Chapter 46 "Evidence"
EMBER
Detective Monroe opened the manila folder with deliberate slowness, as if giving Ember one last moment before everything changed.
The first photograph slid across the metal table.
Grainy. Black and white. Timestamped in the corner: 11:47 PM, November 3rd.
It showed a hotel entrance the Riverside Inn, based on the illuminated sign visible in the frame. And there, walking out through the glass doors, was a figure Ember recognized immediately.
Herself.
Same height. Same build. Same hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. The figure wore jeans and a dark jacket Ember owned, one she'd bought at a thrift store last semester. The person in the photo even walked the same way Ember did shoulders slightly hunched, hands shoved in pockets.
Ember stared at the image, her throat constricting. She wanted to say that's not me or I wasn't there or I don't remember this but the words wouldn't come. Because it was her. Even if she had no memory of it. Even if the entire night of November 3rd was a complete blank in her mind.
It was still her body in that photograph.
"This is from a security camera at the Riverside Inn," Monroe said, her voice neutral, professional. "The timestamp shows 11:47 PM. Approximately four hours later, at 3:30 AM, hotel staff discovered the body of Rayan Walsh in room 304. He'd been staying there for a conference."
Ember's hands trembled in her lap. She gripped her knees to stop the shaking.
"Do you recognize this person, Miss Winters?"
The question hung in the air between them. Ember could feel Delgado watching her, taking notes on every micro-expression, every hesitation.
"I..." Ember's voice cracked. She cleared her throat and tried again. "I want a lawyer."
Monroe's expression didn't change. She'd clearly been expecting this response. "That's your right. We'll arrange for a public defender if you can't afford private representation."
She pulled out another photograph anyway, placing it next to the first one.
"Before we stop, I want you to see one more thing."
This image showed a different location an apartment building hallway, narrow and dimly lit. The timestamp read 1:33 AM, November 8th. And there, standing at a door marked 4B, was Ember again. This time the footage had captured her face more clearly. There was no denying it was her.
"This is from the security camera in Marcus Bennett's apartment building," Monroe explained. "Marcus Bennett was found dead in his apartment approximately three hours after this footage was taken. His neighbor discovered him when she heard his dog barking continuously."
Ember closed her eyes. She couldn't look anymore. Couldn't see more evidence of things she didn't remember doing, places she didn't remember going.
"We also have footage from near the Sigma Chi house where Tyler Brett lived," Monroe continued, her voice steady and relentless. "Same pattern you're placed at or near the scene, close to the time of death in each case."
"I don't remember," Ember whispered, the words slipping out before she could stop them. "I don't remember any of it."
"You don't remember visiting these locations?"
"I don't remember anything. I" Ember caught herself, pressing her lips together. No. No more talking. "I want my lawyer. I'm not saying anything else without a lawyer present."
Monroe studied her for a long moment, and Ember saw something flicker in the detective's eyes not quite sympathy, but something close to it. Understanding, maybe. Or pity.
"Alright," Monroe finally said, closing the folder. "We'll arrange for representation. Officer Delgado will process you now, and you'll be held in custody pending your arraignment."
"What does that mean?" Ember's voice was barely audible.
"It means you'll be staying here until you can appear before a judge. Given the severity of the charges three counts of first-degree murder bail is unlikely. But that will ultimately be up to the judge to decide."
Three counts of first-degree murder.
The words hit Ember like a physical blow, stealing the air from her lungs. This was real. This was actually happening. She wasn't going to wake up from this nightmare.
"How long?" Ember managed to ask. "How long until the arraignment?"
"Usually within 48 to 72 hours. Could be as soon as tomorrow if we can get you on the docket."
Tomorrow. Less than 24 hours from now, she'd be standing in front of a judge, being formally charged with killing three people.
People she didn't even remember meeting.
Monroe stood, gathering her materials. "Officer Delgado will take you to booking now. If you cooperate with the process, it'll go faster."
Ember nodded numbly, not trusting her voice.
Delgado stood as well, moving to Ember's side. "Let's go, Miss Winters. Hands behind your back, please."
The handcuffs clicked back into place, and Ember felt whatever fragile composure she'd been holding onto start to crumble. Tears burned behind her eyes, but she blinked them back. She wouldn't cry. Not here. Not in front of them.
Delgado guided her out of the interrogation room and down another hallway. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, making Ember's head ache. Every door they passed looked the same anonymous, institutional, cold.
They stopped at a desk where a tired-looking officer sat behind a computer.
"Booking," Delgado said simply.
The officer behind the desk his nameplate read "HARRIS" barely glanced up. "Name?"
"Ember Winters."
"Date of birth?"
"March 14th, 2005."
The questions continued. Address. Emergency contact. Medical conditions. Allergies. On and on, each answer recorded with mechanical efficiency. Ember answered automatically, her mind elsewhere, trying to understand how her life had fallen apart so completely in the span of a single afternoon.
"Stand against the wall," Harris instructed, gesturing to a height chart mounted on the far wall. "Face forward."
The camera flashed. Once. Twice. Mug shots. Ember Winters, murder suspect, immortalized in police records.
"Now turn to the side. Left profile."
Another flash.
"Right profile."
Flash.
"Okay, fingerprints."