Janet McNulty - Mellow Summers 01 - Sugar And Spice and Not So Nice by Janet McNulty Page A

They also took my picture. The vain side of me hoped I looked good. Stupid, I know. After about twenty minutes of being booked, I was led to an interrogation room.
    “Don’t I get a phone call?” I asked the officer taking me to the room.
    He grunted in response.
    “Miss Summers.” I turned toward the voice. Detective Reiss smiled at me. It was not one of those nice to see you grins.
    “No!” I yelled, pulling away. “I don’t want to be questioned by him!”
    The officer holding my arm resisted my struggles, pulling me into the room.
    “No!” I screamed. “Not him! I’ll talk to anyone, but him.” I twisted and turned, trying to get away. I know it didn’t help my image, but I had a bad feeling about all of this. “Let me go!”
    “Miss Summers, please calm down,” said Detective Reiss.
    “I won’t let you question me!” I twisted some more. Finally, two officers pinned me against the wall.
    “What’s going on here?” Detective Shorts arrived. He looked at me, Reiss, and the other two cops.
    “I don’t want to be interrogated by him,” I repeated.
    “Let her go,” Detective Shorts told the officers holding me down. “Now, tell me what is going on.”
    “She was arrested for car theft,” said Detective Reiss. “Had a few drinks at Sal’s and is now resisting arrest.”
    “Bullshit!” I yelled. “It’s my car and I can prove it, but the cops that arrested me never gave me a chance. And I never told you I was at Sal’s.”
    “I learned it from the arresting officer,” said Reiss.
    “The hell you did,” I spat. “I didn’t tell them either. But you were at Sal’s and threatened me there.”
    “She’s clearly drunk,” said Detective Reiss, “and if you don’t mind, I have a job to do.”
    “Give me the file,” said Detective Shorts.
    “What?” challenged Detective Reiss.
    “Take a look at her,” said Detective Shorts. “She clearly is not drunk. And since she is adamant about not being interrogated by you, little will be accomplished if you try it. Add to the list that she has now accused you of threatening her.”
    “You don’t believe—”
    “The accusation has been made,” said Detective Shorts, “which puts you off the case; and it won’t be that hard to find out if you and she had a run in at Sal’s.”
    “That woman broke my nose,” said Detective Reiss.
    “Thank you,” replied Detective Shorts, “for confirming your whereabouts tonight. Leave me the file. You are dismissed. Miss Summers, if you please.”
    I went into the interrogation room and sat down. Detective Shorts closed the door. He undid my handcuffs and offered me some water. I wasn’t thirsty. I surveyed my surroundings while I rubbed my wrists. This is not how I planned to spend my night.
    “You want to tell me what is going on?” asked Detective Shorts. He pulled out a chair and sat down. “Like, what was that all about?”
    “I don’t trust that guy.”
    “Neither do I, but you certainly caused a scene.”
    “How do you know he isn’t listening?” I asked.
    “What?”
    “I know that’s a two way mirror,” I said, “and there are cops in the other room listening.”
    Detective Shorts grinned. “Can’t fool you, can I? The intercom is turned off. If anyone is in there, they can’t hear us.”
    I glared at him. He must have read my mind.
    “I’m not lying,” he said. “Now, what is going on?”
    “I didn’t steal the car. That car is mine. The registration and insurance are in the glove compartment under my name. My ID is still in the car in my purse. License plate is 5YGM69.”
    “Congratulations. Even I don’t know my license plate number. This should be easy enough to clear up.” Detective Shorts went out of the room for a moment. He came back a minute later. “Now,” he said, “tell me the rest of it. Why were you at Sal’s? Why did you break Detective Reiss’ nose? And, why are you afraid of him?”
    I sucked in some air. A part of me wanted to blurt out