Page 53 of Butterfly 6, Phase 1

“Let me remind you gentlemen that my client is here voluntarily and that we may leave at any time. Like she said, she has more pressing matters at hand, so let’s use our manners and play nice today,” Einstein reinforced.

“When is the last time you saw your fiancé, Sebastian Fredrick?”

“Well, umm, it’s been quite a while,” Morgan replied, remaining vague. She didn’t know what evidence they may or may not have. She didn’t want something as damaging as a timeline to trip her up if she said the wrong thing.

“Most women remember things like a breakup,” Detective Moore said.

“My daughter is dying of cancer. I have more important things to keep track of,” Morgan replied. It was the perfect warning from a mama bear before she attacked.

“Why did you end the relationship?” Detective Moore inquired.

“Things became tense when I decided to move back to the States. He wanted to be in London. I wanted to be here in Michigan. I wanted my kids near family,” Morgan answered.

“So, it was amicable,” Good Cop said.

“I wouldn’t call it amicable. He was upset. He didn’t like the support system I had here. He had less control of me here. We ended our engagement on tense terms. He was my friend, and it hurt to lose a friend,” Morgan said.

“We have reports of a gentleman showing up to Sebastian’s classroom and threatening him. Funny thing is, Michigan State campus police have no footage for that building the day of the alleged occurrence. A few students confirmed that it happened, however. Would you happen to know the gentleman who threatened Mr. Frederick?”

“I wasn’t aware that he was threatened. I don’t know anything about an altercation at State,” Morgan answered.

“Where were you on the night in question?”

“Likely home. I have twin toddlers. Most of my nights are spent with them,” Morgan answered.

“Except when you’re stripping. You’re a stripper, right? You dance for money.”

Morgan scoffed. “I’m a college graduate. I’m a part of a choreography group called Stiletto Gang. My clothes stay on. I perform at shows and bookings, not in strip clubs, and it’s a hobby.”

“Hmmph,” Good Cop huffed.

Morgan glanced at him as he scrolled through his phone. He concentrated hard on whatever was on his screen, lifting his eyebrows in reaction.

“I guess clothes are relative, huh, Ms. Atkins,” he commented as he set his phone down on the table, revealing a viral clip of her dancing.

“What is this, officers? Let’s get to the point here,” Einstein stated firmly.

“The point is, Ms. Atkins, you seem to have a lot of male followers. A lot of fans. Girls like you, on the club scene. Prominent cats in the streets see you, and I imagine they’re in love before they leave.”

“Is there a question?” Morgan asked.

“Were there any extracurricular relationships between you and any of the men who frequented your performances?” Good Cop asked. “Any other suitors throwing their hats in the ring? Anyone who gave you problems? Any who got obsessive?”

“No,” Morgan answered.

“I find that hard to believe. No regulars. No men in your DMs. No dates. You were completely faithful. Nobody had a reason to have conflict with your fiancé, Sebastian Frederick?”

Morgan wondered if they knew about Ahmeek. They could be asking questions they already knew the answers to just to test her integrity. She couldn’t, in good faith, sit up and put him on their radar. So, she lied.

“No. I’d like to help find Bash, but after our engagement ended the way it did, I doubt if he wants to hear from me. We had a lot of good times. We loved each other once. It just didn’t make it to forever. His parents weren’t too happy with the breakup either. Wherever he is, I hope he’s taking the time he needs to heal, because I’m doing the same.”

They were waiting with bated breath for Morgan to incriminate herself, but she chose her words carefully.

“Is it unusual for Sebastian Frederick to just disappear?”

“What makes you think he’s disappeared? That seems like the worst-case scenario, don’t you think? Have you contacted his parents? If anyone knows where Bash is, it’s Christiana. No one is closer to him than her. He’s probably in the French Riviera underneath another woman by now,” Morgan said.

“His parents can’t seem to be located either. They’ve been reported missing.”