The rest of Friday-part three

They decided to park up outside the Dawson household and walk to the local pub. Being only just over a mile away, The girls hadn't planned on this, so they walked barefoot until they were near the local and replaced their shoes. "Hear we are. Sounds like they have disco or something going on there tonight." John noticed the sound coming from the building. They entered the nearest door and found the place packed so no table would be available. Deciding to head toward the bar to order drinks anyway. The music was provided by a local company's works outing that wasn't private. John reached the bar and when served, he gave the women a glass of white wine each. He and Steven had a pint of lager each.

The night went smoothly with all 4 of them joining in on the works crew outing by having their own private party together. At 22:30 they had been there an hour when a scuffle broke out between two of the works crew. Steven didn't want to be in a position where he had to use his power to get everyone out safely so he sat and waited to see how far things would escalate. Some of them started to take sides. Others tried to calm things down. The two original opposing forces were ejected and left to deal with things outside. Steven turned to the others. "Well that was entertaining." They all giggled and agreed. Soon, the night was over and the pub was closing. John had already arranged for a taxi to take them back to the Dawson home.

In the taxi, they continued to talk about their school life, college and Uni life for Ellen too. Plus friends that had come and gone. Holidays with family as kids. Anything that would involve a funny story. They had nearly reached their destination when a the police car following them turned its blue lights on to pull the taxi over. As none of them were driving they all thought that it would be something to do with the taxi itself. But then another police car arrived in front of them and blocked them in. This one was occupied by armed officers and they took cover behind their doors as soon as they exited their car.

A voice came over a loud speaker. "Please exit the car and keep your hands in the air."

"What the hell is going on." The taxi driver getting out and pleading his innocence.

"It's not you we're looking for sir. It's your fare."

Wondering who in their party they was looking for, they all looked at each other. John was the first to speak. "I'll go out first. I'm the one that gets the smoke, so."

"It won't be you John. They want Jade and me, or Ellen. Maybe all three. Possibly all four as you're here. Lets just all get out together and play nice. We don't know what they want so lets just see what they want and get this over with, be totally honest with them. Even it means telling truth we may not have a choice now. Then go home. Ok." They all got out of the car and were arrested on the spot. Steven for possible G.B.H. Jade as an accomplice to Steven. Ellen was still to give a statement and was brought it to give it, and John was arrested by association.

They were taken to the same police station to be interviewed. Steven refused a lawyer, Instead opting to say that he would only speak to the highest authority possible. Initially the officers refused, but relented when Steven told them that it would be in their careers interest to do so. His hopes were that if he played things right and he got the very person he needed, he would be walking out with all of the others with one word given. And the officers would be given a promotion too if it went really well. But the others had less weight to deal with.

John's police interview.

"So, you know why we have place you under arrest?" The officer asked John.

"No. I am little bit confused as to what you're after me for." John wasn't lying.

"We brought you in to help us with our inquiries. We have a women we've been needing to speak to over an incident at a laboratory. On top of that we have a young lad we've been looking for, as well as the young lady he left a nightclub with. You have a clean record so you're not in trouble. We can't prosecute by association only arrest to insist on inquiries. That's all."

"Ok then. The man you have is Steven Dawson. He's been my best friend for years. We've known each other since we was 2 years old. The girl with the dyed raven hair is his sister Jade. The blonde is Ellen. I don't know her surname.

"Do you know much about the nightclub incident?" The officer pressed further.

"Only what they told me. Some guy was harassing Jade and got pretty hands on from what I understand. It was her birthday and he ruined it for her. Anyway, she had enough and asked Steven come and pick her up and take her home. Steven apparently pushed him a fair distance back and then left with Jade. That's about as much as know. But Steven's like that. He's the kid that rescued the baby a couple of years back from a housefire. If you didn't realise who he was."

"No we didn't to be honest. So you're saying that an all round general good kid was protecting his sister. I can understand that. I have a family that I would give my life for. You know much about the laboratory."

"Nothing. Only that Ellen worked at one."

"Well. Thank for your cooperation, You have answered everything we need to know already. You may leave when you're ready."

"Wait. Are my friends being held here too?"

"Yes. You want to wait for them?" The question didn't really need to be asked, so the officer showed him to the waiting room and pointed to the free coffee and tea machine in corner. Leaving John to wait for the others.

Jade's interview.

After the initial customary recording of time and date by the officer, Eyes were then turned to Jade. Jade too had refused to asked for a lawyer. Trusting her innocence at the nightclub to get her out of it. "Please state your name for the record."

"My name is Jade Elizabeth Dawson."

"Thank you Miss Dawson. Now, we need to speak to you regarding the incident that occurred on Wednesday night past, the 16th march 2022. Can you tell us your side of events. But before you do. If what we understand is accurate, you have nothing to worry about. You didn't harm anyone, you just left with someone that did. Just be honest with us."

"16th of march was my birthday. I just turned 18. I was there having my first proper night out as an adult, and some creep kept on leering at me. It wasn't that bad to start with. As the evening wore on, things started to go south."

"How do you mean go south?" The officer leaned in to hear Jade's side.

"He started to grind himself on me. Wrapped his arms around me then slid his hands up to grope my tits. He also pulled me by my hips so that my arse pressed into his groin. My friends were trying to stop him from doing it when they noticed and I made a break for it to phone my brother up and ask him to come and get me. The security had no intention of helping me." Jade paused for a time.

"Go on."

"After I phoned Steven I went back out to try and enjoy the rest of the night until my brother got there. But this moron started again. It wasn't long after that, then bang, Steve arrives. I swear officer. All Steven did was push him. No punching was involved."

"And what about the bright eyes. That's the bit that gets us Miss Dawson. If he had been wearing those coloured contact lenses then fine, but they wouldn't change like they did in front of 20 plus people. Care to tell us about that?"

"I don't know officer. Really. I'm still at a loss myself. I'm still not sure I believe what I saw on that night."

"I see. Now what about the other woman who was with you tonight. What do you know about her?"

"Not much really. She's my brothers girlfriend. I only met her last night."

"Very well then. There's not much more I can ask you at this present moment in time. You're free to leave or wait for you're friends in the waiting room."

"I'll wait for them if that's ok."

"This way." The officer led her to the waiting room. John had only just got there a minute before Jade did. She ran up to him and held him closely.

"What do you think will happen to them John?

"I don't know Jade. I really don't know.