Albert faced the officers again, voice steady despite the tremor beneath it. "I know my daughter is innocent. But if talking to you helps prove that, then she'll cooperate. Fully."
They both nodded, appreciating his cooperation, and patiently awaited Jade's return.
Jade tapped lightly on Monica's door. "Monica? The police are downstairs. They want to talk to you."
Inside, Monica bolted upright, sheets tangling around her legs and her breath caught. "Oh my God."
"Monica," Jade said again, voice softer this time, almost pleading.
Monica forced the words out past a dry throat. "Tell them… tell them I'm coming. Just give me a minute."
Jade lingered for a heartbeat, then turned and went back down the hall.
Monica moved fast, shower on, scalding water to shock herself alert, to wash away the tremor in her hands.
She needed to look calm, and innocent. Although the guilt sat like lead in her chest, heavy and immovable, but she could bury it. She had to.
Downstairs, Jade faced the officers. "She'll be right down."
Minutes later, footsteps sounded on the stairs and Monica appeared at the bottom, hair still damp, wearing the faintest, practiced curve of a smile. "Hello."
The officers turned as one. "Monica Patel?"
She nodded. "Yes. I heard you were here."
"We're investigating the death of Jude Peterson," the taller officer said, watching her face closely.
Monica let her brows lift just enough. "Oh."
"Your reaction is… restrained," the second officer noted, tone neutral but pointed.
Monica exhaled, steadying herself. "Well… I was with him last night. We were… having a nice time, actually. But I left early. And then…" She paused, letting her gaze slide to Jade. "Then I saw something."
Jade frowned, confusion creasing her forehead.
"What exactly did you see?" the tall officer pressed, notepad already in hand.
Monica's voice dipped, unsteady now, almost fragile. "Um… you see, I found out that my best friend here, Jade, and Jude were together. Like, in a relationship. When she realized Jude and I were… going to get married, she lost it. Completely."
The room seemed to shrink.
Jade stared at Monica, stunned silent, while the officers exchanged the briefest of glances.
Monica's eyes shimmered, but no tears fell. "She was so angry. I've never seen her like that."
The officers shifted their focus to Jade, their expressions unreadable.
"Were you at the beach last night as well?" the taller one asked.
"Yes, but…" Jade started, voice thin.
"After I left, I believe Jade witnessed our interaction…" Monica cut in smoothly, eyes fixed on the floor as though the words pained her. "…and she became consumed by jealousy. I saw her arguing fiercely with Jude. She was furious, and she had a stone in her hand..."
"Monica…" Jade's voice cracked, barely above a whisper.
"She hit him," Monica continued, softer now, almost reluctant. "Right on the side of the head."
"Monica, what are you doing?" Jade's plea came out broken.
Monica met Jade's eyes with regret. "I'm sorry. I know you begged me to stay silent about this, but I can't risk getting into trouble."
Jade drew a trembling breath and faced the officers. "She's lying. None of that happened."
"You were the one who killed Jude?" Albert asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
Jade shook her head, eyes turning glossy.
Monica turned to her father, tears welling. "She did, Dad. I saw it. She threw the stone into the water afterward. I wanted to protect her, I really did, but the guilt was eating me alive."
"That's a lie!" Jade shouted, voice splintering. "It's all lies! Monica, stop! What do you think you're doing?!"
Alice stood frozen, rendered speechless. She knew her daughter was behaving strangely, but she couldn't fathom the idea of her being capable of murder.
"Were you present at the time of his death?" the tall officer asked.
"I was there, yes, but I didn't…"
"There it is," Monica immediately interrupted. "She's confessing."
The second officer moved swiftly behind her, pulling her wrists together and cold metal clicked shut.
"You are under arrest for the murder of Jude Peterson," he said, voice flat and final. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."
"You have the right to an attorney," the other continued. "If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed for you."
Alice shook her head in disbelief. "No! No, this can't be true! My daughter would never…. She didn't do this! Don't take her!"
Jade, still confused, twisted just enough to catch Monica's eye one last time as the officers guided her toward the door.
Monica looked away quickly, cheeks flushed, jaw set. She felt trapped and had her own aspirations, including pursuing an MBA. Going to jail would shatter those dreams.
Jade will have to be a dear friend and take the fall for her.