Chapter 37 Do You Dare to Bet with Me?
I got shoved into the back of a police car, and they drove me straight to the station. Once there, they locked me up in an interrogation room. They took my phone, and I kicked myself for not telling my friends in the chat group before I left home this morning. Last night, I had told them that if anything went down, they should contact Joshua. Didn't think it would happen so soon.
This was my first time in a police station as a suspect, and my first time in an interrogation room. In the middle of the room was this old, cold iron table, looking like it had seen better days. I sat there, handcuffed to the table.
No idea how long I sat there before Donovan barged in. "Mrs. Howard," he said. "We've got enough evidence. Don't think you can get away with this."
Being a lawyer, I knew that every word I said in that room could be used against me. So, I kept my mouth shut. Time dragged on, and I didn't say a thing. Even the police chief couldn't hold me forever; they'd have to let me go eventually.
Right now, all I cared about was how long it would take for my friends to realize I was missing and if they could get me out of this mess.
Meanwhile, Lila noticed I wasn't picking up my phone or responding in the chat group. She figured I was with Edward and called him. Edward saw Lila's number and ignored her calls, no matter how many times she tried.
Growing increasingly worried, Lila contacted Joshua and Nolan, filling them in on the situation.
As the head of our detective group, Joshua couldn't step in directly. We needed him to dig up info for me on the down-low. So, he gave Nolan the green light to come to my rescue.
Nolan headed to the police station and went straight to Donovan. At first, Donovan didn't take him seriously and tried to brush him off until Nolan flashed his lawyer's license. Seeing the name on it, Donovan's attitude did a 180.
"Oh, it's you, Nolan. Sorry for not welcoming you personally. I've heard you have quite the reputation. What brings you here today?"
Nolan dispensed with the pleasantries. "You arrested a woman named Diana this morning. She's my client."
Hearing the name "Diana," Donovan got nervous. This was Edward's wife, Mrs. Howard! On one side, he had the Howard Family, big-time business players in Wind City. On the other, a hotshot lawyer who could mess up the trial if he wanted. One wrong move, and Donovan's job could be on the line. He couldn't afford to tick off either side.
Donovan forced a smile and, looking for an out, excused himself, saying he had a meeting. He knew he was in a tight spot now with Nolan.
Not long after Donovan left, Edward walked into the interrogation room. He turned the surveillance camera to face the wall and then sat down across from me. "Diana, you up for a bet?"
Edward's smile was full of malice, which only made me more determined.
"What kind of bet?" I asked, meeting his gaze.
He tapped the table twice. "Your innocence."
"My innocence?" I was confused. I hadn't done anything wrong. "What are you talking about?"
Edward crossed his arms and looked away. "If you can prove you didn't bribe the guy to kidnap Anne, then Anne and I will forgive you, and we can all go back to how things were. But if you lose..." He grinned wickedly. "You'll come begging to me."
"Edward, do you even hear yourself? We can't go back. I don't love you anymore!" I tried to stand, but the handcuffs held me down. "If I prove my innocence, I want a divorce."
"Diana, who is it? Who's the guy?" Edward suddenly lunged at me.
His sudden move startled me, and I couldn't hide my shock.
"What?" I asked.
"Is it David, Nolan, or that fat guy from the other day?" Edward spat out angrily.
"You have no right to control me." I calmed myself. Edward was unraveling, and I refused to be dragged down with him.
Two officers came in and motioned for Edward to leave. No matter how crazy he acted with me, he always kept up his gentlemanly act in front of others.
He straightened his suit and dusted it off. "I'm sorry, Diana. I got too emotional. Our relationship is still the same. As long as you stay away from Anne, we're good."
With that, Edward strutted out, followed by the officers.
After he left, the room went quiet, and I felt a strange sense of calm.
I started thinking about why Edward was so confident. Did he know something I didn't? The key issue now was the kidnappers' motive.
The homeless guy who attacked us had a simple motive: he hated the rich and we just happened to be there.
But what about the two guys who kidnapped Anne? What was their motive? I needed to find a way to see them, even if just to observe them. Maybe I could find some clues. I mentally sorted through all my doubts, planning to organize the information later. Time was running out.
After Edward left, Joshua came in and handed me a cup of warm water. I felt a lot better. I suddenly realized why the officers had burst in when Edward was at his most emotional. It was all Joshua, silently helping me.
Just like he had promised years ago, "You protect the law, and I'll protect you." Many years had passed, and he was still keeping his word.
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