Off Limits, Brother's Best Friend Chapter 172

Chapter 172: Am I A Suspect?

Brianna

“I need you to leave this apartment.” I said and Callan was silent.

“Now, Callan. You banned me from your place, well this is mine, so?” I left it like that, turning and motioning to go towards my room when I felt his hand shoot out and grab my wrist, his flesh burning me like an iron. 

That one touch shot sometimes through me so fierce that I lost my breath, my eyes snapped his way but in the same second, he was quickly releasing me again, almost like his hand reacted without his permission. For three long hurtful seconds, our eyes connected and locked before I couldn't take the feeling in my chest and gut anymore. I was forced to rush off. I locked myself in my room and wiped a stray tear, trying to control my breathing, so I wouldn't cry. By the time I get out of the room, he will be gone. 

A minute later, I could hear my brother calling my name and when I peeked out, I only saw him and the lawyer.

“We should get going, Brianna.” Bryce tipped his head for me to follow. I shook my head no repeatedly.

“Bryce, I don't want you coming with us.” I said to him, and he frowned.

“Why not?’ He sounded offended.

“Because I don't even want him to know your face or your name, I don't want you anywhere on his radar.” I explained.

“Bri?” He was about to sigh at me but I wouldn't let him finish.

“Bryce, I am not guilty of anything but you are guilty of a lot of things, I don't want him seeing you, please.” I said to him, he hesitated for only a moment before agreeing.

“But I will be right down the street waiting for you and Nathan. So call me right after, I will come get you.” He said.

I took a long calming breath and did the new thing I learned how to hide my utter paint towards Callan. I smoothed out my expression and walked out of the house.

Detective Nasa looked like a police officer, you know what I mean too. He has that aura, that vibe and that he is a full blown officer. He has cropped hair and an arrogant face, he makes sure to flaunt his badge on that narrow waist of his. Since he is a detective, he was in a uniform or anything, he still has a visible gun though.

“Miss. Fletcher?” He extended a hand when he recognized me walking through the door. Standard cafe, nothing special to say about it. I was looking at him, really looking and his eyes have olive pits for irises.

He immediately shifted his gaze to the man behind me.

“I am Nathan Smith, I will be Miss. Fletcher's representative today.” The lawyer introduced himself so smoothly.

“This wasn't meant to be very formal but I see you jumped to get a lawyer.” The detective voice was insinuating something.

“She did, as she has the legal right to. I am the family lawyer, so tell me Mr Nasa what question do you have for my client?” He asks without missing a beat.

He hadn't even sat down yet and they were already glaring at each other. I don't want to piss this guy off and have him lingering around. When we sat down, none of us had coffee and this was the kind of place where you stand up to order.

“Would you like anything to drink, Brianna?” The detective asked, he was putting on the friendly act again.

“Oh, umm…it is okay.” I shrugged, I really just wanted to get this over with.

“Alright then, how about you tell me how you know Ezekiel?” He started.

I practiced this with the lawyer, there is nothing to hide from her, so I just tell the truth.

“I was a teenager and he was ten years older than me, he tried pursuing a relationship with me which I did enter and we spent a year together before we broke up and I moved away.” I told him.

“Ten years older, huh? How did you meet?” He asked again.

“Is there a reason for this inquiry? If what you told the shop owner is true that mentioned the man is missing, what would you like to speak with my client about, involving that matter?”  The lawyer said, he was playing around and the detective shifted his eyes back to him and a small smirk played on his lips. Though it was hardly one of amusement.

“Did you know your ex-boyfriend was missing, Brianna?” He switched gears.

“Not until the tattoo shop owner told me and handed me your card earlier today.” I spoke the truth. 

“And when was the last time you saw Ezekiel?” He asked me the question I was dreading.

“Are you charging Miss. Fletcher witn something?” Nathan spoke again, the detective flexed his fingers.

“I am not,” he replied calmly.

“Then, I don't see why this conversation needs to go any further. I humored the girl and let her come here but I see you have nothing important to say and I don't have the time unfortunately. Come on, Brianna.” The lawyer stood up and waved me up.

I know my eyes bulged out of its socket, he talks to the detective like that? He doesn't even bat an eye, he is not nervous at all. I am sweating and I am not even guilty of anything. Detective Nasa licked his teeth and nodded his head.

“Well, I wanted to have a short conversation with the girl but if you would like to do things more formally, I am sure my team will have Miss. Fletcher back in for questioning, at the precinct this time.” He tried scaring me, it was working and I wanted to blurt out answer for theme so he would leave me alone.

“Am I a suspect?” I couldn't help my tongue.

“Not currently, no. Just following the leads we were given.” He humored me by even saying that much and I swallowed.

“I wasn't even in the country.” I muttered to myself.

“What was that?” The detective's ear perked up.

“My client was not in the country, she was working overseas for the past year, now if you will excuse us.” The lawyer gave me the eyes that told me to shut up and stand up and I did.

“Umm, sorry I couldn't be of any help, officer, oh.. umm..detective.” I tried giving him a small wave so he didn't leave here angry.

His eyes took me in from head to toe, and then his gaze followed me out the door. Either he was just checking me out or he was suspicious of me. I can't handle an interrogation, I am already on the verge of a heart attack if I don't slow my heart rate down. I didn't want this man lingering around here, I am nervous for my brother and for myself frankly. It would be poetic if Ezekiel managed to get me arrested and sent to prison for disappearing on everyone. He has fucked up a portion of my life anyway, he should be the one in prison. He is the one who put a gun to my gut and tried kidnapping me and I am being questioned by the police, me?

How do the men of my past keep interrupting my present and future? How haven't I shed these assholes from my life entirely and permanently. My father resurfaced this year, Ezekiel resurfaced last year, Callan is going to keep showing up like a damn rash and it chaffs just as bad to look at him. It hurts just as much. Why can't Brianna Fletcher just live her life without men trying to belittle her, berate her, use her, abuse her, control her, neglect her and hate her. Why?

“You did good, Miss. Fletcher but just remember you don't owe him any answers ever. If they formally call you in for questioning, I would still come with you, you still don't have to answer and if they formally charge you with something, I would be there to speak for you even then, you don't worry about this.” The lawyer assured me on our way out.

He is a very controlled and serious man, he is a silver haired father when he gives me those eyes though. That was what it felt like for a moment, he patted my shoulder and sent me off to my brother. Of course, Bryce jumped on.

“Tell me everything.”