Letting Go (Chapter-12)

Michelle

It was Monday morning, two days after Michelle had initially come forward, that she was scheduled to meet with Agent Keene for the second time. The room was the same - four blank walls with two cameras, a door to her left, and a rectangular table in the center. But this time there was no glass of water, and two chairs were on the other side of the table instead of one. Michelle hoped she’d feel less nervous this time, but realized that most of the morning’s questioning would probably be about the abduction itself, which was something she’d tried not to think about since Serena was returned home. Above all else, Michelle was terrified that they would accuse her of assisting with the abduction because of the false statements she’d given years ago. She rubbed her sweat filled hands on her jeans and tapped her fingernails on the table to break the silence in the room. After a few moments of tapping, she heard the door click.

Agent Keene came in first, carrying a large notebook in her right hand. She was dressed in a similar outfit as before, but without the coffee stains on her blouse Behind her entered a tall, middle aged man dressed in a dark suit and blue striped tie.

“Michelle, good to see you,” Agent Keene walked to the table and sat down, placing her notepad down. She gestured to the man beside her, who was still standing by the door. “This is Agent Becker. He’ll be sitting in on the questioning today.”

Michelle turned to look at him. The lights shining off of his bald head glistened as he nodded silently.

“Nice to meet you,” Michelle said, trying to mask the nervousness in her voice. She looked back at Agent Keene with a small, tensed smile.

The agent reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a pen. “I see that you don’t have a lawyer present.”

Michelle fidgeted her hands in her lap. “Am I being accused of something?” She asked, tensing her shoulders, “I didn’t think a lawyer was necessary since I’m...you know… just giving information.” Michelle glanced at the man in the corner, then back to Agent Keene.

“No”, Agent Keene clicked the pen twice and placed it down, “But we’re talking about a serious crime that you’ve accused your ex-husband of committing.” She interlaced her hands on the table, “Naturally, your name will come up during the investigation if what you say is true.”

Michelle looked down at the table. She could feel the glaring eyes of Agent Becker, who was still standing motionless by the closed door.

“I have nothing to hide,” she said, looking up at Agent Keene, “I had nothing to do with any of it.”

“I understand that,” Agent Keene’s voice seemed slightly sympathetic, “I just want you to know that it’s your right to have a lawyer present.”

Michelle hunched over the table and let her chin drop to her chest. She’d never have the money to hire a lawyer, not with the medical bills that had to be paid off.

“I’m fine without one,” she said, trying to sound more confident that she really was, “like I said, I have nothing to hide.”

Agent Keene looked at her for a moment then pushed herself back from the table slightly and clicked her pen.

“Alright,” the sympathy had disappeared from her voice, “What we’re focusing on today is what happened the day of the abduction. You last stated that the information you provided us sixteen years ago was false.”

Michelle nodded. “Yes.”

“Could you begin by telling us if you knew anything leading up to the night Serena Moore was taken?”

Michelle shrugged her shoulders. “I knew nothing of it. Really, nothing.”

A strong, low voice erupted from her left.

“How long were you married to Edmond Rowen?” Agent Becker stepped away from the door.

Michelle turned to him. “Three years.”

Becker nodded and walked around the room. Michelle could feel her spine straighten with tension as he walked closer, stopped beside her, and leaned against the table. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and tilted his head slightly to the side.

“Tell me, Michelle,” he said, staring straight at her, “Over the course of those three years, he never mentioned anything about Serena Moore, not anything?”

Michelle could feel beads of sweat materializing on her forehead. She urged to wipe them before they trailed down her face, but Agent Becker’s presence made her too anxious to move. She looked forward at Agent Keene who was staring at her with the pen gripped in her right hand. Michelle closed her eyes and breathed slowly, trying desperately to gather and organize her thoughts.

“No,” she finally replied, turning her head to the man beside her, “Ed never mentioned anything.”

Agent Becker moved his head position slightly, but his stance remained the same. “So you’re meaning to tell me, Michelle, that when you saw your ex-husband at the restaurant the night of the abduction, you knew nothing of the child beforehand?”

Michelle could feel the sweat on her forehead start to run in a stream down the side of her face. She reached up to wipe it. “I’m sorry, it’s just - it’s really hot in here,” she turned to Agent Keene, “Could I have some water, please?”

Agent Keene dropped her pen to the notepad. “Of course, Michelle. Give me a minute,”

she replied, glancing at Becker before walking to the door.

Michelle froze as she watched the agent leave - she hadn’t thought, when asking for water, that it would mean being alone with Agent Becker. Michelle felt more at ease with Agent Keene in the room, maybe because she was a woman, or maybe because she had spoken to her initially. Regardless of the reason, she never felt that Keene had mistrusted or questioned her.

But Agent Becker was different. Since the moment he’d spoken Michelle felt that he was accusing her of something, not because of what he’d said, but because of his tone. And being alone with him, knowing that he was watching her every move, made her uneasy and restless.

“When will Agent Keene be back--” Michelle turned toward Becker and stopped speaking.

It was in that moment, as she locked eyes with Becker, that Michelle knew Agent Keene wasn’t going to return. Keene had done her part, easing Michelle into the interview, allowing her to calm down and feel comfortable. Agent Becker stood up straight, slowly walked around the table, and sat down in the empty seat across from her.

“Okay Michelle,” he said, leaning his elbows on the table, “Tell me what really

happened on May 14, 1991.”