If I manage to pull this off, I can derail the course of the entire investigation and eliminate myself and Joshua from the suspect list.
The most important part of solving a case, much like any activity, was its starting point. Once someone commits to following a line of thought, a suspect, or a clue, It would become much harder for them to retrace their steps and start from scratch.
"I suggest we bring the man in for questioning. We can use the lie detection ability of lady Ryu to confirm the answers we get."
Gen chose to let Noah and Ryu make up their mind. But instead of thinking about his proposal, Ryu was straining her neck by looking Elyas up and down. "Why would you think that a simple employee would be capable of doing that? You said it yourself, no matter how vengeful, a normal person can't do something that drastic."
This woman… Elyas' mouth slightly twitched, Ryu was trying to throw a wrench in his plan. "You're right. But not completely." He kept a straight face as he explained. "I said I knew the man personally, didn't I? Well, a fun fact about him is that he is a True Legacy."
Ryu and Gen's eyes widened. Something like that would drastically change the realm of possibilities. A man that has lived through centuries, would definitely be desensitized to gore to a great degree.
Noah was done thinking about Elyas's proposal. "It's a basic hypothesis but a probable one. There is enough motivation and the suspect seems capable enough. Gen, gather some men to clean up the mess. Make sure Ryu's team gathers all the alibis and evidence beforehand." The middle aged man walked away, going to gather up a few Enforcers. Noah then turned to Elyas and Ryu. "You two, follow me."
Ryu, putting her train of thought on hold, asked. "Why bring the civilian?" She pointed at Elyas.
"He knows the suspect. That can make our job easier if a confrontation takes place."
Ryu wanted to retort, but she couldn't. That would be a lie, and she was unable to tell something like that. Elyas followed Noah to the junkyard's exit, leaving Ryu to catch up.
…
In Telly Burger.
"Sir, we can't allow you to arrest one of our employees." A worker was currently arguing with Noah with a tired voice. She wore an oversized red shirt stained with grease. Other than that, everything about her was the same as the other employees.
Ryu was busy examining the interior design with interest. She had heard great things about the restaurant from her captain. He said he loved coming here because of the atmosphere… she didn't get it though. It was just painted wood.
"I've never been to one of these… Hey, Elyas was it? Is the food good?"
"It's alright, if you can stomach a week's worth of oil in one bite." Elyas answered absentmindedly as he looked at the clock on the wall with a strange look of fear.
Ryu observed the man closely. He was acting weird, she could tell something was off. Even if just slightly.
"Ma'am, for the fifth time, we do not want to arrest your employee. We just need to ask a few questions." Noah finally managed to finally convince the new manager to let them in. She led them through the back door, towards the staff room in the far back.
Opening the door, they were met with confused expressions of about a dozen or so people. Workers were leaning against closets, playing cards, or eating food. Noticing the unfamiliar faces, they looked at each other, expecting an explanation.
Noah cleared his throat. "Is Joshua Stanton here?"
There were a few moments of silence before heads turned in one direction. At the same time, a hand wearing a transparent plastic glove rose up. "How can I help you?" Josh stood up, walking towards them with caution.
Ryu could see it in his eyes. He was nervous, expectant and tired. Josh looked at them too, trying to glean the reason for the visit. It was then that his eyes locked on Elyas. They remained there for a brief moment before he pretended like nothing had happened.
Ryu took note of that. 'How are you going to hide the truth now detective?'
"Do you know this man Joshua?" She asked while pointing at Elyas. Josh's eyes widened as he fell to his knees. He was currently experiencing Ryu's compulsion. She tugged at her heart, drawing more Will to increase the pressure on Joshua.
She was sure the men knew each other. Elyas said it himself. But that wasn't why she was pressuring Josh. She wanted to get a reaction out of Elyas, to make sure her hunch was correct.
But to her disappointment, Elyas was looking down at his friend sprawled on the floor with no particular expression. No worries, no doubt, just a blank face.
"...I do." Joshua finally spoke and immediately he drew a heavy gasp. But Ryu wasn't done yet. "Mr. Stanton, have you had anything to do with the murder of your manager, Sandl Pines?"
Josh's eyes widened for a moment before he lifted his head, meeting Elyas in the eye. Despite no words being exchanged, Ryu could understand what Joshua was trying to say to the man above him.
Thank you? That single sentence, along with relief, was written all over the worker's face. Why is he looking at him like that? she wasn't the only one to find it strange. Noah also stared at the two with a dubious expression.
Throughout all of this Elyas kept a straight face, as if already aware of the upcoming answer.
"I…did…" Noah and Ryu both took a step back. The other employees were shaken too. She hurriedly asked another question. "What did you do?" This time Josh didn't resist. Without hesitation, he pointed at the man standing above him. The man beside the two Enforcers. The man Ryu was suspicious of.
"Him… I asked him to kill Sandl."
All the workers including the Enforcers took another step back, creating distance between themselves and the man wearing the fur coat.
Noah put himself between Elyas and Ryu, "Elyas, is this true?"
His friend nodded. "Yes. It is." Ryu observed him closely for any hint of a plan or a lie. But the supposed murderer was currently helping Josh to his feet.
This bastard. What is he planning?
"You asked me yourself didn't you Miss? I'm not the murderer." Elyas said
"But Stanton just said he asked you to kill him." Elyas patted Josh's clothes as he spoke. "Yes he did. That is one of the main reasons I told you to come here. I figured he might have grown impatient and tried to do it himself." He paused and turned to fully face them. "But I didn't honor my friend's request. For lord's sake, he asked me to kill a man!"
Ryu fell silent. Everything Elyas was saying was true. She knew it was, no one could lie to her. This… was I wrong?
Elyas continued "I think we should bring my friend to the Protocol for further investigation."
Noah shook his head. "We can't. We don't have sufficient evidence for an arrest …Gen should already be done with the cleanup, let's head back for now." Elyas objected with a slight frown and a serious tone. "But what if he escapes?"
Ryu cut in. "Although Stanton said he had something to do with Sandl's murder, that doesn't mean he killed him." Noah nodded. "Ryu's right. But we will charge him for what he asked you to do. Intent is only one step away from action."
Ryu then asked her last question from Josh. "Joshua Stanton, did you kill your manager, Mr. Sandl Pines or had any involvement in it besides asking your friend, Elyas?" Josh did not resist, "No I didn't." Ryu gestured at Josh, making Elyas' frown disappear and be replaced by a brilliant smile, targeted at her.
What are you thinking…
After apologizing for the inconvenience they left the restaurant.
Ryu watched Elyas closely. She wasn't yet convinced. 'You might have deceived silver, but I know…' She looked ahead, at the man standing beside Noah. Elyas held a relaxed face, chatting and joking with his friend, completely carefree.
But she had seen how he truly felt. The first time they met, when Elyas was kneeling on the ground in front of her, she saw it.
A true look of terror. A fear only a man who knows he's caught can have. From that moment onwards, she was sure of it. She knew who the culprit was.
Elyas bade Noah farewell, turned to Ryu, gave her a warm smile and disappeared into a window made from fragments of light. The afternoon glow replaced the man. Noah sighed and gestured for Ryu to follow him. Elyas was gone. Her suspect was gone.
She gritted her teeth.
You did it. And I will prove it!