Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 171

Chapter 171: Will It Be An Interrogation?

Brianna

I was in the house, waiting for this lawyer and hopefully my brother. Angelo texted to let me know he was going to reach out to him because I guess Bryce didn't have service in some warehouse. I was grateful because I really want my brother here, first it was the lawyer who made it to me. A fair complexion man, gray hair and in his fifties most likely. Decent suit and briefcase, deep set eyes and when I opened the door, he stuck a firm hand out for me to shake it.

“Miss, Fletcher. I am Nathan Smith, Mr. Harold's family lawyer.” He introduced himself to me.

Family lawyer, yes I bet they need lawyers all the time I am sure at least a couple of them have criminal records and some jail time.

“Umm, hello, Brianna, you called me that.” I awkwardly corrected him.

My mind was just going a thousand miles a minute ago, I wasn't thinking straight. I opened the door wider and let him inside. I took him to the dining room because the living room felt very informal and I figured if he needed to pull things out of his black briefcase at least, he had a table in front of him.

“Have you ever gone through anything like this, Brianna?” He asked me first thing, I offered him a drink but he declined, so now we were seated. He was sitting at the head and I was seated just after him.

“No, I have never needed a lawyer or talked to a police officer for any reason. It is my ex-boyfriend…. umm…he is missing I guess. I didn't kill him.” I cringed at myself when I blurted out the last bit. He chuckled, the man laughed at me.

“I didn't think you did, but you did the right thing by waiting for a lawyer before speaking with that detective. They like to use your words against you even if you are innocent. They will get you tangled up on purpose.” He explained to me, I have seen enough movies and television to know that it is true. Was this some interrogation though, or just a passing question? I don't know, that was part of what is scaring me.

The lawyer started speaking with me about the facts that I am legally allowed to tell him, because he is my lawyer and won't sell me out. I explained everything, when last I saw him and all of it. My brother had finally arrived at this point, I heard the door opening and when he stepped in, my gut clenched. Why is Callan with him? Why?

“Mr. Smith, pleasure to see you again, though under better circumstances, I wish.” Callan glided across the house like he has any right to here, he snook the lawyer's hand, Bryce followed shortly after and came to me right away.

“Hey, kiddo. Are you okay?” He asked, I nodded and found myself having to explain everything all over again.

“Bryce, it has been half the day already, he wanted me to call as soon as possible.” I was worried I was taking too long.

“You weren't formally charged with anything, he is just wanting to talk for now and I am sure to ask a few standard questions. We have talked about this.” Mr. Smith looked at me.

I ignored that tall, dark and handsome asshole, piece of crap, sexy man behind him. I just sat beside the lawyer again and looked at the paper with the facts I am allowed to mention to the detective. Beyond that, the lawyer will do the talking. Bryce sat on the other side of me, putting a supportive hand on my shoulders as I lifted the card to dial the number. Callan Harold, the man who hate me and regret me decide to sit across from me at my dining room table after screaming at me to stay away from him. He said not to talk to him or look at him but yet he is here. It only frustrates me more than this situation does and he was in all black as he mostly wears and his gaze sat heavy on my alert flesh. His presence was making my stomach hurt worse than my obvious nerves were. I wouldn't look at him, I couldn't.

The call went through and I put it in speaker as the lawyer asked me to.

“Detective, Nasa.” A deep, serious voice answered the call.

“Umm, hello, this is Brianna Fletcher. I was told you were looking for me at the tattoo shop, my former employer.” I said as calmly as I could.

“Ah, Miss. Fletcher, yes. Did your friends mention why I was looking for you?” He asked.

“Yes, they did.” I replied, that forced him to fill in the blanks.

“Well, I would like to ask you a few questions about Ezekiel if that is alright.” He said, I looked at the lawyer and he nodded for me to continue.

“Okay,” I squeaked out.

“Do you have time to meet?” He asked. Oh crap, I thought he would ask over the phone. I looked at the lawyer again. He wrote something down and slid the notebook my way and I read the question out loud.

“Will this be an interrogation?” I asked the detective.

“No , just a few questions.” He replied easily, the lawyer nodded for me to agree so I did.

“Great, I won't even have you come down to the station. Do you like coffee Miss. Fletcher?” He surprised me by asking. I looked at the lawyer and he agreed it doesn't matter where we are. He will be there with me regardless of how informal this detective is trying to make it. I agreed to a place and time which is today and right now, a coffee shop not far from here at all. Once we hung up, I released a heavy breath.

“I don't like him already.” My brother frowned.

“Why?” I swallowed hard.

“He is playing the good guy and trying to get your guard down.” His frown turned into a full blown scowl.

“He probably thinks I am some dumb girl, when I show up with a lawyer, I am sure he will change his tune.” I agreed with him, he nodded but said nothing. Mr. Smith started speaking to him.

I could feel Callan's eyes on me and I couldn't take it, I couldn't stand him sitting at my dining room table after acting that way with me before. If I can't go into his establishments, he can't come into my house and I think he knows that.

“I am going to get some water, does anyone need water?” I suddenly got to my feet, I needed to leave this room.

Nobody asked for water so I just rushed out. I hate how much he can unsettle me. With unsteady hands, I grabbed myself a cup and freshwater, cold water. After a few gulps, I put the cup  down which let the figure come to view, Callan, he was standing right at the edge of my kitchen since it is not an enclosed space. The dining room is, but the kitchen has a view of the living room and everything. I turned away, I was facing the sink and giving my back to him. Maybe he changes his mind and needs water. It is right there and I know he knows where it is, so there will be no reason to interact. When he cleared his throat, I knew he intended on speaking. But why?

“Brianna, may I speak to you for a moment?” He dared to even freaking ask me. I wouldn't turn around.

“What?” That was all I could say, I heard him release an aggravated breath. 

I know it was because I am giving him my back and when I heard him take a few steps closer, my spine stiffened in alertness to his new proximity to me. He better not be within swinging distance, because if he thinks he can just talk to me after how he acted and what he said then, he would have another thing coming to him.

“It is important that you stay calm about this and take the advice of my lawyer. He is very good at what he does, you know I can't afford to have police snooping around here with the kind of business I run.” He pointed out the obvious.

Does he think I want them to know about the mafia? My brother is in it and if he went to prison, I would literally have no one. So yes, I am pretty sure I am going to listen to the lawyer, not snitch on the Harold crime family. When I nodded okay, I thought he would walk away. I thought he would leave me alone but I didn't hear anything. He was clearly still standing wherever he was, why? Please go away. I waited a few more seconds, but then I couldn't take it anymore. He hasn't left yet and I refused to turn around, squeezing my eyes shut, I worked up enough courage to speak.