The Accused

The ride to the station took 10 minutes, but to John it seemed like an hour. Upon arrival, lights from the media lit up the block. Johns bloody shirt was like a red scarlet letter. The minute the police opened the door, the media were like vultures. The questions were never ending.

“Mr. Brown why did you do it?”, Mr. Brown was your wife involved?”, Mr. Brown did Rachel see you pull the trigger”? John didn’t listen, but heard when they said Rachel’s name. it felt as if fire ran up his body and spit out of his mouth, like a dragon. His big, rough hands raised towards the reporter that spoke her name. The shackles saved the reporter. John yelled, “Take these fucking things off”! His body lunged forward as he felt needles open the skin on his back.

The police tased John. John’s adrenaline was helping to keep the pain away, but not helping his mouth. He screamed every profane word and racial slur known to man. This didn’t help him whatsoever. At this point, the police were pissed. They yelled things like, “Is this what Rachel endured before you killed her”? Taunting him, hoping he would keep acting out.

The investigation team came in to question him. They introduced themselves and John jumped up and told them he didn’t give a damn about who they were. Needless to say, it went downhill from there. He was put in a holding cell overnight. As he was going to the cell he fought them the whole way. Then suddenly he stopped. He saw Susan sitting there crying.

She lifted her head and said, “If you’re not guilty, then calm down and talk to them”. He agreed and went to his cell. No one knew the story or that he was innocent, so he knew he had to get himself together. He drifted off to sleep and saw Rachel’s face. She just kept saying that her mommy was crying and it was his fault. See, Rachel didn’t realize she was dead. She thought he was in jail for kissing Beth. John had forgotten that part and then realized how much Susan was going to hear the next day.

The team started their interview at 7:30 am. After giving them the personal information they needed for the record, they began. Susan was in the room next door listening to this interview; John had no idea.

Detective Barnes introduced himself and laid out the rules. He wanted John to tell him everything he did yesterday and how Rachel ended up dead.

John was nervous at first, but felt comfortable with detective Barnes. Once he got started, it seemed as if he felt relieved to talk. He was upfront about cheating on his wife and admitted that that’s how his day started. Remember, Susan is listening next door. She had a feeling he slept around, but never had any proof. While she was hurt, she wasn’t shocked.

Susan knew they had to get to the bottom of why Rachel was gone. She also knew she had to make sure her baby had the best funeral. She didn’t leave the room physically, but her mind was gone. She started a to do list and focused on Rachel. The next thing she knew, the interview was over.

When she stepped out of the room, John was standtun front of her. That is when he realized she had heard and seen the interview. He said, “Honey I’m sorryu had to hear that. I see you took notes and see that I’m innocent”. Susan just looked at him and shook her head. It’s always just about him, she thought. Their precious Rachel is gone and he doesn’t even care.