Chapter 8 - Behind Closed Precinct Doors
Inside Interview Room B of the Naperville Police Department, the air smelled heavily of cheap institutional coffee, old carpet cleaner, and the faint, metallic tang of stress sweat. The fluorescent light fixtures overhead buzzed with a low, monotonous hum that grated against Daniel’s already frayed nerves.
He sat handcuffed to a bolted metal table, his head bowed low between his broad shoulders, his dark flannel shirt wrinkled and stained with sweat. The steel cuffs clicked softly every time he shifted his weight, a stark reminder of his total lack of freedom.
The heavy metal door swung open with a sharp squeak of hinges, and Detective Mark Vance stepped into the room. Vance was a seasoned investigator with twenty years on the force, a face carved out of weathered granite, and sharp, calculating eyes that missed nothing. He tossed a thick manila folder onto the table with a heavy thud, pulling out a metal folding chair and sitting down directly across from Daniel.
“Well, Mr. Bennett—or should I call you Mr. Cole?” Detective Vance began, flipping open the folder to reveal a sheaf of printed municipal records, marriage certificates from Reno, and bank routing statements. He slid a certified copy of the 2018 marriage license across the table until it rested right beneath Daniel’s lowered eyes. “It looks like you’ve been very busy maintaining two completely separate lives across state lines. Bigamy, mail fraud, and falsifying government documents on a marriage license application. That’s a nice little cluster of felonies you’ve got stacking up against you.”
Daniel slowly raised his head. His eyes were bloodshot, dark circles carved deep into his skin, making him look a decade older than his actual age. He looked down at the paper, then back up at the detective, his lips trembling slightly.
“I didn't mean for any of this to happen, Detective,” Daniel croaked, his voice cracking with exhaustion. “It was a mistake. A nightmare from my past that I tried to run away from because I was young and stupid.”
“Running away usually involves changing your address, Daniel, not legally marrying a second woman in Illinois while your first wife and child are still drawing breath in Washington State,” Vance replied dryly, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the table. “And then there’s the minor detail of your ten-year-old son showing up at your current wife’s house with a brick and assaulting a five-year-old girl. Your ex-wife, Elena Cole, has already retained a high-powered family law attorney out of Chicago. She’s filing for full custody, emergency asset freezes, and immediate prosecution on all counts.”
Daniel flinched as if he had been physically struck across the face. “Elena… she’s here in Naperville?”
“She’s been here for three weeks, setting up shop,” Vance said, narrowing his eyes as he studied Daniel’s reaction. “And from what my patrol units saw tonight outside your house, she’s orchestrating every move this kid makes. Now, I’m going to give you one chance, Daniel. Are you going to tell me the truth about what Elena is holding over your head, or are you going to sit here and let her take everything you’ve built?”
Daniel opened his mouth to speak, but before a single word could escape his lips, the heavy metal door of the interview room banged open with a loud crash. A young patrol officer rushed in, breathless and wide-eyed, leaning down to whisper frantically into Detective Vance’s ear.
Vance’s face darkened instantly as he listened. He looked back up at Daniel, a grim, humorless smile touching the corners of his mouth.
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“Well, it looks like your ex-wife didn't want to wait for court,” Vance said softly, standing up and pushing his chair back. “Her lawyer just filed an emergency injunction freezing all your assets, and a tow truck just hauled your personal vehicle out of your driveway. And as of ten minutes ago, Elena Cole just walked into the lobby with social services, demanding immediate protective custody of your son—and an investigation into your home environment.”
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