6 Chapter 6
“What did you say?”
Everyone, including my father–in–law, stopped what they were doing and looked at me quizzically.
Only Kellan, standing to the side, averted his gaze, seemingly plotting something.
“I said, Xanthe isn’t dead!”
“That’s bullshit! We all heard the gunshot. My daughter was killed by the kidnappers.”
Unable to bear my father–in–law’s continued anguish, I pointed at Kellan, who was hiding behind him.
“Whether your daughter is dead or not, he knows better than I do.”
Suddenly thrust into the spotlight, Kellan visibly shuddered and stepped forward, trembling.
“Bram, what nonsense are you spouting? Xanthe was clearly killed by the kidnappers. Everyone heard it.”
“Officer, arrest him immediately! He’s just trying to stall for time.” Officer Hudson turned to me, his tone unfriendly.
“Mr. Shaw, don’t tell me you’ve concocted some wild story just to clear your name.”
I glanced at Kellan, then let out a cold laugh.
“Officer Hudson, my house is surrounded by your police force. Do
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you really think I have any reason to lie to you now?” Miss Gevano, why don’t you tell us where she is now, and if she’s safe?”
I heaved a deep sigh and raised my hand, pointing at Kellan.
“I’ve already said this – Xanthe’s whereabouts are better known to
him than to me.”
My father–in–law, now gradually calming down, turned his head to
ask.
“Kellan, speak up! Where on earth is your sister?”
But Kellan still pretended to know nothing, insisting that I was responsible for Xanthe’s death.
“Dad! I really don’t know! It’s clearly Bram who wants to swallow up my sister’s shares and is now turning the tables on me.”
“Don’t let him fool you. If I knew where Xanthe was, why would I be selling my house and car to save her?”
After hearing Kellan’s words, I started clapping.
“You two siblings… no, you two lovebirds really are quite the actors, aren’t you? One better than the other.”
A good show, after all, should be savored slowly.
“You’re talking complete nonsense! Dad, don’t believe what he’s saying. Xanthe is my sister, how could I possibly kidnap her?”
I couldn’t be bothered to watch his performance anymore and turned to look at Garrison.
“Father–in–law, Kellan… he’s not your biological son, is he?” Garrison, upon hearing my words, was initially startled, then his
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gaze began to waver.
“It seems you’ve known about him and Xanthe all along, haven’t you?”
Seeing my father–in–law lower his head and fall silent, a flicker of disappointment crossed my eyes.
“Well, that explains everything”
As I spoke, I picked up the box the kidnappers had sent earlier.
I hurled it violently at Garrison’s feet.
“Take a good look at these two severed hands. Are they really your daughter’s?”
As soon as the words left my mouth, Garrison, disregarding the not–yet–dried blood, began to examine them closely.
After a while, my father–in–law’s expression gradually improved. “These… these aren’t my daughter’s hands!”
“What!”
This time, it was Officer Hudson’s turn to be shocked.
“Mr. Gevano, please look again carefully. Are you certain these two severed hands don’t belong to your daughter?”
Garrison nodded emphatically.
“Xanthe’s hands have thick calluses on her fingers from playing the piano since childhood. These hands show no signs of ever having played the piano.”
Officer Hudson then turned to ask me.
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“Then how did the wedding ring end up on one of these hands?” “The ring is yours after all, isn’t it?”
I smiled mysteriously, pointing at Kellan who was preparing to escape through the doorway.
“Officer Hudson, I think you’d be better off asking him that question.”
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