19 Call

Lance leans closer to me, my body freezes as I search his expression for his intentions.

He scoots closer to me and puts his hand on the seat near my leg. "That's what I mean though, Lirael..."

*Ring-Ring*

"Hold on a minute while I answer this."

I pull out my phone and look down at the unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Hello, I apologize for disturbing you so late, but this is officer Jenkins. I'm looking for a woman name Lirael, is this the correct number?"

I stand up and walk away. "Yes, my name is Lirael, officer Jenkins. How can I be of assistance?"

Lance perks up at my question.

"Well, ma'am do you know a Mr. Porter? A Mr. Carson Porter?"

I sigh, "Yes, I do know who Carson is. Did he do something stupid? I'm not posting bail for him if that is the case."

The officer pauses, and clears his throat, "No, ma'am, he was found dead and we need you to come down to the station if possible. We'd like to ask you a few questions."

"He's What?! No... I just saw him earlier this afternoon?" I stumbled in my footing, Lance quickly catching me before I hit the ground.

"All the more reason we'd like you to come down to the station ma'am."

"Yes, officer. I'll be there as soon as I can."

I hang up and start pulling out something to wear quickly.

"Lirael? What's the matter?" Lance questions me as I rip off my pajamas and throw on some clothes.

"Carson! They're saying he was found... he was found..." I can't finish the words, my throat refusing to let the words leave my mouth as tears start falling.

I just saw him this afternoon? Why is he gone? What happened?

"Lirael, take a breath, okay? Where do you need to go? The police station right?" Lance asks as I struggle to slip on some shoes.

I nod, wiping my face, "I need to go talk to them."

Lance grabs my hand, "Okay, but I'm not letting you drive there like this. I'll drive and stay with you, as long as that's okay with you?" He makes me look him in the eyes to get an answer and the second I lock eyes with him, the pain hits.

Why is he dead? I just saw him! Please don't tell me he ... he wouldn't kill himself right? He didn't seem like someone who was about to take their life, right?

The entire ride to the station, I can't help but think, 'IS this MY fault?'

We pull up to the station and Lance walks me inside, taking me to the gentleman up at the front.

"Hello, I had an officer Jenkins call me. My name is Lirael."

"Ah, yes, one moment ma'am. Can I get you to fill out this information please, I'll go get him."

It's basic information they're requesting, name, address, employer, vehicles registered under my name, alias, etc.

I filled out the majority of it before the officer came back out with another officer in tow.

"Hello, Lirael? I'm officer Jenkins, please follow me. We just have a few questions we need to ask."

Lance and I stand, making officer Jenkins pause. "Are you her husband, sir?"

I glance at Lance who quickly introduces himself, "No, I'm a friend who just so happens to double as her attorney, if the need arises."

Officer Jenkins cocks a brow, his mustache wiggling hiding the pursing of his lips, "Very well, follow me."

He leads us into a small room, just a table and some chairs and motions us to take a seat.

"Lirael, Lirael Evand. Ms. Evans, how well did you know Mr. Porter?"

"I knew him pretty well, we had been sleeping with each other for about two years. Recently I ended it because I did not care about him the same way he cared about me." I am honest without too many details.

"When was the last time you saw him?" He asks me.

"Earlier this evening around six thirty. I had just arrived home and he was on my porch."

"Why was he there if you were not together anymore?"

"He had found a pair of my earrings he wanted to return to me and to apologize to me. Last time we saw each other he was very rude to a coworker of mine."

"Okay, is your vehicle outside?"

"No sir, it's my vehicle that's outside. Why?" Lance has his professional mask on, calm, collected and mildly curious.

"Mr. Porter was found dead, on the side of the road. Somebody seems to have hit him with a car, and from your information here, Ms. Evans, it happened only two miles from your home. Do you mind if we check your vehicle, sir? I'm going to send a car to your address too, Ms. Evans. We just want to make sure and cover all of our bases."

"Are we being considered suspects here?" Lance asks, an edge to his voice.

Officer Jenkins frowns at Lance, "Like I said, we have to follow our protocols and rule things out to cover all our bases."

"Of course, I have nothing to hide." I tell him, a part of me sighs in relief though that Carson did not kill himself.

"You suddenly relaxed quite a bit, Ms. Evans. Care to explain?" Officer Jenkins narrows his eyes at me.

"Sorry, I'm just relieved that he didn't commit suicide." Tears fall down my face and I wipe them away. "I was worried he had. It didn't even strike me as odd that he was walking, earlier, but after you called me, I thought that's why he wasn't driving. That he didn't need to if he was going to ...."

Officer Jenkins sighs, "No, his car was impounded. Someone reported him for being drunk and threatening to drive."

He has us walk with him outside, stopping to ask the clerk at the front to have someone stop at my home and check my car.

He inspects every aspect of Lances vehicle, double checking for damage and how new the bumper and lights were.

"So how did you know to call me, officer?" I inquire once we were back inside.

"We found a letter addressed to your name in his pocket. After searching his phones contacts, we thought we'd give it a shot."

"A letter?" I sniffle, confused.

Why didn't he give it to me earlier?

"Yes, I can give you a copy of it to read, but until we find out who hit him, I can't release the actual letter to you ma'am."

He opens up his folder, flipping through till he pulls out some photocopies of a letter.

I thank him and quickly start reading it.

-Lirael,

I had a moment of clarity the other day and realized I owed you an apology. I was the one who messed up and subconsciously asked for something more that you were not ready to give. I was out of line and let my emotions control me. I'm sorry for being rude to your friend at the bar and acting like an ass later that night. I deserved to be kicked out of the club.

I know that none of this matters now and doesn't change the outcome between us, but I am sorry. I'm going to be moving out of state, my job offered me a position in Georgia, so this in a way is good bye.

I wish you nothing but the best, take care of yourself.

Carson-

"Thank you officer." I thank him and push the photocopies back to him, cradling my head in my hands.

Here I thought today was a good day, when it started.

The door to the room opens and a lady sticks her head inside. "Officer Jenkins, about the vehicle, it's not showing any signs of damage."

"Thank you, Linda. Well, Ms. Evans, you're welcome to go back home for the night. If we need anymore information from you, we'll get in touch." Officer Jenkins leads Lance and I out to the front.

"For what it's worth, Ms. Evans. I am sorry for your loss." Officer Jenkins solemnly nods to the both of us and heads back inside.

The drive back to my place is quiet, aside from a few sniffles that escape me.

"Lirael, I'm going to notify my Uncle Jim and let him know you won't be making it to work tomorrow. I think it might be a good idea for you to catch up on some rest." Lance suggests to me as we approach the street I live on.

"Thank you." I'm quiet, playing with my thumb, my mind still a mess.

"What's he doing here so late?" Lance mutters, pulling my attention to look in my drive way to find Brian's car there next to mine.