Chapter 256
Liam’s gaze lingered on the black screen of Ryan’s phone for a second longer before lifting his head, calm but razor-sharp. His voice came low, steady.
"When was this recorded?"
Ryan didn’t flinch. He answered with a sincerity that didn’t sound rehearsed. "According to the report, the double murder happened just over nine days ago. Right around the time you were in Russia. I remember the timestamp clearly."
Lana, still standing in front of Liam like a guard dog with no leash, furrowed her brow. Her arms were folded across her chest, but her posture was defensive, fierce.
"If you know that," she said, voice hard, "then you also know this video is fake. You just admitted Liam couldn’t have been there."
Ryan gave a tired nod. "I know. I’ve gone over the travel logs, flight manifests, customs records. Everything lines up. He was on Russian soil the entire week. That video can’t be real."
"Then what the hell are we even doing here?" Lana snapped, her voice sharp and rising. "Why show up with cuffs and SWAT if you know it’s bullshit?"
Ryan’s jaw clenched slightly, and for a second, he looked almost ashamed. "Because it’s not up to me. I have orders, Lana. Chief Josh wants Liam in custody—now. And if I don’t follow those orders, they’ll send someone who won’t knock politely. Someone who’ll come through the roof with a sniper drone and blow this place sky high."
Liam said nothing, his expression unreadable.
But before anyone else could speak, the soft sound of a door creaking open drew all eyes to the hallway.
Lilith stepped into view.