Chapter Twenty–Five
Before Roden could decide how to proceed, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the hallway outside the HR office
The door swung open, and three uniformed police officers entered, their expressions stern and professional
“Pervis Tyler?” the lead officer asked, his hand resting casually on his belt
“Yes?” Pervis replied calmly
“You’re a suspect in a theft case. We need you to come with us to the station for questioning,” the officer stated, pulling out a pair of handcuffs.
The room fell into stunned silence for a moment before Roden’s face split into a huge grin. All his earlier apprehension evaporated like morning dew under a hot sun.
“Ha“” he laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the office. “A theft suspect! A common criminal!* The sharp–faced woman joined in his laughter. “I knew there was something off about him!”
“Clearly this nobody couldn’t be anyone important if the police are dragging him away in handcuffs“” Roden declared triumphantly, his earlier fear completely forgotten “A criminal! Right here in our office!”
He stood up, wincing slightly but clearly energized by this tum of events. “Pervis Tyler, you are immediately dismissed from Whitewater Corporation. We don’t employ thieves here”
Pervis allowed the officer to secure the handcuffs around his wrists, but his voice remained steady. According to the employee handbook, section twelve, paragraph four, the company is required to provide necessary legal assistance to any employee accused of a crime before conviction.”
“What?” Roden scoffed.
“The company cannot dismiss staff arbitrarily based on accusations alone,” Pervis continued calmly. Termination is only permitted after a legal conviction has been secured through proper judicial process.”
Roden’s face flushed with anger and satisfaction. “You think I care about some stupid handbook?”
“The company rules exist for a reason,” Pervis pointed out.
“Company resources aren’t meant for trash like you,” Roden sneered “Those rules are designed to protect. valuable employees, not parasitic criminals who steal from honest people. I’ll use company resources for someone who deserves them–someone like me.”
“That’s not how corporate policy works,” Pervis replied.
“I don’t care how it works!” Roden shouted. “You’re fired! Security will pack up whatever pathetic belongings you brought and mail them to whatever gutter you crawled out of!”
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The sharp–faced woman was practically bouncing with glee. “A thief! We almost hired an actual thief!”
Alicia watched the scene with a deep frown, her earlier composure cracking slightly. She looked at Pervis as if trying to reconcile his calm demeanor with the accusations being leveled against him.
Linda, however, showed no such restraint. “I can’t believe this,” she said with obvious disgust. “I actually stood in the same elevator as a criminal.”
“Right?” the sharp–faced woman agreed enthusiastically. “Who knows what else he might have stolen if we hadn’t caught him so quickly!”
“Probably would have started with office supplies and worked his way up,” Linda added, her voice dripping with disdain. “I never expected Pervis to be a common thief. He seemed so… normal.”
“That’s how they operate,” Roden said wisely, as if he were an expert on criminal behavior. “They blend in, act respectable, and then rob you blind when you’re not looking.”
“Disgusting.” Linda muttered, taking a deliberate step away from Pervis.
The lead officer cleared his throat. “If you’re all finished, we need to transport the suspect now.”
“Of course, officer, Roden said graciously. Thank you for removing this criminal element from our workplace.”
As the police led Pervis toward the door, Roden called out one final time. “Don’t bother coming back, Tyler! Your career in this city is finished!”
The police station was a gray, institutional building that smelled of stale coffee and industrial cleaner. Pervis was led through a series of corridors to a small interrogation room with concrete walls and a metal table bolted to the floor.
Two detectives entered shortly after–one older with gray hair and a paunch, the other younger and lean with calculating eyes.
“So,” the older detective said, settling heavily into his chair, “Pervis Tyler. Want to tell us about the jewelry and cash you stole from Anna Morrison’s residence?”
“I didn’t steal anything.” Pervis replied calmly. “I’d like to call my lawyer.”
“Your lawyer?” the younger detective laughed harshly. “You think you’re some kind of big shot who gets to call lawyers?”
“It’s my legal right,” Pervis stated.
“Legal right?” the older detective scoffed. “Listen here, you little parasite. The person who reported this theft is Anna Morrison–a respected entrepreneur and businesswoman in this city.”
“I’m aware of who she is,” Pervis said.
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“Are you?” the younger detective leaned forward aggressively. “Because from where I’m sitting, you’re just another worthless nobody trying to steal from successful people.”
I want to call my lawyer,” Pervis repeated
“You’ll call your lawyer when we say you can call your lawyer,” the older detective snapped. “Right now, you’re going to sit there and confess to what you did.”
“I have nothing to confess, Pervis maintained.
The younger detective slammed his hand on the table. “Don’t play games with us! We know you stole fifty thousand dollars worth of jewelry and cash!”
“Mrs. Morrison is a pillar of this community,” the older detective added. “She has connections, influence, and most importantly–credibility. You, on the other hand, are a pathetic leech who’s been living off her generosity for years.”
“That’s not “Pervis began
*Shut your mouth!” the younger detective barked “You’re nothing but a parasite that attached itself to a successful woman and bled her dry until she finally got smart and kicked you out!”
“And when she cut you off, you decided to steal from her on your way out the door,” the older detective continued. “It’s a classic pattern. We see losers like you all the time.”
“I didn’t steal anything.” Pervis insisted
“Mrs. Morrison says you did,” the younger detective replied. “Her word against yours. Who do you think the judge is going to believe?”
“The successful businesswoman who built her own empire,” the older detective answered his partner’s thetorical question, “or the unemployed husband who couldn’t even hold down a job?”
The younger detective laughed cruelly
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
