Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Chapter 1: Inheritance

TWO days ago, the station district was in a slight trouble when one of the great detectives resigned for some personal reasons. Not only did Illinois leave everyone surprised with his nonchalance and bluntness, but also his sudden decision. Many were curious about the root behind his resignation, even though they knew they couldn’t get a chance to know.

After all, it was the Illinois who is perceived as stoic, nonchalant, blunt, and just someone that anyone couldn’t easily win against in terms of verbal, and perhaps, physical.

Therefore, for the time being, Illinois is now unemployed, enjoying the morning sun and fresh wind while having his morning jog. But then, he was eventually interrupted when someone called in his phone.

“Illinois, you still have a day to consider my offer.” The other line of the phone call, plead to him.

“Nah-ah.” He simply replied, and went on. The inspector, the person he’s talking to, gave him three days to reconsider and retrieve his resignation. But Illinois had already made up his mind before submitting his resignation letter.

“I will be waiting for your response until tonight.” The inspector insisted, and ended the call.

Illinois continued his jog, and was having his momentum with his headphones on, when he suddenly felt the absence of an accessory around his neck. Bewilderment etched on his face as he slowed down.

“Ah, right.” His look lightened up when he remembered leaving it on the bedside table of his room.

He was about to continue his thing, when, out of nowhere, a guy covered with black clothes—that he almost couldn’t see his skin, even his face— bumped into him. The guy didn’t dare to apologize and just went on fast as if nothing happened.

Illinois stared at his back and frowned at him. As soon as he turned around, the news on the large screen not afar from him, caught his attention. He slowed down and stopped for a while and paid attention to it.

“Breaking news, former Chief-of-police Henry Wills, was found dead inside his car just this morning which is suspected to be a murder. According to the police in-charge of the case—excuse for the explicit description—he was brutally killed with an ice pick by stabbing his throat multiple times, estimated two days ago. The motive is unknown, and the police are currently investigating, looking for pieces to catch the person of interest.”

“Henry Wills…” Illinois murmured with his brows furrowed.

He stood on the ground with the people walked past to him. And somehow, his strong urge for the resignation has shaken. He’s not going to deny it, he wants to partake in this investigation, considering a big name is involved. However, his pride couldn’t accept the judgments from his colleagues. In addition to that, that ‘personal reason’ is also holding him back.

Illinois heaved a sigh and said, “Well, they can take care of it themselves.” And then, he decided to go back to his condominium as he still has things to take care of related to the ‘personal reason.’

As soon as he got back, he received a call from the same person again. He stared at it for a while, before answering it.

“Illinois, aren’t you really going to go back to us? We’re in-charge of the case of the former chief which I believe you already know. I know how much you like such cases, Illinois—” as what he had expected, the inspector is going to convince him again.

“Don’t take me as a pushover, inspector. I said what I have decided. Good luck to your case, though.” He replied, and was now the one to end the call.

He has the urge, but his pride is pushing him even more.

Illinois shook his clean-cut hair, then headed toward the bathroom and prepared himself. He’s going to his parent’s house to talk about inheritance matter. After an hour, he was greeted with warm smiles from the workers of his parent’s humble abode, to which he just exchanged with no expression.

“Where are they?” he asked one of the maids, and he was then led to the gazebo surrounded by greenery of trees and plants.

His brows furrowed in bewilderment when he saw familiar presence, to which he believes, was not included in this matter.

“You’re just on time, son.” A patriarch middle-aged man who sat on the center of the table greeted him, making the others turn their heads to him; his mother, his younger sister and her husband.

“Now, let’s talk about business.” His mother started, making the couple pay attention to them.

“Before that, what are they doing here?” he asked and pointed the presence of his sibling and her husband.

“We just stopped by to greet mom and dad.” The husband answered and flashed a smile at him, to which he believes was not genuine.

“And might as well change their minds, who knows?” his wife, Illinois’ sibling, said in a mocking tone. She rolled her eyes at him. The two have been competing to success the company, and today is the moment of truth about who will have the upper hand.

Illinois just stared at them for a moment, before dragging a chair in the table.

“The papers have been prepared already; Illinois’ name is now imprinted on the papers as the new CEO of the company. You only have to sign those papers, Nate.” The father remarked—calling him by his second name—etching a look of disbelief on the couple.

“And also, there will be a welcome party later tonight, so please, Nate, see to it that you would attend.” The mother urged him. Illinois isn’t a fan of any social gathering, and his parents know about it too well. But for the sake of his new journey as a CEO, he has to attend and socialize with his fellow.

“But, dad, didn’t you tell me that I will inherit the company once I’m married?” the sibling, Yesenia, butt in, deeply felt betrayed by the decision ruled by their father.

“Yes, father… I remember you saying that as well.” The husband seconded the motion.

Basically, Arthur and Yesenia are long-time couple from senior high school. Because of the promise of the father, the two didn’t waste a second to get married as soon as possible.

“Illinois haven’t signed those papers, anyway! We can still change it into mine—or my husband’s!” Yesenia burst out, defending and holding onto that promise.

“You’re still young and incapable, Yesenia and Arthur… look, you’re just barely twenty years old, just graduated from college…” the mother responded in a soothing voice, to which the couple just shook their heads at, still not convinced. “Just explore in this field for the time being, and let your brother decide for that.” The matriarch added, forcing a smile.

“Mother… I’m definitely capable, my parents run a company too, I know a lot of stuffs already—” the husband, Arthur, opposed.

“Dad, please! Illinois can still go back to the police, anyway. He didn’t have to leave it for the company, since I’m here—we’re here—!” Yesenia’s statement was cut short when the patriarch felt the need to draw a line in this useless argument.

“Enough.” The low yet a voice that screams with authority silenced everyone. “Yesenia and Arthur, get out.” The couple was left surprised by the remarks of the father. However, due to the rising tension, they have no choice but to comply. Yesenia glared at her brother first before going out with her husband.

Silence covered the gazebo upon their exit, until the patriarch muttered again.

“It was a good choice to leave the police force, and choose the company, Nate. I hope you would take care of it as how you took care of your crime cases.” The father said to which Illinois beamed at.

Of course, he would take care of it. He had been wanting to be in this position after all. Though, being detective was his dream as a child, however, as he grew up, he had learned to love the company of his parents as well which was the result of his parents’ force.

“You can count on me, dad.” He replied, and took a sip of the coffee prepared by the maids.