Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 78
"Look, Detective. I did not hurt my wife. I did not trick or force her into taking those pills. I did not know she was planning on hurting herself. And I'm definitely not having an affair with Kate Tanner," Edward stood up and said sharply, inadvertently raising his voice in his agitation.
"I've already told you all of this more than once. Drilling me over and over won't change the truth," he added with indignation. "I understand that you are only doing your job, but you are barking up the wrong tree here. I have been very patient up to this point, but I will not be subjected to this witch hunt and I will not sit here one more minute and let you nail it to me because my mother-in-law can't accept the truth.
"Speak with Carmen's doctors, I already gave you their details. Subpoena her records if you have to. But I will not say another word without my attorney present.
"Now either charge me with something, or I'm walking out of here. I'm the only functioning parent my daughter has, and she needs me," Edward said with decisive authority that he seldom employed while talking to strangers which made even the well weathered detective take a step back mentally.
He sized up the resolve in Edward's face and realized that the potential "perp" could no longer be jostled around within the legal perimeters he was bound by.
"Very well, Dr. Cullen. You may leave for now, but please be advised that until we... clear up all the... concerns about this case, you shouldn't leave the city."
Edward walked out the door with his shoulders squared and was grateful to be greeted by his father in the waiting area. The Cullens were at the hospital with Edward when the police officer came calling and Carlisle had insisted on following them to the station. At the time Edward felt it was unnecessary, but he was thankful now that his father didn't listen.
Carlisle gave him a questioning look, silently asking if everything was okay. Edward replied with a subtle nod instead of explaining the last three hours at length. He simply wanted to put as much distance between himself and the police station as possible.
His father took the hint and quietly led him to the rental car parked outside.
"Talk to me, Edward," Carlisle said after they had been on the road for five minutes. "Should we look into hiring an attorney?"
In response, Edward rubbed his tired eyes with the pad of his palms, hoping he could wipe away the nightmare with the swipe of his hand. But reality stubbornly refused to mend its path and he found himself fumbling for words to answer his father's question.
"Uhh... no, I don't think so... maybe. Damn, Dad, I don't know..."
"Are they pressing charges?" Carlisle persisted.
"No... I don't... the detective didn't confirm anything. He just kept asking the same things over and over. Elvira somehow convinced them that I... I had an affair with Kate and staged the whole overdose thing to get Carmen out of the way." He shook his head in disbelief as he said the words.
"Did you?" Carlisle asked.
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