Ryan arrived at the hospital early that morning with two plainclothes officers, ready to take Willow's detailed statement.
But the moment he pushed open the door to the room, he stopped in his tracks, stunned by the scene inside. That Beasley character was here. And stranger still, he was sitting at the table, having breakfast with Willow and his cousin, Ian.
"Officer Chase!" Willow said, quickly standing up and walking over to him, giving him a subtle look.
Ryan was also in casual clothes, wearing a black trench coat. Despite having been up all night, his eyes were as sharp as ever.
He caught her signal and nodded slightly, offering a smile. "Having breakfast?"
"We're finished," Willow said. "I'm ready whenever you are."
Beasley hadn't eaten much, but his appetite was gone anyway. Hearing Willow's words, he knew she was trying to get rid of him.
Sure enough, Ryan walked towards him, his eyes landing on Ian first before shifting to Beasley. He flashed his badge. "Police business. We need to take the reporting person's statement now. We'll have to ask all uninvolved parties to step outside."
With Ryan here, Ian felt relieved. He stood up cooperatively and said to Beasley, "Let's go."
Beasley didn't move. "One of the crime scenes was my company's hotel. I can stay and provide clues or assistance to the police."
Ryan put away his badge, a smirk playing on his lips. "If we need your assistance, we will summon you to the station for questioning. But right now, we need to take a statement from the victim's family. If you please."
His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.
Beasley looked up, meeting his gaze. He recognized this officer from the mountaintop. It seemed he and Willow were friends. If that was the case, he would likely do everything in his power to help her investigate.
Though annoyed, Beasley knew he had to leave for now. He would just have to use his own methods to continue the investigation for her.
"Where is your father's phone now?" Ryan asked.
"I have it right here," Willow replied.
"May I see it?" Ryan explained, "Zoe has accused your father of sexual assault. We need to examine his phone as part of the investigation."
"Of course," Willow said, handing her father's phone to Ryan.
In the presence of the other officer, Ryan began to go through Klein's phone. After a thorough search, he found no suspicious messages. The officer taking the statement recorded this fact.
"Officer Chase," Willow said, her voice firm, "I would now like to file a counter-complaint against Zoe for conspiring with her acquaintance from the group home, Heller, to commit crimes and assault against my father and myself."

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How long are we supposed to wait for the next chapters 😕...