"I'll take that into consideration,"the officer said,adjusting in his seat."Let's start with your relationship with Miss Vaughn."
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(Peyton's POV)
Mason leaned back in his chair,skeptical.The two police officers exchanged a glance.
"Mr.Reed,I do not understand what you're implying,but we've received a missing persons report and verified the owner's disappearance,"the older officer said calmly.
"What's your relationship with the owner of this phone?"
"She's my needy ex-girlfriend,"he replied impatiently."We broke up two years ago."
"I see.The last call that was made from this phone to you was from the owner before her disappearance.So,what did you both talk about?"the younger officer asked,his eyes piercing.
I recalled calling him for help during the attack,but couldn't remember what happened next.
"I didn't pick up the phone,"he said,his eyes cold."I didn't need to."
I should have known better.If only I hadn't called him that night,maybe I'd have been alive.Before the accident,Mason was my rock,and I could vouch for him that he'd never hurt me.
One time in college,when my phone fell off the balcony during our call,he rushed to my apartment in five minutes.Relieved to find me safe,he hugged me tightly.
I later found out that he bought an apartment nearby to be close to me.For over a decade,he was protective of me.
But that night,everything changed for the worse.
"Mr.Reed,please elaborate on your relationship with the missing person,"the older officer pressed further."And why are you certain that she's faking her disappearance?"
Mason took a deep breath.
"I'll say it again:Peyton and I are over.She's just resentful because I'm engaged to someone else.She's playing missing to entrap me."
The officers exchanged skeptical glances.
"How long were you both in the relationship?"the older officer asked.
"About ten years,according to others."
"How long since you broke up?"
"Two years,"he said,obviously less concerned.
"And what was the reason?"
"I no longer felt anything for her,and our personalities clashed.Simply put,we weren't compatible."
"Mr.Reeds,you said that your personalities clashed,right?"The younger officer questioned.
Mason nodded in response."Yes,that's what I said."
"Care to describe Miss Vaughn's personality?"
A sinister smile appeared on his lips,"Oh,I'll be more than happy to tell you.Peyton is obsessive,controlling,manipulative,and not to mention,a chronic liar."