If you recognize them, they don't belong to me.
But I'm Innocent
Day after day Stephanie was brought into the interrogation room. She continued to plead her innocence. She had had little contact with her parent's day to day activities except to have supper a couple times a week. She took her Grandma to viewings and dropped her off or picked her up from her hair appointments.
She had never been allowed in the basement. Mom had always told the girls there were big black spiders down there. They were deathly afraid of bugs so never even thought to venture downstairs for any reason. Her mom had never kept canned goods or the deep freeze in the basement. They had always been in the storage room at the back of the house. Being a girl, her dad had never taught her anything about the inner workings of cars and she never felt the urge to enter the garage (especially after the choo-choo incident!). When she had to borrow Big Blue after another vehicle went to car heaven, her dad would always back it out saying it was a big car and a little garage.
Finally, after what seemed forever, Monica's attitude started to change. She still came into each meeting with that infernal file folder. It was now ragged and dog eared from use. Today, she came in with a new folder. Stephanie sat quietly. She had learned patience in the past month. She had also physically changed. Her orange jumpsuit now hung on her small frame. Her hair had that look of unhealthy eating. Her skin had taken on a pallor from lack of sun. Her nails were ragged from lack of proper maintenance.
Looking in the folder to confirm what she was about to say, Monica looked at Stephanie. "Miss Plum, I am very, very good at my job. I have given you so many chances to admit guilt. You have proclaimed your innocence time after time. I have spoken to your family. They have all finally admitted guilt in varying degrees. They have also stated that you were never involved and have sworn it in writing.
What I am about to relate to you must never leave this room. As a matter of fact, I have had the recorders turned off for this occasion only."
She paused for effect. "I am in possession of the final report leading to the detention of you and your family. The evidence on them is irrefutable and they have pled guilty to various charges. I can safely say that most of them will never see the outside of prison walls for the rest of their lives."
Monica continued. "The report states that in the investigator's opinion, you had no knowledge of the operation. As you have not lived in their house for many, many years, you would not have seen the day to day routine. The investigator also believe that the little time you spent there, the evidence and the operation was hidden from you."
She placed the file on the desk. "I am still concerned about the large amount of money in the account in upstate New York. At the same time, I do believe that it was put there with a father's love for his child. I am a bit confused why we could not find a similar account with your sister's name on it. This money has been frozen and the account will be closed and will become the property of the federal government. "
She looked at Stephanie. "I am therefore recommending that you be released from custody. It will take some time to take your name off the various flight and travel restriction lists."
Stephanie could only look at the detective with her mouth open. Her wildest hopes had been realized. Someone actually believed her. Trying to string two words together, she asked, "Can I ask what finally changed your mind?"
Monica smiled and looked down. "I am not at liberty to confirm or deny, but you have two very reliable sources who have vouched for you. I am not sure if, when you are free, will wish to return to your place of employment, but you might want to thank some people there for their assistance. If you think about it, you can probably figure out who they were. As I said, these reports will be sealed. They are not at liberty to release who they are. "
Stephanie was led back to her cell. Her feet practically danced all the way. She looked at her drab little walls that had been her home for a month. She couldn't wait to get out of there. When her lunch came, she ate with a gusto that she had not had for quite some time.
She pondered her future as she sat on her cot. Did she want to even return to Trenton? Did she want to return to Rangeman? Would Rex remember her? Could she forgive Ranger for taking the assignment to spy on her family? How about Tank? She had seen the look of disgust on his face. Was their friendship forever damaged? So many questions. First of all, she hoped to get out of these clothes and these damn bracelets.
Her thoughts turned to her apartment. She was sure that it was gone. Where had her clothes gone? Had they been given away? She had some really cool shoes that she would miss. She assumed that she had no money. Well, she practically had no money when she came anyway, but what would she do until she could get a job? She would need a car, Should she do bounty hunting again? Too many questions. She fell asleep on her cot. Her head hurt from all the questions and few answers.
Supper time came and she ate everything on the tray. The guard who had delivered and picked up the tray looked at it and smiled. Word had been passed around that she was about to be released. She had been such a model prisoner that it was almost a pleasure to deal with her. She had given them absolutely no trouble, not like the rest of her family (which she would never know).