When Harrison calmed down, Jeffrey explained what they knew to that point. Elizabeth had not admitted to anything and said she did not know how her car was damaged. Elizabeth claimed she saw the dent in her fender when she was leaving her apartment for work. She assumed someone hit her in the parking lot of her apartment complex. Elizabeth even reported it to her insurance agent. The agent allegedly directed her to the claims department and they told Elizabeth to get an estimate. The insurance company gave her a list of repair shops and she conveniently chose one in the suburbs. “Who made the call to the police?” Harrison was back in the conversation and actively looking for answers. “Like I said earlier the caller was anonymous.” The District Attorney explained that many crimes were solved on the tips of persons who don’t like to leave their name. In any event, the tip was correct and it was the first big break in the case. Jeffrey then asked Harrison if he could shed some light on Elizabeth. Harrison explained what he knew about Elizabeth. Basically she was one of his secretaries at the company. While she didn’t have an extensive formal education she was a good worker. Over the past few years Elizabeth had trained herself in business and shown a knack for it. Harrison was not aware of any boyfriends Elizabeth might have, stating he didn’t delve in the personal lives of his employees. Harrison’s philosophy was “as long as it didn’t interfere with the business it wasn’t my concern.” When Jeffrey questioned him about the wisdom of his thinking, Harrison responded he had over a hundred employees and didn’t have the time to worry about their private lives. A knock at the door interrupted Harrison’s discussion with the District Attorney.
“She’s asked for an attorney,” investigator Harold Anderson said as he stuck his head in the door. “What?” Jeffrey said as he shot out of his seat. Even Harrison noticed the panic in his voice. “She’s asked for an attorney. Everything was going fine and all of a sudden she said she would not answer any more questions until she spoke to a lawyer.” Mr. Anderson was trying to convince the District Attorney that it was not his fault the prime suspect just invoked her constitutional rights. Nothing hurts a prosecutor’s case more than to have a suspect ask for an attorney. Jeffrey knew the first thing an attorney would tell her is not to speak with the District Attorney’s office or the police even if she was innocent. If Jeffrey couldn’t convince Elizabeth to retract her request the case would become a lot harder. Jeffrey Taylor did not need to take any chances with this case. “I can’t believe this. What else can go wrong today?” The District Attorney’s words tailed off as he exited the office and headed down the hall.
Harrison stepped to the office door and watched as Jeffrey disappeared in a room near the end of the hall with Investigator Anderson following behind like a little puppy. He thought about staying around to see if anything further developed and began looking for a coffee machine when Harrison realized he did not have his briefcase. A sick feeling hit his stomach as Harrison wondered if he left it at the restaurant. His life would be over if his briefcase fell into the wrong hands. Harrison could feel his face turn pale and his legs began to weaken. Harrison was holding on to the facing of the door thinking to himself no one deserved the day he was having. Perhaps it would be better if someone found his briefcase. Harrison certainly would not have to worry about anything for several years, if he lived that long. He was just about to give up when he remember setting his briefcase down in his study at home. With a sigh of relief, Harrison wiped the sweat from his forehead, walked out the station door, down the steps and to his car.
Back inside the station Jeffrey Taylor sat down at the table across from Elizabeth. She was sitting with her head down on her arms. He looked around the room for a moment to gather his thoughts. Interrogation Room 2 was like most every interrogation room in police history: a bare cinder block room with a small wooden table and two chairs. There was a mirror on one wall, which even the most naive of persons knew had more cops on the other side then was in the room. Graffiti was written on every wall attesting to the fact that most suspects cared as much about the police as the police did about them. “Now Ms. Blaine, I understand you want to speak to an attorney,” the District Attorney said with a pleasant smile. “Do you really feel that is necessary?” Jeffrey knew better than to pressure Elizabeth into a retraction. If her decision even slightly appeared to be coerced a judge would throw out any statements made afterward.
“I have answered all the questions I am going to answer,” Elizabeth stated looking up at him for the first time. Her makeup was splotched and her eyes and cheeks showed evidence of her past tears. Her hair was messed up from where Elizabeth had impatiently run her fingers through it. She was a tired lady. “I have told you everything I know. So you can either get me an attorney or let me leave.” Despite her obvious resolve Jeffrey continued his quest. “I’m sure that is not necessary. My understanding is we are almost finished, if I could only ask you a couple more questions.” The District Attorney’s tone was pleasant and he looked directly at Elizabeth as he spoke. “I don’t even know why I am here.” Elizabeth blurted. “I think I am entitled to some information, don’t you?” With this statement Elizabeth sat back in her chair and folded her arms defiantly. “Of course, Ms. Blaine. We’re investigating Mary Michaels’ murder.”
“What! Mary Michaels murdered? Mrs. Michaels died in a car wreck.” Elizabeth sat straight up in her chair and a genuine look of concern came across her face as she realized she was the person the police were investigating. “That is what we thought at first but it appears now that someone ran her off the road.” Jeffrey’s tone was accusatory and his smile confirmed he thought Elizabeth was guilty. “And you think I had something to do with it?” Elizabeth suddenly became scared and tried to remember everything she had told the investigator who questioned her earlier. “I am not answering any more questions. I know how you people work. I did not do anything wrong: Besides I need to go home, I have to work tomorrow.” “I don’t think you need to worry about work. Mr. Michaels was here and knows you are under investigation.” There was a long moment of silence as Elizabeth realized the full content of Mr. Taylor’s statement. “Either arrest me or I am leaving.” Elizabeth’s statement was curt and she rose and moved directly in front of him as she spoke. The District Attorney looked up at her obviously struggling to make a decision. “I’m gone then,” Elizabeth stated as she walked past him and toward the door.
Investigator Anderson stepped sideways and blocked Elizabeth’s exit. His breath was strong and smelled of coffee and cigarettes. “Time to decide, Mr. Taylor.” Elizabeth said all the while never taking her eyes off Anderson. It wasn’t as though Elizabeth was that strong, only that she realized life as she knew it was over. There was no way she could go back to work. Even declaring her innocence would not make a difference if Harrison thought she had anything to do with Mary’s death. Their relationship was probably over. Also if anyone found out about their relationship, Harrison would be harassed, his career ruined and he would possibly be arrested. Elizabeth couldn’t have that. Harrison was suffering enough as it was. It was then Elizabeth decided no matter what she was going to protect Harrison. “Lock her up,” the District Attorney said as he got up from his chair and walked passed Elizabeth toward the door. As investigator Anderson was putting the handcuffs on her, the District Attorney looked back at Elizabeth. “You want an attorney? You had better get a good one because you will need it.” That said, he opened the door and walked out. Investigator Anderson led Elizabeth out the door behind the district attorney and down the hall to booking.
Booking was the first process of the arrest. It was here a suspect was photographed, fingerprinted and stripped-searched. At booking, Elizabeth was turned over to a female officer. Elizabeth never spoke throughout the entire booking process. To an observer she would have appeared as a lamb at slaughter. She obediently carried out the instructions of the booking officers as she was led through the process. First, Elizabeth was fingerprinted. The