Can't Win Me Back

"Do you hear yourself, Cyrus Taylor?" Nicholas' heart sank. He sternly rebuked Cyrus, "I am your superior. Besides, I was the one whose life was in danger tonight. I was the one being attacked! "Are you trying to arrest me right now? What are you thinking? Will you be able to handle it if news of this gets out?"

Jasper watched Cyrus with a worried look in his eyes.

Although he wasn't part of the police force, he understood that those in positions of authority had the power to crush those beneath them.

"I've assigned officers to seal off this entire area. No one will find out about what happened here tonight. It's not just for your reputation, but also to avoid causing panic among the citizens. I don't want the residents here to feel unsafe leaving their homes at night."

Cyrus lightly smirked. Fearlessness was written all over his face. In a firm tone, he continued, "Furthermore, you yourself said those thugs came after you. You're a victim. If that's the case, according to our procedures, you should also come back with us so that we can take your statement and ensure your safety.

"After all, you are my superior. You're not just some ordinary person. Don't you agree?"

Nicholas was rendered speechless.

Jasper narrowed his eyes slightly. Deep down, his admiration for Cyrus grew.

Who was it who said Cyrus was a reckless man?

True enough, Alyssa was her brother's greatest critic.

It was the wee hours of the morning, and a heavy atmosphere filled the interrogation room.

Nicholas sat in a chair, his eyes downcast. He refused to speak about anything other than the night's incident.

"There's nothing we can do, Chief Taylor. Chief Novak refuses to speak no matter how we question him."This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

Cyrus' colleagues were worried. "The captain has found out about this. He instructed us to interrogate him according to protocol. Then, we have to let Chief Novak go. Otherwise, he will definitely hold you accountable and you might get suspended!"

Cyrus clenched his teeth and pressed his palm to his forehead. "How much time do we have left?"

"Two hours, maybe less. The captain was on a work trip in Belbanks. He cut his trip short upon receiving this news. He is on his way back to Solana City as we speak."

Cyrus' chest clenched. He paced the hallway, anxiety gnawing at him. Suspension wasn't the worry. It was the immense effort they'd invested in finally reining Nicholas in. If they couldn't get him to talk now, capturing him later would be a long shot.

Disappointment for Alyssa and Jasper was a bitter pill to swallow but letting Jameson win was unthinkable.

Cyrus steeled himself. He took a deep breath before going back into the interrogation room to confront Nicholas.

Nicholas lounged back, eyes closed, the picture of relaxation. "I'm sure your station captain is en route. Just a heads-up, Chief Taylor-if you keep me here, I can't guarantee you'll still have your job come morning.

"I've said all I know. I don't know those thugs, and I have no idea why they attacked me. My actions were purely in self-defense. Any other questions, I simply can't answer."

Cyrus' tongue darted to the roof of his mouth. In a cold, commanding tone, he said, "The leader of the thugs has confessed, Chief Novak. They weren't after your money; they were trying to silence you." Nicholas' expression remained impassive.

"He also said they're affiliated with the Schmidt Group." Cyrus approached deliberately, tapping a languid rhythm on the table. "So, can I conclude that Jameson Schmidt is the one who wanted you dead? After all, the other Schmidt family members are either dead or imprisoned. He's the only Schmidt left."

He almost let slip "viper" instead of "only Schmidt left".

A sudden, sharp laugh erupted from Nicholas. "Playing the prisoner's dilemma, are we, Chief Taylor? Do you think that'll work on a fellow officer'll give you credit for your imagination, though. It's such a waste of your talent here. Screenwriting suit you better."