Chapter 10

"Quit messing with me."

The group of cops grinned; at least they had a lead now.

Kian took the new info and headed to Travis's office.

The room was thick with smoke, and the ashtray in front of Travis was overflowing with cigarette butts.

"Captain Smith, seriously, you gotta cut down on the smoking. It's killing you."

Travis shot Kian a look. "Any progress on the case?"

Kian chuckled. "Captain Smith, you're giving us too much credit. There's no way we could crack a twenty-year-old case that fast."

"But we did get a tip from Daniel."

Kian's smile faded as he sat across from Travis.

"Daniel said the manager of that textile factory was named Ethan, and he had a brother who went missing years ago."

"He reported it, but nothing ever came of it."

"What did the forensic team say? Have they ID'd the victim?"

"No, Captain Smith, you know those reports take at least two days."

Travis rubbed his forehead and glanced at the officers outside. "Tell everyone to go home and get some rest."

"Yes, sir!"

Kian ran out with a grin, and within minutes, cheers erupted from outside.

Travis made himself a strong cup of coffee, looking worn out.

The lights in the hall went out, leaving Travis alone at his computer.

"You should at least turn on a light."

Elaine's gentle voice came from the doorway.

Travis looked up curiously to see Elaine standing there with barbecue and beer.

"Why didn't you leave?"

"Surprised?" Elaine said softly.

She set the barbecue on the table, opened a beer, and looked at Travis. "Want some?"

"We're not supposed to drink on duty."

Elaine couldn't help but laugh at Travis's serious expression. "It's after hours now."

"Adults need to unwind sometimes."

Travis took the beer Elaine handed him, and after a sip, Travis felt a chill run through his body.

"Refreshing!"

"You seem more human now."

Elaine said mysteriously.

"What do you mean?"

"You've been so cold lately, hard to get along with."

"Now you seem normal."

Travis's face darkened. "Can I take that as a compliment?"

"Of course," Elaine laughed.

Travis looked at Elaine and couldn't help but smile.

After a few rounds of drinks, Elaine put down her beer bottle, her face slightly flushed, and looked at Travis. "Why did Jay's case suddenly close?"

Travis, who had just picked up his beer bottle, slowly put it down.

He didn't dare look Elaine in the eye.

He didn't even dare glance at the police uniform on his office chair.

Elaine stared at Travis. "What did Jay's wife say to you that day?"

"Nothing."

Elaine didn't press further, looking at her beer bottle as if talking to herself. "You know."

"I've worked in many departments. Do you know which one I hate the most?"

Travis looked at Elaine, puzzled.

Elaine smiled at him. "Narcotics."

Travis's face turned a bit unnatural at the mention of the department.

Elaine continued as if she hadn't noticed. "Narcotics is exhausting. You have to learn about all kinds of drugs every day."

"You can't rest because you're scared drugs will slip through your fingers."

"But there's a silver lining. After working in narcotics for so long, I can tell if someone's been using."

Travis stayed silent, avoiding Elaine's gaze.

Elaine put down her beer bottle, gave a knowing smile, and left the office.

Travis lit a cigarette and stood by the window, watching Elaine walk away.

She had sensed something but hadn't spelled it out.

He sank into his chair and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Travis woke up groggily to find a blanket over him.

There was a glass of water beside him.

The officers outside had already started working.

Elaine walked by Travis's office with some files, smiling, "You're awake. Perfect timing, there's been progress on the case."

Travis splashed cold water on his face and headed to the meeting room.

Kelvin placed a thick stack of files in front of Travis.

"Captain Smith, the autopsy report isn't ready yet, but we've contacted the textile factory manager, Ethan."

"But you'll need to meet him in person. He's not very mobile."

"When?" Travis rubbed his forehead.

"Right now."

Travis grabbed his coat, "Let's go."

Kelvin drove, Travis sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window, lost in thought.

Kian gave a brief report.

"Captain Smith, Ethan was the manager of the textile factory back then. That red flag was produced there."

"The factory was a big deal in Hillcrest, even exporting textiles abroad."

"And it went bankrupt?" Kelvin's voice interrupted.

Kian rolled his eyes, "People make mistakes."

"Ethan made some bad decisions, owed a lot of wages, and had a huge debt to the bank. The factory went under."

As they spoke, the car arrived at a coffee shop.

Travis got out and looked at the sign, Artisan Roast Co.!

It was one of Hillcrest's high-end coffee shops, with the cheapest coffee costing $100.

"This coffee shop is owned by Ethan, it's been open for over ten years."

Elaine's tone was cold, "The factory went bankrupt, but he's doing well."

"Let's go." Travis led the way.

Showing their badges, the staff warmly escorted them to the top-floor office.

The spacious top floor had only one office, belonging to Ethan.

"Mr. Martinez, Captain Smith is here."

The secretary respectfully announced at the door.

The door opened.

A middle-aged man sat in a wheelchair, one leg atrophied and limp.

"Captain Smith, I apologize, my leg is injured, not very mobile."

Ethan's voice was hoarse as he smiled.

"Please come in!" Ethan made room with a smile.

Kelvin and Kian looked around Ethan's office with envy.

The 4,000-square-foot office was luxuriously decorated.

The huge floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the street.

There was even a small fish pond.

Ethan smiled, "Officers, please."

"Ethan, we're here to ask about your brother, Mason Martinez."

As soon as Kian spoke, Ethan's expression froze.