Chapter Twenty-Four: Interrogation:

“Excuse me,” a big security guard said. “I need to speak to you two for a minute.” I slowly lifted my head.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“We are just stopping people to ask them questions,” the cop said. “Could you come with us?”

“Sure,” I said. “But I’m going to be doing all of the talking.” I nudged my head behind me. “She’s mute.”

“Is that right?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said. Just get through this and we’ll be on our way. We followed the security guard over into the rest stop. My eyes glanced over at Sayuri. She bit her lower lip as she kept her eyes down. Good, don’t draw attention to yourself and we can get through this.

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The security guard grabbed me by the arm and dragged me away. I tried to pull myself out of his grip.

“Hey!” I shouted. “What the hell?!”

“Is there a problem?” the big black guy asked.

“Why are you being so rough? We’ve been cooperative up to this point. What the hell?!” I could’ve swore that I saw the guard smirking at me.

“I do apologize,” he said. “We can’t be too careful with a couple of fugitives on the loose, now can me?”

I grimaced at his tone. “I guess now. But what about my friend, there?”

“No need, she can’t talk, remember?”

“Yeah, but I would feel comfortable with her by my side.”

“Why?”

“Well, she’s new to the area and I just don’t want anything bad to happen to her.” I stared the guard in the eye in a desperate attempt to look for some humanity in him.

“She’ll be fine out there,” he said. The guard dragged me into the room. Sayuri’s worried look on her face would be the last thing I saw when the door swung closed.

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The clock ticked in the background. I should be used to this by now. However, my mind kept going back to Sayuri waiting outside for me. I needed to make this as quick as I could and get her to her brother. The security guard sat down on the other side of the table.

“What is your business in Baton Rouge?” he asked.

“I’m taking my friend to see her little brother,” I said.

“Why?”

“She hadn’t seen him in years.”

“And what is your relationship with your companion?”

“She’s my friend.”

“How long have you known each other?”

“A couple of months now. Her mother is dead and her brother is the only family that she has left.”

“And why would you take some friend down to Baton Rouge just to see her brother?”

I leaned forward with a stoic look on my face. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”

“And what do your folks think about this?”

I glared as I gritted my teeth. “My ma’s gone and my old man doesn’t give a shit about me.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” His tone sounded so fake. I sneered, but chose not to react how he seemed to want me to. The guard pulled out a wanted poster. “You haven’t seen these two around here, have you?” I took one look at the poorly-sketched wanted poster of Sayuri and me and shook my head.

“Nope,” I lied. “Anything else?” The security guard frowned at me.

“No,” he said.

“Any free to go?”

“I suppose.”

“Thank you.” I froze to my feet and walked over to the door. “Have a good day, sir.” I didn’t stick around for his reaction. Still, I couldn’t help but smirk as I felt like I had accomplished beating the system again. However, my proud moment vanished when I stepped out into the lobby. I looked around and no one was in sight.

“Sayuri?” I asked. “Where did you go?” I couldn’t get rid of the sinking feeling in my gut.