Chapter 22
After Gabrielle's party had wrapped up, my spirit aimlessly drifted through the city streets. My form grew increasingly transparent, feeling as if my ghost was on the verge of fading away from the world, yet no one had discovered my demise amidst those charred remains. It seemed I and my child were doomed to never rest in peace. Somehow, my wanderings led me to the police station, likely because that was where my body was. In my final moments, it seemed I got drawn there.
Upon arriving at the police station, I noticed Dr. Hilton's car parked outside. He had left Gabrielle's party abruptly after receiving a call, didn't even give his gift. What urgent matter brought him to the police station on this night? Curiosity got the better of me, and I moved closer to find out.
He was poring over documents related to those three charred bodies, repeatedly highlighting errors in the DNA analysis that had initially identified me among them.
"Could I collaborate with the medical examiner to review the examination of those three bodies once more?" Dr. Hilton's voice, calm but loaded with a sense of urgency, broke the silence.
Detective Ronald furrowed his brow, and other officers expressed their concerns. "It's going to be tough to get the authorization for that."
"Indeed. The case has been closed, and the families have been in the post-investigation procedures. Re-examining would require approvals from higher up."
While everyone seemed hesitant, Ronald nodded in agreement, "Max, so you think there's more to this case, too?"
I was stunned. Ronald knew Dr. Hilton.
I couldn't help but wonder, 'This Dr. Hilton is Max? Is he the same Max from the Hilton family? But if he were indeed from the influential Hilton family, wouldn't he have countless resources for such inquiries? Why would he personally delve into this?' 'It must be a coincidence of names,' I thought.
Shaking my head, I looked at Max, meeting his determined gaze. The light seemed to have drained from his eyes, his grip on the documents tightening.
'Is he nervous? About my death?' I shook off the thought, scolding myself for being too presumptuous.
He was likely assisting Ronald. After all, he was a doctor.
"When can we get the authorization?" Max asked, his voice cutting through the tension.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Ronald replied, "At best, three days."Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
"One day. I'll be back here in a day," Max said firmly before heading out.
Massaging his temples, Ronald sighed deeply before conceding, "Fine! You're here at my request, and I understand your urgency. One day it is."
A younger officer tugged at Ronald's sleeve, worriedly whispering, "Boss, this isn't right. It could cause trouble!"
But Ronald declared and reassured
him with a pat, "I'll bear any repercussions. Even if it costs me my position, I must find out what truly happened to Claire. There are too many coincidences!"
Tears started rolling down my cheeks, it hit me that Ronald might just be the only one out there searching for me.
I could only pray that he would uncover the truth soon, granting my remains the dignity they deserved and allowing my spirit to rest in peace.
As my spirit exited the police station, I stumbled upon a sinister scene in a dark alley, two men stealthily following Max's car.
'Why are they following Max? Could it be the previous police findings and the tampering with my DNA were orchestrated by someone from the shadows?' I pondered, 'Was the fire that took my life not an accident but an act of deliberate malice? Who is behind all this?'
Refusing to give up, I followed the culprits, only to be shocked beyond belief when they removed their caps. The driver was none other than Scar Man, the very man who had
swn y
abducted and harmed me! He was
alive!
Then whose remains were they? If my assailant was still at large, who was pulling the strings behind these heinous acts? The mystery only deepened, leaving me desperate for answers.