THE TYRANT'S CONTRACT BRIDE

CH. 16

~Continuing from earlier~

A harsh bang on the table made Serena flinch back to reality.

She looked up to find Davis glaring at her again with his lips curled into a sneer.

"Quit playing games, Miss Bolting. We have witnesses who saw you fleeing the scene covered in Miss Delaney's blood. You might as well fess up now and save us all some time."

Panic gripped Serena's chest at those accusations. Her breathing became shallow and rapid. This couldn't be true. It wasn’t true.

She opened her mouth to speak, but only a strangled sound came out.

Jenkins stepped in smoothly. "That's enough inflammatory assertions for now, Officer Davis. My client is not obligated to submit to your prosecutorial badgering without more substantive evidence."

His calm and even tone helped Serena regain her equilibrium.

Davis looked furious but couldn't seem to regain his footing against the accomplished lawyer. For the first time, a flicker of hope sparked within Serena's embattled heart.

Jenkins maintained his professional demeanor as Davis continued to sputter indignantly. "Your client was caught red-handed at the scene! What more evidence do you need?"

"Alleged circumstantial evidence is not proof of guilt," Jenkins countered nonchalantly. "I'm sure you're aware that Miss Bolting has no prior criminal record and is an upstanding member of the community. The burden rests on your department to provide concrete facts tying her to this terrible crime."

Serena felt a wave of gratitude toward her father's loyal counsel. Jenkins' reasoned arguments were helping to ground her amid this waking nightmare.

Davis regained his composure and sneered once more. "Well then, let's hear it straight from the horse's mouth. What's your story, Miss Bolting? We're all ears."

Serena swallowed. Hard. Her throat had gone dry with nerves. She caught Jenkins' reassuring nod and took a steadying breath.

"I...I went to Alex’s apartment that night," she began haltingly. "I had originally intended to pleasantly surprise him by coming back earlier than expected and extending a personal invitation for him to join me at tonight’s prestigious award gala."

Images of two nights ago danced before her eyes. The mischievous smile on Diana's face when Serena walked in and discovered her husband in a compromising position with Diana on his bed. Their bed even though she hardly slept on it.

Serena inhaled once more. "When I arrived, Diana was there. They were...intimate." Serena felt heat rise in her cheeks as the mortifying scene played out again behind her eyes. "I was shocked. Betrayed. Diana was my closest friend and Alex was my..." She trailed off.

She willed herself to maintain composure as the anguish washed over her anew. "There was a heated argument. Accusations flew in every direction. But I swear to you, I never raised a hand to Diana. I could never hurt her, despite her...indiscretions."

Davis studied her appraisingly, his expression unreadable.

Serena forged on. "Eventually I just...I had to get out of there. I stormed out, got in my car, and left the scene with my driver. That's the absolute truth. When I heard the horrible news later..." She choked back a sob. "I can't describe how devastated I was. But I didn't do this. You have to believe me."

The room went silent as the officer and the lawyer sized each other up. Serena was overwhelmed by the weight of her future.

The officer's eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. "A heated argument, you say? With two people you cared about deeply betraying you in the worst way?"

He tsked and shook his head slowly. "I can only imagine the rage and jealousy that must have consumed you in that moment, Miss Bolting. To have your supposed best friend and your… boyfriend? Fiancé or possibly husband... carrying on behind your back like that?" He held up a hand as Serena opened her mouth to protest.

"The crime scene told quite a story, you know. Overturned furniture, broken glass - it was clear a violent struggle took place. And Diana..." The officer's gaze bored into her. "The poor woman was beaten to a bloody pulp. You're trying to tell me you just stormed out and left them there, alive and well?"

Serena felt her pulse thundering in her ears as her temper flared. "I did not kill her!" she shouted, slamming her fist on the table. "How dare you accuse me of such a despicable act! I loved Diana like a sister, and Alex..." She swallowed hard against the lump in her throat. "Despite his betrayal, I could never harm him either."

Officer Davis arched an eyebrow skeptically. "So you claim. But the evidence paints a very different picture, Miss Bolting. A picture of a jealous, enraged woman who simply couldn't control her emotions when confronted with her man’s infidelity. A woman with motive, means, and opportunity to commit murder."

Serena opened her mouth to vehemently deny his twisted accusations once more, but Jenkins cut her off with a warning look. She clenched her jaw, hands balling into white-knuckled fists on the table as she fought for composure. This was not going well at all. The relentless interrogator seemed determined to cast her as the villain.

The officer smirked, leaning back in his chair with a look of smug satisfaction. "I'd say that little outburst just proved my point about you being a violent person, Miss Bolting."

Before Serena could respond, Jenkins quickly intervened. "Officer Davis, I must insist you cease these inflammatory accusations against my client immediately." His voice was firm but measured. "Miss Bolting is understandably distraught after the traumatic events of the past day. She is in no fit mental state to be interrogated so relentlessly at present."

Officer Davis scoffed. "Traumatic for her? What about the victim? Diana was savagely beaten to death. I'd say that's a hell of a lot more traumatic."

"We understand your dedication to seeking justice," Jenkins replied calmly. "However, continuing to badger and provoke Miss Bolting will only impede your investigation, not aid it. She has already given her statement. I suggest we adjourn for now and allow some time for her to compose herself properly."

Clenching her hands together so tightly her nails dug into her palms, Serena struggled to keep her emotions in check. She could feel hot tears of anger and exhaustion pricking her eyes. This was all too much.

Jenkins placed a gentle hand on her arm. "Deep breaths, Miss Bolting. Don't let him rattle you." His voice was low and soothing. "We'll get through this, but you must remain strong."

Serena managed a small nod, focusing on the lawyer's calming presence. He was right - losing control now would only reinforce the vile accusations against her. She was innocent. She just had to keep reminding herself of that. And with any luck, she'll be able to extricate herself from this predicament. Alive!!