**TITLE: Dreams Rise Again by Braxton 107**
**Chapter 107**
In an instant, the doors of the remaining squad cars flew open, and a wave of uniformed officers poured out, moving with an uncanny precision as they encircled the obstinate resident’s house. The air was thick with tension, and the atmosphere crackled with anticipation.
Simon advanced, his posture confident and shoulders squared, standing resolutely beside Nina. His icy gaze swept across Finn and his crew, who stared back in a mix of disbelief and shock. Finally, his eyes landed on Director Chambers, and he spoke with a calm yet commanding presence that demanded attention.
“Good afternoon,” Simon began, his voice steady and authoritative. “I’m Simon from the Detective Squad at the Jelasburg Police Department Headquarters.”
He raised his investigation papers high, the crisp sound of the pages turning punctuating the gravity of his words. “We have substantial reason to believe that this location is connected to a significant criminal case. Therefore, we need to seal off this area immediately for a thorough crime scene investigation.”
“All demolition work must cease at once. I ask for your full cooperation,” Simon instructed, his voice firm as he looked each crew member in the eye.
Finn and his crew, who had been swaggering just moments before, suddenly appeared as if they had been struck by a chilling wave. Their faces drained of color, turning as pale as freshly bleached linen.
Finn’s jaw dropped, his eyes widening to the size of saucers—he looked as if he had just encountered a specter. “A major criminal case?” he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
The demolition crew, who had been creating a cacophony of noise, fell silent in an instant, the shrill wail of sirens cutting through the air like a knife.
Director Chambers stood there, utterly flabbergasted. He had never anticipated that a simple demolition would unearth something as sinister as a murder case.
He extended his hand to Simon, shaking it gravely, before turning to Nina, his voice trembling with incredulity. “Nina, please, what is happening here?”
Nina cradled Pearlie’s small head in her arms, her expression grave. “My animal sidekick here picked up the strong scent of a decomposing body right next to the cement wall.”
She took a moment, her tone a mix of regret and determination. “Since the authorities hadn’t arrived yet, I couldn’t risk revealing too much and alerting anyone. I hope you understand.”
Director Chambers stiffened, the horrifying implications of Nina’s words crashing over him like a tidal wave. The realization that there might be a body concealed within the wall sent a jolt through his mind.
‘If there truly is a body hidden in that wall, we could legally demolish this place on the spot,’ he thought, his heart racing with the thrill of unexpected opportunity.
Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined that this breakthrough with the holdout would manifest in such a shocking revelation.
Struggling to maintain his composure, he turned sharply, gesturing for his crew to disperse. “Everyone, clear out! Nina, Simon, you take over from here—this is now your operation. You have our full cooperation!”
Finn and his crew were drenched in cold sweat, their faces as white as freshly fallen snow. The horrifying thought of corpses hidden within the walls of the house, coupled with the homeowner’s refusal to demolish it, weighed heavily on their minds.
‘Doesn’t this imply that the homeowner must have known about the body—and could even be the murderer?’ The realization struck them like a bolt of lightning, and their hearts raced as panic set in.
The mere thought that they had been interacting with a potential killer sent shivers down their spines, causing their knees to buckle and their teeth to chatter. Words eluded them as they struggled to form coherent thoughts.
In a frenzy, they bolted away from the house, keeping a wide berth as if it were cursed, not daring to approach even half a step closer.
Simon reached into his pocket, pulling out a chocolate bar and offering it to Nina. “Here, Nina, take a moment to eat something and regain your strength. The car is the safest place for you right now—go wait there.”
He noticed the weariness etched on her face and spoke gently, “I picked up some food for you in the front seat—it’s your favorite. Make sure you eat it while it’s still warm.”
Nina accepted the chocolate with a quick nod, making her way toward the car.
As Simon turned to address the other officers, his gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by a steely focus. He signaled crisply with his hand, his voice steady and commanding.
“Team one, with me—we’re breaching the door and apprehending the suspect. Team two, secure the perimeter and ensure we have complete control of the scene.”
Just as the tension reached a fever pitch, a timid little black cat emerged from the shadows, brushing against Nina’s pant leg and letting out the softest, most earnest “meow.”

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