A Fallen Rose

LTQ was sitting in a closed room with a big mirror, just like the one on TV where police do their interrogations. In front of him were two police officers. He didn't wait for them to start.

LTQ: Will the press sees this?

Officer: If it goes on trial, yes. But for now, maybe. They had parts of the shooting recorded.

LTQ paused for a brief moment to recall his questions: Is this going on my record? Is there a way to bail me out?

Officer: Mr. Luong, we're the ones who are doing the interrogation.

LTQ grew quiet and sank back into his chair.

Police Officer: Thank you. Mr. Luong Tung Quang, we've got proof of what you did at that church--a video of all and everything that happened. If you agree to cooperate with us, then we'll hold no charges against you and destroy the evidence. All we need for you to do is tell us the truth and testify against Jack and his son, Andy.

LTQ: I thought it's against the law to destroy the evidence?

Officer: You don't have to worry about that.

LTQ: I won't talk without my lawyer.

The Police Officer took out a cell phone and gave it to him. "Call him."

LTQ: But I don't have one.

"NEXT!" The other office said, running out of patience with LTQ.
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(Nhu Loan)
Nhu Loan poked her head into the interrogation room, "Come in Ms. Loan" she quickly took a seat across the officer questioning her and gave a smile.

Officer: Why are you so happy?

Nhu Loan (through her teeth): I'm not. I'm just hiding my shame

Officer: Can we just get started?

Nhu Loan: Ok...

Officer: Says here that you were a part of a skim to kidnap two pop stars from a Paris by Night show?

Nhu Loan: Oh no, originally it was supposed to be a joke

Officer: You think kidnapping people is funny?

Nhu Loan: Oh no of course not just I wanted to teach them a lesson

Officer: By handing them to a dangerous gang?

Nhu Loan: Oh I didn't know it would go that far...

Officer: How about you running off with the Bang Kieu and his friends

Nhu Loan: they are my friends and I-

Officer: Were you part of this?

Nhu Loan: No

Officer: Then why do you did you go?

Nhu Loan: LOOK I just wanted to ask for forgiveness from them so I can move on with my life! but no I decided to stay for the night and then next morning I found myself being threaten by some stranger with a gun to MY HEAD!(breathing hard)

Officer: Alright Miss, will you testify against Jack?

Nhu Loan: But I don't know anything about him... I can testify against Andy though.

Officer: That will do.
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(Minh Tuyet)
It was Minh Tuyet's turn. She watched as two policemen escort Nhu Loan out of the room and another two came to escort her into the room. She waited for no one to offer her the seat before sitting down and she was even more eager to get the interrogation started than the officers.

Minh Tuyet: I'll do what you ask, just don't put me in jail!

Officer: That's a smart decision.

Minh Tuyet was surprised. "So what is it that you want me to do?"

Officer: Tell us the truth and testify against Jack...or his son, Andy.

Minh Tuyet: How can I trust you?

Officer: Miss, it's either this, and you have a chance of seeing the daylight again, or turn down the offer and head straight to the bars.

Minh Tuyet (scared): Alright, alright, I'll do it. So does that mean I'll have to go and testify against him in court?

Officer: Miss, this is Mason City. We don't waste time for all that junk. A record of what you said will be enough. If someone came in right now and blow Jack's brains out, the entire department will celebrate and probably give that guy who shot him a treat. We just need to get him arrested. How or why doesn't matter.

Minh Tuyet: Okay.

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(Bang Kieu)
Officer: Mr. Kieu. I was hoping we would never meet again. Who knows that they would transfer me to the city you're living at. I know how most cops around here are corrupted but now that I'm here, you and Jack won't be able to get away with it anymore.

Bang Kieu: Mike, I have nothing to do with Jack this time. I was just trying to save my son.

Officer: We did the test. He's not your son.

Bang Kieu was shocked at the words Mike was saying. He punched hard on the table, "LIAR!"

Despite Bang Kieu's fury, Mike remained calm. "Believe it or not, I don't care. What were-"

Bang Kieu: I'll testify against Jack if that's what you want. Just let me have the kid.

Mike smiled with satisfaction. "That won't be a problem. He's an orphan. We'll have the paperwork done for you if you wish. What a pleasant surprise, I never expect for you to turn against Jack."

Bang Kieu ignored the comments. "What of my friends?"

Mike: With the exception of one, the rest are clean. But they’re all waiting for you out there.

Bang Kieu: Which one? Why?

Mike: Don't worry, we'll let him out. The idiot probably doesn’t know anything. I was glad that he shot Minh Tri, though. None of us would care to hold any charges against him.
Now, what we need to do is record what you have to say against Jack. You and your little boy will be free to go.

With that said, he turned on the recording device sitting on the table.
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Everyone was glad to see Bang Kieu come out with his kid. They yelled in joy and started to hug each other.

Officer: THAT'S TOO LOUD! THIS IS A POLICE STATION! Go before I put all of you back in jail.

All 4 (running out of the door): Sorry.

LTQ: It's good to feel the sunlight on your skin again. Prison really changes a man.

Minh Tuyet: Stupid, you've been in there for 3 hours! And besides, sunlight mess my skin up. Let's go somewhere and eat, I'm starving!

They headed down the sidewalk, talking like they've never talked to each other before.

Nhu Loan: Yea, I'm still wondering... what was the item?

Bang Kieu: I don't know and couldn't care less.

Nhu Loan: Oh...

Minh Tuyet: You guys walk too slow! Hurry! I haven't eaten in ... a long time!

LTQ: Missing a meal would only do good to you. Lately I've noticed some gain in weigh-

Minh Tuyet: I'm hungry. Don't get started with me now.

She continued on to say something back at LTQ but he, as well as Bang Kieu and Nhu Loan, was no longer paying attention to her. They turned to look at the man who just staggered his way out clumsily from the alley. In his hand he held a gun.
First thing Bang Kieu thought of was the kid. He pushed the kid behind him and backed away from the man as Nhu Loan did the same thing. LTQ looked like he was frozen to the ground until that heroic moment when he started to run forward Minh Tuyet,
"Get down!"
He knocked her down on the ground, just as the man fired. There were screams and as LTQ looked down on his shirt, it was wet with blood. It took him some time to realize that it was not his blood.