"You're not going to get this one, Bob."

The Ranger actually managed to say that without sounding too much like an asshole. Texas Rangers are like that though. They talk out of the side of their mouth better than most of us breathe. I like these guys. They never let a thing like the Constitution get in the way of a confession. Not today though. Today I had to finish this.

"I got this."

I barely heard myself say it. My voice was so hoarse. I couldn't understand why. The interrogation was only into its third hour. I have gone several hours without it affecting my voice. As a matter of fact I could not remember a time when I lost my voice during an interrogation at all. I poured a cup of coffee hoping the warmth would settle my throat. Ranger Rick kept talking.

"Look, let me go in there. I've got some questions of my own. My Lt. wants me to get to the bottom of this. We think your suspect had some dealings with one of our troopers. They were seen together after we served a warrant on a drug house. We think it might be related to why we didn't find anything at the location. Our trooper might have talked to your suspect and they in turn tipped off our suspects".

Texas Ranger Rick Mason was a good guy. I had worked several cases with him and he was a good cop, for a Ranger. But I really couldn't care less. Damn Rangers always looking to bust a cop. They are like the internal affairs of the police world. They really need to go out and try solving real crimes.

"I'm working a murder case and you're here worried about some damn trooper knowing my suspect? And all you have is that they know each other?"

"Well, yes."

"Fuck off Rick. I'm working a murder case. I don't give a shit about your stupid trooper."

I really shouldn't be such an ass with him. He is just doing his job. Not his fault his job is stupid.

"I already have permission from your Chief to talk to the suspect".

"After I'm done you can talk all you want. You walk in before and I will arrest you for obstruction right in front of the suspect. I don't give a shit what the Chief or your Lt. says".

Rick started laughing. I got the joke. Texas Rangers are untouchable. They do all the touching. In all honesty he could walk into anyone of my cases and not get in trouble. Asshole. I could be a Ranger. I just don't wear stupid cowboy hats. That and I find the Constitution useful once in a while.

The Ranger walked out of the coffee room still laughing as my partner Danny walked in. Danny walked over to me and started making his own cup of coffee. He was just stalling.

"You don't drink coffee. What do you want?"

"Nothing. Are you gonna get this confession or not? You're not getting anywhere in there, you look like you need a doctor, and why the hell are you losing your voice?"

The interrogation room is wired for audio and video. Several investigators,  some Rangers, the Chief, and Danny were watching it in Danny's office off his laptop. I had told everybody that today would be the end of this murder investigation. I'm sure they were having fun watching me get nowhere with the suspect.

"I don't know man. Just started going. I haven't even raised my voice in there. I don't know why my voice is going. Is the suspect doing anything?"

"No. Just sitting there smiling just the same as the last 2 hours".

"Yeah, something real strange about this one, Dan. I get no reading at all. Do you?"

"None of us do. It's like you are in that room all alone."

"Room? I feel like I am alone on the planet in there!"

"What are you gonna do?"

"I have no idea."

Danny started walking out. He then turned back and it looked like he was about to say something, but stopped himself.

"What?"

He changed his mind.

"Remember 2 week ago when I told you to skip this case?"

"Yeah, so?"

"You should have listened. You're not going to get this one. There is something wrong with this one. It's fucking evil. Fucking evil."

Danny looked worried. He never worries. He then walked out of the coffee room and left me to my coffee. I took a drink, but it was ice cold. It had been boiling hot 2 minutes before.

I got up to go back to the interrogation room and got a sharp pain in my chest. I sat back down for a moment. Fucking evil was right. I might not get this one.