“I suppose there’s no point in asking whether you have a suspect or not,” I tell him.
It’s too late not to react. I already did.
“We are hoping that when Mr. Morris leaves the hospital, he’ll be able to remember what happened,” he says surprisingly politely, which I wasn’t expecting at all.
“He’s at the hospital?” I echo his last statement. “Is he alright?”
“Pretty beaten up,” he nods, giving only that as his response, “but under the circumstances, I’d say he’s lucky. Many who were kidnapped do not get to escape their kidnappers and reach home in one piece.”
So, someone kidnapped him, and he managed to run away from them. The thought fills me with dread. If someone managed to do that to Morris of all people, then maybe some more security wouldn’t hurt. Especially in front of the apartment complex. I’ll have to see to that as soon as I’m done with these two.
“Have you spoken to him?” I ask.
“To some extent,” he confirms. “We’re hoping to get more info after the doctors are done with the tests.”
“I hope you find whoever did this,” I tell him, allowing a brief moment of sentimentality to wash over me. “I’ve never been friends with Morris, but he’s a decent guy. He doesn’t deserve this. No one does.”
“Yes.”
There is that yes again, which could mean anything from yes, I think you did it, you motherfucker or just a simple yes, it’s a dreadful thing that’s happened. And anything in between those two extremes.
“Well,” he sighs as if this conversation demanded a lot of effort from him, “we won’t keep you any longer, Mr. Hart. Thank you for your time.”
“Sure thing,” I nod, walking behind them as they head to the door. “If there’s anything else I can help with, just let me know.”
I choose to forget all about the animosity from a few moments ago. They’re just doing their jobs. We all are. And theirs is to find whoever did that to Morris.
I close the door behind them, saying goodbye and just a few moments later, it opens on its own, with Alex rushing in breathless, as if he just finished a half-marathon.
“Were those cops?” he asks, glancing at the door, then back at me.
“Yes,” I nod. “Nice guys.” I’m not sure if he picks up on the sarcasm, but I guess it doesn’t matter.
“What did they ask you?”
“The usual,” I shrug. “Whatever you ask a potential suspect.”
“Shit,” Alex presses his thin lips together. He’s always been the type to worry a lot, especially when he doesn’t need to.
“Relax,” I tell him. “Not like I have anything to hide.”
“But I was right,” he points out.
“Yes,” I nod again. “You were right. I guess being someone’s business rival makes you an immediate suspect if they end up getting kidnapped.”
“You’re taking this too lightly,” he warns me.
“Why?” I wonder. “They’ll check with Lilly to see whether I was home. Which I was. And that’ll be the end of that.”
Alex doesn’t sound all that convinced. “Something tells me you might be mistaken.”
“Why?” I repeat, lifting an eyebrow.
“Just a hunch,” he says as his forehead crinkles with concern.
“I really value your input,” I walk over to him and put my hand on is shoulder, “but sometimes, you worry too much. Way too much. Whatever Morris got himself into, it has nothing to do with us. Why would the police think otherwise?”
Alex doesn’t answer that question. Probably because he sees that it makes sense. “The police won’t be going around pinning crimes on innocent people, if that’s what you’re worried about,” I try to make my point across. “They’re just doing their job, checking all possibilities. Like you said, I’m Morris’ business rival. I have a lot to gain if he flops, if his company goes bust or if he dies. Any of those situations is beneficial for me. Heck, I’d see myself as a suspect, too.”