Chapter 710: Dating Isn’t a Crime
Chapter 710: Chapter 710: Dating Isn’t a Crime
"All right," Carmen Lane nodded, then continued, "Did your brother ever mention what type of girl he liked?"
Ms. Lee wiped away her tears and shook her head. "No, he didn’t. But my brother and I grew up together. I know the kind of person he was. I can swear on my life, he would never, ever force himself on a girl."
"All right, I have a clear picture now," Carmen Lane said with a serious expression. "Ms. Lee, please rest assured. We will continue our investigation. If Holden Lee is innocent, the police will be sure to clear his name."
"Thank you!" Ms. Lee stood up and bowed deeply to her. "Officers, I’m sorry to trouble you! You have to clear my brother’s name!"
Carmen Lane and Shawn Cheney saw Ms. Lee out. By then, the sky outside had already darkened.
The group returned to Director Archer’s office.
Upon learning Holden Lee’s true cause of death, Director Archer’s expression turned grave. "That young man really had it rough."
"I agree," Carmen Lane nodded. "We’re currently investigating whether there were any financial transactions between Holden Lee and Diana Young."
Shawn Cheney said, "Diana Young is a livestreamer. Holden Lee might have sent her tips."
Sheryl Sawyer also chimed in. "She must have had something to gain from Holden Lee. Otherwise, Diana Young wouldn’t have addressed him that way."
"That’s right," Renee Jennings said calmly. "Diana Young likely made some advances toward Holden Lee. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have faced a knife and still insisted on protecting her."
Director Archer’s brow furrowed. In a deep voice, he ordered, "After dinner, go bring Harold Goodman to the station for questioning!"
After he spoke, he looked over at Renee Jennings and Sheryl Sawyer, his facial muscles relaxing considerably. "Consultant Jennings, Officer Sawyer, I’ve booked a restaurant. We can head over for dinner now."
"Okay." Renee Jennings gave a slight nod. "Thank you for the trouble, Director Archer."
"Not at all," Director Archer said with a chuckle. "The honor is all ours."
After dinner, Carmen Lane and Shawn Cheney prepared to head to Forian Road.
Director Archer, considering Renee Jennings and Sheryl Sawyer had been running around all day, suggested, "Perhaps they could take you two back to the hotel to rest first?"
"Director Archer, there’s no need," Renee Jennings said calmly. "Sheryl and I will just wait at the station. We want to watch them interrogate Harold Goodman."
’She actually enjoyed watching this sort of thing; it was a chance to learn and observe.’
"All right." Director Archer nodded. "Then let’s all head back to the station together."
「188 Forian Road.」
Dana Young got off work, bought some meat and groceries, and went home to cook dinner.
Harold Goodman was lying on the sofa, playing video games.
During dinner, he asked around a mouthful of meat, his words muffled, "Honey, are you really going to give up that apartment?"
"Why do you ask?" Dana Young asked coolly.
Harold Goodman smacked his lips. "That apartment has to be worth at least two million, right?"
Dana Young glanced up at him before looking back down to pick at her food. "A million to keep you from getting a criminal record. Isn’t that worth it?"
"Your sister’s just one girl. What does she need that much money for?" Harold Goodman then added, "You think she’ll really be acquitted?"
’It would be great if she got locked up for a few years,’ he thought. ’Then we could figure out a way to sell the apartment and get the cash...’
Dana Young frowned, a note of displeasure in her voice. "Harold Goodman, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"I’m not trying to say anything," Harold Goodman mumbled, turning his attention back to shoveling rice into his mouth.
After dinner, Dana Young was clearing the table and went into the kitchen to do the dishes when there was a sudden knock at the door.
Harold Goodman, who was sitting on the sofa with his leg crossed, picking his teeth, called out suspiciously, "Who is it?"
"Police. Open up."
Harold Goodman froze stiff upon hearing the reply. A few seconds later, he scrambled to his feet and ran to the kitchen. "We’re screwed, we’re screwed! The cops are at the door!"
Dana Young froze mid-scrub, the color draining from her face. Her eyes widened. "What did you say?"
"The cops are at the door! What do we do?" Harold Goodman looked panicked and urged, "Quick, think of something!"
Dana Young’s brow furrowed as she struggled to remain calm. "Don’t panic. Let me think... This is your place. The police are knocking... maybe they just want to ask if you heard any disturbances the other day?"
"You think so?"
"Just don’t panic. Stay calm, or you’ll make the police suspicious," Dana Young said. "I’ll go hide. You get the door. No matter what they ask, just say you’re not sure."
"Fine," Harold Goodman said, looking terrified.
He walked over and opened the door. He feigned a surprised expression upon seeing the two police officers standing there. "Officers, is there a problem?"
"What’s your name?" Shawn Cheney asked, sizing him up.
"Ha-Harold Goodman."
"There was a murder in this building a few days ago. Are you aware of that?"
"Oh, I heard something about it, but... but I don’t know the details."
Shawn Cheney pressed, "What exactly did you hear?"
"I heard..." Harold Goodman swallowed hard. "I heard a de-delivery guy tried to fo-force himself on... the girl downstairs."
"Harold Goodman, we’re going to have to ask you to come with us to the station," Carmen Lane said coolly. "We have some questions we need you to clear up."
Harold Goodman’s hands clenched his pant legs, his back already slick with cold sweat. "Is that really necessary, officers? I don’t know anything. You won’t get anything out of me even if you take me in. I’ve already told you everything I know."
Shawn Cheney let out a short laugh. "What’s your relationship with Dana Young?"
"Co... colleagues," Harold Goodman replied.
"Our information suggests you’re more than just colleagues," Carmen Lane said with a faint smile. "Why don’t you come down to the station and tell us all about it."
Harold Goodman swallowed hard, beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Officers, you’ve got to be kidding me. Even if we do have something going on, that’s no reason to be taken to the station, right? It’s not a crime to date or fool around."
"Dating isn’t a crime, that’s true," Shawn Cheney said, his expression turning serious. "But murder is."
The words hit Harold Goodman like a physical blow. His knees buckled, and he had to grab the doorframe to stay upright. "Officers, d-don’t scare me like that... What does murder have to do with me? I... I date people, I don’t kill them! I’m a law-abiding citizen..."
Carmen Lane said coolly, "You can save it for the station."
"Officers, do I have to go? I really don’t want to," Harold Goodman said, looking distressed.
"What, are you trying to obstruct justice?" Shawn Cheney’s voice dropped, leaving no room for argument.
Harold Goodman could only say reluctantly, "Th-then... how long will I be gone?"
Carmen Lane replied, "That’s hard to say."
"Let’s go," Shawn Cheney urged.
After Harold Goodman was led away, Dana Young, still hiding in the other room, wore a terrifyingly grim expression.
She had heard their entire conversation at the door. The police already suspected Harold Goodman.
"How could this be happening?" Dana Young clenched her fists, muttering to herself, "How could they suspect Harold? Don’t tell me Danna said something in there..."