Claire sat in the interrogation room, her hands tightly clasped together, quietly waiting for Detective Jack to arrive. Although she was now trapped in a dire situation, surrounded by an oppressive and cold atmosphere, there was a strange sense of anticipation in her heart.
Detective Jack, the calm and resolute man, seemed capable of penetrating the darkness within her, allowing her to feel a glimmer of warmth and comfort. His sharp eyes always seemed to see through her facade, making her feel less like a lonely soul.
Claire recalled every conversation she had with Detective Jack before; whether it was his sternness during interrogations or the occasional hint of sympathy he showed, it made her feel that this man was different from others. His presence seemed to fill a void in her heart, providing a sense of comfort and support she had never experienced before.
This feeling made her want to smile despite her current predicament. Even now, trapped in this situation, she still longed to see Jack and to once again experience that wonderful connection. She knew this thought might be absurd, but she couldn't control her emotions.
Her thoughts were interrupted by footsteps outside the door, and her heartbeat began to quicken. Claire lifted her head, her gaze fixed on the door, waiting for that familiar figure to appear. Her heart was filled with conflicting emotions—both fear and anticipation, both anxiety and desire.
The door slowly opened, but it wasn't Jack who entered; it was a female officer. She had slightly darker skin, seemingly of Latin descent. As soon as the officer walked in, she introduced herself: "Hello, my name is Lacia."
Upon seeing this woman, a natural instinct for self-defense surged within Claire. Her expression turned cold and wary, filled with hostility towards Lacia. She was unwilling to confront this stranger directly and deliberately used her bangs to shield most of her view, trying to hide her inner defensiveness and unease.
"Claire, we need to talk today," Lacia's voice was calm yet firm, but Claire sensed an underlying threat within it.
Claire did not respond; she merely nodded slightly while continuing to avoid Lacia's gaze. Her heart was filled with anxiety and fear; this unfamiliar woman made her feel even more isolated and helpless.
Lacia approached the table, laid down some documents, then sat down and looked directly at Claire. "We know your situation is difficult right now. But you need to understand that only cooperation can help you."
Claire still did not respond; a flicker of disgust crossed her eyes. She disliked this feeling of being pressured, especially coming from someone she completely mistrusted.
Lacia noticed Claire's hostility but had no intention of backing down. "Claire, we have many questions that need your answers. The more you cooperate, the faster we can uncover the truth."
Claire let out a cold laugh, her hostility becoming more apparent. "The truth? Do you really care about the truth, or are you just looking for a scapegoat?"
Lacia frowned, her tone still firm. "What we care about is justice, and you have the opportunity to prove your innocence. If you say nothing, it will only make things worse."
Hearing this, Claire's defenses softened slightly, but she was still unwilling to fully trust the woman in front of her. She sighed softly, lowered her head, and spoke in a low, weary voice: "I just want a fair chance."
Lacia looked at her and nodded. "We will give you that chance, but you must cooperate. Now, let's get started."
Lacia first read the Miranda Rights, her voice calm and steady: "You have the right to remain silent; anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to an attorney, and if you cannot afford one, the court will appoint one for you. Do you understand?"
Claire nodded, indicating that she understood these rights. Lacia looked at her, a flicker of complex emotion passing through her eyes before she coldly said, "Claire, we are both women... perhaps we can find more common ground. Your relationship with Mark isn't what you think it is, right?"
Claire's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, but she quickly regained her composure. She shook her head firmly and replied, "No... we are just friends. What's wrong with that kind of relationship?"
Lacia's gaze sharpened as she stared at Claire, trying to read more from her expression. "Friends? Claire, according to our investigation, your relationship with Mark is more than just friendship. You know that such a relationship can lead to many problems."
Claire's heart raced, but she still tried to remain calm. "Yes, we are friends. I don't see what the problem is."
Lacia moved in closer, her tone becoming softer yet still carrying a hint of threat. "Claire, sometimes we need to acknowledge certain uncomfortable truths. Mark is not just a friend to you; deep down, you know that."
Claire avoided Lacia's gaze, feeling her inner defenses gradually crumble. She knew that this woman was trying to dig into her deepest secrets, filling her with fear and unease.
Taking a deep breath, Claire lifted her head with a glimmer of resolve in her eyes. She realized that continuing to hide was futile. "Alright, I admit it; Mark and I are not just friends. We used to date and occasionally maintain a physical relationship. Both of us believe that such a relationship isn't quite right."
Lacia's eyes flashed with a hint of satisfaction as she slightly nodded, signaling Claire to continue.
"We met at the church," Claire continued, her voice stabilizing a bit. "We are both Mormons. Mormonism has very strict rules regarding sexual matters, but we violated those teachings."
At this point, Claire suddenly laughed, a sound tinged with self-mockery and helplessness. "Clearly, both of us broke the rules. Every time we were together, it felt like we were doing something wrong, yet we couldn't stop this relationship."
Lacia looked at her with understanding in her eyes. "Claire, admitting this isn't easy. I understand your struggles. Your relationship makes you feel guilty, but that's not the focus of our concern. We need to know more about what happened between you two in order to find the truth."
Claire nodded, feeling a slight relief from the pressure inside her. "I understand. Actually, our relationship has always been complicated. Sometimes we act like a couple, and other times we feel like strangers. This contradictory relationship confuses and pains me greatly."
Lacia then said, "According to the evidence provided by Mark's friends, you did indeed slash his tires and stalk him after he started dating someone new. Is that true?"
Claire chuckled softly, a hint of self-deprecation in her tone. "I do occasionally get a bit carried away, but the worst is behind me now. I know those actions were wrong, but I would never kill Mark."
Lacia shook her head, her gaze stern. "Claire, you're lying again. You know you went to Mark's house; all the evidence points to your presence there. Please think carefully: did you go to Mark's house on June 5th?"
Claire's smile froze instantly; her eyes began to flicker as anxiety and fear surfaced on her face. She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting around her hair as her thoughts spiraled.
"I... I really don't remember," she said in a low, trembling voice, seemingly struggling to recall that night’s events. "I was just driving around aimlessly; I truly don't know where I went."
Lacia's gaze remained sharp, not missing any subtle changes in Claire's expression. "Claire, you need to face yourself honestly. If you continue to hide the truth, things will only become more complicated. All the evidence points to you; you can no longer evade it."
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