Chapter 7
"Brian?"
Brian looked up and saw AJ. He started talking fast. "It wasn't me, AJ! Believe me. I didn't kill Brooke!"
"Sit down, Mr. Littrell, " ordered Andrew Collins, "Save it, we already heard it."
Brian looked at AJ pleadingly, "I swear! That gun was stolen from my house a few days ago."
Lt. Peterson crossed her arms. "How come you didn't report it then?"
Brian replied softly, "I wasn't supposed to have it."
Andrew Collins retorted, " Having that gun is illegal, Mr. Littrell, so I guess you didn't hesitate in commiting another crime, since you're already a criminal."
Brian looked like he was gonna burst into tears. "I didn't do it..."
"Then how come yours were the only fingerprints we found on the gun?" asked Lt. Peterson.
" I don't know." Brian answered, with his voice shaking.
"Tell me, Mr. Littrell, were you also outside Crystal McLean's window the other night?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" insisted Brian.
The doors opened and two officers appeared outside.
"Ok, book him, " ordered Lt. Collins.
They went over to Brian and handcuffed him while he struggled. They practically dragged him out of the door.
"Believe me, AJ, I didn't kill her!" Brian pleaded when he passed AJ.
AJ just shook his head, "Brian...how could you?"
"But I'm innocent!" Brian shouted as he was led away.
Paige and AJ stood in Crystal's room, watching the little girl sleep.
"I didn't know he would actually do it." she told AJ.
"He was the last person I would suspect. Are you sure he didn't tell you anything about his plans?"
She shook her head, "No, he didn't tell me anything. He called me today from the station though."
AJ looked at her, "What did he say?"
"He tried explaining his innocence to me. I said, 'You killed my sister, Brian, don't expect me to forgive you'. Then, I hung up the phone." She gulped, "I can't believe my own husband was the one who killed her. I'm so scared to think of what he could have done to me too."
AJ put his arm around her, "Well, now I feel a little better that we've solved this whole thing. Even though it won't bring her back..." his voice trailed off.
The doorbell rang. AJ left Crystal's bedroom to get it.
AJ was surprised to find Lt. Peterson and Lt. Collins outside.
"Yes?"
"We can't stay very long, Mr. McLean." Lt. Collins told him.
"Yeah," echoed Lt. Peterson, "I'm afraid we have bad news, very bad news."
AJ leaned on the doorframe and braced himself.
"It's Mr. Littrell, he escaped from the station this morning, " she continued.
