Page 98 of Spark

“I know.” Melvin paused. “I’m not going to rat him out. I’m here for you to make sure that scumbag Oliver gets locked up.”

“Thank you.” Mia let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding. “So, Aurelio told you everything and still agreed that you should come with?”

“He loves you, bug. We can all see it.”

She smiled, grabbing her brother’s hand and walking the rest of the way to the station.

The building was old; the original marble was still intact in places, and it was mostly empty, which Mia guessed was a good thing. The officer at the front desk told them to have a seat, stating that Detective Daniels would be out shortly. Melvin got absorbed in his phone; some work back home needed to be checked on. As she sat there, Mia’s mind began to wander, thinking about how long she had lived in the city, and this was the first time she had been inside the police station. A chuckle from her left pulled her from her musings. She looked up to see Oliver stalking towards them. She stood quickly, fists balled by her sides and face reddening.

“Well…” The grin of a predator was on his lips. “…look who came to visit me at work.”

“We are not here for you,” Melvin corrected, standing next to Mia. “Detective Daniels called us in. There’s some new information about Mia’s break-in.”

“Yes, I heard about that,” Oliver said, his face feigning shock. “Crazy that someone could break in like that.”

He leaned down, coming closer to Mia than she was comfortable with, and Melvin’s hand pushed her back a little. But she would not let her neighbor intimidate her; she stood her ground.

“Scary to think someone could just come in like that, uninvited, and expose you at any moment.” Oliver’s hot breath hit Mia’s face, and she felt herself shrink back. He noticed; a satisfied smile spread across his face, exposing teeth.

“Detective Jones!” a voice boomed out. Detective Daniels was coming around the front desk, his face angry and disappointed.

“Ahh, my former partner,” Oliver sighed, standing back up.

Mia’s head reeled.Former?

“Just getting your suspects ready for you.”

“Victim,” Detective Daniels corrected. Stepping toward Mia, he offered an arm, which she gladly took.

Melvin glanced at Oliver, his face hard. “Simple promises.” He walked behind Mia and Detective Daniels as the three of them went to a little room with no windows, a desk, and three chairs.

Detective Daniels motioned for Mia to sit, placing himself across the table from her. Melvin stood behind her, arms crossed.

“Mia, I’m sorry about that. Detective Jones is on temporary leave; he shouldn’t have been here at all.”

“Oh,” she said. “It’s not your fault he was.”

“Still, I asked you here, anticipating he wouldn’t be. And instead, I put you in an uncomfortable situation; luckily, your brother was here with you.”

“How do you know this is my brother?” Mia asked. “In fact, how did you know my brothers were even in town?”

“Well, the first was a guess; you do look a lot alike. The second is a little more complicated, and I can’t share it with you right now. But in due time, things will be made clear.” He cleared his throat, and Mia was confused, wanting answers.

“So, I need a list of names of people who come in and out of your apartment frequently enough that their prints would be found everywhere.” He produced his notebook and pen from a pocket.

Mia nodded; her desire for answers was swallowed down; he wasn’t going to share more than he was willing to.

“First, I need to know…” There was one thing she would not let go. “Did you find Oliver’s prints in my apartment?”

Melvin gave a soft grunt; he knew the answer was yes before Detective Daniels even opened his mouth.

“Mia, I cannot tell you that. Not until I know who is a suspect and who isn’t.”

“Well, if you found any of his, he is the guy!” she exclaimed, her hands flying up in exasperation. “His prints should be nowhere in my place because I have never invited him in.”

“Really? Because, according to him, we may even find blood samples belonging to him in the apartment.”

“What?” Her mind was racing. “That’s impossible. He never… oh shit.”

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