Extra's Descent
Chapter 388: Evelyn Cessna [5]

"Good job, I'll take it from here."

Isaac dismissed the third–rate actors he just hired.

It was all so, for the purpose of assessing Brandon Locke's personality.

And from what he could see.

'He's not taking this seriously….'

It was fairly obvious to Isaac that Brandon Locke was at the scene of the crime. However, as he recalled the scene, there seemed to be more to the story than just plain murder.

Of course, the moment he confirmed Brandon Locke's identity, Isaac had done in depth research in under three hours.

From his replaceings, Brandon Locke was a bigshot.

There were too many figures they were keeping an eye out for, so Brandon Locke was out of their radar.

But now, things took a turn.

'S–rank at seventeen, huh?'

It was scary.

But regardless, he had murdered Evelyn Cessna.

Isaac was sure of it.

He had to get to the bottom of it.

"What's your motive, Brandon Locke? Why throw everything away?"

A contrast to the actors he hired, who relentlessly beated Brandon Locke, Isaac spoke calmly.

It was clear that intimidation and threats didn't work on the boy.

The look on his face as if he was already used to it set a lingering sense of unease.

His eyes…. As if he already knew the outcome of the situation.

"Why murder your mentor? The person who solely believed in you?"

"...."

However, Brandon Locke remained quiet and only stared back at him with a dull expression.

"Let me rephrase the question."

Isaac shook his head.

"What did you kill?"

"...."

For just a fraction of a second, Isaac saw the flickering in Brandon's expressions slightly.

While Isaac wasn't exactly sure, the entire murder didn't make sense.

"Why did Evelyn Cessna allow herself to get killed?" Explore more adventures at M V L

Imaginingy Evelyn Cessna, even the hunting dogs would have a hard time suppressing her.

And a seventeen year old S–ranker was able to kill her? And in her own apartment at that?

Truly, the entire case was unusual.

For that reason, they had to detain him and milk information out of him.

"Would you believe me if I told you she was turning into a Wraith?"

Finally, he had gotten a response out of Brandon Locke.

"...."

Isaac was taken aback, but didn't show it outwardly.

"That's all I'm going to say. Do whatever you want."

"If hypothetically, what you're saying is true. Then why were you there at the exact moment?"

Isaac had a hard time believing it. Evelyn Cessna turning into a Wraith? Ridiculous.

"...."

"Not talking?"

And Brandon Locke remained silent.

He knew why Brandon was silent. Anything he admitted here could be used against him in court.

Circumstantial evidence was already piling up, but without a confession, it wouldn't be enough. They needed something solid.

Isaac decided to switch tactics.

"We didn't replace Evelyn's phone at the scene."

He said, watching closely for a reaction.

"It was gone. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

Brandon's face remained blank, but Isaac saw the faintest flicker of something.

Maybe. He was onto something.

"If we hack your phone, will we replace anything? Messages? Calls?"

Brandon finally moved, sitting up slightly straighter.

"There's a record. A message."

Isaac leaned forward.

"What message?"

"She was looking for me. That's why I was there."

Isaac's mind whirred. If Evelyn had been reaching out to Brandon before her death, that could change everything.

But why hadn't they found that message in her records? Why wasn't her phone at the scene?

"Who took her phone, Locke? Who else was there?"

Brandon didn't answer, but Isaac could feel it. If it were true, someone else had been involved.

Someone who had covered their tracks and led Brandon straight into this mess.

Because in the first place, they had confiscated everything he had on him, and there were no signs of Evelyn's phone.

Either he hid it during the timeframe of his escape, or he was telling the truth.

"You're saying someone else took her phone and called you, leading you to the scene?"

Brandon's silence was all the confirmation Isaac needed.

Isaac's thoughts raced. If it was true, someone had orchestrated this.

Someone had stolen Evelyn's phone and used it to lure Brandon to the scene.

It was only a theory. But Isaac's thoughts pondered deeper, trying to paint the picture.

"But you did kill her, didn't you?"

Brandon's eyes met Isaac's, and in that moment, the truth settled between them like a heavy weight.

Brandon had killed Evelyn. But it wasn't murder. Not in the traditional sense.

Isaac sat back, exhaling slowly.

"So you're telling me there's no murder here? No crime?"

"There's a crime. But it's not what you think."

Isaac clenched his fists. Brandon was holding back, revealing only what he needed to.

But the fact remained. Evelyn was dead, and Brandon had been the one to end her life.

Not as if Brandon had voiced it out, Isaac had picked up on the subtle body reactions.

"What aren't you telling me?"

Brandon looked at him with a strange calm demeanor.

"The person responsible… they took her phone. They called me to replace her like that."

"Then why?"

Brandon didn't blink.

"Because she was already gone. The Evelyn I knew wasn't there anymore. She was turning into something else. Something I couldn't save."

Isaac stood abruptly.

The pieces didn't fit, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Brandon was telling the truth—or at least part of it.

In the first place, the only reason Isaac was hearing him out was because of a favor from a friend.

"There's still enough to charge you, Locke."

Brandon's lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn't reach his eyes.

"Do whatever you want."

"You're lucky I'm even hearing you out. Just know that if nothing's found, you'll be executed for treason."

Isaac was just about to leave, thinking to end it there for today, before he remembered something.

"Ah, it's just for show. The guilds have specifically requested this. You'll be beaten for the next few days."

Opening the door, Isaac didn't look back, and said,

"No hard feelings."

Clank!

Brandon sat and let out a defeated sigh as Isaac left the room.

The only reason he had revealed the facts, was because he was aware what kind of person Isaac was.

But still, the case was about to get bigger. If he ran out of time, if he was actually convicted and sentenced to death, then he had a back–up plan in mind.

It was good that he had pieces to use.

Now?

It was all up to his Queen to turn things around.

***

The next day.

Amelia's thoughts were still in disarray, but she had composed herself somewhat.

Looking down from the fifth floor, there was a crowd that gathered.

Amelia was aware of their purpose.

They were paparazzi, hoping to get a statement out of her.

Belle had told her of this the moment she left the house.

For that reason, Amelia disguised herself with a cap and a mask, and escaped from the back–exit soon after.

There was a place she needed to go.

Belle was currently using her connections to assist in the case.

Amelia, on the other hand, planned to do some investigation.

Soon, she arrived at the hospital, responsible for documenting Evelyn's medical record.

"Excuse me, is Doctor Ben Dover around?"

"Doctor Ben Dover? Uhm, he's still on leave. What's your number? I'll inform him once he returns."

"Is that so? It's fine. I'll come back next time."

And the investigation ended there.

Amelia clenched her fist, realizing she'd have to wait a couple of days.

But it was then.

Belle had sent her a message.

[Check the news, quick!]

And so, she did.

The moment the search loaded, Amelia's eyes widened in shock.

[Surgeon for a prestigious hospital found dead in his apartment!]