vincent atwood knew that this was very, very bad. notable for his involvement in things he shouldn't have been, especially in his youth, being called by name to the police station was never a good sign. this was one of the few instances vincent knew that his multi-figured bank account and status in the business world would buy him nothing but a one way ticket to being accused of trying to hide something. the skeletons in his closet were well hidden, buried behind stacks of contracts vincent had never read through, manuscripts for business guides he'd never publish, and dust-infested smoking paraphernalia and empty liquor bottles. some skeletons had even been broken into pieces, their bones scattered around; femurs tucked into outgrown dress shoes, finger bones hidden in suit jackets in need of lint rolling. vincent was well-versed in the art of keeping secrets where they were meant to be; hidden & locked away . . . but as he walked into the police station, the draft making the hair on the back of his neck stood up, he had to force down the temptation to cough up the keys he had long since swallowed. anything to keep the truth hidden. anything to keep his involvement, or lack there of, unknown.
shaking the hand of the officer he greeted by name, a firm and masculine greeting, vincent adjusted the grey material of his suit jacket as leather shoes collided with linoleum, steps weighted and heavy, trying to sooth his quick-beating heart and forcing a veil of confidence to grace his features. never let them see you sweat. he went through the mental work of guiding himself into a state of deadly calm, the same way he would right before gliding out onto the ice in his teen years, the same way he would before walking into a business meeting with the full intention of robbing his competitors blind. sitting in the chair that awaited him, vincent adjusted his jacket once more, twisting the rings on his fingers — one being his st. mary's class ring — and then, finally, checking the diamond-encrusted face of his watch. it ticked slowly, time moving steadily by, the glass face gleamed in the fluorescent light of the office he was in as if winking at him. or was it mocking him ??
❛ mr. atwood, thank you for coming in today and for getting that meeting you had rescheduled. given our recent findings regarding christopher wilder, we just want to ask you some questions. ❜ the man's voice was almost friendly, almost apologetic, as if he felt badly about having to WASTE vincent's time. he smiled, nodding his head, silently communicating that it was no big deal, not a problem at all. . .
only that had been no meeting. vincent had just been trying to stall. give himself time — get his story straight.
❛ now, where were you on the night of christopher wilder's disappearance ?? ❜ came the first question, the man's once approachable demeanor dropping, the question having likely been asked to half of the class of 2014 this already. how many of his classmates had been truthful ?? vincent remained unmoving in his chair, linking his fingers, resting them on the desk he sat across . . . mirroring the man in power's position, showcasing that vince was not beneath him — but beside him — in authority. even if it wasn't true. dress for the job you want not the job you have.
❛ the end of the year party, ❜ vincent replied in earnest, tone straight and to the point. the man interviewing him raised his eyebrows, as if silently asking him to elaborate, but vincent just offered a smile; ❛ how many times have you heard that response, officer ?? we were all there, the whole class. anyone who says they weren't is lying to you. ❜
clearing his throat, seeming to not wish to agree or disagree, the officer sat back in his chair and took down a few notes before clearing his throat. next question, the sound announced, and vincent raised his brows in a silent anticipation.
❛ when was the last time you saw christopher ?? ❜
❛ at the party, ❜ vince replied, not moving his eyes away, holding contact with the interviewer's despite the bead of sweat that ran down to the back of his neck. vincent was . . . quite occupied at that party; his hands full with christopher's girlfriend whilst his mind was buzzing from white powder and teenage hormones. not to mention the fact his veins had been pulsing with a such a high alcohol content it was a wonder vincent remembered anything from that night at all. shrugging his shoulders, vincent continued; ❛ we spoke for like . . . two minutes, tops. chris and i, we weren't necessarily close friends so . . . he kept to his circle, i kept to mine. a young teenager has far more important things to focus on at a party than their buds, wouldn't you agree ?? ❜
the man said nothing, the only noise filling the space between them the distant conversations happening outside the sealed office door, the scribbling of the officer's pen on paper, and the hands of vincent's watch ticking at a snail's pace on his now twitchy wrist.
❛ what was your relationship to christopher ?? ❜ came the next question, no commentary provided on his answer to the last. vincent clicked his tongue, shifting his weight back in his chair, eyes moving to the window on the far side as he cocked his head to the side to relieve an ache in the joints of his neck — a few pops eliciting from the movement. ❛ like i told you, ❜ vincent started, boredom setting in his tone and features despite the racing of his heart. ❛ — we were just acquaintances. friends by association, i guess. i knew his brother, kai, we played hockey together. chris would loom around us but, i wouldn't necessarily say that was because he and i were friends.❜ especially not if chris had caught wind that vincent was having a little too much fun with his girlfriend, helena, or that vincent liked to target chris with some of his more adventerous dares just to put his brother , kai , on the spot. that vince would shit talk the younger wilder as both foreplay and a conversation starter just because he COULD. ❛ i knew him but. . . i really didn't, you know ?? are there any other questions, or, are we finished here ?? ❜
vince needed to get out, he needed to get some fresh air ( and a fresh bump ) in his system before he combusted. the man nodded his head, and vincent rose from his seat, extending his hand out for a firm and final handshake; sealing the deal, concluding the conversation. turning on his heel, vincent moved to walk out of the room, stopping once his fingers met the cool metal of the handle. gazing over his shoulder, vincent offered a small smile; ❛ he was a good kid, i hope you guys find out what happened to him. ❜