Robbery and Murder Department.
Luke and his team returned to the office and settled Steven in the lounge.
Susan called Luke and a few others into the conference room.
Raymond briefed Susan and the deputy team leader on the investigation.
The deputy team leader sneered, "A wife dancing at the club, a furious husband, this guy definitely has a problem. We need to find a way to get him to talk before his lawyer arrives."
Luke said, "We've tried, but he said he won't say anything until his lawyer arrives."
"We're just talking to him, not interrogating him." The deputy team leader got up and went to the lounge.
Luke followed him out; he also wanted to see what clues this experienced old man could reveal.
"Creak..." the deputy team leader opened the door of the lounge.
Steven glanced at him, then looked towards the door.
The deputy team leader pulled up a chair and sat beside him, "Your name's Steven?"
Steven glanced at him again, but didn't answer.
Steven bowed his head, still not speaking.
"You know? The more resistant you are, the more the police suspect you. If you want to clear the suspicion and rescue your wife soon, you should cooperate with the police and let us talk properly.
I've been married three times in my lifetime, and each time I've felt the urge to kill my wife, but they're all alive and well.
I understand conflicts between spouses; life is all about facing and resolving conflicts, and it's all very normal."
Steven raised his head, "I want to see my lawyer."
The deputy team leader shook his head, "Indeed, a lawyer can protect your rights, but they won't solve the root problem. They won't solve the case or find your wife. If you are innocent, you really don't need a lawyer."
"Without a lawyer, I won't say anything," Steven said firmly.
The deputy team leader felt frustrated, as Steven simply wouldn't continue the conversation, making it hard to extract any information.
He glanced outside the window, feeling it was embarrassing to just walk out like that.
Just as he was about to try again, the door of the lounge opened, and a man in a neat suit, carrying a briefcase, stood at the door, "I am Steven's lawyer, and I need to talk to him alone."
The deputy team leader nodded and left the lounge.
Marcus came over, "Deputy team leader, did you find out any clues?"
"Go get me a cup of coffee, no sugar," the deputy team leader said in a standoffish manner.
With this warning, no one else tried their luck.
Ten minutes later, the door of the lounge opened.
The lawyer stood at the door, "Officers, my client is ready now."
Susan swept her gaze over her subordinates, "David, Luke, come with me."
Upon entering, the lawyer introduced himself, "I am Steven's lawyer, Dave Wilson. How may I address the three officers?"
"I am Susan, captain of the Robbery and Murder Department, Detective David, and Officer Luke."
The lawyer asked, "Captain Susan, why did you bring my client to the police station?"
"His wife Alyssa might have been abducted, we asked him to come to understand the situation."
"Just to understand the situation, or do you consider my client a suspect?"
"To understand the situation."
"OK, maybe your subordinates' tone made my client misunderstand. I hope such things won't happen again, or else, I will take him away immediately."
David sneered, "Wow, ready to leave at the drop of a hat, really a dutiful and responsible husband."
Steven retorted, "I don't need you to teach me how to be a husband?"
David said mockingly, "It seems like you're already preparing to find a new wife."
"No, I love my wife."
The lawyer interrupted Steven, "Captain Susan, please control your subordinate; he clearly has prejudice against my client."
Susan motioned to Luke beside her, "You ask."
Luke organized his thoughts, "Steven, we do not intend to target you, our questions are to fully grasp the situation to quickly locate your wife.
Do you want to find her soon?"
Luke got straight to the point, "Do you know about Alyssa dancing at Boel Club?"
The lawyer reminded, "Steven, this is a private matter between you and your wife. You don't have to answer."
Luke said, "Steven, you can't avoid this question. Even if you don't talk, the police will continue their investigation. It will only delay the search for Alyssa. The more time it takes, the more danger she'll be in."
"Are you threatening my client?"
"No, you're too sensitive."
Steven hesitated for a moment, "Yes, I was aware of that?"
"How did you find out?"
"I found those photos in a locker."
"I took the photos to her parents' house."
"Why did you do that?"
"I was angry... I couldn't believe she would do such a thing behind my back. I wanted her parents to see those photos, to let them know what their daughter had been doing."
"What else did you do?"
The lawyer quickly intervened, "Steven, don't answer, they're leading you into a trap."
Steven said, "Beyond that, I did nothing."
David interjected, "If I knew my wife was dancing like that, I'd kill her."
The lawyer stood up, and patted Steven on the shoulder, "We should leave."
Susan said, "Our conversation is not over yet."
The lawyer discontentedly said, "Captain Susan, you said earlier this was merely a fact-finding talk, but clearly, you've been interrogating my client as if he were a suspect.
My client's wife dancing at a club does not imply my client is guilty.
This kind of targeting is utterly without justification."
Susan said, "The police investigate to eliminate all possibilities. We're responsible not only to the victim but also to the family of the victim. Only by clearing Steven of suspicions can we trust him.
My team's investigative approach is beyond reproach."
The atmosphere in the lounge stiffened.
After whispering briefly with Steven, the lawyer addressed Susan, "If you still want to talk to my client, please ask Detective Chief David to leave first."
Susan turned her head signaling David to leave the lounge first.
David stood up, pointing from his eyes to Steven before leaving the room.
Steven eventually sat down, "Captain Susan, I appreciate your seriousness, but you've got it wrong. I would never harm Alyssa, never."
Susan asked, "Then what was your purpose for placing the photos at Alyssa's parents' house?"
"I love Alyssa. Seeing those photos broke my heart. I didn't have the courage to confront her face-to-face. That might have cost me her love.
So, I thought that letting her parents know through these means would be best.
I know her parents. They are traditional and conservative. They would never allow Alyssa to dance at a club.
I hoped they could persuade Alyssa, that's all." Steven had tears in his eyes, and his tone was sincere.
Luke said, "If that's the case, you just had to clarify things. Why the need for a lawyer?"
Steven gave a bitter smile, "Even if I did tell you, would you really believe me?
You don't trust me, and I don't trust you. If I didn't have a lawyer by my side, I wouldn't be able to handle this situation. You would devour me."
Luke continued probing, "Where were you last Friday night?"
The lawyer's face was stern, "Steven, you don't need to answer that."
Steven pondered briefly, "I was at home."
"Who can corroborate that?"
Steven looked angry and stood up, "This is precisely why I needed a lawyer. As soon as I give in, you'll keep pressing. You don't trust me!
You can't catch the real suspect, so you're targeting me.