Chapter 167: Not Alone Anymore
Morris’s face contorted into a scowl. "Excuse me?" he barked. "You think now is the time to interrogate family members? My daughter is lying in there, fighting for her life... barely breathing... and you want to question us?!"
The detective remained calm. "This is protocol in an active investigation. We understand this is a sensitive situation, but time is critical. We have to rule out every possibility and gather all firsthand accounts."
"You think one of us tried to kill her?" Morris snapped, voice rising. "You’re wasting time! The culprit is out there, getting away... why don’t you go do your job instead of treating us like suspects!"
"Uncle...," Jean said quietly, trying to de-escalate. "Please. Let them do what they have to. Emma would want justice, wouldn’t she?"
Morris turned to her sharply. "Don’t talk to me like you know what she wants."
Jean flinched but didn’t look away.
Logan stepped forward, voice cool but firm. "We’ll cooperate, detective. You’ll get what you need."
Detective Carver nodded. "We appreciate that. The sooner we get statements, the faster we can move on this."
The hallway buzzed with fluorescent lights overhead, but the rest of the world felt dimmer. As if someone had turned down the volume of life itself.
Jean stood frozen beside Logan, her fingers absently clutching the hem of her coat. Her mind kept circling the same image... Emma’s pale face, eyes closed, still... yet breathing.
Still alive.