Chapter 36: Chapter 36

“Officer Landon, do you suspect this is the scene of the first incident?” a colleague asked. Zion nodded.

Steve stared pointedly at the door and then turned to start looking around.

The welfare home was large and had been abandoned for many years. Earlier, the police had searched it several times before but found nothing.

Steve picked up a stick and began searching everywhere. I followed behind Zion anxiously as well.

Was I about to be discovered? Nobody could escape justice. If the police were diligent, they should be able to find the scene of the first incident.

Michael’s expression was also grim as he followed the police in silence.

“Mike…” Jack’s voice trembled, hesitating.

“Speak.” Michael frowned. He shot Jack a warning look.

“The monitoring device in my garage…” he trailed off.

He continued, “I checked the computer yesterday and found a recording… from the night of the 15th…

Not only did Jack’s voice tremble, but his legs too. He kept hesitating on whether he should speak.

Upon seeing Michael, who called off his wedding and came to find Stephanie, Jack suddenly panicked.

I could tell that Jack was truly scared. He feared the police investigation might lead to him.

“I’m sorry, Mike. I didn’t know, I really had no idea…” Jack handed the USB drive to Michael and retreated in a panic.

Michael’s expression darkened as he turned to look at Zion.

The police were still searching the welfare home, and everyone was tense. Even the police dogs were there.

“What happened on the night of the 15th?” Zion murmured and used the USB drive on the police computer.

“Mike… Mike, where are you guys? I’m feeling scared…

“Mike… I’m afraid of the dark. Can you say something?”

“Michael, this time… if we catch the killer, can you let me go? Let me leave.”

“Michael… How long do I have to keep repaying you? Can you give me a figure? I’ll pay you back in the future.”

“Michael, say something, I’m begging you.”

The recording was of me murmuring in the alley as I trembled in fear. I had begged Michael to say something so I would know that he was nearby and could feel a bit more at ease.

Michael’s face had visibly paled, and his breathing was shaky. Rachel’s eyes were bloodshot as she stared at Michael with hatred.

“You’re such a bastard! You let Stephie go to Sunset Alley alone! You let her die, Michael!”

“I didn’t…” His arms lost strength. He looked as if he was about to explain himself.

I cried, then laughed. See Michael, isn’t it painful when you can’t explain?

“Michael, I want to leave, I’m so scared…”

In the recording, I told Michael I wanted to leave. However, just as I turned to leave, someone grabbed me and covered my mouth.

“Mm…. help… help…”

“Mike… help me…”

I struggled and cried for help, but my voice slowly faded. The noise in the recording gradually disappeared. Everyone’s nerves were on the edge, including mine.

Hearing this recording confirmed that I was murdered.

Michael’s fingers kept trembling. His eyes gradually turned red.

He turned back to look at Jack. His eyes were bloodshot.

“When did you find this recording? I’m fucking asking you, when did you find it?”

Jack was terrified. His legs felt weak. “Y–yesterday…” he stammered.

“You damn well tell the truth!” Michael rushed up to Jack and roared at him like a deranged beast.

Jack fell onto the floor in fright. His face was pale as he spoke with a trembling voice.

“The police… the police came to us that day and said that on the 15th, Stephanie was also seen in Sunset Alley. I went back… went back to check the computer. I’m sorry, ‘Mike, I was too scared.”

Jack was crying as he admitted that he was scared, so he hadn’t dared to hand it over to the police.

I looked at these people helplessly. These conspirators who murdered me. None of them were innocent.

“You bastard! If anything happens to Stephanie, I’ll kill you!” Michael went crazy and punched Jack repeatedly in the face.

I sat there numbly, smiling at the sidelines. “Michael, what are you acting for?” I trailed off, wondering why he was pretending to be a good person.

“Michael, it was you who killed me. What expression will you make when you see my body?”

Michael was pulled away by the police. He pounded the wall uncontrollably.

“On the 15th… Was she stupid? I didn’t tell her to go. Why did she run off by herself?” he yelled. I looked up at Michael, got up, and slapped him. I knew that it wouldn’t reach him, but I still did it.

“Didn’t you tell me to go? Yasmin said you told me to leave!” I yelled, but Michael couldn’t hear me.

“Officer Landon! We found something over here!” yelled an officer. Zion ran over cautiously.

I stood in place, waiting for the moment my body would be discovered. Perhaps by then, I would be free.