I was leaning back in the chair, just casually watching Michael as if I were engrossed in some TV show.
I mean, hadnât he always believed Yasmin and not trusted me? Now, the evidence was right there in his face. I really wanted to see if he could come up with any more excuses.
Once the recording was over, everyoneâs expressions darkened.
Zion leaned back in his chair. He was constantly fidgeting with a lighter even though smoking wasnât permitted in the interview room.
âThis involves someoneâs life,â Zion uttered in a low, deep voice.
Michael remained silent throughout. His face showed no emotion, but the atmosphere slowly became more tense.
I could tell he was pissed off, and I meant utterly pissed.
âMichael, you and Yasmin are the ones responsible for her death. Youâre both murderers.â Rachelâs voice sounded exhausted, as if she couldnât muster the strength to argue anymore.
Michaelâs demeanor remained subdued as he stared at Zion coldly. âSo, whatâs the point of bringing this lunatic here? Isnât he the one who committed the murder?â
Michael turned his accusation toward Steven.
I felt a sudden urge to laugh, yet my chest still ached.
I stood up abruptly, locking eyes with Michael. âYouâre truly disgusting.â
âThe murderer may not necessarily be him,â Zion said in a deep voice, evidently discounting Stevenâs involvement to some extent.
Steven remained seated in silence.
Lost in my focus on Michaelâs mood, I hadnât noticed Steven beside me. His demeanor had turned intense. He was seemingly on the verge of losing control.
With an icy glare at Michael, he suddenly stood up and went for him. Punch after punch landed on Michaelâs face. It was as if he intended to kill Michael.
I stood there in shock for a while before rushing over quickly to grab Steven. âStop itâ¦â
âWhy should I? Iâm going to kill him!â Steven turned to me. Michaelâs blood was smeared on his face.
My eyes welled up as I reluctantly released my grip on Steven. âEven if you kill him⦠can Stephanie come back to life?â
Michaelâs face was a bloody mess as he leaned against the wall, laughing maniacally⦠He made no attempt to defend himself.
It felt like he had completely lost his mind. He genuinely appeared insane. Sure, Steven might be labeled a lunatic, but Michael appeared even more unhinged than him.
âGo ahead, hit me! Come on, do it!â Michael taunted Steven.
He probably felt like he deserved a good beating.
Steven, breathing heavily, threw another punch.
Zion, standing nearby, watched with indifference. As he checked the time, he said, âAlright, thatâs enough.â
He could have stopped it from the beginning, but he didnât. Beyond rules, there was still a sense of humanity.
Somehow, Zion also believed that Michael deserved to be punched.
I wondered if a couple of punches might jolt him back to reality and make him regret what he did to 1. me.
âMichael, youâre just despicableâ¦â Rachelâs voice trembled. âBoth you and Yasmin deserve to die.â
After saying that, Rachel turned to run away.
I stood there, holding onto Steven.
Other officers rushed in. They were kind of confused about who to nab. âOfficer Landon⦠he assaulted someoneâ¦â
âHeâs mentally ill,â Zion said in a deep voice before turning and walking away.
I gripped Stevenâs hand tightly, whispering, âSteven, letâs go home.â
My words seemed to shap Steven back to reality. He looked at me, stood up with those teary eyes, and mumbled, âIâm sorry.â
He was apologizing to me. Dropping his head and cupping my face, he went on and on with the apologies.
But what was he apologizing for? I had no clue.
âItâs okay, letâs go home,â I reassured him.