NovelEnglishChapter 482
The file laid everything out: Granny Anita's final moments, the expression frozen on her face, the location of the
stab wounds, and Anastasia's statement to the police.
The young officer shook his head, "What's so surprising about it? She must've hated Granny Anita, Jason. Think
about it—a baby, five months along, just gone. Of course, she'd be raging. In a moment of passion, anyone could
do something drastic. Isn't that what you always say?"
Jason, ever the stickler for procedure, had already scanned the report. "Kid, you're a quick study. But | don't take
apprentices, so save your flattery." He muttered to himself, "This first strike is way off, erratic. It screams that the
perp was extremely emotional, a rookie. The first cut wasn't even that deep. But the second one? That's brutally
precise. It's overkill." Usually, the first blow is the most ferocious, but the report said otherwise.
The young officer pointed out, "Jason, this case is closed, and it involves the Salstroms. You don't want to mess
with them. You've already butted heads with the Salstroms before. Let's not stir the pot. The perp confessed,
there's a motive, the murder weapon, and solid evidence."
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Jason set the file down, "This is what | call reasonable doubt. The simplest cases often have the most issues. File
it, but I'm not convinced."
The officer, holding the file, hesitated, "Jason, are you saying there's a real issue? Could there be someone else?
Should we reopen the case?" Jason clapped the young man on the shoulder, "You said it yourself the Salstroms
are trouble. Let's not make more for ourselves. Just file it."
With that, Jason strode toward the door, then paused, "Where are they holding Anastasia?"
"Cell 3."
Jason pocketed his hands and walked over to cell number three. Peering through the narrow window, he could
only see a woman curled up on the bed, her sobs barely audible. When Anastasia lifted her head, her haggard
but delicate face cinto view, and Jason's eyes flickered with surprise.
It was her.
His hand instinctively reached for the iron door. She was Herman's wife. He clenched his fist and then turned to
leave.
Back in the office, Jason asked the young officer for a copy of the file.
The officer hesitated, "Jason, this isn't right. If the higher-ups find out, I'm a dead man."
Jason shot him a look, "Would you rather die now, or later?"
With trembling hands, the officer handed over the documents, "Just don't ratout. Only you, me, and the big
guy upstairs know about this."
"Quit your yapping," Jason said, taking the copies and leaving.
Herman was still unconscious in the ICU, and Katelyn had been keeping vigil at the hospital, her eyes nearly
cried out.
Flynn had gone to Southridge Estates to inform Salma of the incident. Upon learning of Herman's predicament,
Salma's feelings were mixed. When the Salstroms asked her to move out of the villa with Pattie, she had no
objections and returned to their old rental hthat very day.
Flynn had said Anastasia would be hin three days, so Salma waited patiently.
Pattie, still too young to grasp the situation, watched Salma cleaning and asked, "Grandma, does daddy not want
Salma didn't know how to respond. Pausing her chores, she said, "Pattie, mommy and daddy are divorced. You'll
understand when you're older. You'll live with grandma and mommy from now on. Mommy will be back in a
couple of days. Just don't mention daddy around her, okay? It would make her very sad."
Pattie nodded, half understanding, "Mommy's coming back?"
"Yes, in just a couple of days," Salma reassured her, dabbing at the corner of her eye.
"I'll help you clean, Grandma," Pattie offered eagerly. "I'll clean the windows. When mommy comes hand
sees the house all nice and clean, she'll be happy."
Salma felt a surge of pride. "You're such a good girl, Pattie."
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