(The police officer looks startled by Hiyoshi’s actions.)

Hiyoshi: Look, I can explain officer.

Officer: Alright, hands up where I can see them! Drop the gun.

(Hiyoshi does as the officer says.)

(The police officer walks over to Hiyoshi and cuffs him.)

Hiyoshi: Officer, please hear me out.

Officer: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. Do you understand your rights?

Hiyoshi: Yes, sir…

Officer: Team. You all handle the rest. I’ll handle this one.

(The officer takes Hiyoshi off the scene and over towards the nearest vacant police car.)

(As Hiyoshi is being walked towards the car, he spots Kiara)

Hiyoshi: KIARA!!!

Officer: (shocked) You know this person?

Hiyoshi: Know her?! She is my girlfriend!

(The police officer walks him over to the car where Kiara is.)

(The police officer types in the password to the keypad and opens the door)

Officer: Ms. Okonè. Do you know this man?

Kiara: HIYO! Oh my god, oh my god. I’m so glad you are safe! Yes, I know him officer. He’s my boyfriend.

Officer: Yes, well…Ms. Okonè…your “boyfriend” just killed one of the prime suspects for no apparent reason. I’m taking him in for questioning. Until this matter is settled, I am afraid he is going to have to stay in jail for a little while.

Kiara: B-but! He was held captive by those men. He only shot the guy because he was trying to defend his friend.

Officer: I’m sorry, but I have to take him in. It’s part of the job, ma’am.

Kiara: Can he at least sit with me?

Officer: Well…usually I am not supposed to have a suspect accompanied by anyone. But….I guess, since you know him, it wouldn’t hurt. But this is between you and me, alright?

Kiara: Thank you, officer!

(Kiara hugs Hiyoshi)

Kiara: I missed you, baby! I was so worried about you! Are you ok? Are you hurt?

Hiyoshi: I’m fine, baby. Don’t worry, I’m not hurt.

Officer: In, you two go.

Kiara: But what about Miyuki? Is she alright?!

Officer: She’ll be fine. The reinforcements will take care of her.

Kiara: Oh…okay…

(Hiyoshi and Kiara step into the patrol car.)

(The police officer closes the door behind them.)

[After a while, they all arrive at the police station.]

Officer: Alright, you two. We’re here.

(the officer gets out and opens the back door.)

Officer: Hiyo, come quietly.

(The police officer escorts Hiyoshi into the police station.)

[The three of them stand in the lobby of the station]

Officer: Alright, Ms. Okonè. I will need for you to sit over there somewhere, while I escort Mr. Hiyoshi into the back for questioning.

Kiara: Yes, sir.

[The officer escorts Hiyoshi to a room in the back of the station. The officer opens the door and uncuffs Hiyoshi, while he orders him to sit down on the other side of the table.]

Officer: So…let me get this straight, Mr. Hiyoshi…You were held hostage against your will, in the warehouse. Am I correct?

Hiyoshi: Yes, sir.

Officer: Let me ask you this: What affiliation did you have with the primary suspect?

Hiyoshi: Well…Tatsuya was an old friend from my childhood, who use to hang out with Miyuki, the girl he took hostage at the scene of the crime. I don’t know that much about his background. All I knew was that he was attempting to harm my ex-girlfriend to get me to give up. And he was trying to influence her to do what he wanted and was going to hurt her if she didn’t participate, at least that is what I thought.

Officer: You thought?

Hiyoshi: Look, officer. I’m sorry. That was the first thing that I could think of. I was trying to protect Miyuki from getting hurt. You’ve got to understand, officer.

Officer: I understand. But I cannot let you off so easily. I am going to have to keep you in our custody for a few days, until we decide on what to do.

Hiyoshi: Yes, sir. I understand.

Officer: Good. Now that this is all settled, I need for you to come with me.

Hiyoshi: Yes, sir.

[End of scene 12 of "A Winter's Lullaby". Tune in to see the final scene, coming up soon.]