Interrogation Room Read online

out some pictures and papers from the file and slide them over to me.)

  Dirk: “Look Carson—(I see that he’s trying to get familiar and make me feel like we can connect, on some basic level. Not fallin’ for it)—Well, first let’s get these cuffs off you. (I drop my hands on the table and let him uncuff me. He puts the cuffs in a pocket on his belt and returns to the papers) I’m not like Bailey over there. I’m not out to get you strung up for the killin’s at O’ Talley’s. I just want to find out the truth. And based on the truths we have here, (he holds up a handful of pictures and papers) you’re looking pretty guilty. Now, that being said, you might want to reconsider tellin’ us everything you know.”

  Me: (I soften the look on my face and give some sad puppy eyes to make him think I trust him. I run my hand through my hair and dart my eyes around the room, makin’ him think I know somethin’) “Listen officer Dirk, all I can tell you is what I did that night. I don’t know anythin’ about what happened at O’ Talley’s aside from the rumors that were spreadin’ on the streets the day after. I happened to catch some bits and pieces from Darrell, and you know he’s about the best informant you guys have out there.”

  Dirk: “Okay then, I’ll hear you out. First tell me what you did that night when you went to the bar and what you did after that. You said you weren’t there at the time of the murders, but the DNA and fibers alongside the times of death says otherwise. But first, tell me your side of the story.”

  Me: (I suck in a deep breath and get ready to give my alibi.) “All right. Two nights ago I walked into O’ Talleys for a quick drink, around 11:00 I think. I got nervous real quick when I wasn’t five steps through the door and I saw a group of six or so cops sittin’ at the booths. They gave me a quick look and pretended to ignore me, and I took that as my one warning not to cause any trouble. I pulled out a cig, lit it, and shoved my hands in my pockets as I started towards the counter. I saw some familiar faces at the bar. There was Bruno from the Hurlock Gang, and there was also a couple guys I’d run some deals with on the streets.

  One guy—I think his name was Tommy—ran a few steals with me from some storage warehouses, and another guy hooked me up with some coke and heroine to sell for him a while back. I forget his name though. Besides the guys I saw, there were a few hard-lookin’ guys in the corner with some tramp-lookin’ girls that I’d seen solicitin’ around Birch Avenue. They probably worked for Ludo. He practically owns Birch now that he knocked Steelio out.

  But anyway, I sat at the bar and ordered some whiskey. I really wanted a vodka tonic, but I had to front for the guys there. You know what I’m sayin.’ I didn’t talk to nobody because the cops were there, all dressed in uniform. The rest of us knew to shut up around them, even if most of them were on the take. The barkeep’s the only one that talked to me, but I didn’t say nothin.’ At least until my fourth of fifth shot. You know how it goes. You get all warm inside, and then you feel like talkin’ to the nearest stranger as if you were the best man at his weddin.’

  Either way, I started talkin’ to him, and he was a real good listener. He looked like one too. He was kinda tall and probably the nicest ginger I ever met. I’d always been told they didn’t have souls, but this guy was as human as could be. He asked me how I was doin’, and I just started spillin’ my guts about me and Jenna and how I was tryin’ to win her back. But I didn’t say anythin’ about nothin’ important. After I’d drowned in my tears a bit thanks to the helpful advice from the guy tellin’ me to let her go, I cursed him out a bit and caused a scene before stormin’ outta there.

  I left O’ Talleys and it was startin’ to drizzle, and across the street, some punks were hollerin’ to me and askin’ for some drugs. I told them I wasn’t packin’, but they started callin’ me a lyin’ bitch, so I shot off a few rounds at them. You can check the walls of the building across from the bar and I bet you’ll find some holes. After that, all I remember is walking the eight blocks home real sad, lost in how to get Jenna back. I finally made it home and when I got inside, I cut my hand on the broken plates lying all over my kitchen. You see, Jenna and I had a huge fight right before I left to O’ Talleys. She was bustin’ my balls for hangin’ with this Lucy chick, but nothing’ was goin’ on. But when Jenna gets an idea in her head, you can’t shake it loose no matter what.

  We started arguin’ a lot, and she got so mad that she started smashing the plates with the food I got just for her from Benedetto’s. She loves their chicken cacciatore and tetrazzini, so I waited for three freakin’ hours and got some just for her. What a waste. Everythin’ was goin’ good at dinner, and we were havin’ a great time until she saw one of Lucy’s gloves on my kitchen counter. She didn’t even ask any questions, to which I woulda told her that Lucy came over because she thought a collector was after her for a loan she hadn’t paid back yet. She was in my place only for an hour, and after we figured out nobody was tailin’ her, I walked her home so she would feel safe. She just happened to leave one of her gloves at my place. That was it.

  But Jenna didn’t wanna hear it. She had a huge ol’ fit and started launchin’ the plates and forks and glasses of wine at my head. I’ll admit, I hit her. But it’s only because she was getting’ all crazy and was ready to kill me. She chased me around the place with a knife threatenin’ to cut my dick off. So I knocked the knife outta her hand and gave her a hard slap across the face. I hit her a little harder than I meant to, and she hit the ground hard and knocked out. When she woke up, I apologized forever and begged her not to tell. When she left, she told me, ‘Don’t think you got off easy, Jake. I’m gonna get you good for layin’ your grimy hands on me.’

  That’s why I was all worried when you guys came to get me. I thought she called the cops to make me spend some extra time in the joint, especially since I’d had priors. But when you came and picked me up for the murders of those cops, I didn’t know what the hell was goin’ on.

  Oh yeah, like I said, I cut my hand on one of the broken plate pieces when I got back to my place, and it was a nice deep one too. Look how bad it is (I pick up my right hand and show him the gash on it. It looks pretty gross and might still bleed a bit). It wouldn’t stop bleedin’, so I just poured a bunch of peroxide in it—hurt like a bitch—and wrapped it tight in a cloth. Then I went to my bedroom and changed. It wasn’t until then that I realized my clothes had a bunch of blood on them from trying to stop the bleeding. I changed and put on my pajamas, threw my old clothes in the washer, and then I went to bed.

  That was it. I spent the better part of today sleepin’, and then I went out to find Jenna and make up with her. She wasn’t at her apartment, so I decided to wait around at the park for a few hours until she came back. It was so freakin’ hot that I got tired of waitin’, and I went back home to watch the game between the Steelers and the Packers and have some beers. It was gettin’ good because the Steelers were winnin’ by fourteen, and then you assholes broke my door down and arrested me. See? I had nothin’ to do with those murders. You gotta believe me, man.”

  Dirk: “Sounds like you have quite the story, Jake (he uses my first name to make me think he believes me. He’s really just fishin’ for holes). I want to believe you, but there are some holes in that seemingly jar-tight tale of yours (he eyes me).”

  Me: (I call him out). “Oh, I see how it is. Fine, if you don’t believe me, then tell me what’s wrong with the truth of what really happened” (I eye him back to challenge him and see if he’s got balls or not).

  Dirk: “First off, you mentioned earlier that Darrell told you about the murders, but you didn’t mention him in your story of what you were up to today. What’s goin’ on there?” (He thinks he’s smart. He doesn’t know I’m baiting him)

  Me: “Okay, okay. When I said I was waitin’ around in the park, I wasn’t just waitin’ around. I was hangin’ around Aleander Park to find Darrell and get some information on what’s goin’ on in the streets. But come on, you know with the business I’m in, you gotta stay on top of your game. Tha
t’s all.”

  Dirk: “Fine, but one of our officers found Darrell and interviewed him, and he said you specifically asked about the O’ Talley murders (he thinks he’s winning, and flexes a little to show me he’s got the upper hand). He said that you gave him more money than usual and told him not to tell anyone else what you asked about. What do you have to say about what Darrell told us? I know he’s kinda shady, but would he really go that far to blame you out of all the other people he informs. Kinda weird, right? Well? After all, he always says you’re one of his best customers. Now, why would he sell you out like that?” (I see he’s getting’ pretty serious)

  Me: (I stay calm and look him directly in the eyes. After a couple seconds of silence and starin’, I speak) “Well you got all your facts wrong, officer. I never asked Darrell about the murders because I didn’t even know about them until he told me. And about the extra six hundred bucks, I had to bribe him extra for some info on Dougan’s crew and where they were shipping some coke. You see, and I’m only tellin’ you this because I need to save my ass, Dougan and his guys have been passin’ coke and