Chapter 13: Confrontation

Going through 20 Shots’ murder case details, deep frowns permanently marked his face, and an ugly expression never left it. He finally understood why they handed him this specific case to handle.

“Fuck my life.”

Damian sighed out loud, leaning back on his chair with his eyes shut tight as he reminisced on the information gathered.

On the night of March 14th, at approximately 11:42 p.m., Chicago PD responded to multiple ShotSpotter alerts in the South Loop area of Chicago. Officers arrived to find the victim, Marcus Vale, stage name “Lil Vex,” suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot behind a private recording studio. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A preliminary autopsy indicates the victim suffered six gunshot wounds. Two fatal wounds to the chest and one close range discharge. However, no firearm was recovered at the scene.

According to reports, the victim and 20 Shots had an ongoing public feud. Social media exchanges within 72 hours of the shooting show escalating hostility. Surveillance footage captured a black Escalade circling the block twice approximately ten minutes before shots were fired. Vehicle registration traces to a holding company linked to 20 Shots’ touring business.

To make matters worse, cell tower data places 20 Shots’ phone within a 0.6 mile radius of the studio at the estimated time of death. While there is no video currently placing him physically at the trigger point, one civilian witness claimed seeing a “tall male in dark clothing” fleeing toward an SUV.

As for forensic status, everything was still pending. They had nothing solid yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time before they found what they were looking for. 20 Shots was arrested three days after the incident and charged with First Degree Murder. The state is petitioning for pretrial detention.

“It says three search warrant applications have been made. Two for the residences tied to the victim and suspect, and one for a vehicle believed to have been used.”

Clara’s attention was fixated on the piece of paper in her hand, so she didn’t witness Damian’s expression twisting even further. At this point, his eyes hurt. He had been going through every piece of information gathered on this case since morning, and it was already 5 p.m. Even Hazel, who was seated in the lounge chair at the corner with her legs crossed, seemed exhausted by the whole ordeal, her eyes pleading for him to get her out of here.

“You keep looking at that corner a lot. Do you want the lounge chair removed?”

Clara’s words broke his reverie, forcing him to realize once again that only he could see her, and every time he reacted to her actions, an innocent bystander was left questioning his sanity.

“We should end here for today. I’ll prepare my defense for tomorrow’s bond hearing. As for you, I need you to look into the personal information of their witness. Send me everything you find tonight.”

Damian pulled out his business card and handed it over to her. Clara eagerly accepted the card and the assignment, and even offered to help tidy up the place, but he refused.

Huff!

Once Clara left the room, Damian collapsed into his chair, letting out a loud sigh. He knew the case he would be given would not be easy. However, he did not think it would be this bad. Murder cases like this tend to take a year or two. He might not even be done with it before this year’s promotions are decided, meaning he would have to wait until the end of next year.

“So much for taking over the firm in a year,” he sighed.

“I feel like throwing myself off this window.”

Damian said as he felt Hazel’s delicate hands caressing his chest.

“I know…”

“Do you think I can do it?”

“Of course, you are my husband…”

“Heh. Alright. Let’s pack up, get some dinner, and go home.”

“I don’t need human food. You are my dinner.”

“Ooh? Hehehehehe… Don’t say things like that while I’m at work. It’s inappropriate.”

“And having me ride you while Clara left for her lunch break wasn’t inappropriate?”

Packing up was fun, with Hazel luring him into arguments he could not win. However, the pointless argument made him realize he too had little or no need for food. Sex replenished his stamina and strangely made him feel full. That was why he had yet to eat a single meal today, yet he did not feel hungry. Considering his financial situation, if he did not need food, why should he waste money on it?

Unfortunately, the jovial mood did not last long. Damian turned off the lights and opened his office door, only to see Candice on the other side just about to knock. She froze, her eyes rising to meet Damian’s, and for a moment she felt very small in his presence. Standing up close to him gave her a better view of his refined features, something he did not seem to possess while they were dating.

’Or was I too blind to notice?’

“We need to talk.” Candice attempted to put up a strong front, but Damian was not having it.

“There is nothing to talk about.”

Damian shrugged and walked past her. However, she ran ahead of him, blocking his path again, this time with her hands thrown apart.

“No. You do not come to the dinner with a whole wife and just walk away without offering any explanation.”

Damian scoffed, contempt visible in his eyes as he stared into Candice’s.

“You showed up with a whole new boyfriend, and you don’t see me whining about it?”

Candice’s face flushed red with embarrassment, and she froze upon hearing those words. It was true she was the one who initiated the betrayal, so trying to take the moral high ground now was laughable. Damian took advantage of the momentary pause to walk around her.

Realizing what was happening, she turned and asked,

“So all of this is a ruse to get back at me for dumping you?”

Thud!

Damian froze in his tracks and looked over his shoulder. A purple gleam flashed in his narrowed eyes as he responded.

“You think too highly of yourself. Do you really think I would go through the trouble of hiring a fake wife to make you jealous?”

“I’m a lot of things, but jobless isn’t one of them.”

Wam!

Those words carried the weight of a truck, causing Candice’s vision to blur the moment she heard them. Breathing became difficult, and she needed to use the wall for support. She could hear Damian’s footsteps growing distant with each step. Her mind raced as she desperately looked for a way to keep him there. As long as they kept talking, it was not completely over.

“That… that means you cheated on your wife!” she blurted out.

Once again, Damian froze in his tracks, but this time he turned around to give her a proper look. Back then, he always felt lucky to have this woman. However, after encountering Hazel, who surpassed her in both beauty and character, Damian could not help but find Candice a bit ugly. Not physically, but as a person in general.

“And?” he asked, and she froze.

’He’s bluffing, right?’ Her mind raced, but her mouth was faster.

“I’ll tell her about us!” Candice threatened. “If you don’t get back with me, I will tell her about our relationship!”

To this, Damian did not respond quickly. He let her threat sit in the air long enough for it to become uncomfortable, even for the person who delivered it.

Heh.

Damian chuckled mockingly.

“Sure, go ahead.”

With that, he turned around and walked away, leaving Candice standing there, stunned and confused at the same time. He could have easily explained that Hazel allowed it, but he just did not feel like wasting his breath on her. Since she did not have the decency to break up with him directly, he was not obligated to give closure or play along with her stupid games.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep