Chapter 244


    Chapter 244 Criminal Detention


    I bit my lip and said with a steady voice, “I’m not here to use. I’m here to tell the truth. I don’t know


    what Miss Zanier told you, but you really need to hear the facts. I did not push herst night, I did not


    hit her, and I certainly did not insult her. Why she’s pinning this on me, I cannot say. However, Mr.


    Zanier, I understand that you want to protect your daughter. Just make sure you know the whole story


    first. Otherwise, you are just going to end up hurting everyone involved, including yourself, and it will be


    your own doing.”


    He was livid, his eyes nearly popping out of his head. If Idris had not been standing by my side, I would


    have bet Jack was about to throw a punch.


    I did not bother with more words. Instead, I turned to Charles, who had just rushed in, and asked, “You


    got it?”


    Charles nodded and handed me the sh drive. “Got it all right here.”


    “Thanks,” I said, passing the sh drive to Jack, who was still fuming. “To be honest, I did not touch


    your daughter, and I should not even be wasting my time with you. Since some people love to make up


    stories, here’s the video fromst night by the pool with Christina. Watch it and see for yourself if I was


    the one who pushed her.”


    Jack’splexion went through a series of changes as he epted the video, clearly caught off guard


    by its existence. A shade of embarrassment crossed his face before he shuffled off with his tail


    between his legs.


    As he disappeared, Idris turned to me with a raised eyebrow. “Video?”


    “Yeah,” I replied with a nod. “I thought of itst night after Christina huffed out of here. She was so livid


    leaving the Youngs‘ ce, I knew she wouldn’t just let it slide. So this morning, I asked Charles to scout


    for any cameras around the pond and snag the footage. When I spotted. Jack heading this way, I shot


    Charles a quick text to bring it over.”


    The old manor was rigged with cameras everywhere except the living areas. The ce was massive,


    and the cameras were there to keep out thieves and make managing the bustling household a bit


    easier.


    The cameras usually blended into the background, forgotten by most.


    Idris’s lips quirked up ever so slightly. Though he kept quiet, there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.


    Madam Young joined us, letting out a weary sigh. “It’s for the best. We gave him the evidence, so


    hopefully, he will back off now. You know, it is always trickier dealing with troublemakers than straight


    shooters. Let us hope he keeps quiet from here on out and stops stirring up drama in our home.”


    Idris’s brow creased in thought, and then he said firmly, “We should keep people like that out from now


    on.” He was speaking to Mr. Zachary, who nodded in agreement.


    Madam Young looked resigned. “The Zaniers are Emily’s folks on her mom’s side. You cannot just turn


    away family when theye knocking. And Jack, well, he might not be top brass, but. he has got just


    enough pull to make our lives difficult if he wants. Let’s just try not to rub him the wrong way anymore.”


    To keep Madam Young from fretting, Idris and I shared a look and nodded without a word.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    The news about today’s shocking events was on lockdown. The police maintained secrecy, thus


    leaving the media clueless and Madam Young in the dark as well.


    After hanging out with Madam Young, in the main hall of the inner courtyard for a bit, Idris and I headed


    back to our own quarters.


    I knew I was not going to catch any Z’s that night.


    The next morning, Officer Jackson’s call jolted me awake. “Ms. Scott, you might need to swing by the


    station,” he said as soon as I picked up.


    Having been on edge all night, his call had me asking, “Did the autopsy say anything?”


    “Yep,” he replied, and went on, “the body’s been pretty much devoured by bugs, and whoever dumped


    it did a real number on it. It’s a mess, so we can only guess how long it’s been dead. We can’t pin down


    the exact time of death. Plus, we found a dagger with your prints on it. Right now, you’re suspect


    number one, and we might have to bring you in.”


    Not being able to shake off the murder rap meant I was stuck at the station, helping with the


    Investigation. The worst part? My prints were on that dagger. If the cops dug up anything else, I would


    be in deep trouble, even if I was innocent.


    “Alright,” I said Into the phone, trying to keep my voice steady.


    I hung up with a pounding headache. I had not slept a wink all night and had barely dozed off


    at dawn.


    Idris walked in, saw I was up, and said, “Get some food in you. I’ll drive you to the station.”


    “Did Officer Jackson call you too?” Lasked him,


    He gave me a reassuring nod. “Don’t sweat it, I’ve got the police station covered. Hey, I’ll be sticking


    around to help you dig into this mystery, okay?”