"What the bloody hell?" Killian says as David roughly pushes him back into the interrogation room.
"Sit down," David says sharply.
Killian swallows, hard and looks down to see David's gun at his hip. He reluctantly takes a seat behind the metal table. David shuts the door. He turns to face Killian.
"What's going on?" Killian asks in confusion.
"We have a problem Mr. Jones," David says, standing at the table, staring down at him.
"What?" he swallows hard, thinking that they might've found Emma's body, he certainly wasn't ready for that. But David was more angry than sad, so it was something else.
"Your alibi does not check out."
Killian's eyes go wide for a moment.
"Your statement about staying home Friday night and going to bed early was just disproved by your roommate."
Killian flushes a shade of red
"He told me that you went out at about nine and the next morning, your room smelled of alcohol…" David was trying to remain composed, but if Killian had become drunk and hooked up with another woman, betraying Emma, or worse, he had abducted her. David wanted to believe that Killian would never try to hurt Emma in any way, but he was keeping secrets.
"Oh, bloody hell," Killian says, he puts his face in his hands.
"This is not a good thing Mr. Jones," David says.
"Aye," Killian says quietly.
"Not a good thing at all, you realize that lying casts a lot of suspicion on you and that many officers will begin to assume that you may have had something to do with Miss Swan's disappearance."
Killian wants to cry, his eyes well up. "David you know I wouldn't…"
"Do I?" David says sharply again. He felt angry, he thought that Killian was a decent man, certainly worthy of Emma, but clearly, he had something to hide, and it might just be Emma's location. "Would you like to tell me the truth?"
Killian sighs and turns red in embarrassment. "I've had my problems with alcohol and drugs. I'm not a clean man. I've had a hard life and the only way I've coped is using any substance that will take the pain away. I've lost my mother, brother and previous girlfriend and the hurt was agonizing… Rum is my usual escape and way to cope… I was actually getting drunk in a bar when I met Emma." Killian is fighting back tears, mortified that his secrets are coming out and yet, he knows he'll have, to be honest in order to clear his name. "When I met her, I knew she wouldn't accept a drunken docks man, especially with her Lad, so I tried to quit. When I was with her, I was strong and I was able to think that I could turn my life around again and turn away from the drink completely…"
"But," David prompts.
Killian swallows. "But it's not always that simple. A craving is not easy to ignore and it, alas, is my poison. I thought I could resist the temptation on Friday night, but I… couldn't," Killian looks down at his feet, ashamed.
"Where did you go?"
"To a bar down by the docks, The Davy Jones. I got myself jarred…"
"Jarred?"
"Drunk."
"How long were you at the bar?"
"Till after one, I'm pretty sure. I took a taxi back home and passed out in bed."
"And then Robin found you passed out the next day?"
"Aye, I was in rag order."
"Rag order?"
"Hungover, but I still went to work. I'm used to nursing these demons and I can go about my day."
"Is that the truth?" David asks, raising an eyebrow.
"It is I swear!" Killian says. "I never went downtown to where Emma was. I didn't even know where she was at all. I was down by the harbour all night."
David frowns heavily. "You realize that the fact that you lied earlier lowers your credibility?"
"I DIDN'T KIDNAP HER!" Killian insists loudly, jumping out of his chair. He was close to tears again. He knew that David would have a hard time believing him after he lied. "David, what I said last Thursday to you was the truth. I would never ever hurt Emma, ever. I would rather die than lay a hand on her. I would trade places with her if I could!"
Tears began rolling down his face. "I'm falling in love with her David! I'd never do anything to harm her. Please, you have to believe me!"
Killian then turns red and cries a little harder, realizing that he just professed his love to someone who was not Emma. He wanted her to hear those words, not her friend, but David had to know that he loved Emma and he'd never do anything to her.
David wants so very badly to believe Killian and the desperation, fear, and sadness in his voice is convincing, but as an officer, he still had to be skeptical. The fact that the man had proclaimed his love for his girlfriend in front of a police officer seemed like a good honest statement, but again, many spouses or boyfriends who murdered would claim the same thing. He did think that Killian would rather die than hurt Emma, but he was dishonest and it calls everything into question. David is quiet for awhile as he thinks the story over. He knew he was innocent until proven guilty, so they needed evidence to clear his name.
"Does the bar have cameras, Killian?"
"Aye, it does. Why?"
"If your story is true, we need proof of this. We need to see that you were in the bar until one and we need witnesses to confirm this. We also need a timeline to know that you never went near the downtown area."
Killian tries to compose himself a little bit.
"Do you think you can give us the address?"
David leaves and comes back with a piece of paper, which he hands to Killian
"We're also going to have to search your phone and your apartment. We can often track your location through what cell towers it pinged from to confirm that you went home and we need to ensure that there is no blood or evidence in your apartment. Do you have your phone?"
Killian reaches into his jacket, unlocks his phone and hands it to David.
"Do you leave your phone on all night?" the officer asks.
"Aye I do, in case I'm called into work early."
David examines the iPhone before looking back at Killian.
"We'll do our best Killian, but until such time that we can confirm your story, you'll have to stay here at the station."
Killian opens his mouth to complain, but he stops himself, realizing that protesting would only make him more suspicious.
"Yes sir," Killian nods.
…
"Are you sure you can provide bottled water?" Mary Margret asks over the phone. "There will be a lot of volunteers and we need to keep them hydrated."
The teacher listens to everything that the person on the other end of the line says. She stands in Emma's apartment, going over a list of things that need to be done for the search party. They planned to have it as soon as possible, weather permitting and availability of the people. Emma's best friend was calling everyone she knew, asking for their help to find Emma.
Emma's apartment had become a sort of base camp as all her loved ones are trying to get the word out. It is abuzz with activity. Elsa and Ruby stand at the computer, printing out missing posters, using a recent picture of her from the party as the image along with a description of her. Aurora is talking to her husband, trying to convince him to get his friends from work to help, as she made sure Phillip Jr. didn't get in the way. MeyLing and Zelena are setting up a blog and Facebook page to gather even more people. Regina is preparing snacks for the search parties, like trail mix and granola bars. Leroy is talking with some of the detectives at the station about bringing in cadaver dogs to the search. Lacey is in touch with the local newspapers. Henry mostly watches but is bringing things to Mary Margret when she needs them.
There is suddenly a knock at the door. Henry goes to answer it.
It's Anna.
"What's wrong Anna?" Elsa asks.
"I managed to get the local news teams to meet us at the station."
"How did you do that?" Lacey asks.
"I have connections," Anna says. "They're meeting us at the police station in about an hour and they want us to decide who they are going to interview."
"I'll do one of them," Ruby volunteers.
"And David is doing one too as he is the head of the investigation," Leroy adds.
"We'll also have Henry say something," Anna adds. "Hopefully the sympathy will help the police and with our search party."
Henry nods.
"We need one more," Anna says.
"What about Mary Margret?" Aurora suggests.
"Why me?" the teacher asks.
"You're Emma's best friend," Aurora explains. "You love her so much, you have to say something."
Mary Margret swallows and looks at Henry.
"Alright, I'll do it."
…
An hour later, in front of the police station, several cameras have been set up in preparation for this segment. Reporters prepare their questions and have touch ups on make-up. David stands in his full uniform, ready to give his statement. The camera crew wants to have every one of Emma's friends to be in the background, even if they weren't giving a statement. This would show that Emma is important and is loved by many people. Killian asked to be outside with the others as well, especially since if Emma was watching, wherever she was, she would know that they were looking for her.
Mary Margret and Henry stand close together, having a little bit of make-up put on them. Mary Margret adjusts her heavy belly and reaches out to grab Henry's hand. To her surprise, he doesn't move it away. He looks extremely sad and nervous beyond belief. He knows that this could help find his mom faster, he just wants to let his mom know that he loves her.
"Okay we're going to do Lieutenant David first, then Miss Lucas, then Mrs. Nolan and finally her son," ahead reporter says. "When the light goes on, it means it's recording, don't look into the camera the whole time and hope for the best."
The camera people get into position; the microphones are held in front of David first. He swallows, doing his best to compose himself for the cameras.
When the light goes on, the reporter begins asking questions. David answers them with the confidence of an officer, but also the concern of a friend. He explains what they are doing to perform the investigation and gives information about the facts of their case. He ends with the statement;
"We are doing everything we can to bring her home safe and sound. Most of the Boston Police Department is tracking down any possible leads and would like to let Emma know that we are looking for her."
"And cut," the head reporter says. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Miss Lucas, you're next."
Ruby fixes her hair as best she can and makes sure her make-up isn't smudged. She puts on a serious face and looks into the camera as if she is about to fight it. She gives a passionate speech about how Emma is her best friend and she would never leave her family and friends without telling someone. She does her best not to tear up, but she might've just a little. She ends with a plea for help from the public, as instructed to do so by the reporters.
"Please, can someone just come forward. Emma has a family of her own and she doesn't deserve whatever's happened. So please, if you know something, call the police."
"And cut,"
Ruby steps aside and allows Mary Margret to take her place. The pregnant teacher does her best to stay calm, but she is nervous and very upset about the whole situation. She begins to tear up as the camera light goes on and the reporters ask her questions. No one calls her out on it and they think it will help with sympathy if she acts sad. The thing is, she really is sad. She wants Emma to be found safe and sound, she was still haunted by the nightmares of finding her friend's dead body.
"I don't know what kind of monster would abduct an innocent mother. Emma's had a hard enough life as it is and she doesn't deserve this. She has a son and life of her own, she's not just some runaway. She has people who love her and want her to be safe. Emma if you're out there, please know that we love you and we will find you."
Mary Margret steps away the moment the reporter turns to Henry for a statement. Henry swallows hard and puts on a brave face for the cameras. He's only asked a few things and he's allowed to say something of his own at the end.
"Please don't hurt my mom. We'll do anything to get her back. Mom, I love you. Please don't give up."
He then genuinely leans into Mary Margret in sadness. The moment the cameras are off, David goes over and comforts his wife, allowing Henry to be in the group hug too. He holds them tightly as if to silently reassure them. The rest of Emma's friends watch from afar, leaning into each other a bit for support. By the end, as the sun disappears behind the buildings of Boston, all of Emma's friends and loved ones hope and pray that Emma will see this on TV and be brought back home safely.
Thank you guys for the reviews. Please keep the coming and for those who asked questions about Emma. No Spoilers ;)