Chapter 212: Chapter 212: She’s Clearly Playing with a Gecko

「Half an hour later.」

Renee Jennings and Sawyer said goodbye to the two directors and left the hotel in a police car.

The middle-aged man in the passenger seat, wearing metal-framed glasses, was the local police captain, Jonas Brooks.

He turned to look at Renee Jennings in the back seat and said with a smile, "After all the hard work you put into finding that alligator yesterday, I’m sorry to be troubling you again today."

"It’s no trouble," Renee Jennings replied with a slight smile. "It’s part of the job."

Jonas Brooks sat up straight again and adjusted the arm of his glasses, his tone tinged with helplessness. "This case has us completely stumped. We’ve been investigating for three days and still have no leads."

Renee Jennings said, "Captain Brooks, please walk me through the details."

"Of course." Jonas Brooks looked into the rearview mirror and began to speak, his pace unhurried. "The victim in this case is a nineteen-year-old girl named Kira Sawyer. She was raped and murdered. The person who reported it was her mother’s fiancé, Hank Holt. He’s thirty-eight, and based on the clues we have so far, he’s been classified as the prime suspect."

"However, Hank Holt claims he never did anything to wrong Kira Sawyer or her mother. He said he saw Kira as his own daughter and that he’s heartbroken and devastated by what happened to her."

"According to our investigation, Hank Holt did indeed only return to the ground floor of his apartment building a few minutes before he called the police. The semen found in Kira Sawyer’s body was also tested and doesn’t belong to him."

"During the time of Kira Sawyer’s murder, Hank Holt claims he was at a cemetery visiting his late wife, but he can’t provide any valid surveillance footage or witnesses."

"Kira Sawyer’s mother, Leah Sawyer, also believes Hank Holt couldn’t be the murderer..."

"But the only fingerprints on the fruit knife used to kill Kira Sawyer are Hank Holt’s."

Renee Jennings’s slender brows furrowed, her fair face showing confusion. "Why does Leah Sawyer believe Hank Holt isn’t the murderer?"

Jonas Brooks replied, "She said it’s based on her observations of their daily interactions. Hank Holt was very respectful of Kira Sawyer’s boundaries. He was also the one who suggested giving Kira the master bedroom with the en-suite bathroom, so it would be more convenient for her to use the restroom at night."

Hearing this, Renee Jennings fell into a thoughtful expression.

’The fact that Hank Holt would consider something like that really does show he’s a thoughtful person.’

’This mission is ’Save the Suspect.’ Could Hank Holt really be innocent?’

"Are we going to the victim’s home now?" Renee Jennings asked.

Jonas Brooks answered, "Yes, we’re heading to the crime scene to see if we can find any animals..."

He sounded a little uncertain as he said this.

’We’re criminal investigators, and we actually need an animal consultant to help us solve a case.’

The police car stopped at the entrance of a residential complex. Renee Jennings and Sawyer got out and followed two officers inside.

They entered Building C, Unit 3, and took the elevator to the ninth floor.

A middle-aged woman with a haggard, grief-stricken face was standing by the elevator.

She was Kira Sawyer’s mother, Leah Sawyer.

Leah Sawyer had been staying at her parents’ house for the past few days. Jonas Brooks had called and asked her to come open the door.

"Officer..." Leah Sawyer looked at Jonas Brooks, her voice agitated. "You have to find the real person who killed my daughter!"

"The police will do everything in our power to find the truth," Jonas Brooks said in a low, soothing voice. "Ms. Sawyer, if you would, please open the door."

"Okay." Leah Sawyer took out her keys and opened the door.

Jonas Brooks handed gloves and shoe covers to Renee Jennings and Sawyer.

Inside, the apartment was still arranged as it had been at the time of the crime. Everything was untouched, and a suffocating stillness hung in the air.

Leah Sawyer saw the bloodstain on the floor. Though it had long since faded from bright red, it was still a shocking sight. Her eyes instantly welled up, and she covered her mouth with trembling hands as pained, suppressed sobs escaped her throat.

Renee Jennings turned to look at her, pursing her lips. Unsure how to comfort the woman, she could only say softly, "Ms. Sawyer, my condolences."

After speaking, she began to search the apartment.

Sawyer helped with the search as well.

Seeing this, Jonas Brooks called his subordinate over to help look.

Leah Sawyer watched them, wiping her tear-blurred eyes, and asked through a sob, "Officer, what are you all looking for?"

Sawyer looked at her and asked, "Ms. Sawyer, are there any small creatures in this apartment? Like cockroaches, for example?"

"There shouldn’t be," Leah Sawyer explained. "I kill cockroaches regularly."

Hearing this, Jonas Brooks slowly furrowed his brow, a sense of unease growing within him.

’We’ve already brought in the animal consultant, but what if we can’t even find a small creature for her?’

"Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you." A clear, pleasant voice suddenly spoke up.

Jonas Brooks immediately turned his head. "Consultant Jennings, did you find something?"

"I found a gecko." Renee Jennings’s fingers held the little creature pinned against the TV feature wall. "No need to be nervous, my gecko friend. I just want to ask you for a favor."

Pinned firmly and unable to move, the gecko gave up struggling and said resignedly, "Human, even if I were willing to help you, you wouldn’t be able to understand what I’m saying."

"Who says I can’t understand?" Renee Jennings chuckled. "I can understand you. My name is Renee. What’s yours?"

Watching this, Leah Sawyer’s face filled with displeasure. "What is the meaning of this?" she said, irritated. "Aren’t you here to find my daughter’s killer? Why are you playing with a gecko?"

"Ms. Sawyer, please calm down." Jonas Brooks went to her side and explained, "This is Consultant Jennings. We asked her to come help us find clues."

"Is that what finding clues looks like?" Leah Sawyer’s face was flushed with anger, her chest heaving. "She’s clearly playing with a gecko, can’t you see? She has no intention of helping my daughter!"

Sawyer frowned and said softly, "Ms. Sawyer, please be calm. Consultant Jennings isn’t playing with the gecko. She’s looking for the killer."

"She’s looking for the killer?" Leah Sawyer pointed angrily at Renee Jennings. "Are you trying to tell me that gecko is the murderer?"

Sawyer sighed. "Ms. Sawyer, Consultant Jennings has helped us solve numerous cases. Please remain calm and don’t disturb her. We all understand the pain you’re in after losing your beloved daughter, and we also want to find the real killer."

"But I really can’t see how she’s looking for the killer!" Leah Sawyer broke down and began to cry loudly.

After finishing her communication with the gecko and making sure it wouldn’t run away, Renee Jennings walked over to Leah Sawyer. She presented a police-issued ID card and said in a serious tone, "Ms. Sawyer, this is my identification. Please take a look."

Leah Sawyer looked at the ID, and her frantic emotions gradually subsided. Her hoarse voice was still thick with tears. "Can you really find the person who killed my daughter?"

"I will do my best," Renee Jennings said with a solemn expression, then turned and walked toward the balcony.

She looked at the little gecko resting in her palm and said gently, "Chewie, did you know a human was killed in this apartment?"

"I knew," Chewie the gecko answered.

Renee Jennings raised an eyebrow slightly. "Then did you see the human being killed?"

"I didn’t see it." Chewie the gecko shook his head. "My mom wouldn’t let me watch. She said it wasn’t for little kids and that I’d have nightmares if I did."

"Then did your mom see it?" Renee Jennings frowned.

Chewie the gecko blinked blankly. "I’m not sure if my mom saw it or not. I’d have to ask her."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.