After arriving at the police station, Dustin and Natasha were led into an interview room. A middle-aged officer, Cedric Wolfe, personally took their statements. He was calm and courteous throughout.
She gave a detailed account of the entire incident. She described being cornered by Gilbert’s convoy outside the mall, the chase that followed, and finally being surrounded on the overpass.
Dustin added more details, emphasizing the attackers’ numbers, their weapons, and how the Chandler brothers had openly ordered the assault. He spoke clearly and calmly and characterized their actions as serious intentional assault and unlawful detention.
Cedric took notes, his frown deepening with each detail. With the Chandler family involved and the crime carried out so openly, he found himself in a difficult position.
Just then, someone knocked softly on the door. A young officer hurried in and whispered something to Cedric. Then, he discreetly handed him a phone with someone still on the line.
He took the phone and stepped into the corner, speaking in hushed tones. His expression shifted slightly.
After hanging up, he turned back to Dustin and Natasha with a trace of caution in his eyes. He cleared his throat and spoke in an even more polite tone.
“Mr. Rhys, Ms. Harmon, we understand what happened. You’re the victims in this incident, and your statements have been recorded. You’re free to go now. We’ll arrange a car to take you home.”
“Thank you,” Dustin said with a nod. He and Natasha stood up and walked out of the interview room, accompanied by an officer.
As they passed through a dimly lit corridor, a familiar string of curses spilled out from an interrogation room with its door ajar.
“Damn it! Take it easy. Do you know who I am?”
Recognizing Gilbert’s voice, Dustin and Natasha instinctively glanced at the room. They saw him and Frederick sitting in separate interrogation chairs.
Gilbert’s face was bruised, his features twisted as he yelled at the officers in front of him. In contrast, Frederick sat in stony silence. His face was grim, and there was an icy chill in his eyes.
Seeing Dustin and Natasha walk past unharmed, Gilbert froze for a split second, then his anger boiled over.
“Stop right there!”
Gilbert jumped from his chair, but the officer behind him pushed him back down by the shoulder.
He struggled to break free, pointing at Dustin and Natasha.
“Why? Why do they get to leave and we don’t? What kind of police station is this?” he roared.
The officer handling the interrogation was a stern, middle-aged man. He responded coldly, “They were innocent victims, so of course they’re free to leave. But you two are the ones who orchestrated a violent assault with weapons. The evidence is clear, and you’ll be held accountable under the law.”
“Bullshit!” Gilbert spat. “Innocent? They injured my men and wrecked my car too. Do you know who I am?! I’m from the Chandler family. Now let me go, or you’ll be sorry you ever pissed me off.”
He was used to getting his way and clearly didn’t think much of an ordinary officer. The middle-aged officer’s expression hardened.
“Gilbert Chandler! You’ve got some nerve! Verbally abusing and threatening a public official inside a police station? That’s another charge!” he shouted.
“Charge my ass!”
Gilbert had completely lost his mind. Relying on his status as a Chandler, he lunged forward and tried to shove the officer aside.
“Restrain him!” the middle-aged officer barked.
Two younger officers, already in position, sprang into action. With one on each side, they quickly twisted Gilbert’s arms behind his back and pinned him to the ground. No matter how hard he thrashed and cursed, he couldn’t break free.
“Let me go, you lapdogs! I’ll sue every last one of you. I’ll make you pay!” Gilbert screamed, his face pressed against the cold floor. “Frederick! Frederick, say something!”
Frederick’s expression darkened completely. He raised his head slowly and stared at the middle-aged officer. His voice was icy and commanding.
“Officer, you need to know your limits. Release my brother right now, and I’ll pretend tonight never happened. Otherwise, one call from me will see you and your chief out of your jobs by tomorrow. Try me and see.”
His threat hit harder than Gilbert’s yelling, with a deadly edge.
But the middle-aged officer acted as if he hadn’t heard it. With a blank expression, he gestured to the officers holding Gilbert.
“Assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful assembly, obstruction of justice, threatening law enforcement. Take them to the detention center and hold then pending further action.”
“Yes, sir!”
Both Gilbert and Frederick were forcibly hauled to their feet. As they were led down the corridor, Gilbert spotted Dustin standing nearby, watching calmly. His eyes burned with hatred, and he screamed at the top of his lungs.
“You’d better not celebrate too soon! I’ll be out tomorrow! And when I am, I’ll make you wish you were dead! Just wait!”
His shouts echoed through the empty corridor, filled with madness and rage. Dustin’s eyes turned cold. He met Gilbert’s venomous glare and spoke slowly, his voice low but carrying clearly to everyone around them.
“In that case, you won’t be getting out.”
