I Am Rich Again

Chapter 4

John had no choice but to follow the police officer, even though he tried to explain that he had nothing to do with any theft. At the station, he was locked up and couldn't understand what was happening after he was forced to write a statement.

He didn’t remember taking anything from that woman, so why was she making such accusations against him? Was his first intuition right for not wanting to help her at first? Nothing made sense then

In the questioning room, there was a police officer and the old woman he had helped before. Her gaze at him was unsettling.

“Officer, what’s happening? Why am I being arrested for something I didn’t do?” John quizzed with a troubled stare. “I swear, I have nothing to do with any theft!” John explained, frustration overwhelming him.

“And to think I thought you were a good person. Turns out, you had an ulterior motive for helping me,” the old woman interjected. “Why did you have to steal from me? If you wanted me to spare you some change after helping me, you would have told me instead than this!” She added.

“What are you saying, ma’am?” John asked, eyebrows furrowed. “I didn’t steal anything from you”

“Please calm down, ma’am. Let me handle this,” Officer Jason said, restraining the woman from reacting further.

"Okay. All I want is my diamond ring to be used; it's worth a lot," the woman added, hissing at John.

"Diamond?" John narrowed his gaze at both the police officer and the old woman.

Nothing was making sense to him. He was so tense; it felt like the whole world was flipping upside down.

"Yes, diamond," the police officer confirmed, intertwining his hands together.

The tension in the room grew more and more. Sweat dripped down John's face. It was as though he was jumping from one problem and embarrassment to the other.

"So, Mr. John, right?" Officer Jason began.

"Yes, John Beckham,”John nodded.

"Good. So, John, I wouldn’t want us to drag this on because I have more important things to attend to. But that could only be possible if you decide to cooperate with me. Otherwise, trust me, I am going to get even dirtier with you," Officer Jason sneered, smirking at the end of his statement. His dark eyes peered directly at John.

"So, you obviously know this woman, right?" Officer Jason quizzed.

"Yes, I do. I helped her when she had a health challenge just about half an hour before you came to arrest me” John explained.

The officer looked at the woman, and she nodded in affirmation.

“Good. It’s acknowledged that you both know each other. Few minutes after you supposedly left her, she called to the station and reported that you stole her diamond ring after helping her get back to good health. So, Mr Beckham, I want to ask you one question, why did you steal her diamond ring?” Officer Jason’s gaze was like a fierce thunderbolt directed solely at Johns eyes.

“I do not know anything about a diamond ring, officer. Yeah, I was passing by the street and I saw her on the floor close to her car, at the verge of dying. I only helped her because I felt

She needed it. That’s all, I didn’t take anything from her afterwards even after she offered me money as appreciation” John explained.

“Do you want us to take the round lane?” Officer Jason asked deceptively.

John was mute.

“I will take your silence as a No” Officer Jason said.

“So where is her diamond ring?” the officer asked, leaning back in his chair.

“I don't know what diamond ring you're talking about. I don't have any diamond ring with me,” John explained, his voice raised.

"Lower your voice, you thief!" Officer Jason snapped, banging his hand on the table.

“I'm not a thief, officer. I didn't steal anything,” John defended.

“You're a liar. I'm sure when you gave me the drug, you stole the diamond ring which was close to the capsule container. Now I understand why you left in haste after giving me the drug and refused collecting my money. Of course you got something bigger,” the woman interjected, accusing John.

“No, I did not!” John snapped.

At some point, John wondered if this was one of Stephanie’s tricks. He had never stolen in his life and felt demeaned and insulted being accused of theft.

“I told you to play right, and we wouldn't have to play dirty, but it's obvious that you want me to stoop to your level, and I will,” the officer, whose face became red with rage, thundered.

“Officer, I am going to pay you handsomely. Please just get that diamond ring for me. It cost over $50,000,” the woman said.

“You have nothing to worry about, ma'am. I know just how to extract the truth from petty criminals like him.”

“I will be right back, I need to pick up something from the car” The old woman said and left the interrogation room with just Jason and John

The officer turned to John, grabbed his shirt, and pulled him closer. “I know your type, and I know how to handle petty criminals like you.

I know you're among the notorious gang who have been terrorizing and robbing people on that street. But I promise you, you are going to regret this one,” the officer threatened, glaring into John's eyes.

At that point, John regretted his action of helping the old woman when she was dying. If he had left without helping, he wouldn’t be in this situation.

“Officer, I swear to you, I did not steal any diamond ring. The only thing I did was help give her the drug because I saw that she was in need of it. I have no intentions of stealing her diamond ring. There is a misunderstanding here,” John explained earnestly.

The officer stared at him silently and then smirked calmly, which grew into a chuckle.

“Poor people, always thinking they are smart. Poverty is like a disease that infects a person, particularly their brain, making them think that doing anything for survival is right. Poor people disgust me. They behave like animals, and the best way to communicate with animals is to behave like an animal as well,” Officer Jason's smile slowly faded into a stern frown.

“For the last time, where is the diamond ring?” Officer Jason asked, staring directly at John.

“I do not know,” John said, frustrated.

Officer Jason lifted his hand to strike John, but then there was a knock on the door, stopping him.

“Who is it?” Officer Jason asked.

Another police officer walked into the interrogation room and whispered something into Officer Jason’s ear. His eyes widened in shock. Just before he could react, the door opened again, revealing a young woman of stunning beauty, elegantly dressed in a black long asymmetrical gown, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders. Her presence alone exuded an ambiance and aura of wealth, power, and confidence.