As a seasoned detective, Aaron''s senses were already on high alert. Logan''s question sent them into overdrive.


    "Logan! What nonsense are you spouting? Have I been too lenient with you?!" Chief Roderick exploded, his face turning red. "She''s a doctor, I''m the Chief of Police. Where would I have met her? Don''t let your imagination run wild!"


    Seeing the man''s flustered reaction, Logan grew even more confused. "If that''s the case, then what''s wrong with me investigating Alexia ording to procedure? I don''t get it. Thaddeus''s test came back positive, and we found drugs in his office. He''s clearly a user! To make the charges stick, we have to find out who supplied him. Otherwise, the case is weak. You have no idea how sharp hiswyer is—it''s the former high court judge, Ivan Dempsey!"


    Cassius was still eavesdropping, catching bits and pieces. Logan''s voice was more prating, so he could make out most of what he said, and he clearly registered Chief Roderick''s overly agitated, defensive reaction when Logan questioned his rtionship with Alexia. Though the Chief denied it vehemently, Aaron had interrogated enough suspects to know that when someone reacted that emotionally to deny a connection, they were almost certainly involved. Otherwise, why the panic?


    Chief Roderick sat down, his face grim. "Since we can''t nail him for possession, the fact that he''s a drug user is set in stone. This case is closed!"<fne5b4> This text is hosted at fι?dnοvel</fne5b4>


    Logan, unwilling to let it go, protested, "Chief, there''s more to this case. We''re in the middle of a major crackdown on Crystal Ice, a drug as dangerous as meth ever was! We finally have a lead; if we follow it, we might be able to uncover the entire distributionwork! Why are we closing the case now?"


    Aaron''s eyes narrowed. He and Logan had been rivals for years, constantly at each other''s throats. He had always seen Logan as a corrupt opportunist who did nothing but kiss up to the Chief. But now, he was realizing he might have misjudged himpletely.


    Logan pressed on, "Besides, Thaddeus denies using illegal drugs. He ims the toxins in his system are from a banned prescription medication. There''s a huge difference. If hees up with solid proof to back that up, we can''t convict him of drug use. The entire department will end up with egg on its face!"


    "What proof could he have? If he had it, he would''ve produced it by now," Chief Roderick shot back. “Since you don''t have enough for a possession charge, proving he''s a user is sufficient! Now, release Alexia immediately. What does she have to do with any of this?!"


    He''d gone from "Ms. Alexia" to just "Alexia," a clear attempt to distance himself. The shift felt awkward to Logan. It was as if catching a drug user wasn''t the priority; the real goal was to pin the crime on Thaddeus.


    Outside the door, Aaron hade to the same conclusion. The more he heard, the more his suspicion of Chief Roderick grew.


    "Hey! Captain Ashbourne, there you are! We''ve been looking all over for you!" an officer called from down the hall.


    Startled, Aaron quickly straightened up, feigningposure. Inside the office, Logan and Chief Roderick both froze when they heard Aaron name. The Chief immediately ended the conversation. "That''s enough. Do ast say. Get back to work.


    Logan scowled and opened the door. By the time he looked out, Aaron was gone.


    Once Logan had left, Chief Roderick quickly took out his phone and dialed a number, his voice filled with remorse. "I''m so sorry, truly sorry It was my oversight; I didn''t keep a


    keepa


    close enough watch on my subordinate, and he brought in someone he shouldn''t have. But please don''t worry, I''ve already had Ms. Alexia released, and I''ll make sure no one bothers her again."


    A deep, middle-aged voice replied from the other end, "As long as it didn''t create any new problems."


    Chief Roderick hesitated. "It''s just that, Mr. Thaddeus''s case... it might be difficult to secure a conviction..."


    "It''s enough," the man said, his voice devoid of emotion, purely transactional. "You''ve done well. The desired effect has been achieved."


    ...


    A few hourster, Alexia walked out


    of the police station unharmed. Her


    face was grim as she quickly got into a ck fuxury car and dialed Chad''s number.