Chapter 686

W75
“We have,” the officer declared. “Our investigation points to Fletcher Jonathan as the prime suspect. Here is the arrest warrant issued by the court. Congressman, you will come with us for questioning.”
Two officers stepped forward and snapped handcuffs onto Fletcher’s wrists.
“This is a mistake!” Fletcher protested, struggling. “You’ve got the wrong man. Me, a murderer? Ridiculous!”
Hector’s face drained of color. “Captain, my son cannot possibly be a killer. Have you really investigated this thoroughly?”
Nicoletta’s voice cut in sharply. “Yes, what proof do you have to name him? Is this based on someone’s testimony alone?” Her glance darted at Caitlin, implying it was her word that poisoned the well.
Around them, the hall buzzed with disbelief.
“My brother can’t be a murderer.”
“My father? Kill Uzma? That’s absurd!”
“Officers, you must be mistaken!”
Fletcher’s wife, Blythe, burst forward and clawed at her husband’s cuffs. “Let him go! He would never kill anyone. You’re wrong! Please, let him go!”
Their children cried out as well. Even Liliana chimed in, “He’s not a murderer. You must be chasing rumors.” In her heart, she blamed Caitlin for misleading the police.
The officers didn’t flinch. “We have irrefutable evidence. Take him.”
“I’m innocent! Innocent!” Fletcher shouted as they dragged him away.
No matter the outcry, the police left with their prisoner.
As soon as they were gone, Nicoletta wheeled on Caitlin, her voice a whip of fury. “Still claim you had no hand in this? You went to the police waving ‘evidence,‘ didn’t you? You’re destroying our family! Fletcher is our pillar, and you want to bring him down. You venomous woman!”
Blythe, worked into a frenzy, lunged at Caitlin and seized her collar, sobbing. “Why are you targeting my husband? What did we ever do to you? We’ve treated you well since you came here, fed you, sheltered you, and this is how you repay us? You’re nothing but a viper!”
Carson’s voice cracked with desperation. “Caitlin, this must be a misunderstanding. Please, talk to the police. My father could never do this!”
Caitlin shook Blythe off, looking at her with pity. Poor woman, still blind to what her husband really was. When the truth reached her, the blow would be devastating.
She didn’t bother defending herself. “The police act on evidence. This has nothing to do with me. Blame me
10:05 Wed, Oct 8
Chapter 686
all you like it won’t change that.”
The uproar swelled until Nicoletta taised her voice above it. “All this noise–it’s about the codex, isn’t it? That’s why you came here! Fletcher’s arrest, all of this—it’s your scheme to get your hands on it. Isn’t that right?”
Caitlin smiled faintly. “You’re half right. But no, I didn’t frame him.”
“Then tell me this,” Nicoletta spat. “If I hand you the codex, can you make this charge against Fletcher disappear?”
“I can’t. The police enforce the law. I’m just a private citizen, and a foreigner at that. I don’t meddle with D- country’s justice.”
Nicoletta’s eyes blazed. “So ruthless! Aren’t you afraid I’ll destroy the codex? Leave you with nothing forever?” The source of thɪs content is
“Try it, and we all burn together.” Caitlin’s words were quiet, but the threat beneath them was iron.
Most of the family stared blankly, not even knowing what this mysterious codex was.
“Enough!” Hector slammed the table, silencing them all. Only Blythe’s sobs remained. “Stop your wailing! The police said he’s a suspect, not the killer. If he’s innocent, he’ll be cleared. Do you think screaming will change anything? Everyone else–go. Caitlin, you come with me. Nicoletta, you too.”
Hector shuffled out. Nicoletta steadied him, Caitlin followed.
Back in his chambers, with only the three of them present, Hector turned to Nicoletta. “Hand over the codex to Caitlin.”
“Give it to her? Don’t be fooled!” Nicoletta snapped.
“She signed an agreement with me. With that contract, she must keep her word.”
He gestured at her pocket. Nicoletta pulled out the folded paper, opened it, and let out a sharp laugh. “Keep her word? Watch this.”
She took a bottle of floral spray, spritzed the page several times. The ink began to blur, running like spilled paint until the words dissolved into smears..
“Caitlin, your little parlor tricks might fool an old man, but not me.” She slapped the ruined sheet on the table.
Hector’s face fell. “You even tricked me? Caitlin, how could you?”
Nicoletta had outplayed her. Caitlin’s eyes narrowed, but a smile tugged at her lips. “Impressive. Nicoletta, you’re sharper than I gave you credit for.”
“Did you really think you could outwit me?” Nicoletta sneered.
“I only want what belongs to my grandfather’s family. Hand me the codex, and I’ll let you walk away with your dignity intact.” Caitlin’s tone was calm, but her words carried the weight of threat.
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Chapter 686
GAD
Nicoletta laughed bitterly. “Such arrogance! Unless you clear Fletcher’s name, don’t even dream of touching the codex.”
With a dramatic sweep of her sleeve, she stormed out.
Hector sighed heavily. “Caitlin, you shouldn’t have played games. I was ready to keep my word. But now, Nicoletta is furious, and I can do nothing.”
“I’ll speak to her again,” Caitlin said, striding after Nicoletta.
She caught up to her in the garden. “Nicoletta, wait.”
“There’s nothing to discuss!” Nicoletta snapped, blocking her path.
“I’m not here about the codex,” Caitlin said coolly. “I want to talk about Uzma. Why was she killed? Did she say something she shouldn’t? Or see something she wasn’t supposed to see? Was that why she was silenced?”
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