Mary stared at the phone screen shoved to her face. She saw 'Katherine Woods' name on it, and the call was connected after a few rings.
—
"Hello, Officer Bernard. Is there any update regarding my home?" Kate's gentle yet firm voice filled the small interrogation room. Mary didn't know why, but she felt the pressure from Kate's voice even though Kate wasn't talking to her on the phone.
"Good morning, Kate—I mean, Mrs. Woods," Bernard panicked. He was so used to being called Benny by Kate. So he talked informally with her by default.
He wanted to call her Kitty, but he thought that was way too intimate because nobody in high school ever called her Kitty, while many people in high school back then called him Benny.
"We checked your house this morning and found out that your mother-in-law, Mary Woods, has been breaking in and putting all the furniture you have on sale."