Wearing Their Skin

INT. INTERROGATION ROOM - TEN-THIRTY

The room is set up with a desk. DETECTIVE FLAVIO sits behind it towards the AXETON, AXETON sits sideways facing WILLOW. A two-way mirror is on the other side of the suspect.

WILLOW
Axeton, isn't it? [crosses her legs and leans forward on her elbows.]

AXETON
Yeah, but my friends call me Axe.

WILLOW
Omg, I love your nickname! They call me Riles. Who are your friends? [WILLOW's face and tone is pleasant]

AXETON
Well, there's Jake, Paul, Kyle, Evan, Riley, Autumn, Kylie, and Karl.

WILLOW
Really? My friends are Hadley, Levi, Maddox, and Ryn, you may know him? [WILLOW slightly tilts head.]

DET. FLAVIO is writing everything down, he raises an eyebrow.

AXETON
[eyes flicker right] West?

WILLOW
That'd be the one. [smiles]

AXETON
We weren't exactly friends.

WILLOW
Oh? Go on.

AXETON
Just...[eyes flicker left] acquaintances

WILLOW narrows her eyes.

WILLOW
You're lying. [snarls]

AXETON sits back abruptly.

AXETON
We weren't acquaintances but we weren't friends. I just owed him money I swear!

WILLOW
What did you do with the money you owed him. Why did you borrow it in the first place?

AXETON
It's embarrassing.

DET. FLAVIO looks up and leans forward.

DET. FLAVIO
You're a suspect in a murder investigation, I suggest you start talking.

AXETON looks at WILLOW

AXETON
We worked in the same field until the CEO fired me for finding out he was having an affair with Kain. [DET. FLAVIO's eyebrows shot up] Ryn soon found out by walking into the office while they were doing..it. He threatened to tell and the CEO told him he'd get a promotion if he kept his mouth shut. [DET. FLAVIO aggressively jots that down and WILLOW's mouth dropped] So, while this was happening he was lending me money so I could keep a roof over my family's heads. [AXETON's voice cracks] Bless his heart.

WILLOW
Um..Where were you July fourth?

AXETON
At the fireworks in Greensburg, my wife; Carly Pepper, went live on her website, MyfamILYadventures.

WILLOW
Did you know where he lived?

AXETON
No, he kept his personal life private. [eyes flicker right]

WILLOW looks over at DET. FLAVIO who curtly nods.

DET. FLAVIO
You're free to go.

AXETON exits stage right.

DETECTIVE FLAVIO and WILLOW turn towards each other.

DET. FLAVIO
Let's check if his alibi checks out.

WILLOW and DET. FLAVIO walk to the neighboring room. They look up the website.

WILLOW
Well, look at that. He's right there. [points to AXETON in the video]

DET. FLAVIO
He cleared his name but gave us another suspect and probable cause to bring two people in. [grins]

WILLOW
This is insane! I didn't know Aiden was gay!

DET. FLAVIO's head swivels towards WILLOW.

DET.FLAVIO
Aiden?

WILLOW
Aiden Carmichel, he's the CEO. I can't believe I didn't see he was gay!

DET. FLAVIO
Hold on, you know the CEO?

WILLOW
Yeah? He and Ryn worked closely together on several projects.

DET. FLAVIO's mouth drops.

FLAVIO
Oh my! You can be the one to convince him to come with us!

WILLOW looks at him and slowly shakes her head.

Yes, yes! He's familiar with you! He'll talk to you willingly!

WILLOW
No, I can't. I'd feel guilty.

DET. FLAVIO's head falls back

DET. FLAVIO
[sigh] Willow, this isn't wildflowers and shopping. It's a murder investigation about your loved one. You need to be serious about this. Do you want to let Ryn down? [Willow goes to open her mouth] How about this? I'll let you sleep on it? Kay? Kay.

DET. FLAVIO exits stage right.