Carnage Child

Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Lucia and her family were summoned for questioning, but they requested to hold the meeting at their shop instead of the police station. Confident in their innocence and having nothing to hide, they preferred the familiar surroundings of their business. The police agreed, and soon the officers arrived at L and J Chicken and Yogurt, ready to take their statements and gather information about the factory incident.

The police van pulled up in front of L and J Chicken and Yogurt, a familiar gathering spot for the community. Lucia and her family, who had witnessed the factory incident, were summoned for questioning. Having called the fire station and police at the time of the incident, they were crucial witnesses in the investigation. With the survivor now deceased and Diego pressing the police for answers, their testimony was more important than ever.

"Good day, officers," Lucia greeted them.

"Good day, madam," the investigator responded.

"I'm sure you received our call about our reason for coming here. We have some questions about the blast that happened here a few days ago," the investigator explained.

"Oh, ask us anything. We saw the incident ourselves," James said.

"Well, we're really concerned about the high schooler the late survivor mentioned," the investigator said.

"Late survivor?" Lucia asked, confusion etched on her face.

"Yes, Sheldon Yale. The man who survived the blast died from respiratory issues two days ago," he explained.

"But he was fine! We rescued him and the security guard because they weren't inside, but by the gate. How could he have respiratory issues when he didn't inhale any smoke?" James asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Wait, are you telling me the deceased never inhaled any smoke and was never in the building?" the investigator asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Yes," James replied.

"Okay, it's too bad he's dead, but we're here to know about the high school girl. Did any student pass by here?" the investigator asked, his gaze piercing.

"Perhaps to buy some paper?" he added.

"Yes, my niece came by here to get some paper," Lucia said, her voice hesitant.

James hit her slightly, his eyes darting nervously around the room. They were going after a high schooler, and Keres was a high schooler who went into the building.

"Um... But she isn't a bad person. We guarantee that," Lucia said, her voice laced with concern.

"This niece of yours, where are her parents?" the investigator asked, his tone firm.

"They all died, even her sister," she replied, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Died? Did she perhaps go missing for some time?" he asked, his eyes locked on hers.

"No. She buried her parents all by herself," James lied, seeing where the investigation was headed.

"Okay, how can we get in touch with her?" the investigator asked, his hand poised over his notebook.

"We can ask her to come by, but it's a Saturday, and she has lots of homework to do. But you can come tomorrow," Lucia said, her voice hesitant.

"We shall. Thank you again for your time," the investigator said, his eyes never leaving theirs, before turning and walking out of the shop.

"You should never have said that Freddie and Susan died!" James scolded Lucia as the police officers left.

"What was I supposed to do? Lie?" she asked, her voice defensive.