Page 93 of Don't Let Go

“I’m Aurora Giordano. I have a meeting with Detective McMann.”

He nodded and grabbed his phone again. “I’ll call him at his desk and let him know you’re here.”

“Thanks,” I said, moving out of the way as two officers brought in a rabid man foaming at the mouth as he swore. The guy was filthy and had no shoes on. By the way he acted, it looked like he was on heroin or meth.

Detective McMann sidestepped the cops with the crazed junkie and approached me. “Hello, Aurora. Thanks for coming down so quickly. I have the video cued up in the interrogation room. It’s the only place around here that’s quiet.”

I nodded. “No worries. I want to find whoever killed Lizzy.”

Detective McMann walked ahead of me, looking back to make sure I wasn’t too far behind. “Same here. It always hits us harder when it’s an innocent child who suffers.”

Wasn’t every child innocent?

As I followed Detective McMann, I witnessed officers standing around laughing while drinking coffee. Three cops were in a far corner looking at a murder board like those in crime shows on network primetime. I squinted to see if I knew any of the suspects by their photo.

Detective McMann cleared his throat. “This way, please,” he said, pointing to a dark room. I paused too long, studying their murder board.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, walking past him into the room. There was a laptop on the rectangular steel table with a video already up and on pause.

Detective McMann shut the door before grabbing the metal chair from the opposite side of the table and dragging it over by the other one. “Take a seat. This shouldn’t take long.”

I plopped into the chair and nervously drummed my fingers on my thighs. Detective McMann sat beside me and moved the laptop closer to us.

“Remember, this video is from a surveillance camera from one of your neighbors across the street. It’s not clear, but let me know if you see anything or anyone you recognize.”

The metal chair bit into my back as I pressed myself to sit up straighter. “I will,” I said, not knowing if I was telling the truth.

Police were never quick enough. Sometimes, revenge at your own hand was the only way.

Detective McMann hit the space bar, making the video play. There was no sound. The video was a little grainy, but it was in color. I dug my nails into my palms as I saw Lizzy rush out of the house and skip to the car to retrieve her phone. As a red car came into view from the far right of the video, I wanted to turn away and close my eyes from the coming tragedy. I didn’t want to witness her fatal gunshot again, but I had to. I had to see who stole my little sister from me.

The car slowed a bit as it passed our house. A tanned arm with a dragon tattoo came out of the passenger side window, holding a pistol. Silent shots were fired, and Lizzy fell onto the ground as the rest of us ducked for cover.

“Play that back,” I said, leaning closer to the screen.

Detective McMann moved the video back to a couple of seconds before the gun went off. I didn’t remember the car, but I recognized that arm. I knew that tattoo of a dragon curling its way up to his left wrist. That arm used to hold me, and later that arm used to strike me and pin me down. That arm belonged to Paolo. I studied what little of the driver I could see and wouldn’t doubt it was one of his cousins.

That motherfucker!

He wasn’t lying when he said he’d go after my family and ruin me. Now I had my proof to go after the devil himself.

Detective McMann paused the video. “Well, did anything stand out to you? Can you identify the shooter or the driver? Any tip, big or small, could help Elizabeth’s case greatly.”

What I had was better than a tip. I had suspect number one with an accomplice.

I took my time answering, licking my lips and glancing at the screen once more.

Dare I say the truth and put my faith into the legal system?

“I’m sorry. I don’t know that car or recognize anyone in it,” I lie through my teeth, digging my nails deep into my fleshy palms, and tears prick my eyes.

“Are you sure?” his voice was low, almost as if he didn’t believe me.

I nodded, standing up. “Yes. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. It was a long shot. We ran the plates, but the car was stolen.” He closed the laptop and picked it up, putting it under his arm. “I hoped you maybe had a lead to who was in the car.” He paused for a moment. “Let me walk you out.”

The police may not know who was in the car, but I did. I was going to have my bloody revenge. Paolo was as good as dead. No one was going to stop me.

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