Page 30 of How May I Please You

“You’re clearly a terrible person,” Chad snaps.

“Regardless of what you think of me, young man, I am the detective investigating a fire that took place at your former place of employment after you had a heated argument with both a customer and your manager. I have reason to be suspicious of your whereabouts after you left the diner.”

“Wait, what time did this fire take place?” Stanley asks, his face contorted into what looks like a painful scowl.

“The call came in around four this morning,” Summers answers. “Which means the fire could have been started anytime between then and three o’clock.”

Stanley and Annette glance at each other, and I don't have to be a mind reader to understand their silent communication. Little Chad wasn’t here at that time.

“I was with Paula,” Chad immediately says with wide eyes. “I swear to God I was with Paula.”

“With Paula, where?” Stanley interrogates, doing my job for me.

Chad hesitates and I raise my eyebrows. There’s no way it’s going to be this easy, right?

“We were just … out,” Chad says.

The muscles in my face nearly cramp from the effort required to keep from smiling.

“Out, where?” Stanley asks.

“We were just driving around. Nowhere in particular,” Chad explains. “Paula and I just get bored at her house sometimes, so we go for a drive until we get tired. That’s what we did last night. We drove through the city just talking before she brought me back home. I swear I didn't set the diner on fire. You have to believe me.”

“Did you stop anywhere?” Annette asks.

“No … well, we stopped once, but only to get gas.”

“Where?” Summers cuts in, laser focused on everything Chad says.

“Umm … I’m not sure,” Chad answers, digging his hole even deeper with his bare hands.

“I need you to try and remember, Chad. It’s very important that you do,” says Summers.

“Umm … I think it may have been a Shell station or something. Just outside Center City.”

“Was it a Shell station or wasn’t it?” I jump in, tightening the screws so the kid slips up.

Chad frowns as his eyes begin to mist. “I don't fucking know. I didn't expect to be grilled like this over hanging out with my girlfriend.”

“Well, you may want to get your story straight, because all hell could break loose if you don't,” I say, drawing the ire of both parents.

“Hey, do not talk to my son like that,” Stanley chastises. “It is not your place to speak to our son that way. How about you stick to investigating and leave the parenting to us?”

“Maybe if you parented better I wouldn't be investigating,” I fire back.

Summers leans forward with his hands raised, showing he’s unarmed. “Whoah, whoah, whoah. There’s no need to get hostile. He gave his alibi, now we just need to look into it. If it all checks out, everything is good to go.”

“If it checks out?” Chad asks with a glower. “Wait, there’s no way you're pulling Paula into this.”

“Chad, we’ll need her to corroborate your story,” Summers informs the family.

“You leave my girlfriend out of this,” Chad barks. “She doesn't need you breaking down her door, accusing her of shit in front of her parents the way you're doing me.”

“Why don't you want us to ask her? Is it because you're lying?” I ask.

“What’s your fucking problem, lady?” Chad exclaims.

“I don't like being lied to,” I reply. “And I can spot a little troublemaker when I see one.”

---