Chapter 21: Justice Demanded
When Tom awoke, he was sitting in the waiting room of a police station, Cyrus smiling beside him.
The secretary looked at the two of them, her eyes widening when she spotted Tom. "I'll go get the chief," she stammered and raced toward the back to speak to two officers who were pouring coffee.
Cyrus nodded and sat, flicking through some particularly graphic photographs of his mother's murder. A tape marked, 'Confession' lay on the table with several more marked 'witness' and numbered accordingly.
The oldest of the pair came to the front with the secretary. The man looked at Cyrus. "Can I help you, son?"
Cyrus put on a bright cheery smile and nudged Tom, "Yeah, I'm here to turn in the guy who murdered my mother."
"That's a pretty serious allegation son. Do you have proof? Have you filled out the correct paperwork?"
"Don't need paperwork, his confession and several witness statements are on tape there. I also have a DNA sample that will match his proving the hair sample you guys found there is his. That enough?"
"Are you a detective from another division? You look kind of young to be one."
"No, I'm the son of the victim and I made a citizen's arrest. Since the people I thought would've turned him in were in fact hiding and protecting him."
The officer forced himself to be patient. "Please come back here with me for a moment. Larry, go ahead and talk to the other fellow. Cindy please take everything this young man has brought and start processing it."
"I want him arrested in case he tries to escape. I don't want to have to watch you guys let him get away."
"We can take care of ourselves, young man. Just come with me please."
Cyrus nodded a moment before rising from his seat and moving towards the chief. "Of course."
The chief led Cyrus to his office. "You made a citizen's arrest? When did the murder occur?"
Cyrus looked calmly at the chief, his eyes disturbingly cold. "Twenty three years ago. I only recently discovered who the culprits were."
"Son, we will do what we can but these things take time."
The coldness of Cyrus voice seemed to grow exponentially as he slowly leaned forward, resting his knuckles on the desk, his pupils deep dark voids of black. "If it takes longer than a week, then I'll begin to wonder. After all there is a pile of evidence there that'll take three days tops, to process in a lab. If he goes free then I'll be holding you responsible for letting a murderer loose on the streets."
"We will do what we can. On that you have my solemn word."
"I will hold you to that chief, you won't like the consequences if you don't do everything you can..."
"Are you threatening me, son?" the chief eyed Cyrus. He didn't like the young man's attitude or behavior. It seemed off to him some how.