Chapter 15

"You secretly killed your own brother and told everyone he went abroad to keep things under wraps."

Ethan's face remained impassive as he listened to Elaine's accusation. "You've got quite the imagination, Officer."

"Kill my own brother over some flimsy corruption charges?"

"Ethan, the fact that you're here means this isn't just a wild guess. I suggest you come clean," Travis said, locking eyes with Ethan.

Ethan shrugged. "Officer, you're barking up the wrong tree. You should be looking into how Mason died."

"If there's nothing else, I'd like to go back now."

Travis stood up. "Alright, let's head out."

Ethan was momentarily taken aback.

Really? Just like that?

As they exited the interrogation room, Ethan realized what was happening.

Travis held two search warrants—one for Ethan's café and one for his home.

"Mr. Martinez, mind if we take a look at your place?" Travis asked with a grin.

"Of course, you can," Ethan replied calmly.

They drove to Ethan's residence in a police vehicle.

Ethan's home was impressive, designed by himself, with a beautiful backyard and a large swimming pool.

"Mr. Martinez sure knows how to live it up."

"I made some money when I was younger, all for moments like this."

"True," Travis said with a smile. "Shall we take a closer look around?"

"Go ahead."

Travis glanced at Kian, who promptly took hold of Ethan's wheelchair.

Travis and Elaine donned white gloves and began searching the house.

This place was perfect for hiding things.

"Does Ethan live here alone?" Elaine asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Yes, according to the files, he's never been married."

Elaine looked a bit wistful. "What a waste."

Travis rolled his eyes. Sympathizing with a suspect? Really?

They reached Ethan's study.

The books on the shelves were meticulously arranged.

"If Benjamin's story holds water, Ethan's probably converted the embezzled cash into other valuable items over the years."

Travis shook his head. "Nope."

"Gold hasn't been converted."

Elaine looked at Travis, puzzled. "Why do you say that?"

Travis grinned. "Because gold keeps its value."

Well, that was a reason, albeit a flimsy one.

Meanwhile, Ethan kept glancing towards the study upstairs, his palms sweaty.

"Captain Smith!"

Travis rushed over. "What did you find?"

A team member pointed to the wall. The detector beeped loudly as it got closer.

"Break it down!"

Following Travis's order, the officers began dismantling the wall.

Soon, a circular hole was revealed.

With the light shining in, a safe was visible inside.

Travis had it brought downstairs in front of Ethan.

"Mr. Martinez, care to explain?"

"Open it and show us what's inside that you felt the need to hide in the wall."

Ethan's face turned pale the moment he saw the safe.

"Captain Smith, can I talk to you alone?"

Travis glanced at Elaine and the others, then wheeled Ethan aside.

Ethan lowered his voice. "Captain Smith, how much do you make a year?"

Travis chuckled coldly. "What are you getting at, Mr. Martinez?"

Ethan looked outside, then gritted his teeth. "I'll give you three million dollars."

"Mr. Martinez, do you know how many years you get for bribing a cop?"

"Five million! That's my final offer."

Travis snorted. "If there's nothing else, let's go back. I'll give you one last chance—open the safe."

Ethan's eyes darkened. "You're forcing me."

Travis held Ethan down. "I suggest you cooperate and open it."

He then pushed Ethan to the safe.

"Open it!" he ordered coldly.

Ethan remained motionless in his wheelchair.

He knew opening it would be his death sentence, just a matter of time.

Seeing Ethan's continued resistance, Travis laughed.

"If you won't cooperate, we'll take you back and force it open."

The moment the seal was placed on the villa, Ethan's fate was sealed.

Ethan was taken back to the station and locked up.

The safe was forcibly opened.

Inside were 25 ounces of gold and an envelope.

Elaine was stunned when she opened the envelope.

Travis's pupils contracted.

"What is this?"

"Get the narcotics team here immediately."

Soon, Jerry Nelson, head of the narcotics team, arrived, curious. "What's the rush?"

Travis handed him the white powder.

Jerry's face changed. "Where did you get this?"

"From a suspect."

"I'll test it and get back to you."

He left with the powder, and Travis sat down.

"Captain Smith!"

Kian arrived, breathless, holding several photos.

"Captain Smith, we found these at Mason's place, hidden deep in the wall."

Travis glanced at them, unable to look away.

A surge of anger erupted.

His face darkened, hands gripping the photos tightly.

They showed bruised and battered children, all teenagers.

Skinny, without clothes, covered in scars.

Even Travis was horrified by the injuries.

It was hard to imagine these wounds on teenagers.

Some scars were still bleeding.

Elaine covered her mouth, tears welling up.

"Mason might have discovered this, not just corruption."

Travis didn't speak, taking the photos to the holding cell.

Looking at Ethan in the wheelchair, thinking of those kids, any last shred of sympathy vanished.

Travis threw the photos in front of Ethan.

Ethan looked like he'd been struck by lightning.

He sat in the wheelchair, motionless.

One standing, one sitting, both silent.

After a long while, Travis spoke coldly. "Mr. Martinez, those kids better be alive."

Ethan didn't respond, just stared at the photos.

No guilt in his eyes, only resentment for being exposed.

Travis turned to the detective. "Keep a close watch on him."

The detective nodded, giving Ethan's cell a meaningful look.

Only they understood what that look meant.