Read INK: Fine Lines (Book 1) for Free Online Page B

down to business. Where were you last night?” He seems almost relieved, but he’s moving forward cautiously.
    “What time?” I had a busy night last night.
    “Just tell me step by step what you did last night.” He desperately would like to write something down in the notepad he just opened, but I’m not cooperating. I don’t like the way he’s looking at me. He wants to pin whatever’s in that thick folder of his on me.
    “Actually, Officer Glass, why don’t you tell me why I’m here.” The ‘officer’ bit is meant to rattle him. I want him to just get to the part where he sprawls all of the photographic evidence they have against me across the table like it’s the fur of ten thousand baby seals that I singlehandedly slaughtered with my trusty loofa. I’ve never felt so in control of such an out-of-control situation.
    “It’s  Detective , and let me be clear with you.” He leans across the table, too close to my face for comfort. “Those two morons out there may think you’re cute, but I’m not impressed. I have two dead bodies on my hands and all roads lead straight to you.”
    Maintaining my unwavering stare, I lean toward him as well. Something deep within me has taken charge and is speaking for me. “And let me be clear with you, Detective. You are traveling dangerously down the wrong road in so many ways.”
    “Are you threatening me?” His tone is incredulous.
    “Do you feel threatened, Detective?” I tip my head to the side, batting my eyelashes.
    Eli’s surge of panic from behind the window is nearly palpable. Somehow I don’t think this fits into his version of “don’t say anything.”
    The detective draws in a long breath, slides his glasses onto his nose and opens the folder. He begins to splay out the photographs, arranging pictures of the crime scene with corresponding comic panels. It’s creepy how much my comic really does look like the crime scene. The images on the table are from my dream. How can this be?
    I’m horrified by the images of Alice; she’s broken and she died with a terrified look on her face. I can’t help but break down a little. “Alice.” It escapes me as a whisper.
    “So you knew them?” A proclamation that he has the upper hand simply because I’m rattled. Maybe he does.
    “Yes,” I answer quietly, but there is something tugging inside me to say more. I’m still shocked at what I’m seeing. I do see the resemblance in my panels to the crime scene. But it isn’t Gary and Alice in the comic.
    “I understand you had problems with them, some sort of land dispute. Tell me about that.” He’s referencing his notebook.
    “What are you talking about? I didn’t have any problems with them.” That was a lie. Gary was an epic asshole. He was so unkind to Alice, and I’m sure he hit her. He and I had our issues.
    “According to several police reports, you had problems with Mr. Messner.” He looks me in the eye.
    “He killed my dog, he was a bastard, but I didn’t kill him.” My tone is curt.
    “When was the last time you saw them?” he asks quickly.
    “Yesterday.” I’m quick to answer.
    “Why did you see them yesterday?” He’s trying to quick fire on me, raising his voice like my dad did when he was trying to bust me for sneaking out or skipping school.
    “Alice asked me to come over for my birthday. She made cupcakes.” I can’t take my eyes off of Alice’s terrified stare.
    “So you admit you were there.” He slams his finger down on one of the photos.
    “Yes.” I just told him I was there.
    “Why did you kill them?” His voice is booming through the room, he’s in my face.
    I stand up fast, knocking the chair to the ground and putting my hands down on the scarred table. “Listen to me, asshole, I didn’t do this. If you had half a brain cell in that thick skull of yours you could put two and two together and see that it is an impossibility.” I walk around the table to stand next to him. “It would have been