“Because someone put a watch in my locker.”
Drexler smiled without humor.
“Because a watch reported stolen was recovered from a locker assigned to you.”
“I didn’t put it there.”
“Bryce Langford says he saw you watching him with it.”
“Everybody saw him with it.”
“You were jealous?”
“No.”
“Wanted something nice?”
“No.”
“Maybe you thought his family could afford another.”
Malik stared.
Drexler slid a photograph across the table.
A grainy hallway still.
Malik walking near the gym corridor.
“This you?”
“Yes.”
“During class.”
“I had a hall pass.”
“Convenient.”
“I went to the nurse.”
Drexler leaned back.
“Here’s the thing. If you made a stupid decision, saying so early usually helps.”
Malik looked toward Lang.
The younger officer was standing near the wall.
Watching.
Not participating.
Drexler continued.
“Maybe you took it and panicked.”
“I didn’t.”
“Maybe someone dared you.”
“No.”
“Maybe you planned to sell it.”
“I want my mother.”
Drexler’s expression tightened.
“We’re talking.”
“I don’t want to answer questions without my parents or a lawyer.”
Lang shifted.
Drexler looked at him.
Then back at Malik.
“You been watching legal shows?”
“My dad taught me not to answer questions if I’m accused of something serious.”
Drexler laughed.
“Your dad teach criminal law at the dinner table?”
“Sometimes.”
That answer seemed to irritate him.
“Who is your father?”
Malik looked at him.
“Desmond Banks.”
“What does he do?”
“I want to call my mother.”
Drexler slapped the folder closed.
“You kids always think you’re smarter than the room.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You don’t need to.”
Malik stayed silent.
Drexler stared at him another few seconds.
Then stood.
“Fine.”
He pointed toward the phone outside the interview room.
“You get one call for now. Make it quick.”
Malik’s hands shook as he dialed.
His mother worked at St. Jude Regional Medical Center.
Nadia Banks had spent twenty years in emergency and trauma nursing.
She could remain calm during situations that made other people freeze.
Malik had watched her change from mother to medical professional whenever anyone got hurt.
The phone rang twice.
“Trauma unit, Banks speaking.”
“Mom.”
Silence.
Then her entire voice changed.
“Malik?”
He nearly lost control the moment he heard her.
“Mom, I’m at the Fourth Precinct.”
“What happened?”
“They arrested me.”
A beat.
“For what?”
“They say I stole Bryce Langford’s watch.”
“Are you hurt?”
The question came first.
Not Did you do it?
Not Why are you there?
Are you hurt?
Malik swallowed.
“My cheek hurts. My wrists too.”
“What happened to your face?”
“The officer pushed me into the lockers and then into the car.”
Nadia inhaled sharply.
“Which officer?”
“Drexler.”
“Full name?”
“I don’t know.”
“Fourth Precinct?”
“Yes.”
“Have you answered questions?”
“Only basic stuff.”