Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Jesse glanced up at the window, then limped into the darkness.

Without a second thought, Travis jumped out, landing smoothly on the ground, unlike Jesse. He quickly chased after Jesse.

"Is Captain Smith always this nuts?" Elaine asked.

Kelvin and Kian both nodded in unison. "You'll get used to it," they said.

In less than ten minutes, Travis returned with an injured Jesse. Jesse's face was pale, and he could barely walk.

The three of them hurried downstairs.

Elaine took one look at Jesse's knee and immediately diagnosed, "Meniscus tear. We need to get him to the hospital right away."

Kian stepped forward and cuffed Jesse's hands with silver handcuffs. "Jesse, you're out of your mind!"

Jesse kept his head down, silent.

"Alright, let's get him to the hospital," Travis instructed.

At the hospital, the doctor confirmed Elaine's diagnosis after a quick examination. The doctor treated Jesse's knee, bandaged it, and prescribed anti-inflammatory and pain medication.

"He'll need surgery later, but you can take him now," the doctor told Travis.

Jesse remained silent during the treatment, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Thanks, doc. We'll arrange for his follow-up treatment," Travis said, signaling Kian to help Jesse up.

"Can you walk?" Kian asked.

Jesse nodded slightly and, with Kian's help, stood up, limping.

"Alright, back to the station," Travis said, giving Jesse a gentle pat on the shoulder.

The vehicle slowly drove into the precinct.

Jesse bit his lip, staring blankly out the window, like a soulless shell.

The harsh lights shone directly into Jesse's eyes.

Travis sat across from Jesse, calmly turned off the surveillance, and pulled out a cigarette, offering it to Jesse.

Jesse looked at Travis in confusion, took the cigarette, and after one puff, started coughing, tears streaming down his face.

"You can't even smoke," Travis teased.

Jesse stubbed out the cigarette and looked up at Travis. "Captain Smith, do you believe me if I say I didn't kill anyone?"

"I believe you," Travis replied.

Jesse looked at Travis in disbelief, not expecting such a quick response.

"Why?" Jesse asked.

"Because you don't have the guts," Travis said bluntly.

Jesse let out a bitter laugh. Was a cop's judgment really that simple?

Travis sat across from Jesse, like they were friends. "So, why did you run?"

Jesse's eyes darted around as he leaned back in his chair. "Captain Smith, you got it wrong this time. I really did kill Aurora."

"Have you thought about the consequences of taking the fall for someone else?" Travis placed a cup of water in front of Jesse. "Even if Aurora's case is closed, the person who promised you things won't keep their word."

Jesse's eyes widened in disbelief. "You..."

Travis smiled at Jesse. "I've looked into your family situation. You're struggling financially."

"But recently, a sum of money was deposited into your parents' account. I assume that's why?"

Jesse fell silent.

Travis's smile widened. He was on the right track.

Seeing Jesse's resolve waver, Travis decided to push further. "Jesse, you're just an ordinary guy. You can't take the fall for a drug-related case."

Jesse looked up at Travis and let out a bitter laugh. "Captain Smith, stop trying to trick me. I killed Aurora. I confess."

"Are you sure?" Travis asked.

Jesse nodded seriously. "I'm sure. Thanks, Captain Smith."

"This is your last chance. Once the surveillance is back on, you won't have any more opportunities," Travis said, glancing at the monitor.

Jesse took a deep breath and smiled, his meaning clear.

Travis sighed and turned the surveillance back on.

He walked out of the room, leaving the rest to Kelvin and Kian.

Sitting in his office chair, Travis felt trapped in a giant web.

Jay's death, Aurora's death, Tate and Ewan's arrests, Jesse's confession. These cases formed a perfect loop.

But Travis knew the real killer and the drug dealers were still out there, living their lives unaffected.

To them, these deaths were just minor inconveniences in their "normal" lives.

Even if Tate and Ewan were caught, others would take their place, becoming the new Tate and Ewan.

Until the person at the top was caught, this case would never truly be over.

Jesse was just a puppet, and he wouldn't be the last.

Travis sat in his chair, feeling a deep sense of helplessness.

For the first time, he hated his job.

As the head of Hillcrest's detective unit, he was powerless against the criminals.

Sometimes, he even had to follow their orders.

He didn't even know their identities.

In all his years on the force, this was the second time he felt this way.

The first time was back when he was just an officer, during the Deep Vision Initiative case.

"Captain Smith looks a bit defeated," Elaine joked as she walked in.

Travis's face darkened. "Who let you into my office?"

"Jesse took all the blame," Elaine said bluntly.

Travis sighed, his voice calm. "I know."

"Don't you want to know the details?"

Travis sneered. "Everything was planned. What difference does it make if I know?"

"The real killer isn't him."

"So you know?" Elaine sat down slowly. "With Jesse's confession, the case is closed."

"Tate and Ewan won't be affected. With their influence in Hillcrest, their sons will be out in a few years."

"Poor Jesse, just an ordinary guy."

Elaine watched Travis's eyes as she spoke.

Travis's expression didn't change, as if he was hearing something mundane.

"Doesn't your narcotics unit have work to do?"

"Well, I'm leaving." Elaine nodded, making a face at Travis as he leaned back and closed his eyes.

Back in the narcotics unit, Elaine mimicked Travis's actions in the lab.

This was her burden too.

The police force was a mess.

Trustworthy partners were few.

When she told Travis about the Deep Vision Initiative, she was taking a gamble.

How many more ordinary people like Jesse were there?

Trading their future for a sum of money.

Unaware that the money they valued was worthless to the big players.

Elaine took out a notebook from her bag and wrote Jesse's name in it.

Each page had a dozen names, with personal details and cases.

Some names were crossed out with a big X.

Aurora's name was there, with a bright red X.

On the first page was George's name.

As she closed the notebook, Elaine's eyes grew determined.

One day, the world would be clean.