to the yard to see if there was anything I could do to help, and found him." Jonas replied.

"Did you move or damage the body in any way, Mr. Quinn?"

"There wasn't a body when I first arrived. H..." Jonas began, but was quickly interrupted by his interrogator.

"What do you mean by that Mr. Quinn?" The man asked quickly.

"He was trying to tell you before you so rudely interrupted. Why don't you just hold your tongue and let Jonas finish speaking before you start?" Jack replied, slightly annoyed.

"I am sorry, Mr. Quinn. Please, continue." The officer told him.

"When I got out here, I rolled the body over so I could see his face. He wasn't dead." Jonas replied.

"Did you call for assistance?"

"Yes, I'm sure I did, but nobody answered."

"What did you do?"

"The only thing I could do. I made him comfortable and asked what happened." Jonas answered.

"You didn't go to retrieve help?"

"I didn't want to leave him alone. So no, I didn't go for help."

"Did he speak to you at all?"

"Well, yeah, but it was all mumbled and hard to make out." Jonas replied.

"I need you to tell me exactly what you remember him saying."

"All right. He told me something was watching me and waiting for something, but I couldn't make it out. He said that there was no escape." Jonas answered, honestly.

"Did you ask him what he was speaking of?"

"Yeah, I did. All he said was that it was watching and that it was evil. Then he died, and I placed him back on the ground." Jonas replied.

"So, you did move the body."

"Only to turn him over, raise his head, and put him back down after he died."

"You didn't damage him?"

"That's ridiculous! Why would he do that?" O'Neill objected.

"Please, remain silent. We are asking Mr. Quinn to tell the events as he remembers them." The dark-haired man said.

"Mr. Quinn, did you damage the body in any way?" The man continued, shooting O'Neill a warning glance when the Colonel looked as though he were about to speak.

"Of course not! I tried to help him." Jonas replied, his voice slightly louder than it had to be.

"Mr. Quinn, there is no need to yell." The man replied.

Jonas flushed slightly. "Sorry." He apologized.

"What happened after the man died?"

"That's when the maid came outside." Jonas replied.

"The maid? Is that the woman who came to retrieve us?"

"As far as I know. She explained to me the legend of the walking shadow and told me of the mark left as a trademark." Jonas replied.

"Is that everything?"

"Yes, then Colonel O'Neill came outside, after the maid left."

Jack smiled tightly.

"Colonel O'Neill, did you or did you not come out when Mr. Quinn was alone with the body?"

"I did." Jack answered shortly.

"That's when you came in." Jonas replied.

"Is there anything else?" The man questioned.

Jonas thought for a moment, and shook his head. "I don't think so. No, wait. Something tried to get into my room last night. There are marks on my window ledge." Jonas replied.

"Really? It hardly seems possible that anything could climb up to the window Mr. Quinn."

"I know how it seems, but I'm telling you, there are marks at my window." Jonas replied sternly.

"Are you certain?"

"Positive!" Jonas exclaimed.

"We will be back later in the day to investigate, until then, remain near incase we have any more questions." The man replied and with a nod of his head walked off to where the body was being loaded.

"I don't think he believes me." Jonas replied, turning to O'Neill.

"Of course he does, but he just isn't doing a good job at showing it." Jack assured him.

"Colonel, thanks for being here for the questioning." Jonas said with a soft smile.

"No problem, but I really didn't do much." Jack stated.

"Actually, you did. You showed your support. Thanks." Jonas said honestly.

O'Neill reached over and grabbed Jonas's shoulder.

"I'm glad I could help." Jack answered with a smile, he gripped Jonas's shoulder in a friendly manner and walked away to meet Carter and the others who were standing nearby, watching the situation in front of them.