It Dawns on Alice...

"You can tell me what really happened" the cop says to Alice once they're alone again. "What did Jace do? And why? Did you break up with him, did you confront him about something?.."

It takes Alice a second to realize - they think Jace beat her up? Lithe, boyly-boy Jace? Mathlete Jace? She'd be insulted if she weren't so terrified this whole thing was going to ruin his opinion of her again, just when he seemed to have at least some sympathy for her injuries.

"What? Nonononono, you have it all wrong!" she says quickly. "Does he look like someone I'd mind checking me out? _I _have an unrequited crush on _him, _I asked him out earlier and he shot me down. I don't know why he's lying to you, but -

but...

Wait, yes I do. At least, I think I do".

"Please explain it to me" the officer says in a defeated voice.

"It must have been him in the alley after all. He must be trying to protect his reputation. But he must also be grateful to me for helping him get away, so he's making up a story, which he plans to tell around school, that he's attracted to me but I think I'm out of his league. Pretty clever really - he doesn't have to date me, but my social standing still improves."

The officer nods slowly. "Sexual **** can be rough on guys".

No shit.

"No community resources, not much sympathy from peers... not a lot of men in that position choose to come forward"

wat.

"You realize though, that if he sticks to this story, it'll be literally he-said, she said? There won't be much we can do besides hope those sketches you helped our artists make bring up a hit"

Alice shrugs. "Sorry, I-"

"No, I'm sorry", the officer cuts her off. "You've clearly had a really rough day, you got hurt fighting three gangers it was my job to keep off the street, and I'm here adding to your stress. We'll check CCTV, wait on the toxicology reports, but I think we've learned everything from this interview we're going to." She makes to leave but pauses by the door. "You're wrong about one thing though"

"What's that?" Alice asks.

"Jace likes you. Take it from someone whose job it is to read people. It was clear he liked you the moment he walked in here"

Alice tries to wrap her mind around that concept. Confidence! She reminds herself.

"Could you ask him to come see me before he leaves?"

The officer nods, chuckling something about young love as she lets herself out.