I was already home. I was happy that my mother didn't insist on staying with me. Fortunately, Marina consoled her, promising that she would stay. We agreed that Cassandra's room should remain exactly as it was, and Marina stayed in my room with me. We talked all day about what had happened and came up with various theories. None of them seemed really plausible. The next afternoon, I was completely comfortable in the living room when someone knocked on the door. Marina stood up and jumped from one sofa to another before reaching the door.
"Heitor?"
I diverted my attention from the TV and looked at the door. Heitor was wearing a black sleeveless shirt that made him look stronger. His expression lit up when he saw Marina at the door. She looked nervously at me before making room for him to enter.
"Hi, Elizabeth," he greeted. "It's good to see you at home."
"Hi. Sit down and watch this poorly dubbed movie with us," I invited.
Marina stood awkwardly for a moment as he sat in the spot where she had been, leaving room for her next to him. She pursed her lips and went to sit on the other sofa.
"Did I miss something?" I looked at the two of them as I tried to decipher those body language signals.
"Did Marina tell you that I stayed at the hospital with her while you were there?"
I questioned her with my gaze.
"No, I think she forgot. What were you two doing?"
"Nothing. Just talking," Marina responded too quickly and stood up. "I think I saw corn in the cupboard. Anyone want popcorn? I want popcorn."
Before I could respond, she was already gone. Heitor looked at the movie, and I did the same.
"She was very nervous; we talked to pass the time," he commented.
"I see," I replied with feigned disinterest.
Heitor continued to watch the movie, looking completely at ease there. I had met him a week ago, and he was already comfortable on my sofa.
"Elizabeth," he turned to me, catching me by surprise. "I think I like your friend."
I examined his face, looking for any sign of humor, but he was serious. I didn't know what to say. Marina had a boyfriend. Was I supposed to tell him that? I thought not. I nodded and returned my gaze to the television, hoping I didn't seem too insensitive.
The smell of popcorn filled the air, and I hoped Marina would return soon. If he tried to talk about this again, I wouldn't be able to avoid the subject. Fortunately, someone knocked on the door, and I quickly got up, knocking the remote to the floor.
A young man, tall, dressed in a police uniform, stood on the other side of the door. He looked at me as if he could read my thoughts.
"Good afternoon, I'm Investigator Guimarães. Matheus Guimarães. Are you Miss Elizabeth Prado?" He extended his hand to me.
I quickly closed the door, not before seeing his shocked expression. I leaned against the door and took a deep breath. Police officers always made me nervous. I think I was born with a mind inclined towards crime, I just never developed in that area.
Heitor looked at me with a furrowed brow.
"What's the problem?" he asked.
"There's a police officer at my door."
Marina appeared at that moment with a bowl full of popcorn. She placed the bowl on the coffee table in the living room.
"What's with the face? Who was it?"
"A police officer," Heitor replied.
"Oh," Marina nodded and went to the door, trying to open it. I stayed pressed against the door, ignoring her efforts. "For the love of God, Elizabeth. I thought you were over this. Move."
"No," I put all my weight to keep the door closed.
"Move. Out. Of. The. Way," she said slowly, pulling the handle with force.
My foot slipped, and I was thrown back, hitting the wall, and she finished opening the door. The investigator was still there, looking critically at us.
"Good afternoon. I'm Marina Carvalho. Sorry about my friend. She's still shaken by all this," her tone was artificially formal.
I composed myself, went to the door, and tried to appear as formal as Marina.
"Good... Afternoon," I tried to smile, but my lips trembled. "Answering your question before... I slammed the door in your face," I made a dismissive gesture with my hand and gave a nervous laugh. "Yes, I am Elizabeth Prado."
"May we come in?" Only then did I notice that he was with two other officers.
"Of course," Marina led the way like a good hostess.
I stayed by the door, blocking the entrance until she pulled me aside.
"You need to stop with this," Marina whispered to me while the officers settled in the middle of the living room, and Heitor introduced himself to them.
"Stop what?" I whispered back.
"They're here to help, Elizabeth. Stay calm, and soon we'll find Cassie."
I sighed, trying to seem calmer. My fear of authorities never really had a foundation.
"These are Galvão and Resende," he introduced the other equally tall and strong men. "We just need to ask a few questions, and soon you'll be free."
I sat on the sofa and began to recount all the few facts I knew. They looked at me and nodded as if anything that came out of my mouth was completely important. Deep down, I was glad it wasn't Chief Ferraço, Marina's father, conducting the questioning. He never liked me much; he probably would think my story was made up and that I was responsible for Cassandra's disappearance.
"Alright, she said their names were Cláudio and Jack... Probably a nickname for Jackson," Galvão opined, looking at Guimarães for approval.
"Maybe," Guimarães looked at Galvão, who seemed happy with the approval. Actually, I was sure it was pretty useless information. "Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Prado. If we have any more information, we'll get in touch."
I shook each of their hands, trying to appear more normal than I had at the reception, and they left.