Chapter 2

Jane sat on a cold metal chair. She had spent the entire night at the station without being questioned or released. By morning, she was brought into the interrogating room. Opposite her sat the interrogating officer, with a steel table between them.

Her makeup was smeared beneath her eyes and her eyes were swollen from the lack of sleep. The beautiful dress she had worn with pride the night before was now wrinkled and dull. Even the perfume she had sprayed so carefully had faded.

The room was lit by a single bulb hanging above the table. The light revealed only Jane’s face and the officer’s, leaving the rest of the room in shadow.

For the past thirty minutes, they had stared at each other in silence. The only sound in the room came from the ticking clock behind Jane.

Finally, the officer leaned back in his chair.

“You mean you have no idea all this has been going on?” he asked.

“Yes,” Jane replied, her voice dry. “I am as clueless as a child.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Then what do you have to say concerning this case?”

“I know nothing, sir.” Jane lifted her chin. “And I won’t say another word until my lawyer arrives.”

“Lawyer?” The officer gave a short laugh. “Why hasn’t he shown up since last night? Don’t tell me he is one of Vale Corp’s lawyers.”

“He is a lawyer under Vale,” Jane said quickly. “Besides, you took me last night, he has a family, he can’t just abandon them and run here.”

The officer’s face hardened. “I’m sorry to say this, Miss Jane, but before your arrest, we worked with the lawyers at Vale Corp. They gave full permission for us to arrest whoever is guilty in this case.” He tapped the file before him. “We found a loophole from two years ago. Exactly when you became Head of Cosmetics.”

Jane stared at him. “I won’t believe you,” she said slowly, shaking her head.

“Well, Miss Jane,” the officer said, folding his hands, “until your lawyer arrives, as you claim, you’ll answer a few questions. That is a must in my interrogation room.”

Jane swallowed hard. The news about Vale Corp’s legal team had shaken her more than she wanted to admit, still, she gave a small nod.

The officer bent down and picked up several files from the floor which Jane only just realized they had been there all along.

He opened one and spread photographs and documents across the table. Every page carried her name. Some had her signature.

“Look carefully,” he said. “Then boldly say you are innocent.”

Jane’s eyes moved across the pictures, packets boxes, transactions. She spread the papers wider, checking those underneath. Slowly, she shook her head.

“No… no, no. This has nothing to do with me.” She pushed the pictures back toward him.

“What is your proof?” the officer asked sharply. “Hard drugs were packaged and sold as skin supplements under Vale Corp. Only the Cosmetic Department has the right to produce and package such goods. How can you not know?”

“Sir, my job as head of the department was mainly fragrances,” Jane explained quickly. “Creating scents only. Body creams and serums were mostly handled by the assistant head.”

She explained, hoping he would understand.

“You mean to tell me,” he said, “that as Head of Cosmetics, you know nothing about creams and supplements?”

“I do, sir,” Jane replied. “But I shifted many duties to people under me. Even packaging was handled by my assistant, not me.”

The officer let out a dry laugh. “Miss Jane Vale, you are the first head of department I’ve met saying such a thing.” He tapped the documents again. “No illegal operation happens in your department without approval. That makes you an accomplice or maybe the mastermind.”

“But I’m not,” Jane cut in.

“But everything points to you.” He raised another sheet. “The buying of the drugs, the distribution, even the offshore account is in your name.”

Jane slammed both palms on the table. “I didn’t do it. Just believe me!”

The files flew off, pictures scattered across the floor, then silence followed.

Jane lowered her head, breathing hard. They had been in that room for two hours. Two hours of accusations and being treated like she was already guilty.

She was tired of explaining herself. For nearly thirty minutes, no one spoke.

Then the officer stood, gathered the papers from the floor slowly, and resumed his seat.

“So, Miss Jane,” he said, calmer now. “You claim you know nothing. Then who has been purchasing the materials needed for making cosmetics?”

“Not me,” Jane answered weakly. “And even when I go, I never go alone. I always go with my assistant.”

“Who is your assistant?”

“My sister. Lila Vale.” The officer’s brow rose slightly. “I have never spoken with suppliers secretly,” Jane continued. “Never.

“But these documents bear your signature,” he said. “They show you approved purchases alone. When was the last time you met suppliers yourself?”

Jane thought for a moment. “Two months ago. After that, I only signed the purchase book and sent Lila to get what we needed.”

The officer leaned back. “Only what is listed in the purchase book is to be bought,” he said. “But behind every purchase list is another list, containing illegal drugs to be bought too. And they all carry your signature, each list does.” Jane’s lips trembled.

“Why can’t you just believe me?” she cried. “I don’t know what those drug supplements even look like. I have no idea!”

She was about to speak again when another officer rushed in, holding a phone. He handed it to the interrogating officer.

“Yes, sir… okay, sir… I’ll do that right away, sir.” The officer responded to th caller.

The second officer left as soon as the call ended, afterward the interrogating officer scratched his head and began stacking the files neatly.

“Miss Jane,” he said, his tone suddenly softer, “you have been granted bail.” Jane blinked. “But you must report here every day until the investigation is concluded and you are declared guilty or not guilty.”

He stood and motioned to the door. “Please, follow me.”

The caution in his voice was different now, more like, respectful. Jane rose slowly and followed him out.

At the front desk, she was handed forms to fill. After signing, she was reminded once more to report daily before she left.

Outside, Jane stopped and inhaled the natural air deeply. It felt strange after hours in the station. She was happy, her parents must have made the call. Late, but at least they acted.

She looked around for them, but no one was there. Not her father or mother, not Leo or Lila, not even Greg.

Jane quickly dialed Greg’s number, he didn’t answer, she tried again, still no response, her chest tightened, she needed to get home.

Jane  opened her banking app, only to discover all her accounts had been frozen. She stared at the screen lost, then she remembered the emergency account she had kept hidden.

“Thank goodness.” She whispered.

She walked into the bank beside the station and withdrew cash immediately. Minutes later, Jane was seated inside a cab heading toward Vale family Mansion.

She looked out the window with relief, happy her family did not abandon her.

She thought the worst had happened already. If only she knew the worst was about to happen.