The Interrogation and Other Short Stories

By M. Hüsnü Özkurt

If you don't want your blood to run cold, don't read this book!

In this bone-chilling and blood-curdling collection of dark tales, you will find:

A hard-boiled homicide detective finding himself in the middle of a supernatural nightmare with an African-American couple...

A young man getting the fright of his life…

A horror story turning into a living horror...

A possible love in an impossible world...

A desperate man looking for his missing wife in a missing town...

The bloody last words of a father to his son...

A clairvoyant hell-bent on taking revenge from those who have wronged him.

And all the stories have a common character: Honulku. The most powerful and wicked witch ever lived.

Open this book if you dare. But beware!
These tales are not for the faint-hearted.

Get your copy today!

 

(Approximate number of pages: 300)

• Language: English
• Publisher: M. Hüsnü Özkurt
• Release date: Dec 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215857540

M. Hüsnü Özkurt

M. Hüsnü Özkurt was born in Turkey. After serving as a company commander at the Turkish-Iraqi border, he left the army to focus on writing. He published a horror short story collection in Turkish under the pen name Erdal Kuzgun. He writes controversial, provocative, and disturbingly dark stories. Hey, Amerikan!, a military/terrorism/revenge thriller, is his first novel. He’s recently published a supernatural horror short story collection called The Interrogation. He lives in Turkey. Aside from writing and reading, he spends his days listening to heavy metal and playing the electric guitar.

Book preview

THE INTERROGATION

W hat’s your name? asked the young detective.

Xavier Celeste, replied the old black man. He looked nervous, if not scared to death.

I’m Detective Donald Moiran Haggar. I’m assigned to your case.

The two men were sitting across from each other in the interrogation room of a police station. The walls, floor, ceiling, and table were all white. There wasn’t even the slightest blemish, as if the room had been recently renovated. A digital camera on a tripod behind Haggar’s chair was recording the interrogation.

I didn’t kill those people, said Xavier. I didn’t kill anyone.

Haggar heard a vague voice in his head. It said something like, ‘Do you think this is the first time you killed yourself?’

Excuse me? asked Haggar, taken aback.

I said I didn’t kill those people, said Xavier. I didn’t kill anyone.

Haggar felt no need to dwell on what he’d just heard. He’d been working hard. He was exhausted. He couldn’t get much sleep. He loved his job, but it was a very stressful one.

I... I’ve already told the cops, continued Xavier. I have nothing to do with what happened.

Haggar inspected Xavier’s face. According to the file in front of Haggar, the old man was 76 years old. He was wearing an old blue lumberjack shirt and discolored jeans. His face was cleanly shaven and lacked any interesting features. It was the kind of face you’d forget a second after seeing it. He looked like he wouldn’t hurt a fly. But despite being in his early 30s, Haggar had seen plenty of soft-spoken psychopaths, sociopaths, and handsome killers. Most criminals wouldn’t admit to their crimes anyway.

Yes, said the detective. So I was told.

Then why am I here? asked Xavier. I was driving home. Is that a crime?

Your car was seen speeding away from the crime scene. The eyewitnesses called the cops and gave them your license plate. A patrol cruiser pulled you over. You know the rest.

The patrol officers had told Haggar that, when they had stopped and questioned Xavier, he had looked very calm. They had almost believed Xavier was innocent. They had double-checked the license plate with the police station.

Haggar read from Xavier’s file. Except for one drunk driving incident and one bar fight, Mr. Celeste, you have no prior record.

Does that make me a killer? I was young then.

I’ve been young, too, but I’ve never done any of these things.

Xavier glanced at Haggar’s pistol in the gun holster under his arm. He swallowed.

What? You wanna shoot me? asked Haggar.

Xavier was offended. Of course not. Why would I want that? Because I’m black? Screw that. I’ve never fired a gun in my life before. I don’t even like guns.

You live in the country and tell me you’ve never fired a gun before?

I know it sounds crazy.

Haggar kept reading from the file. You have two pistols, three shotguns, and a hunting rifle registered on you. You have a nice collection for someone who doesn’t like guns.

Xavier’s mouth and eyes opened in surprise.

He’s really good at it, Haggar thought. He should have been an actor.

I swear to God, began Xavier, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Registered or unregistered, I don’t own a gun. I never did.

The arresting officers couldn’t find the gun you used in the robbery. What did you do with it? Did you throw it somewhere?

I didn’t throw it anywhere. I’ve never held a gun in my life before.

Haggar was having a hard time understanding Xavier’s attitude. What was the point of lying to the police in a situation like this? Was he trying to go for an insanity plea? Haggar had seen all kinds of defenses.

I didn’t rob anyone, Xavier added. I didn’t kill anyone. I swear to God I didn’t kill anyone.

The officers are bringing the security footage here as we speak.

Xavier sighed with relief. Thank God. Then you’ll see that I’m innocent.

Xavier clasped his hands—cuffed and chained to the table—together and bowed his head. He looked like he was praying. Haggar wasn’t buying any of this. He’d been to the crime scene and seen this monster’s work. He stroked his wedding ring. He thought about his wife and son. They lived near that store. They used to shop there often. It could have been their corpses lying in the morgue now. That thought alone was enough to make Haggar go mad. He clenched his teeth and fists.

The kid, said Haggar.

Xavier looked up at the detective. Huh?

The kid. Maybe you needed money. I can understand that. Maybe others tried to stop you. I can understand that, too. But why did you kill the kid?

Xavier’s eyes widened with fear and shock. His breathing intensified. What kid? I didn’t kill any children. I didn’t kill anyone. I swear to God, I didn’t kill anyone.

The door of the interrogation room opened. Haggar recognized Detective Sienna’s perfume. It was a scent that would linger in the room for at least half an hour after she left, but Haggar had never complained. He liked this scent. It would remind him of the honeysuckles in their garden and the evenings he had spent among them with his mother when he was a kid.

Detective Sienna nodded for Haggar to come out. Haggard turned his gaze back to Xavier.

We’ll see about that.

Haggar walked to the observation room with Sienna, where she had been watching the interrogation from behind the two-way mirror.

Xavier was rocking back and forth with his head between his hands.

I think he’s going for the insanity defense, said Haggar.

We can’t let him win, Sienna replied, handing a tablet computer to Haggar.

She sounded exhausted. Even in her 40s, Sienna still had an athletic build. She’d always been vibrant, but even her energy seemed depleted by what she’d seen today. Even her long brown hair seemed to have gone gray.

Haggar played the security footage of the crime that had put Xavier and him in the same room.

What he watched made his blood run cold.

Haggar was sure it wouldn’t take much longer to close this case. He had enough evidence to put this sicko in jail. But Haggar couldn’t help wondering: How could this ordinary citizen do such a monstrous thing?

Haggar opened the door and entered the interrogation room.

May I go now? asked Xavier.

Haggar put the tablet computer in front of Xavier and sat across from him. Play the video.

Why?

Just play it.

Xavier didn’t move.

Play video, Haggar said aloud.

The tablet computer executed the command.

The store owner—his name was Chan Liu, according to police records—was leaning over the counter, reading the newspaper. When Xavier entered, he glanced at him for a brief moment and turned back to his newspaper. Xavier hadn’t even bothered to cover his face. He was clearly visible on camera.

In the interrogation room, Xavier was taken aback. He was terrified. This is... this is not me. What’s going on? This is not me.

Keep watching it, ordered Haggar.

Xavier kept watching the footage.

In the store, Xavier pulled out a revolver from his belt. It looked very similar to the pistol under Haggar’s arm. Xavier aimed the revolver at Chan and said something to him. Chan raised his trembling hands in the air.

Xavier pointed the gun at the register. Terrified, Chan couldn’t react. Judging from his harsh gestures in the video, Xavier must have raised his voice and the level of threat. Chan nodded and reached for the register.

Meanwhile, another customer, a middle-aged man (one Eric Henson, according to police records), turned a shelf and headed for the register with four 6-packs on his lap. He was unaware of the robbery due to the loud music coming from his headphones. He was moving his head to the rhythm of the music. He froze when he saw the gun in Xavier’s hand. His mouth moved. He either gave a slight scream or said something like Fuck.

Xavier pointed the gun at Eric and shouted. Chan reached for the shotgun under the counter. Xavier sensed Chan’s movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned to his side and fired two shots at Chan. Both bullets pierced his heart. Chan slumped behind the counter.

Eric’s pee was running down his jeans. Xavier turned to him and pulled the trigger. Two bullets. Eric fell on his back as beer gushed out of the cans pierced by the bullets.

In the interrogation room, Xavier’s eyes widened with horror. He seemed to be experiencing the event for the first time. His expression yelled, ‘What the hell is going on here?’

He’s really going for an insanity plea, Haggar thought.

Xavier continued to watch the video silently, and Haggar continued to watch Xavier.

Xavier must have heard a voice. He turned behind him and saw an elderly woman (one Jasmine Brock, according to police records) trying to escape. She was holding a package in her hand. She stopped when Xavier aimed his gun at her.

Since there was no sound in the video, what they were talking about couldn’t be heard, but they exchanged a few sentences. Xavier pointed to the package in Jasmine’s hand and chuckled at Jasmine’s answer. For no reason, he suddenly stopped laughing. His face became expressionless. He said something, and then he raised his gun and shot Jasmine in the heart and the forehead. Jasmine fell to the ground. The package flew off her hand and rolled under a shelf.

Just as the footage had made Haggar’s blood run cold, it had the same impact on Xavier. Xavier was even more stunned that he was the one who did all this in the video. Just as he was about to open his mouth to protest what he saw, Haggar cut in. Keep watching.

Xavier complied. The chain securing the handcuffs to the table was rattled by his trembling hands.

Xavier headed for the cash register. He opened it and stuffed the bills in his pocket. He halted as if he had heard a voice from inside the store. He tucked his gun into his belt and darted for the door. He opened the door and stopped. He bowed his head. He seemed to be thinking. Then he shut the door, drew his gun, and went toward the back of the store.

Footage switched to another camera’s angle. A little girl (named Mary; surname not specified, according to police records) was hiding in the narrow space between the soft drink cabinet and the wall, trembling with fear. She was covering her mouth with one hand. It wasn’t clear what noise she had made. Maybe her trembling knee had hit the cabinet, or maybe she couldn’t stop one of her sobs from coming out loud.

Oh, no. Oh, no, said Xavier in the interrogation room.

Tears welled in Xavier’s eyes. He was shaking his head as if he were advising his past self not to do what he would do next.

Keep watching, said Haggar, stroking his wedding ring.

Xavier continued to watch without bothering to wipe his tears.

Xavier noticed Mary hiding behind the cabinet as he turned a shelf. She was around 8. She was very slim and had dreadlocks. She was frightened to death. Her widened eyes were visible in the footage.

When Mary saw Xavier, she wanted to run away, but she had trapped herself between the cabinet and the wall. Xavier tucked his gun back into his belt, raised his hands, and showed them to Mary. He kneeled a little ways from Mary and told her something. He motioned for Mary to come out of there. Mary hesitated at first, but after Xavier said something with a smile, she complied.

In the interrogation room, Xavier closed his eyes and sobbed.

I don’t wanna watch anymore.

Pause video, Haggar gave the voice command. Why? Because you know what happens next?

No! I don’t know! I don’t know!

Keep watching, said Haggar.

Xavier muttered something, shaking his head rapidly. He was rocking back and forth in his chair.

Keep watching! ordered Haggar.

Xavier’s murmur was starting to get louder.

Stop that shit and keep watching! yelled Haggar.

Xavier stopped rocking. He covered his face with his hands. He opened his eyes and peered through his fingers at Haggar. Please. I don’t want to.

Haggar moved on to play the good cop. Look. You’ll watch this one way or another. In this room or the court. The earlier you watch this and realize what you’re facing, the better. It’s your call.

That is not me.

I can see you really don’t remember what happened. But this happened. And this is you in the footage.

You don’t understand. I’m not crazy. That is not me in the footage.

Haggar was taken aback. If he wouldn’t plead insanity, what was this guy up to?

I didn’t say you’re crazy, Xavier. Can I call you Xavier, Mr. Celeste?

Xavier nodded. He was still staring at Haggar through his fingers.

Okay, Xavier. Here’s the thing: I believe you. I believe you when you say you’re not the person in the video. Maybe you weren’t yourself when this happened. Maybe you were possessed. Maybe you have a medical condition where you can’t control your actions. Am I right?

Haggar’s purpose was to lower Xavier’s guard. The camera behind him was recording the interrogation. They could use it as evidence in court. He would dance to Xavier’s tune first, and then make him confess.

Xavier lowered his hands from his face and looked at them, pondering what Haggar had said.

He’s weighing his options, thought Haggar.

Haggar did not know why Xavier had come to this conclusion, but Xavier wiped away his tears, tapped on the tablet computer, and kept watching the footage.

Xavier put an arm around Mary’s shoulder. They walked down the aisle. Mary was shaking so badly, with her hands folded in front of her and her eyes on the ground. Xavier was telling her something. She seemed so relaxed, feeling safe with Xavier.

Haggar was eager to ask what he was telling her, but he didn’t want to interrupt. He kept stroking his wedding ring.

When Xavier and Mary turned a shelf, Mary saw Eric’s body lying on the floor in a pond of his urine, blood, and beer. She opened her mouth as wide as she could (she probably screamed) and wanted to go back.

Xavier pulled her back to his side. When Mary wanted to go back again, Xavier’s smiling face changed for the worse. He drew his gun, grabbed Mary by the shoulder, and pulled her to his side. Xavier aimed the gun at Mary’s face and shouted. Mary cried.

Xavier waited a few seconds. His mood suddenly changed for the better. He kneeled before Mary. He stroked her hair, smiling. He told a long story to Mary with a smile on his face. Mary nodded or shook her head every now and then. She started crying. Xavier wiped her tears with his hands. What he said after that caught Mary’s attention. She stopped crying and looked at Xavier with puzzled eyes. Fear gave way to hope. Mary nodded.

Xavier motioned for Mary to go on. Mary couldn’t believe it, but when Xavier smiled and gestured for her to leave again, Mary took small steps toward the door. The aisle was narrow. There was only enough space between the shelf and the wall for a maximum of two people to pass through. Eric’s dead body made it impossible to walk around it. Mary had to go over his body.

Mary stopped when she reached the body. She was startled when Xavier said something. She wiped her tears with her hands. She closed her eyes. She lifted her foot into the air and took a step large enough to pass directly over Eric’s body.

She opened her eyes. She seemed surprised that she had done this. She was still afraid, with her body tensed up, but there was a hint of hope on her face. She dashed toward the door and opened it.

Xavier smiled in the interrogation room. See, detective? I didn’t kill her.

Haggar looked at Xavier with an expressionless face. Xavier got the message. He continued to watch.

Just as Mary was about to leave, Xavier rushed after her. He closed and locked the door. He kneeled in front of Mary and said something to her. Mary started to cry. She was shaking her head and trying in vain to avoid Xavier’s grasp.

Xavier yelled at Mary. He pushed her away from the door. Mary landed on her back. Xavier aimed his gun at Mary’s head. Mary was crying or screaming, perhaps doing both.

Xavier pulled the trigger. Then he pulled it again. Mary was still crying. Xavier gaped at his gun. He waved his gun in the air as if to say, Stupid me. He had spent all six bullets in his pistol on the other victims.

Taking the opportunity, Mary tried to get up and run away, but Xavier quickly grabbed her by the arm. Mary thrashed her arms and legs about. When Xavier struggled to hold her in his arms, he knocked her to the ground.

With the force of the impact, Mary curled up on the floor in pain. She had trouble moving. Xavier tucked his gun back into his belt. He crouched down and began punching Mary. He was throwing quick and strong punches over and over so that Mary didn’t even have a chance or time to defend herself.

Xavier’s punches broke Mary’s nose, bruised both eyes, split her lips open, and knocked her teeth out.

Xavier stopped only when he got tired. He sat down next to Mary, who was writhing in pain on the ground. He watched his work. But this wasn’t enough for him. He took a switchblade knife from his jeans pocket. He pushed the button, and the blade shot out. He slit Mary’s throat from ear to ear. He stood up and watched Mary struggle on the floor, her blood dripping from the switchblade’s tip onto her teeth on the ground.

The footage ended.

Xavier was stunned by the shock of what he had just watched. He could neither move nor speak. He couldn’t keep gaping at the tablet computer with his mouth wide open. It was like he wasn’t even breathing. Maybe he didn’t want to after what he had seen.

Haggar reached across the table and picked up the tablet computer. For the next 2 minutes and 38 seconds, you stood there watching Mary die. And then you left the store.

Haggar had seen, heard, and solved some senseless violence cases before. But it was the first time he had seen such a monstrous thing.

Xavier closed his eyes and sobbed. He covered his mouth with his hand. He was crying, screaming, shouting, roaring, howling, and muttering something Haggar couldn’t understand.

Xavier rocked back and forth in the chair again, but much faster this time. He pulled at his hair. He repeatedly struck his temples with his hands.

He goes by the book, Haggar thought. No jury would buy this bullshit.

Haggar waited patiently. Xavier’s imitation of a nervous breakdown began to subside within a few minutes. He removed his hands from his face and placed his palms side by side on the table. His body seemed to have contracted. His eyes were fixed on one spot on the table.

Haggar stopped stroking his wedding ring. Why did you kill her? What was the point?

With no response from Xavier, Haggar gave up on this question. Scumbags like this one didn’t have a reason to kill someone. They would do it for fun. Haggar changed the question.

What did you say to that little girl?

Xavier opened his eyes and gaped at Haggar as if he didn’t know what he was talking about.

What kind of conversation did you have with her? I know it isn’t going to change anything, but I want to understand. You could have taken the money and left. You didn’t have to kill the girl. She wasn’t going to identify you. There was no need, anyway. Your face is clearly visible in the footage.

Haggar had seen a lot of senseless murders and violence. But he had never seen such hateful and aimless brutality.

I don’t remember, said Xavier.

You don’t remember what? What you said to the girl? Or why you killed her?

I didn’t kill her.

Haggar was running out of patience. You weren’t there? Is that what you’re trying to say?

That guy looks like me, yes. But that’s not me.

If you don’t have a twin brother, then that person is you. You even wear the same clothes.

I swear it wasn’t me. I didn’t kill anyone. I didn’t steal any money. He paused as if something had occurred to him. Money. Where’s the money? When the cops stopped me, they took everything I had on me. If I robbed that place, where’s the money? Did I destroy it with the gun, too?

There was only 47 dollars and some change in the register. And you had a total of about 52 dollars on you.

That money is mine. Is it a crime to walk around with 52 dollars?

Walk around with 50,000 if you want to. I don’t give a fuck. Why did you kill the girl? shouted Haggar, getting up. You were about to leave. Why did you turn back? Did you want to punish her because there was not enough money in the register? Or is it about your crappy childhood? Huh? Is that why you killed her? Did you want to destroy her childhood? Did you want to shatter her innocence? Were you jealous of her because she was luckier than you?

Xavier was crying like a little child. He was constantly shaking his head and answering each of Haggar’s accusations with a No. Haggar looked contemptuously at Xavier.

It’s none of that, is it? asked Haggar. I know why you killed her.

Xavier looked up at Haggar with teary eyes. He looked like an innocent child. His lips were parted, and he was breathing through his mouth.

You killed her because you’re just a useless piece of shit.

Xavier closed his mouth. His lips trembled. It was unclear whether it was out of anger or fear. Fear of being caught. Perhaps Haggar had hit the bull’s eye.

Did your father beat you? continued Haggar. Huh? Did your mother suck your cock?

Xavier trembled and looked away from Haggar.

Oh, poor Xavier. Did you rape your sister? Or did your father rape you?

Xavier closed his eyes and bit his lips against such gross accusations. He swallowed. I want a lawyer.

Of course you do, said Haggar.

Haggar headed for the door with the tablet computer. He stopped at the door and turned around. Xavier was sitting with his back to him. His body was tense. His palms were still on the table as if they were stuck to it.

I hope they don’t kill you, said Haggar. I hope you live another 50 years. I hope they keep you in a one-man dungeon until you die. I hope you’ll never see daylight again.

Xavier didn’t react. He didn’t even move a muscle.

Haggar had won. He had broken Xavier.

This guy is a total psycho, Sienna said as Haggar entered the observation room.

"Psychopath falls short of describing him. Do you want to question him, too?"

What am I going to ask him? Everything is crystal clear. The rest is paperwork.

Don’t be so sure. It seems like he’s going for an insanity plea.

We did our job. The rest is up to the D.A.

I want to try my luck one more time.

Why? He asked for a lawyer.

I want to understand.

Understand what? asked Sienna.

Why he did it.

It’s not gonna bring that little girl back, she said.

She said this with the tone of a teacher scolding her student. She could be a cold bitch whenever she wanted. She would never involve her feelings in her work, but Haggar knew deep down that his partner was crying for that little girl.

No, said Haggar, but maybe I can find some peace.

If you’re looking for peace, you picked the wrong job.

Sienna turned toward the two-way mirror and continued to watch Xavier. Haggar set the tablet down on a chair and left the room. He wanted to try his luck one more time before the lawyer arrived. He entered the interrogation room. He closed the door behind him. He sat back in his chair and couldn’t believe his eyes.

The person sitting across from him was an old black woman.

She looked nervous, if not scared to death.

She was around the same age as Xavier. Her hands were handcuffed and chained to the table. Haggar looked around him. There was no sign of Xavier. His gaze was drawn back to the woman.

Who are you? he asked.

Are we starting this over? You can’t take another word from me until my lawyer is here.

Who are you? repeated Haggar. What are you doing here? How did you get in here?

The woman gaped at Haggar. The cops brought me here. See? She raised her handcuffed hands in the air.

What the...

Haggar looked down at the file in front of him. The woman’s fingerprints and photograph were staring at Haggar. Her name was written next to the photograph. Haggar read the name aloud.

Yolanda. Is that you?

As I already told you, yes, that’s me, she answered. Are you dumb or something?

What is... Wha... What’s going on here? Where is that man?

What man?

Xavier. He was here. He was sitting on that chair.

Haggar pointed at the chair Yolanda was sitting on. Yolanda squinted at Haggar.

What the hell are you talking about? Is this another interrogation technique? Dumb cop and dumber cop?

Haggar scrutinized the file. There was only one piece of paper, and it contained only Yolanda’s photo and information. There was nothing about Xavier.

Haggar glanced at the two-way mirror and turned his gaze back to Yolanda. Don’t go anywhere.

He stepped out of his chair, stormed out of the interrogation room, and barged into the observation room. Siena looked as baffled as Haggar did.

What’s going on, Donald? she asked.

That’s what I’m trying to find out. What the hell is going on? Where’s Xavier?

Who?

Xavier. The perpetrator. The man I’ve been interrogating for the past twenty minutes.

"What man? What are