Can't Win Me Back

They hadn't finished their conversation about the medication when another problem emerged.

Xavier drove Jasper's Rolls-Royce as they sped to the police station, a heavy atmosphere settling in the car.

Cyrus was waiting at the police station, his expression intense.

"Everything was fine. How did Uncle Nathan end up involved in a murder?" Alyssa asked eagerly.

"We received a report last night that a male body was found in an obscure alley on South Harmony Street in the West City District. He was severely beaten, with many signs of lacerations and heavy impact. "The victim had a Northern Cardinal badge on his chest. After confirming his identity, it turned out he was a member of The Ivory Gang," Cyrus explained calmly.

Cyrus continued, "The alley is near a high-end membership club. It's usually empty during the day, and guests drive directly into the basement car park at night. No one walks in that alley.

"It was an old lady who was collecting recyclables that found the body due to the stench two days after his death. By then, the body had shown signs of decay, with large rats crawling on it-" "Cyrus, stop!" Alyssa interrupted, her face pale. "A summary will do. We just had lunch!"

Jasper, however, looked intrigued.

"In short, after several rounds of interrogation, Nathan admits to beating the man out of frustration. He denied the allegation of murder. He claimed that the victim was still alive when he left him." Jasper asked seriously, "Cyrus, did the police retrieve Nathan's DNA from the body?"

Cyrus furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head. "Not only did we find his DNA, but we also have surveillance footage of the alley. It shows Nathan dragging the victim into the alley, beating him up, and then leaving."

Alyssa asked further. "Was the violence caught on camera?"

"No," Cyrus replied, "but the footage shows only Nathan and the old lady. No one else entered the alley. This isn't my case, but my colleague from the technical department confirmed that the footage hasn't been edited. So, Nathan is the prime suspect now."

Cyrus sighed deeply. "The physical evidence is there, even though we have no witnesses. If Nathan were charged with manslaughter, he would likely spend the rest of his life in prison."

Alyssa leaned back in her seat, a heavy silence settling in her heart. She didn't believe Nathan was inherently violent, but the evidence was undeniable. He'd beaten the man, leaving him in the alley. "Nathan manhandled the guy, then left like nothing happened right under the security camera! It doesn't add up." Jasper squinted, his brow furrowing in doubt.

Alyssa and Cyrus looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"First, I know Nathan Waters as street-smart man. He's not a violent thug who acts without thinking about the consequences. As Marc Waters right-hand man, he always had the future of The Ivory Gang in mind. He would never do something so reckless."

A sharp glint appeared in Jasper's eyes. "Even if he acted rashly and beat someone to death, Nathan is an experienced man. Why wouldn't he arrange for someone to clean up the crime scene? It doesn't make sense."

Cyrus nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly, Jasper. It felt off to me too. That's why I called you both."Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

"Jasper, are you saying..." Alyssa blinked and anxiously grabbed his hand resting on his thigh. "Uncle Nathan was framed? Someone entered the alley after him and killed the man?"

Jasper looked at her tenderly, taking her hand in his. "Only you know what I'm thinking, Lyse."

Cyrus coughed gently, feeling awkward. The couple's affection for each other often made him feel out of place.

"Who would be so ruthless to frame Nathan?" Cyrus furrowed his eyebrows tightly. "Could it be an enemy of the Ivory Gang?"

"It's possible, but I don't think their enemies would attack in secret. They're usually blunt and confrontational." Alyssa leaned into Jasper's embrace, her eyes logical and cold. "Plus, the person framing Uncle Nathan knew how to avoid the cameras and didn't leave any traces on the body. This person is a

professional with excellent observational skills."