Chapter 46

Gilbert looked at me, eyebrows raised. "It appears reports of your death were greatly exaggerated, Ms. James. Your timing is impeccable, though I'll need to take your statement later."

I nodded, guiding my mother to a nearby bench, while keeping my eyes on Lucy. Her initial shock had given way to a calculating look.

"What's happening?" I asked Gilbert directly. "Why is my father here?"

Gilbert's expression turned serious. "William is being held on suspicion of murdering Robert. He was found at the scene, his fingerprints on the murder weapon."

"That's absurd," I stated firmly. "I need to see him immediately as his legal counsel."

Gilbert nodded. "I should inform you that your meeting will be recorded and monitored."

"I'm aware of standard procedure," I replied coolly. "Now, please take me to my client."

Gilbert turned to lead the way. As I prepared to follow, Rebecca grabbed my arm. "Jane," she whispered, "your father didn't do this. You must believe that."

"I know," I reassured her quietly. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll handle this."

In the interrogation room, William sat at the metal table, his normally impeccable posture replaced by a defeated slump. When the door opened, he looked up, and for a moment, his exhausted expression gave way to pure shock.

"Jane?" His voice was hoarse, as if he'd been shouting.

"Hello, Dad," I said, keeping my tone neutral for the benefit of the recording equipment. "I'm here as your attorney."

Gilbert closed the door behind us, and I sat across from William. "I need to speak with my client privately," I said, looking directly at the camera.

The intercom crackled. "This is a murder investigation, Ms. James. The recording stays on."

I nodded, opening my briefcase to remove several documents. I slid them across the table to William while maintaining a running commentary of legal terminology and procedural discussions. After about ten minutes, the old station's standard hourly system reset briefly turned off the camera.

The moment the light disappeared, I leaned forward. "We have about thirty seconds," I whispered urgently. "What happened?"

My father's eyes darted to the camera, then back to me. "Robert called me to his study around nine to discuss the share transfer. When I arrived, he was agitated, talking about reconsidering the shares he'd promised to John."

"Was anyone else home?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

"Lucy was in her bedroom. John and Mary were both in their rooms too."

The camera light came back on, and I immediately resumed my lawyer persona, discussing bail hearings and procedural matters. Twenty minutes later, the camera reset again.

"When did you find him?" I whispered the instant the light disappeared.

"I left the study after our argument. When I returned to retrieve my forgotten phone, he was slumped over his desk with a knife in his chest." William's voice was strained. "Jane, he was still alive. He grabbed my hand, put it on the knife handle, and said 'I'm sorry' before he died."

My mind raced through the implications. "He deliberately made it look like you killed him? Why would he..."

The camera light returned, cutting off our conversation. I continued the charade of legal consultation for another cycle.

"Who do you think killed him?" I asked when the next opportunity came.

"John," William replied without hesitation. "He's in serious debt again. Robert was his only source of money, but lately, he'd been refusing to pay."

"Tell me everything about that night," I pressed, glancing at the camera. "All the details."

My father's eyes revealed his torment. "After our argument, I left around 9:30. When I realized I'd forgotten my phone, I returned at approximately 10:15. The house was quiet. The study door was ajar..."

Before he could finish, the camera light flashed back on. I spent the remaining time discussing legal strategy, emphasizing the importance of saying nothing further to the police.

As our time drew to a close, I gathered my documents. "Don't tell them anything else," I instructed William openly. "Not without me present. I'll arrange bail as soon as possible."

William nodded, some of his customary dignity returning. "Thank you, Jane."

I paused at the door, turning back to face him. "I'll find who did this," I promised, loud enough for the recording.

Outside the interrogation room, Gilbert was waiting.

"He's innocent," I stated firmly. "And I intend to prove it."

As I walked back through the station, I noticed Lucy sitting alone, her earlier fury replaced by a thousand-yard stare. Her demeanor didn't convey much grief or shock, but rather something more calculated.

Rebecca rushed to meet me. "Is he alright?"

I nodded to her and gestured that this wasn't a convenient place to talk.

Heading toward the car outside, I quietly informed Rebecca. "William didn't kill Uncle Robert. Someone else did, and Robert deliberately implicated Dad with his dying actions. Robert was protecting someone."

Rebecca's reddened eyes looked confused as she whispered, "You think John killed his own father?"

I gazed at the police station. "I can't be entirely certain yet, but I intend to find out."

Just then, Hunter also emerged from the police station. He had restored surveillance footage that had cleared both himself and Frank of suspicion. He also explained why he had disappeared these past few days.

The next morning, I walked into Sullivan & James Law Firm. The first person to spot me was Brynn, who stood frozen by the coffee machine. I walked past her casually, as if I hadn't been presumed dead for the past five days.

Her mug crashed to the floor, shattering and splashing coffee across the polished marble. The noise drew attention from nearby offices, heads popping out to investigate.

The news of my resurrection spread through the office like wildfire.

"Is that really her?" "How is this possible?" "Did you see the news reports?"

Kennedy blocked my path. "Jane? We thought you were dead. There was a memorial service..."

"I'm aware," I replied coolly. "Someone tried to kill me. I needed them to believe they'd succeeded."

"But the explosion..."

"Yes, left my apartment in ashes. Fortunately, I wasn't in it." I glanced at my watch. "Excuse me, Kennedy. I need to speak with Lucas."