"Welcome, what can I offer you?" Deminan asked, trying to sound hospitable despite the growing sense of unease in his stomach.
The detectives looked at each other, and one of them replied, "No, thank you, Mr. Deminan. We're fine."
Deminan nodded, trying to hide his relief. He gestured for them to sit down, and they obliged.
As they sat down, Deminan tried to compose himself. "So, what brings you here today?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
Detective James, a middle-aged man with a stern expression, pulled out a small notebook and flipped through the pages. "We're investigating the disappearance of Mr. Thompson, Sonia's stepfather," he said, his eyes locked on Deminan's. "We have reason to believe that you may be involved in his disappearance."
Deminan's eyes widened in shock, and he felt like he had been punched in the gut. He tried to stammer out a denial, but the detectives cut him off.
"We found your ID card at the scene of the crime," Detective James said, his voice firm. "We also have eyewitnesses who place you at the scene. It's time to come clean and tell us what really happened."
Deminan's hands were shaking, and he could feel his heart racing in his chest. He knew he was trapped, and he didn't know how to escape.
Detective Jay, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "Mr. Deminan, tell me in details? What do you mean?"
Deminan looked at Sonia, and for a moment, he felt a pang of guilt. He knew he had to protect her, but he also knew he couldn't keep lying.
"Deminan, we need to know the truth," Detective James said firmly. "We have evidence that suggests you were involved in Mr. Thompson's disappearance. We need to know what happened."
Deminan took a deep breath and looked down at the floor. He knew he had to tell the truth, no matter how difficult it was going to be.
"I...I don't know what to say," Deminan stammered. "I didn't mean to...I was just trying to protect myself."
Detective James leaned forward, his eyes locked on Deminan's. "Protect yourself from what, Mr. Deminan? What happened that night?"
Deminan hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. He knew that once he started talking, there would be no going back.
"I...I was in a difficult situation," Deminan began, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mr. Thompson was...he was threatening me. I was scared, and I didn't know what to do."
Sonia's eyes widened in shock, and she turned to Deminan. "What do you mean? What happened?"
Deminan took another deep breath before continuing. "I...I had to defend myself. I didn't mean to hurt him, but...but things got out of control."
The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on Deminan. Detective James spoke up, his voice firm but controlled.
"Mr. Deminan, it's time to tell us the whole truth. What happened that night? What did you do to Mr. Thompson?"
Deminan knew he had no choice but to confess. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come.
"I...I killed him," Deminan said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to, but...but I had to protect myself."
The room erupted into chaos, with Sonia sobbing and the detectives jumping into action. Deminan sat in stunned silence, knowing that his life would never be the same again.
Deminan's eyes locked onto the detectives, his voice shaking with desperation. "It wasn't intentional, please can you give me until tomorrow morning so I can say goodbye to my wife?"
Detective James's expression remained firm, his voice unwavering. "We are sorry, Mr. Deminan, but you are under arrest for the murder of Mr. Thompson. Sean and all evidence points to you."
Deminan's face fell, his eyes darting to Sonia, who was watching the scene unfold with a mixture of horror and shock. The detectives stepped forward, handcuffs at the ready.
"Turn around, please, Mr. Deminan," one of the detectives instructed, his voice firm but polite.
Deminan hesitated for a moment before complying. The detectives handcuffed him, the metal clicking into place with a sense of finality.
"Sonia, I will be fine, okay?" Deminan shouted to his wife, trying to reassure her as the detectives dragged him out of the apartment. "Don't cry!"
Sonia slumped into the chair, her body shaking with sobs. She watched in horror as her husband was taken away, the sound of the detectives' voices and the slamming of the car door echoing in her mind.
As the reality of the situation sunk in, Sonia's thoughts turned to the events of that fateful night. She remembered the argument, the fight, and the eventual... She shook her head, trying to clear the memories from her mind.
But one question kept echoing in her mind: Why would Deminan take the blame for what she had done? She thought back to their conversation, trying to remember if he had given her any indication that he would take the fall.
Sonia's eyes welled up with tears as she realized the true extent of Deminan's sacrifice. He had taken the blame to protect her, to save her from the consequences of her actions.
As the tears streamed down her face, Sonia felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She knew she had to find a way to make things right, to clear Deminan's name and take responsibility for her actions.
But for now, she could only sit in stunned silence, her mind reeling with the implications of Deminan's arrest and the secrets they had kept hidden for so long.