“Exactly. However, there are only two fingerprints on the assessment report, corresponding to the thumb and index finger, respectively. Furthermore, the prints are very firm, as if while I’m holding it, someone has put something in between my fingers.”
The coroner raised his fingers on purpose and slipped the piece of paper in between them. Just like that, the paper was snugly pinched.
The Chief Prosecutor was astounded.
In response, Jonathan, who was sitting in his chair, banged the table with his murderous fist. The atmosphere in the study suddenly turned terrifying.
Evidently, the assessment results were fake.
The results that Logan had in his hand when he went to see Sebastian had been switched.
“Go on!” Jonathan ordered as he desperately tried to control his rage.
Gulping, the coroner continued, “With regards to the combination lock, the fingerprints on it have been tampered with. And that’s what makes the matter so suspicious.”
“What do you mean?”
“A lock that has been used for a long time will never be clean of prints.”
The coroner shrugged his shoulders as he showed them the clean fingerprint collection film.
Silence ensued in the study.
It wasn’t hard to follow the lead provided by the combination lock. As long as they could verify it had been tampered with, Jonathan could easily find out who unlocked it on that night.
The reason was that other than the correct combination, one also needed a fingerprint chip before one could enter.
The fingerprint chip was placed at the military base and only an officer had access to it. Hence, it would not be difficult to find out who had used it back then.
Subsequently, Jonathan decided to head back to the military base.
However, he was oblivious to the fact that he would be utterly shocked at who the perpetrator was when he finally completed his investigations. And in fact, that realization would deal a devastating blow to him.
Back at Heron Hill.
Sasha was having a good day with Sebastian who was being locked up at the summit of the small hill.
After they were sent there, Sasha realized Sebastian no longer raged as he did in the hospital.
Instead, he was largely calm and quiet in the house. All he did was play chess alone with a set that Sasha had found in Jonathan’s study.
On second thought, she wasn’t even sure if he was playing a game.
Every time she went in, she would only see a few pieces placed on the board and he would be staring blankly at them.
What is he thinking?
Sasha felt the urge to know.
However, given how rare it was to be at peace, Sasha refrained from asking him. She treasured the fact that she could continue to spend time by his side.
“Darling, it’s time for lunch. Look, I made you your favorite steak and mushroom soup. Why don’t we give it a try?”
Given that it was lunchtime, Sasha called out to him as she served the food she had prepared.
She didn’t change the way she addressed him.
After having suffered so many blows, she didn’t want to lose the right to address him as such.
When she went to see him the moment he woke up, she called him “darling” to remind him of their relationship. Unfortunately, he responded with cold indifference.
After filling him a bowl of soup, she prepared his plate and put them on the table.
“Darling?”
“Open the door!”
Suddenly, Sebastian cried out as he swept aside the chess pieces. His gaze was trained at the sunlight that was penetrating the window.
Open the door? What is he trying to do?”
Sasha’s expression darkened slightly. “Are… are you planning to go out for a walk? But…”
She wanted to tell him that he couldn’t do so because he was sick. If he flew into a sudden fit of rage, she would not be able to stop him.
However, when she saw how intently he was looking outside as if it was his craving, her heart wavered.
“Fine. Wait for me.”
After putting down her bowl, she ran out at once.
She came back a few minutes later with a red silky ribbon. She had removed it from somewhere, rushed back happily with it, and stood before Sebastian.
“Darling, I’m sorry, but can I tie this to your wrist?” she pleaded coyly.
She watched him warily as she raised the ribbon.
Sebastian stared at her.
Is she trying to leash me like a dog?
A few seconds later, he wiggled his wrist at her.
Sasha was delighted by his response and immediately tied the ribbon around his arm. After that, she made a circle with the ribbon and threaded her hand through it.
“All right, Darling, let’s go now.”
She was delighted at how both their arms were secured tightly with the ribbon.
However, Sebastian was speechless at the sight.