"So, is the list ready?" Derek asked, glancing at Maya and Ryan. Both nodded, and Maya added, "Yes… plus, we got an extra list for Aunt May's recipes."
The chatter between them was light, but Ryan's gaze drifted to his father's car, which had come to an abrupt halt in the middle of the parking lot, tires still. He frowned, confusion clouding his face. "Why'd they stop there? Weren't they going to park?"
He started to walk over when Elise rolled down her window and called out, her voice echoing across the lot, "Ryan, Jared… could you both come here for a moment?"
Ryan shot me a puzzled look. I shrugged, sharing his bewilderment, and we headed over together. The air around the car felt oddly still, like the calm before a storm, and Ryan's father stepped out, waving us over in a gesture that brooked no argument. "Maya, Derek—you two go ahead and start the shopping. The four of us need to take care of something. We'll be back in an hour or two."
Maya and Derek exchanged a concerned look, sensing the tension. Maya couldn't recall anything urgent that required their attention, but the serious expressions on Elise and Ryan's father suggested this was no small errand.
With a mix of worry and curiosity, Maya and Derek nodded and made their way into the store, leaving us alone with Ryan's parents.
When we reached the car, I looked at Elise, trying to read the anxious lines on her face. "Is something wrong, Miss Elise?"
Elise nodded, her voice low but urgent. "I'll explain on the way… but just get in for now. We're heading to the precinct."
"The precinct?" Ryan echoed, his face a mixture of shock and worry. His father leaned forward, his tone firm yet gentle. "There's nothing for you to worry about, Ryan. You and Jared haven't done anything wrong. Just get in; I'll explain everything on the way."
We climbed into the car without further hesitation, the atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. A few minutes into the drive, Ryan's father looked over at us, his eyes intense. "Do you remember the man you and Jared nearly got into a scuffle with outside your school?"
Ryan nodded slowly, his expression clouded with a mix of unease and curiosity. "Don't tell me he filed a police report because I was on a motorcycle," he muttered, attempting a lighthearted tone that fell flat. But Ryan's father's face remained unyielding, his jaw set. "No, Ryan… the man was found murdered just a short while ago, near a construction site. I'm heading to the crime scene, but you two need to go to the precinct to give a statement. Just tell them exactly what happened. It's routine since you two were likely the last to see him alive."
Ryan and I exchanged stunned looks, a chill sweeping over me. My mind raced, struggling to process the bizarre twist the day had taken.
"How… how did he die?" I asked, barely above a whisper, almost afraid of the answer.
Ryan's father shook his head, his expression unreadable, as though even he was still grappling with the news. "I don't have all the details yet. I'll know more once I'm at the scene." He turned to Elise and added, "Drop me at the intersection. I'll head to the scene on foot. Take the boys to the precinct."
Elise gave a resolute nod, her gaze fixed on the road. "I'll make sure they're looked after. Since this case involves our family, another detective will likely take over due to conflict of interest. I'll get their statements and then bring them home. Call if you need backup or updates."
The drive to the precinct felt longer than it was, a heavy silence filling the car. Outside, the streets blurred by, but inside, it felt like time had slowed, each minute pressing down on us.
When we arrived, Elise spoke briefly with an officer outside, who guided us up to the third floor. As we waited in the elevator, I nudged Ryan. "You okay?" I asked, noticing the tension in his shoulders.
Ryan took a deep breath, his eyes distant. "Yeah… it's just unsettling. We were arguing with that guy not half an hour ago, and now he's dead? And murdered? I can't help wondering who did it."
Sensing his unease, I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. Your dad and Miss Elise will figure it out." My words seemed to comfort him, and he managed a faint smile. The officer guiding us looked back and added, "Your friend's right. Detective Mathew is one of the best in the city."
On the third floor, we were led to a small break room with the faint scent of coffee lingering in the air. It had a sink, a fridge, and an espresso machine in the corner, along with a few vending machines humming quietly. The officer handed us each a can of soda and took a seat across the table.
"Since you're both minors," he began, his voice calm but formal, "you have the right to give your statement with a guardian or an attorney present. If either of you would like that, just let us know. We've informed your families."
Ryan and I exchanged a quick glance before shaking our heads. "We're fine to give our statements now," we replied in unison.
Moments later, Elise entered the cafeteria with two detectives, their badges gleaming under the fluorescent lights. One of them smiled at Ryan. "You must be Mathew's son—he talks about you a lot."
"Yes, sir," Ryan replied, finding his voice again.
The other detective nodded, turning to both of us. "Ryan and Jared, right? We'd like to know everything you remember about your encounter with this man outside your school. Even small details could be helpful, so take your time."
Their warm, professional demeanor helped ease some of the tension. We began recounting the incident, trying to include every detail we could recall. Just as we finished, the officer who had brought us in stepped back into the room. "Detectives, Special Agent Sophia Thomas from the FBI is here regarding this case."
The detectives exchanged a surprised look. "Alright, bring her in."
The officer returned with Agent Thomas. She introduced herself, her gaze both sharp and calm, as though dissecting us with a single glance. My heart skipped a beat; her presence was oddly unnerving, carrying a weight that was hard to ignore.
Agent Thomas greeted the detectives with a quick nod, then turned to us. "Would you mind repeating your account one more time?" she asked, her tone gentle but commanding.
Ryan took the lead, recounting the story with such focus and intensity that it felt as though he were speaking to a trusted confidant rather than a federal agent.
Once he finished, Elise couldn't resist asking, "Agent Thomas, if I may—why is the FBI involved?"
Agent Thomas gave a measured smile. "The victim was associated with a group under federal investigation for potential terrorist activities. Due to the sensitivity of the case, certain details aren't accessible through local databases."
The detectives shared a knowing glance and nodded in understanding. Elise, though still slightly skeptical, chose not to press further.
After we'd provided our statements, Agent Thomas handed us her card, her gaze lingering as she added, "If either of you recalls anything else, don't hesitate to reach out."
Elise soon led us out of the precinct and back into the crisp evening air. "I'll drop you two at Mathew's house. He'll be there soon—it's the twins' birthday, after all." We gave Agent Thomas a quick wave goodbye as she walked toward her car, watching her as though some part of the mystery lingered with her.
Third-Person POV
As Elise drove off with Jared and Ryan, Agent Thomas settled into her car, pulling out her phone with a practiced motion.
"Hello… it's me."
[What have you got for me, Agent Romanoff?]
**
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