Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Chapter 7: The Suppressed Memory

THE POLICE station has become busier since the case of the former chief-of-police. And the pieces that they have found in the crime scene last night made them hustle even more. Each was designated with a task, though their current focus now is searching for Illinois’ tracks.

Kyle snapped his finger when a realization struck in his mind. “Right, sir…” he pushed the swivel chair backward, facing the inspector. “I forgot to notify that I’ve caught his track last night…” He said half-toned, although the truth is, he didn’t bother to notify them as that was just a bit, and he haven’t seen the exact location.

“What?!” Isaac’s eyes burst out at him.

“Y-Yeah…” Kyle eventually took off his gazes at the inspector, and returned his attention to the monitor. “It was nearby the bank he used.”

“But sir…” he turned his head sideway to him. “Isn’t it odd that there were two different footprints in the crime scene? Especially that necklace, which is the same one from Illinois.” Kyle’s eyes squinted into slits intrigued.

“Exactly. I was thinking the same. The first necklace is here, and remained untouched. So, where did the same necklace come from? Illinois only had one kind of that necklace…” Inspector Isaac’s hawk-like eyes gazed beneath, while his furrowed brows suggested that this new piece boggled him big time.

“Considering that there are two different footprints, it lowers the chance of Illinois being the culprit for the two crimes.” Sam suddenly butts in out of nowhere, having their heads turned to him.

“The very thing about this is the culprit’s targeting former people from the police force…” Isaac pointed out.

“We have to look out for the motive and verify which of the footprint belongs to Illinois—”

Philip suddenly emerged from behind and cut the words of Isaac. “I have verified the footprint of Illinois using one of his belongings collected by the team… The ten inches sized footprint is the one that belongs to him.”

“What?” Isaac asked when confusion added to the pile once again. “It was the footprint across the driver’s seat where the corpse was laid down… Argh!” His hands pulled out his hair when his mind began to get messier.

A few moments later, he faced his team again and asked. “Is the car still there?” they nodded as a response. “Alright, let’s go back to square one.”

N.W.

IN A BUSTLING crowd of people under the roof of Abiza Mall, underneath the disguise of an old man is a man sweating from the costume and fabric of his disguise. It made him feel uncomfortable; hence, he took those off as he dropped by a cr.

Illinois didn’t waste a second more, and instantly headed to the lifter to go to the top of this establishment where he will be meeting his uncle. He decided to comply all along. His uncle was once an influencer figure as a result of his career as a public server. Following that, Illinois thought that he could be any of help for him to clear his name.

The natural light of the day blinded the sight of Illinois as soon as he stepped foot on the rooftop. Not afar from him, a back figure of a man on his suit was facing the horizon. The man sensed his presence, prompting him to turn his head sideway.

“Uncle Jordan…” and the man finally turned around to face Illinois who’s now wearing a black sweatshirt, black jogger, black mask and a black cap—no sense of disguise anymore.

“You came.” Jordan looked straight to Illinois’ eyes while wearing a grin. His hoarse manly voice rang in his ears.

“Let’s get straight to the point, uncle. For what reason did you want me here?” he stood five meters from him.

Jordan returned his head to the horizon before him and spoke after a few seconds of silence with the wind just blowing pass to them. “You know what? Ever since you were young, your parents had already trusted me on you. I was technically your first friend, second father, and human diary back when you were still a young lad.” Jordan plastered a gentle smile while endearingly muttered those words. Faint memories from the past rushed back to his head.

On the other hand, obscurity etched on Illinois’ face as his eyes lingered to the back of his uncle. His brows sank when Jordan was seemingly bringing up the past to which he didn’t know existed. However, he didn’t mutter about that sort, instead he’s looking forward to what he is going to reveal.

“You may didn’t want me to meddle with your conflicts, but…” Jordan turned around and his tender eyes and soft looks, showing to his nephew. “I deeply care for you, Illinois… I really do.”

“Probably out of my affection for you when you were still young, my subconsciousness is initiating to help you whenever you’re in trouble…” his languid eyes stared through his soul, but that didn’t budge Illinois even a bit.

“But… with your current situation…” his voice lowered down along with his eyes looking beneath, seemingly difficult for him to utter. “Everything is going downhill. That’s why…” he lifted up his head and looked at his nephew with eagerness in his eyes.

“I want to help you in the best way that I can.” Illinois just shut his mouth and didn’t say a thing.

A few seconds after between their staring contest, Illinois finally muttered. “In what way can you even help me?”

“I heard you’re inheriting the company,” Illinois frowned at him. “Let me help you clean your name among the business industry, Illinois… Rest assured you can entrust me with your name.”

He didn’t see that coming. Basically, what he’s trying to say to him is to temporarily let him use his position as he helps him. However, the circumstances changed and the position will be passed to his sibling instead. Following that, he opted to give his offer some thoughts first before going along with Jordan’s plan.

Illinois heaved a sigh as he exited from the exquisite mall. He had his head lifted up, and the scorching sunlight directly pierced to him, making his hand to lift up as protection.

All of the sudden, a person suddenly bumped into him, having him budged a bit. That person averted her gazes from the phone, while her body is slightly sideways to him. That person was about to apologize, but they were left dumbfounded instead as soon as their eyes met. With widened eyes and jaw dropped, Illinois slowly pointed his index finger at that person who’s having the same look as him.

“Y-You… You’re the thief!”