Chapter 16

Jerry barged into Travis's office without knocking.

His face was grim. "Where did this come from? Where's the guy?"

"Locked up."

"Take me to him."

Travis stood up immediately, cautiously asking, "Is it the same stuff Tony and his team have?"

Jerry nodded. "Exactly, it's from their batch."

Travis realized the gravity of the situation.

"Let's go!"

Before leaving, Travis instructed Kelvin and Kian to investigate everyone who had contact with Ethan, including all the members of the café.

The two arrived at the holding cell.

Ethan's wheelchair was gone. He was just sitting on the cold bed.

Jerry looked at Ethan. "Are you sure it's him?"

"Do you think I'd joke about something like this?"

Jerry took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Ethan."

Ethan opened his eyes but said nothing.

Jerry took out the sealed bag of drugs. "Where did you get this? Who's your supplier?"

Ethan sneered. "If I tell you, will you let me go?"

"Why should I tell you anything?"

Then Ethan burst into laughter. "You'll never know the answer!"

"Damn it!"

Jerry, furious, grabbed Ethan by the collar.

"I'm not as patient as Travis. You better tell me everything you know."

Ethan showed no fear, looking at Travis with amusement. "Captain Smith, are you just going to stand there while he assaults me? Aren't you supposed to be a detective?"

Travis pulled Jerry away. "I've already sent people to investigate. We'll have results soon. There's no need to waste time here."

Ethan smiled at them. "Take care, officers."

The two left the holding cell.

Jerry shook off Travis's hand, annoyed. "Why did you stop me? A guy like that just needs a good beating."

Travis's face darkened. "This is our detective squad, not your narcotics unit."

"If anything happens to Ethan here, I'm responsible."

Jerry was displeased. "Your detective squad is such a hassle. I'll take him in two days."

"Fine."

After a brief exchange, Jerry left.

Back at the police station, Kelvin handed Travis the prepared materials.

"Captain Smith, here's the list of all the café members."

"There are quite a few people who had contact with Ethan. We're still sorting through them."

Travis acknowledged with a nod and took the documents back to his office.

He had barely sat down when Joshua walked in.

"Mr. Martin."

Travis greeted him coolly.

Joshua nodded. "I know about Ethan. The higher-ups want the case closed immediately."

Travis was taken aback. "Closed?"

"Yes, it's an order from above."

"No way!" Travis refused outright. "With the current evidence, we can't convict Ethan."

"At most, he could get life imprisonment."

"What more do you want? A death sentence for Ethan?"

To Joshua's surprise, Travis nodded. "A death sentence isn't out of the question."

Joshua's face darkened. "Travis, this is a decision from above. Do you think you, as a captain, can change it?"

"This isn't up for discussion."

Joshua left after speaking.

Travis didn't respond, instead focusing on the list of names.

One name made Travis squint slightly.

"Philip Mitchell."

If Travis remembered correctly, Philip Mitchell was the son of Congressman Tate Mitchell.

Considering Joshua's sudden visit, Travis frowned.

"What are you thinking about?" Elaine walked in, curious.

"Nothing, just a bit annoyed."

"Perfect timing, I'm here to help with that." Elaine handed him a report.

"Take a look. The size of the dent in Mason's skull matches the gold Ethan received."

"But I found something else. There are two dents in Mason's skull. One is very small and hard to notice."

"Another dent?"

Elaine nodded. "It's here. It looks like it was made with a hammer."

"A hammer?"

"I got it. You can go now."

After Elaine left, Travis thought for a moment and went to the hospital alone.

Benjamin, the textile factory accountant, was eating when he saw Travis. He immediately put down his utensils.

"Officer, when can I leave here?"

Travis took off his coat and placed it on a chair, staring at Benjamin. "You can leave if you tell me everything you know."

Benjamin's eyes darted around, his voice unclear. "Officer, what are you talking about? I don't understand."

"Don't understand?" Travis sneered. "That's easy to fix."

"Mason's skull has two dents. According to the results, the second dent was likely made by a hammer." Travis paused.

"And... Ethan's drug dealing."

Benjamin's face visibly paled.

"Don't tell me you didn't know."

"Officer... I was forced. This has nothing to do with me."

Benjamin trembled as he spoke, then revealed everything.

Benjamin knew about Ethan's child abuse but didn't dare speak up, fearing for his own safety.

Ethan even threatened Benjamin's family, so he kept quiet.

"I saw Ethan kill Mason with my own eyes."

Travis interrupted Benjamin's recollection. "Why didn't Ethan kill you?"

"At first, I didn't know. Later, I realized it was because he wanted me to help him deal drugs."

Travis moved the recorder closer.

Benjamin spoke softly. "Ethan wanted to use me better, so he wanted me to help kill Mason."

Benjamin's eyes reddened as he spoke. "Officer, I really didn't want to do it."

"But Ethan said if I didn't, he'd go after my wife and daughter."

"I had no choice, officer. Believe me! That's all I know."

Travis looked at Benjamin with a dark expression. "Why didn't you speak up earlier?"

Benjamin shrank back. "I was scared. Ethan is powerful, and I'm just an ordinary person. I couldn't risk my family's safety."

"Officer, since I confessed, can you be lenient with me?"

Travis's eyes were cold. "If the families of those you harmed forgive you, then we will."

Benjamin's face turned pale, his hands dropping helplessly.

He understood that from the moment he confessed, freedom was no longer an option.

After Travis left, Benjamin let out a bitter laugh.

After all these years, he had enjoyed life. Revealing everything was a form of release.