Chapter 165 Situation
Why did all these people end up together in the end?
How did Frank manage to transport 1,000 pounds of explosives to the True Love Entertainment Club?
How did no one detect these actions? In Silverlight City, 1,000 pounds of TNT would be considered a terrorist attack under any circumstances.
Even the National Guard's armory in Silverlight City wouldn't have that much explosive material.
There was only one possibility: Douglas was the public face of the Entertainment Club, but Frank was the real boss behind the scenes. He had been preparing for this day for years, accumulating the explosives bit by bit.
This was Frank's revenge plan, something he had been brewing for over a decade, waiting for this very day.
This theory seemed too obvious. For instance, Ronald must have known there were explosives in the Entertainment Club, so why did he stay there?
From another perspective, did Ronald see through Frank's plan and use it to punish traitors?
Or the conflict between Frank and Ronald was just an act, and their relationship never actually fractured.
I couldn't figure it out. Even though I knew all the karma from the old steel mill twenty years ago, each person's motives could only be inferred from others' accounts and their actions.
Many things were indeterminable. For example, did Erica and Ronald's relationship break down because Erica discovered the truth behind the old steel mill and chose to divorce him? Or did she separate from him to better help Ronald? Charles said Erica's feelings for Ronald were deep. Given her intelligence, she must have guessed the mastermind behind the orphanage betrayal was Ronald. So why didn't she expose him and instead remained silent?
If she sided with Ronald, why did she get so close to Alan? Alan wouldn't be easily swayed. Charles said Alan met her to persuade her to let go. Was he referring to Erica's indulgence of Ronald or her feelings for him?
And then there was the relationship between Frank and Ronald. It seemed like a life-and-death feud, with Frank living for revenge. But if Frank collected the explosives, why did Ronald quietly take control of them and let Frank stay near the Entertainment Club?
And why did Alan and Frank collaborate to fake a death? Who were they trying to deceive? What was their goal?
And the past of the Sand Village kids—so many things. I could only analyze the relationships from my perspective, piecing together the story as thoroughly as possible, but it seemed unnecessary.
What I needed to do now was get to the scene quickly and witness the final moment.
"In a way, this case is already clear." I suddenly said.
Leonard and Benjamin nodded, their faces serious.
"But I still feel like a failure. We all do."
I looked down, sighing. Despite spending months meticulously piecing together everyone's relationships along the timeline, it seemed the truth was out. Ruben drove the police car at breakneck speed, the sirens blaring, the sound of authority and justice feeling so powerless at this moment.
We were like spectators of a story, always a step behind. Knowing the full picture didn't make us happier; we still couldn't stop any of it.
"We're always a step too late. We figured out Ronald and Frank, uncovered everything from the old steel mill twenty years ago, but it doesn't change anything. We can't stop this from happening. In the end, they win."
I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me.
"I don't agree with you." Ruben, driving, suddenly spoke up, "We're cops. Our duty is to enforce the law and protect the community—but we're not omniscient. When a homicide goes unsolved, it's not a failure of justice; it's the reality of police work. We don't beat ourselves up over crimes we couldn't have prevented. We're human, not superheroes. Our job is to investigate, not to play God."
He continued, "I think this case is hitting you hard because of your husband, and it's clouding your judgment. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. It's not your fault. Even if you're not at the prosecutor's office anymore, you're still the best prosecutor and the best editor-in-chief of the legal journal in Silverlight City. This isn't flattery; it's the truth."
"Well said!" Benjamin clapped, praising Ruben. "Nancy, look at Ruben's insight and awareness. I taught him well!"
Leonard rolled his eyes at Benjamin, then nodded approvingly at Ruben.
"Nancy, Ruben may be young, but he's right. You have a long road ahead. Don't let this shake your resolve. You've come so far on your own, and as your mentor, I'm proud of you."
I was stunned, speechless. My mind hadn't stopped for a moment, day and night, thinking about these cases. I'd seen all facets of humanity, the warmth and coldness, the brilliance and the darkness.
Joseph was dead, Mike from the college group was dead, Frank was on the brink, and Alan was still missing. I wanted so badly to see them, to go back to the simple, happy college days, to have a meal together, chat, each with our own families and lives.
But why did it have to turn out like this?
My heart ached, and I couldn't find the words.
Leonard's phone rang. He glanced at it and quickly answered.
The conversation was brief, less than thirty seconds. Leonard's expression shifted from serious to surprised, then back to calm, though the lines on his face deepened. He hung up after a curt "Got it."
"Ruben, push the speed to the max. No matter what, we need to be at the scene in five minutes!"
His voice carried an undeniable authority. The engine roared, and the car began to shake. I glanced at the speedometer—it had jumped from 70 to 100 miles per hour. The car's weight couldn't suppress the slight wobble.
"Leonard?"
"Two things."
Leonard stared ahead, his tone grave.
"First, we just got word that Tony, Tom, Lally, Anna, Alan, Erica, Laura, Frank, and others are all being held by Ronald in the Entertainment Club's basement. Second, Frank somehow started a fire. Everyone is trapped in the blaze, seemingly ready to go down together. The fire department is on the way, but it'll take about ten minutes. We need to get there fast and coordinate!"