Alyssa felt a wave of nausea just imagining Justin's hypocritical smile. "A normal person could never, under any circumstances, understand the mind of a
psychopath."
Jasper turned to look at Alyssa, gazing deeply at her sharp, delicate profile.
"Even though Justin is ruthless and unhinged, he is meticulous and rarely leaves a trace. Otherwise, he couldn't have maintained his facade for so many years while engaging in so many filthy, illegal operations without us noticing.
"So, while Justin might have been the one who murdered Sheryl, he wasn't the one who disposed of her body. Whoever handled that part was careless and left a mess behind."
Alyssa's eyes locked with Jasper's. "I wouldn't be surprised if it was his secretary, Eden Huber. He's the only one left to do Justin's dirty work."
Jasper nodded gravely in agreement. "If Eden really was involved, he could become the key witness to bring Justin down."
"The entire bureau is focused on this case. I'll update you all as soon as the forensic pathologist reports back."
Cyrus then fell silent for a moment before addressing Jasper. "Jasper, there's something I'd like to talk to you about in private."
"Sure."
Jasper switched off the speakerphone, brought the receiver to his ear, and walked toward the far end of the corridor.
"Did something happen? The three of you vanished from the dining room at the same time. What were you three whispering about so secretively?" Alyssa asked, throwing a playfully suspicious look toward Jonah.
Jonah smiled. "It was nothing. Let's go back and enjoy dinner with Dad."
Just as Alyssa turned to leave the corridor, she caught sight of a blue tablet lying on the floor against the wall. Her pupils constricted, lashes trembling as a wave of anguish pierced her heart. Yet, she didn't say a word, She new Jasper never wanted her to see his vulnerability That was the pride he fought so desperately to protect.
...
Meanwhile, Jasper's voice dropped to urgency once he was out of earshot. "What happened, Cyrus?"
Cyrus exhaled heavily, pain lacing his words. "Please forgive my selfishness, Jasper. My mother was in an accident and is still unconscious. At the same time, my father has lost his memory, and his health is failing. I really...
"I won't survive if anything happens to Lyse again. That's why I haven't shared any
of my current findings with her. I'm afraid she'll lose her cool and put herself in grave danger. Besides, this involves Justin, so I knew I had to run it by you first."
"Cyrus, there's no need to explain.
I'm on the exact same page." Jasper leaned back against the wall, the moonlight casting a long shadow of his solitary, striking figure. "The road ahead is going to be incredibly dangerous want to walk it alone. don't want Lyse involved in this anymore."
Jasper's thoughts turned heavy as he recalled Alyssa's promise to walk alongside him. Yet, he admitted to himself that he couldn't honor it. Hẹ thought she might lash out, yell, oF even turn her back on him forever, suffering deeply because of his choices. Still, he believed all of that was insignificant compared to the need to keep her safe.
"Thank you for understanding, Jasper."
Cyrus pushed away his vulnerability, his tone shifting to the sharp, decisive edge of
a veteran criminal investigator. "Previously, we discovered Zachary's remains near a highway. During a subsequent search, we found a gold badge on his person. It had an emblem with a 'K' carved on it."