Chapter 14: The Interrogation
Chapter 14: The Interrogation
The interrogation room at the downtown precinct was deliberately uncomfortable—freezing cold, windowless, and lit by a harsh, buzzing overhead light that washed out all color. Tyler sat handcuffed to a heavy metal ring bolted directly into the scratched metal table. He was shivering uncontrollably, his designer clothes stained with garage oil and dirt.
"It was just supposed to be a harmless prank! A social experiment for YouTube!" Tyler yelled hysterically, frantically rattling his chains against the table. "A thirteen-second clip! People absolutely love that dramatic, true-crime stuff! It’s just content for the algorithm! You don't understand how the creator economy works! I didn't mean for her to get hurt!"
Detective Hayes opened the heavy metal door and walked in, carrying a thick, bulging manila folder. He didn't say a word at first. He just sighed heavily, pulling up a rigid metal chair and sitting down, looking at Tyler with pure, unfiltered disgust.
Slowly, deliberately, Hayes opened the folder. He laid out the evidence one piece at a time, like dealing a deadly hand of cards. First, a glossy, eight-by-ten, high-resolution forensic photo of the cleanly severed safety wire. Second, a close-up photo of the hidden microphone taped to Bridget’s chest. Third, a printed transcript of the recorded hospital phone call where Tyler promised to "take care" of Leo. And finally, a crystal-clear, color-graded 4K screenshot of Tyler's hand holding the multi-tool blade right next to the rigging.
"Internet pranks don't involve industrial wire cutters, hidden microphones, and permanent, life-altering spinal paralysis, Tyler," Hayes said, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. He leaned in close, forcing Tyler to look at the photos. "You didn't write a quirky internet script. You meticulously planned, rehearsed, and executed an attempted murder for ad revenue and brand deals. And when your editor found out, you came to that garage tonight with a steel flashlight to kill him, too."
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Tyler stared at the photos, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly like a suffocating fish. The arrogant, untouchable influencer persona entirely evaporated, leaving behind a terrified, pathetic little man.
"We have the wire. We have the video. We have the audio of you threatening a witness," Hayes continued mercilessly, leaning back in his chair. "Your wife is paralyzed, Tyler. The District Attorney isn't offering a plea deal on this one. You are looking at attempted murder in the first degree, aggravated assault, and witness tampering. You are going away for a very, very long time. I hope the views were worth it."
