Chapter 87 The Arrest

William quickly called Olivia to give her the lowdown, and she got in touch with her boss to set up Mike's arrest.

"Running off at a time like this? He must've found out something and is trying to bail!" Olivia said.

William agreed with Olivia's take, reached out to the criminal investigation team, and they soon tracked down Mike's place—a small hotel near the train station.

Olivia and William rushed over. Since William had already talked to the front desk, they got the room key in no time.

"The front desk said Mike hasn't left his room since he checked in," William said as they headed upstairs.

William took charge, kicked the door open, and stormed in to find Mike still snoozing on the bed. They slapped the cuffs on him and dragged him out.

Mike didn't say a word to the cops, clearly knowing he was in deep trouble.

Briana, John, and Mike were questioned separately. Briana, already scared out of her wits at the sight of the police, spilled the beans during the first round of questioning. She admitted the phone number was hers, but it was Mike who used it.

Briana's husband, John, claimed he didn't know anything about Tenley.

"I don't know any Tenley. You must have the wrong guy!" 

Olivia showed him a photo, but John kept shaking his head.

"I don't know this woman, I swear!"

After leaving John's interrogation room, Olivia headed to Mike's. She and William walked in, asking their colleagues to step out.

Olivia sat down without saying a word, and William asked, "You know Tenley, right?"

Mike glanced at the two officers and mumbled, "No... I don't know her."

"You don't know her, but you called her. Do I need to show you the call records?"

Mike knew the cops had dirt on him, but he still clung to a sliver of hope.

"Yeah, I talked to her on the phone, but we never met in person!"

William looked at Olivia, who smirked and said, "You took her to the mine, didn't you? We found a ton of evidence there—blood, hair, fingerprints. We just need to confirm it's yours. William, go grab the evidence!"

Hearing Olivia's words, Mike freaked out. William put on gloves to collect evidence, and after he left, Mike broke down.

"Okay, I know Tenley. She's my girlfriend. She's a scammer!"

Olivia raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why did you kill her?"

Mike got all worked up and said, "She played me. We lived together for a while, and I gave her all my money, but she didn't want to stay with me or get married! Six months ago, she vanished with all my cash. I didn't expect to see her in Seaside City, only to find her with another guy!"

Olivia listened to Mike's story, jotting down everything he said.

"When did you meet Tenley?"

"Three years ago!" 

Olivia thought for a moment. Three years ago, Tenley had already met Saul. It seemed that after ditching Mike, Tenley met Saul, waiting for him to divorce so she could marry him, only to be left high and dry.

"When did you see Tenley in Seaside City?" Olivia asked again.

"On April 26th, I was in town for work and saw her with another guy. I took her to a hotel to ask what was going on! But she didn't feel guilty at all and even asked me for money!"

Olivia jotted down notes and asked Mike, "What did she need the money for?"

"She wanted five grand. Said two thousand was for her sister and the other three was for herself," Mike replied.

"So, did you give it to her?" Olivia asked, and Mike got all worked up again.

"I told her if she married me, I'd give her fifty grand, but she refused. She took my money but wouldn't marry me. A woman like that deserves to die!" He spoke in a low, growling voice, each word dripping with venom.

"So, you took her to the mine to kill her?"

Mike glanced at Olivia, who was cool as a cucumber, making him feel even guiltier.

"The next day, I called her, saying I'd take her to a friend's place to borrow some money. She bought it and went to the mine with me. I threatened her with a knife, told her to either give back the money I earned over the years or marry me."

"And she refused, so you killed her?"

Mike went silent, and Olivia pushed for more.

"Tell me how it happened," she demanded.

Mike took a moment before speaking, "The mine was freezing, and I wanted to go out to find something to start a fire, but I was scared she'd run. She offered to let me tie her legs so she wouldn't. I used tape to bind her legs and went out to find something to start a fire. She said there was food in her bag, but I found condoms instead. She even carried those."

Mike's face turned pale, his hands clenched into fists. He looked pretty average, with graying hair and a sharp mouth, not as tall and handsome as Saul. No wonder Tenley didn't want to marry him.

"In a fit of rage, I strangled her. When she stopped breathing, I threw her into the water pit in the mine!"

Olivia finished writing the statement and looked up at Mike.

"Do you regret killing her?" Olivia asked. 

Mike broke down in tears, holding his head. It seemed he did regret it. His impulsive act of murder had wrecked his life, but it was too late for regrets.

Olivia went back to the hotel to pack her things and got a gift ready for William's family. Knowing she was leaving, Thomas and Emma were sad to see her go.

"Olivia, I wish you could stay in Seaside City with William. I'd cook for you every day!" Emma liked Olivia a lot and wished she were her own daughter.

Thomas smiled and said, "It's not like we won't see each other again. William will be back in Silverlight City in a couple of years, and you'll see each other then!"

William took Olivia to the train station. Olivia wasn't heading back to Silverlight City with the task force but was going to Oceancrest City for a conference, as Parker had asked.

"Olivia, take care of yourself. You're too thin!" William said as Olivia boarded the train.

"William, thanks for looking out for me during this time. I know Henry asked you to, but thanks anyway!" Olivia smiled at William, a rare sight lately, and William smiled back.

Despite her youth and beauty, William always sensed a feeling of weariness from Olivia.

"You should thank Mr. Phillips. He really cares about you, Olivia. Cherish him; you'll be happy with him!"