Accused

'Victoria Sebastian, you are under arrest for the murder of Doctor Barry Joe." Victoria felt her heart sink as she heard those words in the hospital hallway. The officer spoke in a flat voice, but the accusation hit her hard. She looked around, unable to believe what was happening. This couldn't be real. 'What?" Victoria's voice shook as she backed against the wall, glancing nervously at the officers. 'No, there's been a mistake. I didn't—" The officer, a strong man with a serious face, stepped closer, holding out handcuffs. 'Please turn around and put your hands behind your back." 'Wait, you can't do this!" Louis shouted, stepping in front of Victoria. His eyes were full of anger. 'Victoria didn't kill anyone. You've got it wrong!" The officer was not moved, pulling out a paper. 'Mr. Sebastian, we have a warrant for her arrest. The evidence is strong." Victoria shook her head in panic. 'This can't be true. I didn't kill Barry. I didn't even know he was dead!" Louis turned to her, holding her hands tightly. 'We'll fix this," he said urgently. 'Don't say anything. We'll get a lawyer and—" The officer stepped closer, breaking their hold. 'I'm sorry, but we need to take her now." 'Please, Louis," Victoria whispered, tears in her eyes as the officer cuffed her hands. 'I didn't do that. You have to believe me." 'I do," Louis said, his voice shaking. 'I believe you. I won't let them do that." The handcuffs clicked shut around Victoria's wrists, the cold metal hurting her skin. She winced, her breath quickening as the reality hit her. This was not a bad dream. It was real, and she was being taken away for a crime she didn't commit. As the officers led her down the hospital hallway, she felt the weight of everyone's eyes on her. Doctors, nurses, patients—everyone stared, whispering in disbelief. Victoria held her head high, trying to hide her fear. She looked back at Louis, who stood frozen, fists clenched. 'I'll get you out," Louis called after her, his voice strong but desperate. 'I promise, Victoria. I'll get you out." The ride to the police station felt endless. Victoria sat in the back of the police car, her hands cuffed and her mind racing. How did it come to this? She barely knew Barry Joe—he was just a distant memory, an ex from long ago, someone she hadn't talked to in years. Yet now he was dead, and she was being accused of his murder. The officers said nothing, their faces blank as they drove through the city. Victoria stared out the window, her thoughts a jumbled mess. The city looked the same—bright and busy—but to her, it felt different. She felt like she was watching someone else's life fall apart. At the police station, Victoria was led through narrow hallways with harsh lights buzzing overhead. They finally stopped at an interrogation room, and the officer opened the door for her. 'Sit down," he said roughly. Victoria sat at the cold metal table, her hands still cuffed. She looked around the room with bare walls and a single light. It all felt so unreal and wrong. Detective Harris, who had been investigating Malcolm's shooting, walked in, looking disappointed and frustrated. He dropped a file on the table and sat across from Victoria. 'Victoria," he began calmly but firmly. 'We found Barry Joe's body yesterday. He was buried near the city. His death was murder." Victoria stared at the file, struggling to understand. 'I… I didn't know. I haven't seen Barry in weeks." Harris opened the file, showing her pictures of Barry's lifeless body, dirt, and leaves still on his clothes. 'We found your fingerprints on the murder weapon," he continued, looking at her. 'A gun linked to your apartment." Victoria's heart raced. 'That can't be true. I don't own a gun, and I haven't seen Barry in—" 'The gun is registered in your name," Harris interrupted. 'We have the paperwork. And witnesses say you were seen with Barry before he went missing." 'That's a lie!" Victoria shouted, her composure breaking. 'I was with Louis. I've been at the hospital almost every day. There's no way I could have—" Harris leaned back, his expression hard to read. 'The evidence says otherwise. I'm sorry, Victoria, but it doesn't look good." Victoria felt the walls closing in, the weight of the accusations heavy on her. She thought of Louis and how he had tried to keep her safe from all the chaos. But now she was in the middle of it, accused of a crime she didn't commit. 'I'm being framed," she said, her voice shaking but determined. 'Someone is trying to set me up." Harris sighed, looking tired. 'If that's true, you need to give us something to go on. Right now, all the evidence points to you." Victoria felt lost, her thoughts tangled in fear. She knew she was innocent, but how could she prove it? She closed her eyes, trying to calm down and think clearly. 'Amaya," she whispered. 'She was there the night of the shooting. She hates me, and she—" Harris looked interested. 'Amaya Davidson? Your husband's ex?" 'Yes," Victoria said, holding onto the thought. 'She's been acting weird and was angry about the marriage. She must have done that." Harris looked at her skeptically. 'That's a serious claim, Victoria. Do you have proof?" Victoria shook her head, feeling frustrated. 'No, but I know her. She's manipulative and would do anything to get what she wants." Harris sighed again, closing the file. 'Without proof, there's not much we can do. We will hold you until your arraignment. If you find anything that shows Amaya's involvement, now's the time to tell us." Victoria slumped in her chair, feeling hopeless. She had nothing to prove her innocence. The more she thought about it, the more trapped she felt. Hours later, Louis burst into the police station, looking determined. He had spent the day searching for leads and calling in favors to find anything to clear Victoria's name. But every lead had come to nothing. 'Where is she?" Louis shouted, his voice echoing. He saw Detective Harris and walked up to him. 'I want to see Victoria. Now." Harris nodded and motioned for an officer to take Louis to the holding area. 'We're preparing for her transfer," he explained as they walked. 'She'll stay until her arraignment. Unless you have new evidence, there's not much we can do." Louis clenched his jaw, frustration boiling inside him. 'This is a setup, Harris. You have to see that. Victoria would never hurt anyone, especially Barry." Harris sighed, sympathetic but firm. 'I know it doesn't seem fair, but we have to follow the evidence." The door to the holding cell opened, and Louis rushed in, his heart aching at the sight of Victoria sitting on a cold bench. She looked up, her eyes red and puffy, relief and despair mixed on her face. 'Louis," she whispered, her voice breaking. 'I didn't do that. You have to believe me." Louis crossed the room quickly and hugged her tightly. 'I believe you," he said fiercely. 'I know you didn't do that. And I'm going to prove it." Victoria held onto him, her tears soaking his shirt. 'I'm scared," she admitted quietly. 'What if they don't believe us?"