Race With a Heart
Chapter 131: Interrogating the Suspect

Chapter 131: Interrogating the Suspect

Journalists tried to stop the policemen by asking them questions. Everyone was curious who the suspect arrested in the attempted murder of Paxton is? Lieutenant Sullivan snarled them to wait for an official statement from the police or the prosecution. He is not authorized to provide any information.

The lieutenant had a hard time with them, but Moore walked past them unnoticed. Even if someone actually saw him, they pretended not to. Being Moore really had its privileges.

That’s why Kevin didn’t wait for his colleagues. He wasn’t planning on interrogating Paxton alone, but he wasn’t going to stand like a moron with his tongue hanging out and fill his eyes with a media circus. He preferred to wait politely at the VIP desk reception. He also had time to check that Martin was not currently visiting Paxton.

The receptionist reported that Martin had been earlier but had already gone to work so he would probably show up only in the evening.

Kevin sighed. That’s good. It would be better for him if Steve’s questioning by the police was a secret to him. He would be very nervous if he knew Paxton was being blackmailed because of him, and now he is a suspect in a murder. Of course, if it went any further, Martin would find out anyway, because the police would knock on his door too. Martin will be questioned as a motive in the case, that is, as a witness.

But things can go backwards. There may be evidence pointing to someone else. If Steve is expelled from the investigation early enough, Martin will not be involved at all.

That’s what Kevin was counting on.

Moore knew the importance of asking questions, which was why he wanted to interview. It’s not that he didn’t believe in the competence of the police, but the police didn’t have the basic knowledge to get Paxton to speak. They will be asking standard questions, while in this case you have to refer to the emotional side of the interviewee rather.

"Fucking scraps!" From the elevator door Moore heard such and uglier epithets approaching representatives of the journalistic class. Lieutenant Sullivan looked annoyed. Who the hell do they think they are? ’Freedom of speech’? ’Society has the right to know the truth’? What about the rights of the victim and their loved ones? Don’t they have the right to a little peace? You’ll get your truth, fucking scribblers, but after the court verdict, because only then can you know it! Your fucking theories only bring confusion and social anxiety! If Plato was alive in the present day, he would not drive poets, but journalists, from his ideal state! "

Kevin didn’t even smile. He wasn’t laughing at all before the Paxton interrogation that awaited him.

"What are you standing here like a stake?" Sullivan asked him. "I thought you were already talking to the Paxton."

"The deal was that we talk to him together," said Moore.

The lieutenant nodded contentedly.

"That’s why I like you, professor. So, are we starting? "

***

Steve Paxton was still weak and very pale. He looked tired, even though it was morning. Kevin knew that the driver’s body had gone through a tremendous physical and mental shock that was unimaginable. Millions of people around the world are undergoing surgery every day, but how many are victims of attempted murder?

The main shock after such a traumatic event usually lasts for three days. This is why in some cultures this is the length of the mourning period for a deceased family member. After this time, the body begins to undergo some changes spontaneously. Most of the time it begins to heal, but sometimes, for various reasons, the changes are not for the better.

Paxton was still in that first phase when his mind and body were trying to understand that he was so close to death and it was a death at the hands of another human. In films, the heroes always passed over such situations. But life was completely different.

It must have been particularly difficult for Paxton for various reasons. First, he was a public figure with a certain image in the media and could not allow himself to show fear, depression, or other weakness. Second, there was Martin in front of whom Steve had to pretend to be strong all the time so as not to worry the person he loves. Third - and this was the most critical - Paxton has suffered a lot from shock in the past. As a result, he was more mentally weakened and more susceptible to negative influences. Adding to all the events on the track, Steve must have had a great struggle in his mind and heart to survive.

It took Kevin one look at that pale face and his shining firm eyes for the professor’s heart to sincerely and fervently wont, that Paxton would be completely innocent in the case of a murder of Margarita Evans.

"I didn’t expect to see the policemen once more before I left the hospital," Steve greeted them with a polite smile. "Do you need additional testimony?"

"We need your testimony, but on a different matter," Sullivan explained. "Your name came out today and we need to ask you a few questions. Since this is a homicide, we can’t wait for you to come out of the hospital. "

"Homicide?" Paxton was surprised. His eyes darkened and his facial muscles twitched slightly. It was a reaction of anxiety. Almost every policeman will read it as a guilty concern who is afraid that the police have found him. But almost exactly the same as a killer would react a victim of a would-be homicide. The nuances were so small, or almost nonexistent, that it was impossible to catch them. Moore didn’t know whether Steve had reacted as victim or perpetrator either, but at least he was aware that this twitch did not clearly indicate the driver’s guilt.

Kevin stepped closer, pulled up a stool, and sat on it. He smiled amiably at Paxton.

"My name is Kevin Moore, I am a professor of criminal psychology and I help my fellow police officers with a murder investigation. I don’t know if you’ve heard of me ... "

"I heard," Steve admitted, and looked at him curiously. Kevin felt a little intimidated by that sight. It didn’t happen very often. But if Paxton had heard of him, it was probably from Jack or Martin, so he probably knew about his relationship with Lambert. Of course, Kevin had nothing to be ashamed of, but his intimate relationships were a very personal topic and ...

"I heard you helped solve the problem of the boy I know, Sid," Steve announced and glanced at the policemen standing in the back.

"I only suggested a few possible solutions," Moore explained in surprise.

"It was enough," Paxton announced. "Sid has found a safe place for himself."

"Really good to hear that," Kevin said genuinely.

He had the impression that Paxton had not approached him as an enemy, and had given him a certain amount of credit for a friend of Martin. Of course, Moore was pleased to know that Sid was fine.

"Lieutenant Sullivan has already mentioned," Kevin finally referred to the subject of the case, "that we are investigating a homicide. Do you feel able to answer a few questions? "

Paxton nodded.

"Can we record this conversation?"

Steve hesitated for a moment, but also nodded.

Sullivan offered a small service recorder. After starting the recording, Moore introduced himself and Paxton, gave the date and time, and asked again for permission to record. Then Kevin started asking.

"Do you know a girl named Margarita Evans? Or Rita Evans? "

Steve thought deeply enough, and Moore could clearly see the driver searching the recesses of his memory.

"I’m sorry, I don’t remember. I know many girls, but I don’t always know their names. "

It was a playboy answer, but the word ’know’ was very broad in scope and not necessarily intimate. A shop assistant, a waitress in a restaurant or a neighbor - in a sense, you ’know’ each of them, but only a few know their names.

"And do you recognize any of these faces?"

Denning handed Moore four photos of women in their twenties. One of them was Rita.

"I recognize this one." Paxton pointed to a picture of a short-haired girl with huge eyes. "I don’t know her name, but I’ve seen her at the station. She works in the road patrol, right? I’m not sure, but I think I saw her too..." Steve pointed to the photo of Rita’s ID. "Looks familiar, but I can’t ..." he shook his head helplessly.

"This is Margarita Evans," Moore explained. Now he will be uttering essential words, but even more importantly will be Paxton’s response to them. "The last message she sent in her life was for you. Rita Evans was murdered. "

Paxton’s hand twitched and began to tremble. His breathing was getting restless. Paxton found himself in a state of strong emotional agitation ...

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