“Zaria Shaw!” 

She felt her name had been yelled out a lot today. But, that might just be her. It was her boss, Mr.Louis. ‘Guess we’re not on good terms.’ Zaria quickly jumps to her feet and starts walking to his office. Not without a few glances from some coworkers, like Diana and Max. She rolled her eyes, made her way to his office and took a deep breath before opening the door. She just got the sense something was…off.

“Shaw.” Mr.Louis stated. His voice was calm and firm. Despite the four police officers in his office at the moment. “...” Zaria didn’t really know what to say at first. It was strange. Mr.Louis hated the police. Half because they restrict half of his job, the other half because he has been arrested more than twice. I mean, in his words, the NYPD had nothing better to do than tell him that the papers he’s selling are confidential evidence that cannot be released to the public. The chief was there. Supervisor. The D.A. and a random cop. ‘All these important figures and we have a random cop?’ Zaria thought it was strange. Unusual. Odd. Uncanny. Well, she wouldn’t go that far. “Shaw, have a seat.” Despite the suspicion eating her away. Telling her, ‘Do not sit in that chair.’ “I suggest you sit down Ms.Shaw.” The Supervisor said. Despite everything; She still did. She sat herself in that chair. And she was not allowed to leave that chair. No. Not until they got everything. And I mean everything out of Zaria. 

In truth, they will never get everything out of Zaria. That would be impossible. And they’re aren’t many things she deems impossible. They questioned her. Like a suspect. Clue #1. 

“Where were you four hours ago?”

“What happened in Elle Summers house?”

“Do you know what happened?”

The random cop was the one asking the questions. Giving very specific questions like, “What rooms did she show you to?” and “Did you meet any of her staff? What are their names?” Clue #2. 

The D.A. was hiding in the back. Usually, the D.A. is the most important role at the moment. That means, they brought him in for a very important reason. #3

“Someone was murdered.” Zaria—which seemed random to others—said. Everyone stopped. They all turned to each other and chuckled. “W-What makes you think that Shaw?” Mr.Louis asked. Adjusting his posture and fixing his hands. Zaria paused for a moment. Everyone started looking at her which rubbed her the wrong way. Their eyes were like pushing her to continue. “Well, ignoring you fixing your posture and messing with your fingers. People usually do that when they are nervous and hiding things.” Everyone started to listen carefully while Zaria continued. 

“You called me in here with my—almost—full name. You never do that unless something is serious. And you just had talked to me about something else a few hours ago so I know it definitely wasn’t about what we just talked about. The D.A., the NYPD Chief, and the Supervisor—of who I am guessing of this random cop. Three important figures here and there's a random cop, but with him being the most out of place—he’s the one talking the most. I’m assuming that he was the officer on duty and witnessed everything that went down. The D.A wasn’t talking that much, meaning this is big enough to affect the public. It comes with the job description. I know, my brother is the A.D.A.” She spat out, without missing a beat. “The cop was talking to me like something happened at Elle Summers mansion. He was trying to get me to slip up and or get me to admit something by accident. I try those tactics, they will not work on me. Please do not do that again.” She pointed her fingers to the officer and after a second quickly nodded in agreement. “So. Who was murdered? Why couldn’t you guys just tell me that?”

The Chief of the NYPD snapped his fingers and laughed while pointing at Zaria. “See! I told you. This little girl is smart!” He started stepping closer to the D.A. and grinning. “We need her.” While the Chief was yelling, the officer stayed quiet in the back with his supervisor. The D.A. kept shaking his head in disagreement. Something was bothering him, the chief, everyone. “No, she is still considered a suspect. Plus, do you know what will happen if this blows up on me?” The D.A. finally bursted out, “Oh yeah, the District Attorney asked a random newspaper girl—no offense—who happened to deduct everything that just happened? People will start doubting the police. Us? Asking a random girl for help? She just died today!” Zaria’s eyes flipped open. Things were slightly getting more interesting. “And, let's say I let her in this case—what if she fails!? People will doubt the NYPD, people will doubt the cops, people will doubt me! What about me!?”  “What about you?” Zaria spoke, out of turn but she always considered it her turn when she had something to say. “Is it all about you? Someone was killed and you’re worried about yourself? How will this affect you? How would it affect her family? Her coworkers? Even her murderer. But no, you only care about you.” Zaria’s tone came off shaper than anticipated but she didn’t regret it. No. She meant it. The D.A. stared at her for a second. He opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. Then, he quickly waved his hand and the Chief came over to his ear. They were whispering until the Chief stood up properly with a very worried and aggravated D.A. “Ms. Zaria Shaw,”  “You can call me Zaria, or Zari—that’s what my brother calls me. That’s also what I tell people when I don’t want them to know something. Keep that in mind, I have an idea but we’re not they’re yet.”  “...”  It was hard for a normal person to talk with Zaria. They couldn’t keep up with all her random outburst and her unimportant bug facts. She didn’t even like bugs! Why would she know so much about them? But, to Zaria they weren't random. They weren’t unimportant. They weren’t anything. They were just…there.

“Ms.Zaira, would you provide us with information on why you are not the one who killed this lady? And you would help us find out who did it?”  Zaria hesitated for a second. And no, not to be confused with the nervous hesitation. But the hesitation, like never hearing this question before. Everyone waited for her answer. Mr.Louis clenching his desk. The random officer clenching his hands on Mr.Louis desk. The Chief, who had a little too much hope in Zaria. And the D.A. despite his better judgement, believed she could help. 

“Yes, and then no.”  

“...”  “Yes!? And then no!? What the f-ck! Who is this girl!?” The D.A finally let out. “I can’t believe Leon pleaded with me to let this lady help.” The Chief, holding his hands and speaking in a polite tone, “Could you further explain for District Attorney Alexander? Is that okay Ms.Zaria?”  “That is perfectly fine with me, thank you Chief.” Zaria adjusts herself in the seat, pulling her legs to cross each other. “Listen, I will definitely prove that I didn't murder your mystery woman. Weather that be Elle Summers herself—although I don’t think it would be her—or one of her staff. I did not do that. But I am not a detective.” Despite it hurting her a bit on the inside, she smiled. Smiling, knowing she was about to say something that would hurt the small determined twelve year old on the inside. You wouldn’t even be able to tell. “Just like you said, I’m just a newspaper girl. A journalist. Whatever you want to call it. I am not a detective.” 

Zaria had her own reasons for joining the case. Maybe it was because her younger self, her more determined and far more ‘cool’ and mature self was begging her. She tried not being like her younger self. They say maturity grows with age, well that's the opposite for Zaira. All her parents wanted is for her to do something good. Be something better than them. Better than a lawyer, better than a vet. Kids deserve to be kids. Is a phrase she would utter a lot when getting close to her backstory. Kids deserve to be kids.

“I am sorry Chief, I am sorry District Attorney Alexander, I am sorry Supervisor, and I am sorry to you too.” Zaria said, starting to slowly stand up. “I’m sorry Mr.Louis, for wasting your time. I mean it.” She stood, made her way to the door and looked the D.A. in the eyes. “Good evening Sir.” After a moment, he shared a glance with the Supervisor and stepped out of the way. “I’ll come to work tomorrow by the way.” She opened the door, but not before hearing “It’s still on the table tomorrow!” before she left. After that, she heard a bit of arguing but quickly filtered it out. Instead of going to collect her stuff, she just walked out. She needed the fresh air. 

‘Should I have turned it down? It’s been everything I ever wanted. Right?’ Zaria was questioning herself. Questioning herself but also everyone else. Why did they ask her specifically to join? The D.A. was right, since she had been there she was a suspect. Zaria had gotten too tired to carry her stuff to her car. So she decided to throw her stuff on the curb and sit on the edge of the sidewalk. Not unexpectedly, her brother called. 6pm. As usual, Leon called. He has a schedule to keep.

 He got brought up a lot in this conversation. Hesitant, she answered and put on speaker phone. “So how’s playing detective?” He said, his demeanor firm and set. “I’m not playing detective. So I’m guessing you know why four law enforcement people called me. Should have guessed.”  “You didn’t take the job!?” He seemed more angry about that part than anything he has ever yelled at Zaria for. ‘That is the angriest I have ever heard him.’ “Listen, I gave you the chance to prove yourself! And you just threw that way. Mom and Dad were always right about you. You’re always so close and then you just drop it. Geez, you are the smartest yet dumbest person I know.” Regardless of his rude comments, Zaria smiled. “Me being the smartest dumb person you know. That’s a constriction.” Zaria could hear the phone being muffled and hearing small laughs after. That made her a little better. “Well, maybe we can change your mind.”  “We?”