Chapter 11

"So you still keep in touch with your old pals from grade school?" Asked Mei, curiously, as she began to write some stuff down into her notepad.

Abby nodded, "Mhm! I've made some of the most wonderful people in my life there so of course I would!" She smiled, "It's also where John and I first met." She peered to the side and sighed longingly, "I'll never forget that fateful day when he tried out for the football team. My teammates and I were practicing our cheer routine and John ended up missing the ball because he was too distracted while checking me out." She giggled as she faced Mei, "He didn't make the team that year but he was successful when he asked me out on a date." She held her hand up and gazed down at the sparkly diamond on her engagement ring, "I knew, the moment I saw him, that he was the one. That John was the man that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. It was love at first sight, without a single doubt."

"Oh, I see …" At this point, Mei started to seem upset.

"Sorry," Abby frowned, "I shouldn't have gone off topic like that. I know some folks don't like it when I talk about relationship stuff, especially the happy parts. But I get it, not everyone is in a happy relationship like I am."

"That's … Very true." Said Mei, sounding very melancholy.

"Do you have anyone?" Asked the woman, curiously, "Do you have a special man in your life? Or a woman. I don't judge, to be honest."

The detective shook her head, "No, not anymore."

"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry to hear that, Detective Li." She placed her hand on Mei's shoulder, "But I'm sure you'll find someone one day, just like how I found my John." She gave her a soft smile.

Mei smiled back at her, still feeling very sorrowful, "Thank you, Mrs. Dever."

"Oh …" Abby took her hand away, "Sorry, I went off topic again. Did you have any other questions for me?" She turned around and looked at the clock on the wall before facing Mei again, "My fiancé stepped out for a smoke but he'll be back soon and I haven't made dinner yet. So I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"I have one last question. Has Charles Reid said anything that you think might be noteworthy in regards to the current case?"

Abby quickly shook her head, "No, he hasn't. But if he does, then I'll be sure to report it."

"Alright, then!" Mei put her notepad and pen back into her bag before she extended her hand to the woman, "Thank you for speaking with me, Mrs. Dever." She smiled.

Abby shook her hand and smiled back at her, "No problem, Detective Li!"

Mei let go, "Have a nice night!"

"You too!" Abby slowly closed the door as Mei turned around and walked away, feeling very frustrated.

*How the hell did this happen?! How the fuck did I not see this coming?!*

She wondered as she swiftly walked down the hall to the elevator, *I really wanted to tell her but … I just can't. She seemed so happy to be with him. I can't just break her heart like that. I mean, she seems like such a nice lady.*

She got into the elevator and pressed the ground floor button, *Besides, this doesn't involve me anymore and John didn't commit a crime. I shouldn't meddle in their relationship like that, no matter how hurt I am. I can't let my emotions get the better of me!*

She thought as she balled up her fists and tried really hard to hold back tears. Once the elevator doors slid open, she quickly stepped out and headed for the exit. On her way out, she saw John step back into the building. He was wearing a set of pewter grey pajamas with a black robe and reeked of cigarette smoke. His light, ash blonde hair was short, almost resembling a buzzcut, while his scruffy beard reached down to his Adam's apple. He wore nothing on his feet aside from a pair of house slippers which matched his pajamas. Mei nearly froze in her tracks when she saw the cacuasian man walk through the doors. Worried that she'd be spotted, the detective ducked and hid behind a wall right by the elevator. She was out of his range of view, which didn't seem to matter much since John didn't seem to notice much about his surroundings as he nearly bumped into a potted plant on his way to the elevator.

*Is he drunk?* Wondered Mei as she noticed this.

John slowly shuffled over to the elevator and groaned as he pressed the button. He placed his hand on the wall and leaned over as he seemed like he was going to throw up.

*He is definitely drunk!* Realized Mei as she carefully moved out from her hiding spot, *Maybe now isn't the right time to confront him.*

She quickly left the building and returned to her car, still feeling devastated. Once she got inside, she placed her forearms on top of the steering wheel and laid her on top before she began crying.

"HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO ME?!" She sobbed loudly with the windows closed all the way, "I trusted him! I *loved* him!" She continued to cry with her head down for a few minutes before she finally lifted her head up. "I need to call Henry!" Mei said to herself. She then paused for a moment and thought about other options she might have, "No … I can't talk to him about this, not now at least. He's been really busy with the Muller case. I probably shouldn't bother him with my frivolous personal issues right now." She looked down and sighed as tears continued to stream down her cheeks, "But … If I can't talk to my best friend, then who *can* I talk to?"

She thought about it for a moment before she reached into her bag and pulled out her phone. She began scrolling through her contact list. "No, not mom. She'll just tell me that she told me so and that it's my fault for dating a white man. Not Tracy either. She's terrible with these sorts of issues, which is why she's not a victim's advocate." After a couple seconds of searching for the right person, Mei's eyes zeroed in on a name, *his* name. "Is it wise for me to talk to him about this?" She asked herself as she before she carefully thought it through, "Well …" She sighed, "He's my only option right now." Mei clicked the call button and waited anxiously for him to pick up.