Chapter 4

 *Crash*

The car crashed into mine, sending me forward. I hit my head on the steering wheel and Theo hit his on the dashboard. When I lifted my head up, I realized I had a cut on the side of my head and Theo had a bruise on his. I carefully got out of the car after checking to see if Theo had been seriously hurt. Thankfully, he was fine.

"Who the hell is that?" I asked no one in particular as I got out of the car.

The driver of the car had also gotten down. A woman.

"Oh, my goodness." She ran a hand through her black hair, walking in my direction. "I'm so sorry." She stopped just a few feet from me. "Are you badly hurt? I can take you to the hospital if you want."

Theo pulled out his gun and pointed it at the woman. "Back the hell up, woman."

She raised her hands up in surrender and did as he instructed. "No need to get all serious." She looked away from Theo and toward me. "You're King Ryder, aren't you?"

I didn't speak a word, just accessing her to see if she had weapons on her.

"Don't play dumb with me, woman. You know very well who he is and that is why you tried to kill him. Who sent you?"

The woman appeared genuinely hurt by Theo's accusations.

"Wha-" She shook her head as if trying to comprehend what he had said. "What makes you think I would want to have him killed? My car's brake failed, and that is why I could not stop. I'm really sorry."

"Not a valuable excuse. Who sent you?"

She eyed Theo from head to foot before speaking. "I don't know who you are, but I'd like you to stop accusing me wrongly. I can sue."

Theo laughed. "Sue? Sue who?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't test me, mister. I may be a woman, but I sure know how to kick ass."

"Big talker, aye?"

"That's enough." I stepped in between the two. "What's your name?"

She turned to me with a small smile, unlike when she was glaring at Theo and looking as if she wanted to claw his eyes out with her nails.

"Elena." She began and paused. "Elena Greene."

I nodded. "You're coming with me to the police station. As much as I'd like to believe your story, I can't. Theo, call the cops. Tell them it's urgent."

Her eyes widened. "What? You're calling the cops on me?"

"He didn't stutter now, did he?" Theo brought out his phone and dialed a number. "Theo Williams speaking. I'd like to report a murder attempt on the King's life. Yes," he rested a free hand on his waist, "We're at 4970 Marion Street. Aright, thank you."

"Attempted murder?" Elena looked like she was going to explode.

"Yes, darling." He averted his gaze from her and to me. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I answered, fixing my gaze on Elena. She could very well try to escape. From the way she clasped her hands and looked around, she was extremely nervous.

"Look, you have to believe me." She suddenly said, surprising me. I thought she was scared. "I have no reason to want you dead. Heck, I wouldn't even kill you if they paid me to do it. Please forget this ever happened and let us all move on with our lives. I'll pay for your medical bills if that's the problem."

Humans. Money doesn't solve every problem.

"What about my car?" I asked her. "That's a Mansory Vivere Bugatti Veyron. Do you know how much it costs?"

"No, I..." she fumbled with her words.

"See? Money doesn't solve everything. I own this place, I can have whatever I want so please do not bring up money nonsense in front of me."

The police sirens stopped her from speaking. There were three cars. The police officers got down and approached me.

"Good day, your majesty." One of them greeted. "Is this the person?" He pointed toward Elena.

"Yes. Her name is Elena Greene. I want you to find out everything you can about her. Oh, and check her car too. She said her car brake failed, and that was why she crashed into my car."

"Officers, I'm telling the truth. I would never try to kill anyone, believe me." She begged.

"Miss Elena Greene, you have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney and if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. If you waive these rights and talk to us, anything you say may be used against you in court."

"Please," she faced me, "I didn't try to kill you, I swear. I'll do anything, just don't send me with them."

If this had happened before Isabella's death, I would have believed her and let everything go. But there was someone who wanted me dead, and this Elena could very well be working for him.

"Take her away. I'll be right behind you."

"Alright, sir."

One of the men brought out a handcuff and cuffed her hands. She looked at the handcuff, bewildered.

"Get this off me, officer. I'm innocent, believe me."

They led her to the car and got her into. She placed both hands on the glass, still looking at me. I saw tears rolled down her cheeks, making me wonder if I was doing the right thing.

"Theo, do you think this is a bit too much?"

He came to stand in front of me. "Are you serious? Because she's crying?"

"She could be telling the truth." I tried to reason. I didn't want to get an innocent person in trouble with the law.

"Keyword, could." He bit the insides of his cheek. "I understand you hate seeing people cry, but she could be working for Isabella's murderer. Don't you want to get justice for her? She didn't deserve to die like that and you know it."

"I just don't want to do something I'll end up regretting."

"Letting Isa's murderer slip right out of your fingers is what you'll regret more."

<<<>>>

As I drove behind the police officers, I couldn't stop thinking about what Theo had said. I couldn't stop just yet. I owed it to Annalise and Derick to find who killed Isabella; I owed it to Isa. Being sentimental got no one anywhere. If she turned out to be innocent, I would sincerely apologize and try my possible best to make it up to her.

"Aren't you going to take it?" Theo asked, pointing at my phone.

"Who is it?" I refused to look at the screen, paying attention to the road ahead. I had a feeling it was the private investigator.

"Private investigator." He informed me.

"Take it."

He picked up the phone and swiped his thumb across it before putting the phone to his ear.

"Theo Williams speaking."

This man never said hello first.

"He's driving and cannot speak with you. You can tell me." He briefly glanced at me. "It's fine, don't worry about it. Sure, I'll let him know." He put the phone down and from the corner of my eye, I saw him turn to me.

"What did he say?" I asked, making a right turn and coming to a stop in front of the police station.

"He has left the café. He said he will come to the palace tomorrow to see you instead."

"Alright." I opened the door and got down, Theo right behind me.

I watched them bring out Elena from the car and at this point; she was crying. Like, really crying.

"No sentiments, Ryder." Theo reminded me.

I said nothing and walked into the police station. We walked past the information desk after one officer spoke to the woman behind the desk. She greeted me with a smile. We then headed toward a room that read 'Interrogation room'. They pushed open the door, revealing a single table and two chairs. There was a one-way window, which I assumed was for Theo and me to stand on the other side and watch the interrogation with Elena.

Elena sat down on the other side and the police officers walked out.

"Won't you question her? We need to know who sent her." Theo pointed at the door keeping Elena away from us.

"Mr. Williams, I would advise you say nothing accusing. We do not know if she was actually sent by someone or her car genuinely had a brake fail."

He was right. I sincerely hoped the young woman was innocent.

"What about the car? Is it being checked right now?" I asked, glancing at a crying Elena.

"Yes, sir. We cannot say anything to her until we confirm the car's brake is faulty." He answered.

"Then why bring her to the interrogation room? A cell would do. I mean, since she will not be questioned so, don't you think we should put her in a cell?"

"The cells are full at the moment and I wouldn't want to put her with other criminals. She is still a suspect, not a criminal."

"Alright then."

"I'll leave now." He bowed and walked out of the room. There was still one officer sitting with Elena in the room.

"Do you want to have that cut checked out?" Theo asked, pointing to the injury on the side of my forehead. It didn't hurt too much, so it was fine.

"I'm okay." I assured him. "How long do you think the car check will take?"

It was becoming tiresome to look at Elena cry. I hated seeing people cry. I watched as the officer in the room brought out a key from her pocket after receiving a call. She went over to Elena and inserted the key into the hole.

"What is she doing?" Theo asked, going toward the door. "Why is she doing that?"

She removed the handcuffs and led Elena out of the room.

"Your majesty, I just received a call from my boss. Miss Greene's car is actually faulty and they have asked me to release her. She is innocent."

Theo and I looked at each other. He rubbed his neck and avoided Elena's angry gaze.

"I told you I was innocent, but you would not believe me. I told you!" She yelled at us.

"Miss, please watch your tone when speaking in front of the King."

She eyed me. "King? What kind of king are you? You called the cops on me despite me telling you I was innocent. You had them handcuff me." She pointed a finger in my direction. "You're no King, you fucking asshole!"

Fan-fucking-tastic.

"Miss Greene." The officer warned, "Refrain from using such languages."

"What?" She glared at the officer. "Don't you cuss?"

The officer said nothing and looked at me to speak.

"Miss Greene, I sincerely apologize for dragging you to the police station. I am just trying to be careful."

God, this was really hard. I would kick Theo out of the car. He got us into this mess.

"Careful?" She scoffed. "How lovely. Do you know how much trauma you and your friend have caused me?"

"And I'm sorry about that. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"

She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at Theo. "Green eyes."

Theo finally faced her. "Did you just refer to me as green eyes?"

"Did I stutter?" She mimicked his tone from earlier. "You owe me an apology."

"Me? Apologize to you? I don't think so." He cringed at the thought of apologizing to Elena and I rolled my eyes.

"Theo?"

"Oh, come on." He faced me. "Do I really have to?"

"Yes." Elena and I chorused.

Theo sucked in a deep breath. "This hurts my pride to say, but I am sorry. We were wrong to assume you would want the King dead."

"Very wrong." Shereleased a sigh, her brows furrowing. "And you two owe me."

"I feel as if you're trying to use this opportunity to suck money off of the King. You're definitely sus, woman." Said Theo, sounding displeased.

"Think whatever you want, Theo." She tucked her hair behind her ear. "You know what, I'm done having this conversation. Officer, let's go."

The officer and Elena walked out of the room, leaving me and Theo behind.

"This is your fault." I said immediately they left.

"Yeah, I know." He agreed, running a hand through his hair. "I really thought she was lying."

"She hates us."

"She'd be crazy not to."