Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

The station captain was under pressure from his superiors because the police officers still couldn't get Nicholas to talk.

When he learned that Alyssa wanted to try negotiating with Nicholas, he decided solving the case was more important than following protocol. Although Alyssa wasn't a professional negotiator, he made an exception and allowed her to meet with Nicholas for a chat.

Jasper and Cyrus watched Alyssa's confrontation with Nicholas through a one-way mirror in the observation room next to the interrogation room. Their faces were grim and filled with concern.

In the interrogation room, Nicholas stared emotionlessly at Alyssa. "Ms. Alyssa, I've confessed everything I need to confess. I don't think we have anything left to discuss."

"Chief Novak," Alyssa began.

"Please don't call me that. Here, I'm just a cold-blooded murder suspect," Nicholas mocked.

Even as a prisoner, he retained his elegance-decades as an official had imbued him with an air of calmness that wouldn't disappear overnight.

"Alright, Mr. Novak, then," Alyssa conceded. Her gaze held warmth and respect. "I know you didn't end up here because you're evil. It was because you had no other choice."

"You're wrong. All my decisions were my own," Nicholas insisted. A corner of his lip twitched. "Ms. Alyssa, I only agreed to this meeting because you once saved my wife. I've confessed to my crimes and won't elaborate further. Please leave."

On the other side of the mirror, Jasper gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

Sensing Jasper's nervousness, Cyrus patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, Jasper. I'm sure Lyse knows what she's doing."

Alyssa took a deep breath to compose herself. She placed a report in front of Nicholas.

this?" Nicholas asked, lowering his

you consider your lifesaver," Alyssa explained coldly. Nicholas' eyes flickered, and his cold façade

of the mastermind, even committing crimes for him. You did it all

you never stopped to think that this so-called 'research' for a new medication was a sham from the start," Alyssa continued, her voice calm yet her

do you mean? What scam?" Nicholas demanded, his

a sedative," Alyssa continued in a low voice. "Not only is it entirely ineffective for Alzheimer's, but it also has dangerous side effects. An overdose could even be

took it have suffered seizures and even died. Compared to other sedatives, it's more

a blow. As a policeman, drugs were his

them This revelation she

his

swn!

and everything he believed

"This report is fake! You're trying to trick

observation room, Cyrus frowned. "He's falling for it. He's close to revealing the murders are connected

grimly. "Nicholas is a pawn, clearing obstacles for the mastermind so the 'experiment'

shame a decorated police commissioner like him would join forces with

fixed his gaze on Alyssa. "That wasn't his intention. He was just desperate to

frustration. "While that's pitiful, it remains utterly disgusting and

took

this mastermind. Surely, you've had your doubts. All those who the medication suffered immensely. Haven't you ever questioned it?" Alyssa

Nicholas. He