She Sends Kisses

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Part Three: Interrogation

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The warden's waiting outside the office. I haven't spent a lot of time with him or anything, but he seems like a decent enough guy. He's maybe early fifties, just starting to go grey. Kind eyes, but that tough look that lets you know he doesn't take any shit.

"Hello, Faith," he greets me, holding his hand out. I reach out and tentatively shake his hand. "Come on in." He steps back, and Carol's sitting in one chair, and a guy is standing behind her. I walk in slowly and take the empty seat next to Carol. The guy behind her has on an expensive-looking suit and shiny black shoes, and looks like a snake ready to strike. Obviously a lawyer. Probably not from Wolfram & Hart, which makes me feel a little more relieved than I want to admit.

Carol smiles at me. "Faith, this is Ian Caulfield, he's with the Office of the State Public Defenders." He nods at me and I nod back. "And you know Mike Rodanski." I nod again, trying to sit up straight in my seat.

"Faith," Mike starts gently. "We just.. have a few questions to ask you."

My mouth goes dry. "Yes, sir." I manage to croak out.

He looks at a few papers on his desk. "What's your relationship with Buffy Summers?"

My mind goes blank, and I'm completely thrown. "Who?"

"Buffy Summers. Of Sunnydale, California." Mike frowns a little as I continue staring at them blankly. "I see that she was asked to speak on behalf of the DA at your trial, and refused. Can you tell us about that?"

I swallow hard, completely confused. "I uh.. we hung out a little. Back in the day."

"I see." Mike looks at the papers again. "Two girls fitting your descriptions were arrested for breaking into an outdoorsman shop three years ago, but they were never processed. Apparently they managed to break the safety gate of the police cruiser, causing a crash, during which they managed to escape. Do you know anything about that?"

Oh god, oh god. This is bad, very bad. I try to look as innocent as possible when I answer. "No, sir. I can't say that I do."

"Hm." He studies the papers in front of him, and I wish that I could freeze time like Zack Morris always did on Saved By the Bell, so I could see what they say.

"Should I.. should I have a lawyer or something?" I ask.

Mike smiles a little and shakes his head. "Oh, no. This isn't a formal questioning, and you're not being charged with anything."

Carol reaches over and pats my arm a little. "It's okay, Faith. Just answer the questions honestly."

Yeah, easy for you to say.

"Do you know a Katrina Silber?"

I look at Mike blankly. "Who?"

"Katrina Silber. Do you recognize that name?"

Finally, something I can answer completely honestly. "No, sir. I don't."

"Have you had any contact with Buffy Summers since you've been here?"

"A little bit. A few letters and a couple calls."

"When was the last phone call?"

"Last night."

He exchanges a look with Ian. "Did she mention anything about Katrina?"

"No, sir."

"Did she indicate that she was.. in any way, upset?"

"I don't think so, sir."

Mike nods and makes a few notes. I glance back at Ian and he's writing like a fiend. Carol's still patting my arm lightly, and it's starting to bug. "Okay, Faith. Thank you."

Thank you? Wait a minute. "Um.. can I ask what all that was about?"

"Nothing you need to worry about," Mike says, folding his hands on the desk. I can tell we're done, so I stand up. "A guard will escort you back to the floor."

"You did good, Faith," Carol says, nodding at me. "I'll see you next week."

"Sure." I walk out slowly and Ricky takes me back down. I spend the rest of the day sitting on my bunk, staring at the pictures and wondering what the hell is going on.