The recording

We decided to be cautious and check what was on that flash drive once everyone left the company. It was a little after 10 PM, and since we weren’t certain if the drive was password protected, Aren and Neil met us in our full of equipment computer office. We locked the doors after making sure that all the other employees were gone from that floor, and ceremoniously plugged the USB into my computer. I checked if the flash drive wasn’t infected before I opened its content, holding my breath. There was a single audio file on it. Aren, Norton, Alan, and Neil sat around me as I opened it. The recording started with some cracks and distorted sounds, which lasted about a minute. It felt discouraging. I skipped the record on fast-forward until finally, we heard two male voices. “The police want to reopen the case. Someone must have tipped them off,” the first man said in a low-pitched hoarse voice.

“What do you mean, someone?! It was your fucking job to make sure that no one ever digs in Liling’s case!” the second man roared.

I recognized that second voice, and so did Aren-the voice belonged to his father, James Winton. I stopped the recording and looked at my husband. His jaw was tense, his cold eyes locked firmly on the computer screen displaying the graphic wave of the recording. I placed my hand on top of his fisted palm. “Are you sure you don’t want to hear it alone first?” I asked him.

He took a deep breath.”No, let’s play it here and now.”

I looked at Alan, Norton, and Neil. They all sat still, as if the tension in the room restricted them from any movement. I turned the recorded file back on.

“I took care of the pathologist, so he will stay quiet. But there’s a rumor that someone ordered a second, independent report along with your dead wife’s toxicology,” the first man explained.

“How the hell did it happen, Richardson?! You assured me that none of your men would touch the case again, and now this?! What did I pay you for?!” James Winton thundered. “Watch it, Winton,” Richardson hissed. “I was paid for turning a blind eye to the fact that you murdered your wife, who wanted to leave you and take her money with her. And I don’t recall receiving the money from you. As I recall, it was a Chinese guy who carried the money, and I don’t assume that was a member of your family,” he said coldly.

A sound of frustration escaped James Winton’s throat. “I will pay you more…” he groaned angrily. “Just take care of that other pathology report.”

Richardson chuckled. “Consider it done.”

The recorded file ended soon after his words. As the player turned off, we stayed in silence for about a minute, processing what we had heard.

“Wow… now that’s some serious shit…” Alan was the first one to comment.

Neil sighed heavily, smirking at him. “Tell me about it.”

Norton glanced at me before silently going back to his desk to type something on his computer. Aren hid his face in his hands.

are you all right?” I asked softly, gently sliding my hand down his

his lips. “I knew that this cold fucker murdered my mother, but I guess it’s different to hear him talk about it… I’ve been waiting many years for this moment.” Looking deep into his beautiful black irises, I knew that he was hurting. Before meeting the Winton fanily, I could never imagine how anyone could be so cruel, greedy, and calculated, but every single one of them was

and kissed his temple. “You

smiled at me and stroked my cheek, but I could see how badly this recording had

former Chef of the Greenwich Police Department, retired in 2020,” Norton

“You found him already? That’s not fair! I

too!”

the rest of us ignored Alan’s grunting, shifting our eyes to Norton’s computer, There was a picture of a half-bald guy with grey hair and narrow, wide-set grey

cover up my mother’s murder…” Aren clenched his fist, staring at the

trying to soothe his

Alan backed up my statement. “And if, for some reason, using legal means is impossible, Cora, Norton, and I will make their lives a living hell.” He

smirked and high-fived Norton and Alan. “Thanks, guys. I think I’m

rushed toward Aren and stared intensely at him. “Speaking of not

cold. “Don’t push it, Neil You are most likely the best-paid

least promise him a good vacation. He truly deserves

“Very well. Neil, I promise to send you on a good vacation … as soon as

them have their release date next year!” Neil

“Take

could get back to the corrupted former chef of the Greenwich Police Department. Apparently, James Winton and whoever

of payments he

find out who was responsible for that second pathology report and

talk to our friend in the FBI tomorrow, and together

our way out and

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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