Starting from South America, speeding through the world

Chapter 308 Tears Behind Bars

California in July is blessed with clear skies.

Just after 10 a.m., the smell of paint smoldering in the sun could be smelled in the apartment corridor.

Kate stood at the corner on the second floor, looking down at the pink copy in the folder.

Arrest warrant.

It bears the blue stamp of the county high court, and the issuance date is two days ago.

PC 187(a) Intentional homicide.

She rubbed the curled edge of the paper with her thumb.

"12-Adam-4, in position."

The colleague downstairs reported via walkie-talkie.

Kate tapped her shoulder microphone twice in response.

She turned her head and glanced at the young police officer who was with her.

"Put on your gloves. When I knock, identify yourself."

Moving forward along the corridor, the door number "2B" was reinforced with transparent tape.

The smell of alcohol and tobacco wafted from it.

This is not a good sign.

Kate suppressed her nervousness and knocked on the door three times.

"police!"

“Alameda County Sheriff’s Office! Open the door!” the young man shouted.

The room was quiet at first, then something seemed to fall to the ground.

Two seconds later, the door lock turned.

The Asian man who was arrested at the crime scene and later released on bail was among them.

Kate swallowed hard and handed over the document bearing the court's emblem and signature.

“Mr. John Hernandez Garcia”.

"You have been arrested on suspicion of four murders, including felony murder."

"Now, please turn around and put your hands behind your back."

Just then, someone spoke up from the sofa in the living room.

"What's wrong, John?"

Jim struggled to lift his head, still not fully recovered from the effects of the drugs he had taken the night before.

"fine."

As Zhou Yi spoke casually, he raised his hands, spread his fingers, and put them behind his back.

"A minor aftermath of the nursing home suicide case."

“It’s not some aftermath,” the young officer immediately interrupted him.

“That’s four bodies and a first-degree murder charge, Mr. Garcia.”

The room suddenly fell silent.

The atmosphere became strange.

Kate instinctively gripped the holster and leaned forward.

Jim remained in the same position and silently reached for the pistol hidden under the coffee table.

The next second—

"Relax," Zhou Yi sighed. "It's nothing serious."

"If there is any further news, you have my address, but of course, you must be accompanied by a lawyer."

When Jim heard him say that, he stopped what he was doing and pretended to scratch his trouser seam.

Should I make a call?

"Don't tell anyone."

Zhou Yi shook his head, paused for a moment, and emphasized again: "Especially Lucas, whatever you do, don't tell him."

Jim slumped back onto the sofa with a thud.

"See you later," he said, "though I don't know exactly what happened."

As the tension dissipated, Kate couldn't help but take a deep breath.

She removed her hands from the holster and resumed the standard procedure.

Body search, handcuffs, confirmation, downstairs.

Throughout the journey, Zhou Yi was exceptionally cooperative, walking steadily and calmly.

The black and white patrol car was parked outside the yellow line, with a safety barrier installed in the back.

Curious neighbors peeked out, but quickly withdrew.

The young police officer opened the car door, pushed Zhou Yi inside, and fastened his seatbelt.

After Kate finished reporting the status to the dispatcher, she sat in the passenger seat and read out Miranda's rights.

As the car drove out of the block and onto the main road, the aluminum panels gleamed blindingly in the sunlight.

Familiar road signs are visible outside the window.

Foothill, Harrison, MacArthur. Sparrows on the antenna mast cast long, thin shadows on the ground.

“I understand you want to say more,” Kate said, clearing her throat.

"But please understand that not everything discussed in this car needs to be written into the report."

Zhou Yi remained calm, turning his head to look away as if he hadn't heard anything.

Kate wasn't disappointed. She adjusted her posture slightly and looked the man straight in the eye.

“I’ve seen your service record,” she said.

"The 75th Ranger Regiment, right? Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq."

"That's not a place that just anyone can get through."

"So, you're sitting in a police car right now, being treated as a suspect. That must be very unfair to you."

After he finished speaking, Zhou Yi remained silent, gazing at the scenery along the way without uttering a word.

The grass near the roadside had long since withered and turned yellow.

Occasionally, plastic bags are swept up by the wind and swirl around the railing.

The asphalt road was bleached white by the sun, and the distant scenery trembled slightly in the heat.

Seeing this, Kate's expression softened even more.

“My father served in Vietnam, John.”

“I’ve known since I was a child that people who wear military uniforms are required to take on things that are hard for others to imagine.”

"But when you come back, society will quickly forget you."

"You know what I'm talking about, right?"

"Nobody wants to mention the things you've done for the country in the news."

"But once something goes wrong, they'll make you the scapegoats."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi finally turned his gaze away from outside.

He observed the chattering woman with great interest.

Kate, however, misunderstood this as a man's inner feelings.

A surge of hope welled up within her, and she leaned forward, continuing to gently persuade him:
“You served for fifteen years, John, you are a true patriot.”

"However, in this system, sometimes the most dangerous thing is not the enemy, but the silence."

"Because if you don't speak up, someone else will write your story for you."

"Judges and juries can only see cold words, but they will never know who you really are."

“But I am different, John.”

At this point, Kate's implication became more direct.

"What I see today is that you did not struggle or resist."

"To be honest, this will be very helpful to you, and I can write it into the report."

"A cooperative attitude can play a role in sentencing."

The silence in the back seat continued.

The engine roared under the high temperature.

“Perhaps,” Kate pursed her lips and lowered her voice, “I can do more for you.”

"Attitude alone will not change the course of the case."

"But if you're willing to tell me something, I can talk to the prosecutor."

"That way, this case won't necessarily ruin the rest of your life."

Under her expectant gaze, the man turned his face away.

Then, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up, as if he was smiling?
Kate felt a little defeated, but still added defiantly:

“You don’t need to tell them everything. Even if it’s just a clue, I can show them that you’re cooperating.”

Ahead, a massive concrete wall came into view.

The sign for Santa Rita Prison was scorching hot from the blazing sun.

The roller shutter rose, the police car drove in, the outer door closed, and only then did the red light inside turn green.

The young police officer and the detainee completed the handover procedures.

Kate closed the file, realizing that all her previous efforts had been in vain.

She instinctively turned around, wanting to take another look, but the man had already lowered his head and gotten out of the car.

The boots landed on the concrete.

Immediately afterwards——

Zhou Yi spoke.

“A very interesting speech,” he said with a smile.

"Outside the Courtroom - Kate Rivers"

Kate was startled when her name was suddenly called out, and she almost jumped up on the spot.

She wanted to ask more questions, but the man walked away without looking back.

(End of this chapter)