Chapter 462
462
462
“ Virgil , you’re finally here! Someone tried to walk all over me you’ve got to stand up for me!”
Reese rushed to her cousin , grabbing his arm and spilling her grievances.
“ Oh ? Who’s messing with my cousin?” Virgil asked, eyes narrowing.
“It’s them! That fat one and that ugly one!” Reese pointed straight at Wendy and Caitlin. “That ugly freak even slapped me! Look at my face—it’s still swollen!”
Virgil turned to get a look at the accused. Caitlin and Wendy both faced the two men calmly. Caitlin immediately recognized one of them–Virgil. She remembered him from the Black Hawk case. He was the prosecutor who’d insisted on transferring the suspect to his office, only for Black Hawk to escape and injure several officers. Virgil had taken a lot of heat for that.
So Reese’s cousin was “him“. Small world.
“What happened here? Why would you hit my cousin?” Virgil asked sternly.
“She had it coming,” Caitlin said coolly.
Reese immediately fanned the flames. “Did you hear that, Virgil? She doesn’t even feel guilty! Arrest them already!”
Virgil frowned. “Reese, that’s not how this works. At best, this is a civil dispute. There’s no grounds for arrest.”
Reese clearly expected that response. “What if I said they stole something from me? Theft is criminal, isn’t it ?”
Virgil nodded. “Yes, theft is a crime. The police can arrest suspects in that
ase.”
“Then I think the ugly one stole my bracelet!” Reese pointed dramatically at Caitlin.
Caitlin almost laughed. “When exactly did I steal your bracelet?”
“Yeah, when did my friend steal anything? Don’t you dare frame us!” Wendy snapped.
“I was wearing it when I came in, and now it’s gone,” Reese claimed, with complete confidence. “She grabbed my wrist earlier–she must’ve swiped it then. And they’ve been lurking around the store, not buying anything, clearly just waiting for a chance to steal!”
Caitlin rolled her eyes. Reese’s performance was almost impressive. She did recall grabbing Reese’s wrist earlier–and now, yes, the bracelet was indeed gone. Still…
“I didn’t steal anything,” Caitlin said icily. “If your bracelet’s missing, maybe try looking for it before making wild accusations.”
“I looked “everywhere. It’s not here,” Reese insisted. She clung to Virgil’s arm like a lifeline. “I’m telling you , they’re hiding it. That bracelet was a birthday gift from my dad–very expensive!”
Virgil took a firm tone. “If you did take the bracelet, return it now. Apologize, and I’ll let this go. But if you keep denying it and we find out you’ve hidden it, my colleague here is a plainclothes officer. He’ll have no choice but to take you in for questioning.”
Reese smirked and tilted her chin smugly at Wendy. She knew she had the upper hand.
Jillian folded her arms, watching like it was reality TV. She’d never liked Wendy, and this was pure entertainment.
Piper stood nearby with the other staff, not daring to interfere with a prosecutor on–site
Caitlin exhaled calmly. “I didn’t steal anything, and I have nothing to return. Apologize? Don’t count on it.”
“She won’t admit it, obviously,” Reese çút in. “But if you search their bags and pockets, I bet you’ll find it ! ”
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462
Although civilians aren’t allowed to conduct searches, the plainclothes officer stepped forward, flashed his Badge, and asked calthin and wakes cooperate .
“Fine. Go ahead,” Caitlin said, curious to see what kind of trick they had up their sleeve.
Toni was called over to assist. She started with the bags–nothing. Then she moved to a physical search, starting with Wendy Still nothing But when ha reached Caitlin, something unexpected happened.
She pulled a sparkling diamond bracelet out of Caitlin’s coat pocket.
Toni looked genuinely surprised. Her expression clearly said, “I knew something was off about you two?
“What the hell?” Wendy gasped when she saw the bracelet.
Caitlin’s eyes narrowed. That moment when Reese had brushed against her again, coming over to snatch the dress–was that when she slipped the bracelet into her pocket?
Reese snatched the bracelet from Toni’s hand and shouted, “That’s mine! Virgil, you see this, right? Caught red–handed! What more do you need?”
“I’ve got nothing to say,” Caitlin muttered with a bitter smirk.
“She’s lying! Virgil, have your friend arrest them both! I’m sure they’re part of a shoplifting ring. Who knows what else they’ve stolen?”
The plainclothes officer stepped forward. “Ladies, you’re suspected of theft. I’ll need you to come with me for questioning. Please cooperate.”
Caitlin’s voice dropped to a chilling whisper. “Are you sure I stole that bracelet? Because if you arrest me… I hope you’re prepared for the consequences.”
“We’re just doing our job. The evidence speaks for itself. Any objections can be addressed at the station.”
Just as the officer was about to move in, Ulyana, the quiet store clerk, finally stepped forward.
“Officer! She didn’t steal anything!” she cried out.
Every eye in the store turned to her.
“Ulyana!” Piper hissed, signaling her to keep her mouth shut.
Intimidated, Ulyana looked down–but then took a deep breath and lifted her chin. “I’m not lying. I saw everything.”
Virgil asked, “What exactly did you see?”
“I saw this woman- –” Ulyana pointed to Reese “-arguing with them earlier. After that, she secretly slipped her bracelet into the lady’s coat pocket and then accused her of stealing it.”
Because she’d been ignored and sidelined all day, Ulyana had the perfect vantage point to see everything unfold.
“You’re lying!” Reese screamed and slapped Ulyana hard across the face.
“I’m not lying…” Ulyana whispered, holding back tears as she touched her cheek.
Reese, desperate, barked at Virgil and his colleague, “She’s clearly working with them! You should arrest them now before they make a scene! ”
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