Chapter 96: Unravelling the truth

The door of Detective Charles' office swung open with a bang, nearly yanking its hinges from the wall. A young officer, his face pale and sweat clinging to his brow, burst into the room, his chest heaving with exertion. "Sir!" he gasped, eyes wide with panic. "It's Fernandez! He's…" His voice cracked, and he struggled to get the next words out. Charles snapped, his irritation momentarily eclipsing his curiosity. "Whatever it is, can't it wait? We're in the middle of—" "No, sir," the officer interrupted, his voice gaining urgency. "It can't. Fernandez… he's dead!" The blood drained from Charles' face as quickly as the colour had drained from the young officer's. He shoved his chair back from the desk, his composure momentarily shattered. "Dead?" Miller echoed, his initial anger replaced by a jolt of surprise. "How? When?" The young officer shook his head, unable to speak. Without another word, Miller grabbed the officer by the arm and practically dragged him out of the