Chapter 160: Tara's Statement

Chapter 160: Tara's Statement
October 9th, Willowbend, Mississippi
Dean's POV
The last person we needed to interview was Tara.
I stood outside her cell, watching her through the reinforced glass. She sat on the narrow bench, hands folded in her lap, staring at nothing. After everything that had happened, she was still beautiful.
I couldn't deny the pull I felt toward her. It had been there from the first time I walked into her bar. But now, with Luka dead and three people in custody, I couldn't let personal feelings cloud my judgment.
"Rick," I said, turning to my colleague. "You take the lead on Tara's questioning."
Understanding dawned in Rick's eyes, followed by a knowing smirk. "Ah. Still carrying a torch for the bar owner?"
I didn't answer, but my silence was confirmation enough.
"Alright," Rick said, adjusting his tie. "But you're staying in the room. I might need backup if she lawyers up."
Before bringing Tara to the interrogation room, I stopped by the station's vending machine. Old habits. Coffee for Rick, bottled water for myself, and a package of crackers. When we'd questioned suspects before, small gestures like offering food or drinks often helped establish rapport.
I set the water and crackers on the metal table just as the door opened.
Tara walked in flanked by an officer, her wrists free of handcuffs. Her hair was disheveled, which gave her a different kind of beauty.
"Have a seat," Rick said, gesturing to the chair across from us.
Tara sat down, her eyes meeting mine briefly before looking away. "Thank you," she said quietly, reaching for the water bottle.
"How are you holding up?" I asked, unable to keep the concern from my voice.
She took a sip of water before answering. "I've been better."
Rick pulled out his notepad and clicked his pen. "Tara, we need you to give us your full statement about what happened. Take your time and tell us everything from the beginning."
Tara nodded, unscrewing the cap from the water bottle. Her voice was calm despite everything that had happened.

Tara's Statement
Everything started three days ago, in the afternoon. My bar opens at 2 PM, and Luka came to find me around 3 o'clock. There were two other customers in the bar at the time besides him. If you don't believe me, you can ask them.
Luka came to ask me to meet him at Dock 9 on the evening of October 8th at 9 o'clock. He said he had a surprise for me. As a woman, I naturally knew he was pursuing me. But I had no interest in him whatsoever, so I refused him. But he said he would be waiting for me there.
At first, I didn't even know where Dock 9 was. I had to ask one of my customers to find out that Dock 9 had been abandoned long ago.
I couldn't understand why he wanted to meet in such a place, or what kind of surprise he planned to give me. But after Luka left the bar, I thought about it and decided maybe I should go see him and reject him directly. That would be better.
But since it was a nighttime meeting in such a remote place, I felt I should find someone to come with me for safety. I originally wanted to ask Officer Dean, but he hadn't been in town recently. So I had to ask Tyler to accompany me, since he was the only other friend I had in this town.
That evening before leaving for Dock 9, I called Tyler. He said he would drive to the bar to pick me up and go with me. But when it was almost 9 o'clock, Tyler still hadn't come to the bar. I didn't know if his fiancée had locked him up at home and wouldn't let him out.
Finally I decided to go to Dock 9 first myself, and I sent Tyler a text message telling him to meet me directly at Dock 9.
Oh, and for safety, I also brought a gun with me. That gun was one that Officer Dean accompanied me to buy.
When I arrived at Dock 9, Luka was already waiting for me there.
Luka said his feelings for me were serious. I said I had a boyfriend, and my boyfriend would be coming soon.
Luka didn't seem to listen to what I said. Instead, he told me his surprise was that he was considering buying the land around Dock 9, and could rebuild a fishing port there.
And he said if I was willing to be his girlfriend, he could give me this dock as a gift.
I was very confused. As a European working in finance, why would he want to invest in a small Mississippi town? I didn't believe it was just to pursue me.
I remembered when he first came to town, he was asking around about that dead woman Nina. Maybe his wanting to invest here was related to Nina. But that wasn't something I should be asking about.
I told Luka again that I had no interest in him whatsoever. I came to meet him today just to make it clear to him, and I hoped he wouldn't bother me anymore in the future.
But unexpectedly, Luka became angry and grabbed my chin. He said he didn't know how many women wanted to be his girlfriend, and he thought I was playing hard to get.
Then Luka said some insulting things about me, so I slapped him. Then Luka tried to force a kiss on me, and I fought back desperately.
Just then, Tyler arrived. He saw Luka bullying me and threw himself into fighting with him.
During their fight, the gun in Luka's pocket fell to the ground, and I helped kick it away.
Tyler is very athletic and agile, and quickly gained the upper hand. But unexpectedly, that's when Vivian arrived.
That crazy woman Vivian acts like she has rabies every time she sees me. She rushed over to attack me, and then Tyler tried to pull Vivian away from me, while Luka also came over to grab me and try to take me away.
The scene was very chaotic. Finally, Tyler accidentally pushed Luka onto a sharp steel rod, and the rod pierced through Luka's chest.
Everything happened too suddenly. Although I really disliked Luka, I still quickly called an ambulance and reported to the police.
Tyler was only trying to help me. He really didn't do it on purpose.