“Well, Cruz,” Carter said. “You’re the only one left. So I guess you’re next.”
Cruz walked over and sat in the desk. He pushed his glasses onto his face
“Okay,” Carter said. “What were you doing the exact instant that Freeman was killed?”
“I was tying my shoe,” Cruz said.
“What was Stewart doing?”
“He was observing the rat trap.”594Please respect copyright.PENANAGkfaQdnHeY
“What was Anderson doing?” 594Please respect copyright.PENANADlPu7GVBWa
“He was also observing the trap
“What was Sullivan doing?”
“He was reading some poster on the wall.”
“What was Jenkins doing?”
“He was leaving the basement, I guess he didn’t really like that trap.”
“What was Howard doing?”
“He was staring at the trap with everyone else, but then he quickly turned around for some reason.”
Well, at least Howard was telling the truth about one thing.
“How well did you know Freeman?” Carter asked.
“Well,” Cruz said. “I’ve known about him for several years. I only knew him from the constant news about him that went around. So, I already knew quite much about him. I just never knew him personally.”
“You didn’t. That is, until six years ago.”
Cruz sighed.
“You do know what I am referring to,” Carter said. “Do you?”
“I do,” Cruz said. “But I don’t like to talk about it.”
“We are going to talk about it.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“Oh yes it is.”
Cruz moaned.
“I believe the incident was that Freeman assaulted you.”
“Yes, it was.”
“And this happened at a coffee shop?”
“Yes, it did.”
“And what is the story behind this unfortunate incident?”
“Well. As I said, I don’t like to talk about it. But I guess I don’t have a choice. Anyway, on that day six years ago, I had just gotten back from confession. I decided to go get some coffee. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t know that Freeman was working in that particular coffee shop that I went into.”
“That wasn’t a good surprise for you, was it?”
“No it wasn’t. As I just said, I had heard all of the stories about Freeman prior to then. One thing I actually used to think to myself was how unfortunate it would be for me to have been a victim of one of Freeman’s antics. And what do you know, my thoughts came true.”
“Go on.”
“So anyway, I walked into the coffee shop and see Freeman working at the counter. I felt nervous at first, but I decided to place my order, anyway. I thought if I just got my coffee and drank it on the way home, then I would be fine.
“But then, I became lucky. Or, at least I thought I was. Freeman left the counter and another employee took his place. I remember sighing of relief. I made my usual order and walked away to a table, feeling relaxed.
“After I got my coffee, I left the table and walked to the door. But before I even came close to the door, I…”
“…bumped into Freeman.”
“Yes I did. And I spilled my coffee all over him. I started to apologize nonstop. I knew having hot coffee spilled all over you is not a good feeling. I’m sure anybody knows that. Anyway, I continued to apologize nonstop, but then I became silent when I realized it was Freeman who I spilled the coffee on. He did not look at all happy.”
“And then he attacked you.”
Cruz nodded. “I had to go to the hospital after that happened. I nearly had brain damage.”
“And after that, how did you feel about Freeman?”594Please respect copyright.PENANA9yf3p5bxrF
“I could not forgive him. And that is actually a terrible thing. Being a Christian, I’m should forgive others for what they have done. But I just could not forgive Freeman for assaulting me so brutally. I could have died.”
“You came close to dying?”
“That’s exactly what the doctors told me. Freeman wasn’t treated fairly in court for that.”
“You came close to dying that day. Tonight, Freeman did not. He did die.”
“I realize that.”
“Wouldn’t it be possible that you were so angry with Freeman that you decided that you wanted revenge? And then tonight you…”
“I did not.”
“You did not what?”
“I did not kill Freeman.”
Carter rubbed his chin. “That’s strange. All of the other suspects denied killing him as well. Either one of them is lying or you’re lying.”
“I don’t lie.”
“How can I be sure of that?”
Cruz placed his hand on his head. He appeared to be having a headache.
“Look,” he said. “All I said was that I didn’t forgive Freeman for what he did to me. I never said I wanted revenge for it. As I said, I don’t even like to talk about that incident. It’s just one of those painful memories that you’re supposed to try and forget.”
“Yeah, supposed to.”
“I swear on a stack of bibles that I’m not the murderer! I’m a Christian! I know very well that murder is one of the worst sins! How could I perform such a sin? And why would I choose to so?”
“For revenge.”
“I never planned revenge on Freeman. Much as I dislike him for what he’s done to me, I never wanted him to die for it.”
“I was just about to ask about that. You don’t feel happy that he’s dead?”
“Of course not. Who on earth would? To be happy about somebody dying is beyond a sin. It’s practically satanic in my opinion.”
“Very well. One last question: You swear that you aren’t the one who killed Freeman?”
“I swear on the cross.”
“Thank you. You may go, now.”
Cruz nodded and left the desk.
Carter had talked with all six of the suspects and they all claimed that they were innocent. Carter now not only had to discover a murderer, but to discover a liar.594Please respect copyright.PENANAPkq6IG2cHG