Chapter 13

"Not a single word."

Travis spoke bluntly, "His answers are way too perfect. How could he remember stuff so clearly from twenty years ago?"

"Unless there are some unforgettable details that make it possible for him to remember so clearly."

Elaine's eyes sparkled as she looked at Travis. "The unforgettable detail is Mason."

"Let's head back to the station."

Back at the station, Travis laid out photos of Ethan, Mason, and Benjamin together, deep in thought.

"Captain Smith, new discovery," Kelvin said, placing a hospital file in front of Travis.

"We found Ethan's work injury records from back then."

"Over twenty years ago, Ethan suffered a permanent injury to his right leg due to an operational error at work."

"But the medical records show signs of being altered."

Travis stared at the medical records, lost in thought. "You and Elaine should go find Ethan. Give me Mason's address."

With the address in hand, the team split up. Travis and Kian headed to Mason's place, while Kelvin and Elaine went to visit Ethan.

In a rundown neighborhood, the area was cordoned off, and the buildings were in disrepair. Kian led Travis to the stairs.

"If we're right, Mason lived on the third floor here. But after all these years, there might be nothing left."

On the third floor, Travis surveyed the layout—a one-bedroom apartment, roughly 500 square feet. The room was empty, devoid of even a single piece of old furniture.

"Search," Travis ordered, beginning to inspect the surroundings.

Kian glanced around, puzzled. The place was so bare, what was there to search?

Meanwhile, at a coffee shop, Elaine and Kelvin sat across from Ethan.

"Mr. Martinez, we need your cooperation."

"I'll help you investigate Mason's cause of death," Ethan replied.

Kelvin took out a notepad, while Elaine began questioning, "We reviewed your work injury records and found signs of alteration. Can you explain?"

"You've investigated thoroughly," Ethan sighed, looking at his right leg.

"Yes, the records were altered. I wanted to get more money after retirement."

"I was already disabled, so I had to think about my future. I paid the doctor ten thousand dollars to modify my records, which resulted in a work injury claim."

"I received over a hundred thousand dollars in compensation."

Elaine nodded, understanding that this was not unusual.

"Mr. Martinez, can you tell me about this red flag? I heard it was exclusive to your design team."

"You've done your homework," Ethan said, looking at the flag. "But it's not mine."

"I wasn't very skilled back then, and I knew my reputation. I liked the fabric of this flag, so I bought it from someone else."

Ethan's answers were flawless, responding immediately to every question.

Elaine gently touched the flag, noting the quality of the material.

Suddenly, Elaine's hand paused, her eyes curious.

At the edge of the flag, there was a different shade of red, not dyed but seemingly smeared later.

She discreetly rubbed the spot with her fingers and sat back down.

After getting their answers, Elaine and Kelvin left. Ethan sat in his wheelchair, staring at the flag in silence.

Elaine immediately took out a sealed bag when she got in the car.

Under Kelvin's curious gaze, she rubbed her fingers inside the bag. Soon, a bit of red substance appeared at the bottom.

Kelvin's eyes widened, "What's this?"

"Something from Ethan's flag. It's faint. Let's take it back to the lab for analysis."

"Also, investigate Ethan's background, especially when he was the textile factory director. The more detailed, the better."

Kelvin nodded.

Elaine called Travis, "I'm done here. Where are you guys?"

"Okay, I'll come find you."

Elaine opened the car door and, before leaving, told Kelvin, "As soon as possible." She then hailed a cab to meet Travis.

Seeing the rundown and empty room, with Travis and Kian still searching, Elaine instinctively asked, "Is there really anything left to search here?"

Thud, thud, thud!

The response was an echoing sound from the walls.

Travis picked up a brick and, standing ten feet away, hurled it at the hollow wall.

The brick created a hole. He continued to hammer at the wall until a fist-sized hole appeared.

Travis shone a flashlight inside, revealing darkness. He reached in and felt something—a notebook.

"Captain Smith, did you find something?"

"Hurry up and show us. We're dying to know."

Travis pulled out the notebook, which contained a letter. He opened it, and his face lit up.

"Mason's murder motive is found. Mason didn't go abroad; he had evidence of the factory director embezzling government funds."

"He was likely going to report it but was discovered and killed, then buried in the cement wall."

Elaine looked puzzled, "But wait, even if your theory is correct, the director back then was Ethan. They were brothers. Would Mason really report his own brother?"

Travis put away the letter, smiling. "That's a question for the accountant."

"Kian, bring Benjamin here."

Kian nodded excitedly, "Got it, Captain!"

"Hurry up. We have some questions for him."

Looking around the room, Travis said, "Someone's been here, but they didn't find anything. They must not be professionals."

"Ethan is highly suspicious. Have Kelvin keep an eye on him and arrest him if necessary."

Back at the station, Travis sealed all the evidence.

Suddenly, the phone rang. Kian's urgent voice came through, "Captain Smith, there's been an incident."

Travis's face darkened as he grabbed his coat and rushed out.

At the scene, fire trucks and ambulances were present, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers.