Chapter Twenty Eight
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Chapter Twenty–Eight
On screen, Noah opened the safe with practiced ease–clearly he had watched Anna enter the combination many times. His hands moved quickly, snatching jewelry and cash, stuffing them into his pockets with the efficiency of someone who had planned this carefully.
Then, with a cunning smile visible even on the grainy footage, Noah shouted loudly toward the empty house:” Anna! The safe has been opened! I think someone stole from you!‘
The room fell into absolute silence except for the sound of Anna’s ragged breathing,
“No,” she whispered. “No, this can’t be… Noah wouldn’t…”
Aria’s laugh was sharp and mocking. “Wouldn’t he? It seems your precious ‘brother‘ is exactly the kind of parasite we all knew he was.”
Anna stood frozen, staring at the paused image of Noah with his hands full of stolen goods.
Pervis turned his attention to the police chief, his voice calm and measured. “Chief, I believe I’m owed an explanation for this treatment. And perhaps some disciplinary action for the officers who violated proper procedure.”
The chief was sweating profusely, his earlier confidence completely evaporated. “Of course, Mr. Tyler. Absolutely. Officer Davis!”
The younger detective, who had been watching the footage with growing horror, snapped to attention. “Sir?”
“You’re fired,” the chief said flatly. “Effective immediately.”
“What?” Officer Davis gasped. “Sir, please! I was just doing my job!”
“Your job doesn’t include intimidation and harassment of suspects,” the chief replied coldly. “You violated protocol and disrespected someone of significant… importance.”
“Chief, please!” Davis begged, his voice cracking. “I have a family! I need this job! Give me another chance!”
“Get out,” the chief ordered. “Security will escort you from the building. Your badge and weapon will be confiscated.”
As Davis was led away, still protesting, Anna remained rooted to the spot, her eyes glued to the frozen image on
the screen.
“This isn’t possible,” she muttered. “Noah is such a good person. He’s been through so much. He would never betray me like this.”
Pervis didn’t even look at her. He simply walked toward the door where Aria was waiting.
“Mr. Tyler,” the chief called after him with an obsequious smile. “Please allow me to escort you out personally. It’s the least I can do after this… misunderstanding.”
“That would be acceptable,” Pervis replied coolly.
The chief practically tripped over himself rushing to open doors and clear the path as he led Pervis and Aria out of the interrogation room, through the station, and toward the main exit.
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Chapter Twenty–tight
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“Again, my sincerest apologies,” the chief groveled. “If there’s anything I can do to make amends—”
“Your apology is noted,” Aria said dismissively.
After they left, the chief returned to the interrogation room where Anna still stood, staring blankly at nothing.
“Mrs. Morrison?” the chief’s voice had lost all its earlier respect. “Do you still wish to press charges? We can issue a warrant for Noah Patterson’s arrest immediately.”
Anna snapped out of her daze, panic flooding her features. “What? No! No, don’t arrest Noah!”
“But the footage clearly shows-‘
“It was all a misunderstanding!” Anna said hurriedly, her voice desperate. “I don’t want to press any charges. The whole thing was a mistake. I’m sorry to have wasted your time.”
“Are you certain?” the chief asked, barely concealing his contempt. “That’s clear evidence of theft.”
“I’m certain,” Anna insisted, gathering her things with shaking hands. “Please, just forget this whole thing happened. I won’t be troubling the police any further.”
She fled from the station, leaving the chief shaking his head at the chaos wealthy people brought into his precinct.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
