Chapter 3: Wait. You knew about the murders?

Amelia's POV 

I pulled one arm from the blanket and buckled myself in. "EMT highly recommended that you go to the hospital", he chatted, as he got into the driver's seat. "I know", I muttered, curling my arms tighter around myself. 

"Do you have an extra shirt?", I asked with hope. "I do. But, forensics need photos of you before you change, okay?", he explained gently. I nodded as I leaned my head against the window. The ride to the station was quiet, though I felt his eyes travel to me in concern, many times. 

I was completely zoned out when we arrived at the station. I came to, as Chief Knight opened my door for me. "Thank you", I whispered, nodding my head at him. I could feel the intensity of his gaze on me as he followed me in. 

I stopped once inside, unaware of where to go next. His large hand touched the small of my back, sending a wave of comfort through me. "Right this way", he uttered tenderly in my ear. I followed his lead, finding my way to a door that said 'Interview Room'. 

"We will send a female forensics specialist in to take the photos", he informed me, holding the door open for me. "I don't think it matters at this point. It's all being recorded", I said, pointing at the sign on the wall. "I figured you would be more comfortable if a male wasn't present", he said, gauging my facial features. 

"Nothing about this is comfortable", I sighed, walking over to the table and sitting down. He followed suit, and sat across from me. "I know. I am sorry this happened to you", he muttered, remorsefully. 

"Can you tell me what you remember?", he asked, resting his elbows on the table. He gave the impression that he would listen, and believe. And honestly, in a situation like this, that's all a woman asks for. 

"I walked my friend home from the college library, and took the most straight forward path home. Maybe five minutes into my walk I got a strange feeling of being watched", I was interrupted by a knock on the door. 

The forensic specialist entered the room with a case. "Miss June, I am Cynthia. I am here to document your injuries. Did you fight back?", she questioned, setting her case on the table and opening it. Inside was an array of evidence collecting tools and a professional camera. 

"Yes", I answered, looking over the items in her case, taking it all in. "Don't be overwhelmed. I won't be using all of this on you", she smiled lightly. I made eye contact with the Chief. He was studying my every move, and response. 

"Need you to step out now, Chief", Cynthia said, pulling out what she needed. Chief Knight stood from his chair without incident and prepared to leave. "No, wait", I said, surprising them both. "Are you sure?", Cynthia confirmed, looking at me with skepticism. 

"Yes. I was in the middle of telling him what happened. I don't want to forget where I was", I explained. "I will remember where you were", he assured me. I shook my head. "I want to get this over with", I said. I could see the reluctance in his face as he took his seat. 

"You remember feeling as if you were being watched", he recited, to refresh my memory. "Right. I had my headphones in, but no music playing. So, I could hear what was going on around me", I said, moving to stand for pictures. 

I removed the blanket, revealing the shred left of my shirt, and the already forming bruises. "I could hear footsteps in the distance. I started thinking about the three women who were... murdered", I paused to take a breath. 

I kept my eyes on what Cynthia was doing for majority of the time I spoke, only looking at the Chief periodically. "Wait. You knew about the murders?", he stopped me. "Yes", I nodded. "And you still walked home by yourself?", he growled in question. 

"I don't have much of a choice, Chief. My car is broke down at the moment", I defended myself, this time locking in on his solid gaze. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply to hold his composure. "Damn. Never seen the Chief get this heated before", Cynthia attempted to whisper to me. 

I say attempted because the Chief still heard her. "Take the shirt as evidence too, Valeo", he growled. She stiffened as her eyes grew wide. "Yes, Chief", she yelped.