The Fake Heiress and Her Purrfect Partner novel Chapter 77

**Title: Dreams Rise Again by Braxton**

**Chapter 77**

The Misty River meanders gracefully through the heart of Jelasburg, a place where the beauty of nature intertwines with the hustle of urban life. Along its banks, a scenic walkway had been envisioned, a pathway meant to invite leisurely strolls and invigorating jogs. However, the ambitious project had encountered its fair share of delays; the path remained a work in progress, with only half of it completed. Surveillance cameras and other essential facilities were still in the planning stages, leaving the area feeling somewhat unfinished. Yet, the allure of the river was undeniable, drawing residents from the nearby neighborhoods who sought solace in its presence, whether for morning exercises or simple relaxation.

On this particular morning, a sizeable crowd had gathered, their curiosity piqued by the commotion at the riverbank. They were kept at bay by police tape, their heads craned forward like giraffes straining to catch a glimpse of something extraordinary. The tape marked off a grim scene, where a bloated corpse lay, grotesquely swollen from prolonged exposure to the water. The size and facial features suggested it was the body of an elderly man.

The medical examiner worked diligently on the autopsy, while forensic technicians meticulously searched the area for any signs of evidence. Simon, along with his fellow first responders, stood by, awaiting the initial report from the ME. The air was thick with tension, a palpable reminder of the seriousness of the situation.

As Alex arrived on the scene, he wasted no time in issuing commands. “Clark, get in touch with the victim’s family. Williams, pull up the surveillance footage. And Simon…” He paused for a brief moment, as if suddenly recalling Simon’s presence. “You handle crowd control. We can’t afford any distractions while we investigate.”

Simon nodded in acknowledgment, his demeanor calm and composed. He approached the police tape with an air of confidence, unruffled by the chaos surrounding him.

Alex’s frown deepened as he observed Simon’s seemingly indifferent reaction.

Standing near the police tape, Simon exuded an aura of authority, his uniform enhancing the impression of a dedicated officer. As he took his position, a few ladies from the neighborhood perked up, drawn to his presence. “Oh my, this young cop is quite the sight,” one of them remarked, her eyes sparkling with interest.

The woman clad in a vibrant floral shirt leaned in closer, an impish grin forming on her lips. “My niece works at the bank. Should I introduce you two?”

Simon, engrossed in jotting down notes, glanced up with a playful smirk. “Madam, my job keeps me burning the midnight oil and camping out at crime scenes half the week. If I attempted a blind date, I’d probably end up with a very upset girl.”

The ladies erupted into laughter, their amusement echoing along the riverbank. The floral-shirted woman, undeterred, shot back, “These days, girls are looking for someone dependable.”

A smile lingered on Simon’s face as he snapped his notebook shut with his long fingers. “Speaking of dependability, I actually wanted to ask you ladies something.” His voice dropped slightly, and he glanced toward the police tape. “Is it true that the gentleman over there was an archaeology professor?”

The curly-haired lady leaned in, her eyes widening with excitement. “That’s right! Professor Jagger was quite the local celebrity. He even appeared on a TV archaeology show a few years back.”

Lowering her voice conspiratorially, she added, “Poor man was burdened with a grandson who’s nothing but trouble.”

Simon raised his eyebrows, feigning ignorance. “So, they didn’t see eye to eye?”

The lady in sandals eagerly chimed in, “Not just a little disagreement. Three nights ago, they were shouting so loudly that we all heard them. The kid stormed out and slammed the door.”

Simon’s curiosity piqued as he quickly scribbled down notes. “Professor Jagger was such a respected figure. What could his grandson possibly be fighting with him about?”

The floral-shirted lady leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You know how it goes. He has top students everywhere, but his own family is a different story altogether. That grandson of his never cared about studying, dropped out in middle school, and now he’s running with a questionable crowd.”

She shook her head, her expression disapproving. “He spends all his time on those hip-hop dance competitions, always off at rehearsals or practice sessions. What kind of future does that lead to?”

Simon maintained his composure, probing a little deeper. “Do you know where Professor Jagger’s grandson likes to hang out? Maybe he practices those dance moves somewhere?”

Without hesitation, the floral-shirted lady replied, “Right across the river, in that old abandoned factory. Those kids are always over there, busting moves and making a racket. It drives everyone around here crazy!”

At that moment, Alex caught sight of Simon’s animated conversation and shot him a cold glare, his voice dripping with disapproval. “Mr. Reed, I told you to keep the crowd under control. What are you doing, chatting it up over here?”

As Alex walked away to inspect the body, the floral-shirted lady couldn’t help but mutter, “Your boss sure has a short temper.”

Simon calmly closed his notebook, offering the ladies an apologetic smile. “Thank you for your assistance, ladies.”

Just then, Nina pushed her way through the throng of onlookers. “Excuse me, could you let me through?” she requested, her voice cutting through the noise. Half an hour earlier, Simon had called her with the shocking news of a murder by the river.

Simon immediately recognized Nina’s voice amidst the clamor. Seeing her being jostled by the curious crowd, he hurriedly stepped out from behind the police tape.

Navigating through the press of people, he placed a firm, protective hand on her back and lifted the tape for her. “Watch your step. It’s uneven right here,” he cautioned gently.

Simon gazed thoughtfully at the shimmering surface of the river, his gentle eyes resting on Nina. “With wetlands this expansive, there must be all sorts of little creatures lurking about.”

Noticing the flicker of disappointment on her face, he suggested, “Let’s walk along the riverbank together. I’m sure we’ll come across some little helpers eventually.”

Leaning in closer, he softened his tone. “The ME mentioned that the victim died at night. Just think about it.”

He elongated the final word, allowing Nina the space to ponder. “What kinds of nocturnal creatures come out when the sun sets, things you wouldn’t spot during the day?”

Nina’s eyes suddenly sparkled with excitement. “Night Herons and otters. They’re both nocturnal!”

Simon’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Exactly! Who knows? Maybe our key witness is fast asleep right now. Solving a case isn’t something you can rush. We just need to have faith.”

He gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Nina’s ear, which had been tousled by the river breeze. “How about we come back after dark? I’ll join you, alright?”

Nina nodded, her heart warmed by his offer. “Okay.”

Meanwhile, Alex scoffed to himself, clearly unimpressed by the siblings’ exchange.

At that moment, Williams, tasked with reviewing the surveillance footage, approached Alex with a frustrated expression. “The last time we saw Leonard Jagger on camera was three days ago at 9:40 PM, walking along the scenic trail by the riverside.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “But the surveillance coverage along the river is patchy, and the area where the body was discovered is a complete blind spot. Plus, it was nighttime. We don’t have any footage after that.”

Just then, a forensic technician rushed over, clutching a clear evidence bag. “Professor Summer, we’ve made a significant discovery. We found a sandalwood bracelet in the mud, and it has ‘Jagger’ carved right on it.”

Alex recalled the snippets of conversation he had overheard earlier between Simon and the neighborhood ladies. Turning to his assistant, he instructed, “Show this to the onlookers and ask if the victim always wore it. We need to determine if it was one of his personal belongings.”