Henry Stickmin: Secret Criminal (Mr Henry Toppat Book 1)

Chapter 6- Once A Criminal, Always A Criminal (Part 1)

"We are going to start with some questions that will only require you to say yes or no, do you understand, Mr Hayes?" Dr Obius instructed, then begun the test after Ilas said he was ready.

"Did you notice that your keys were taken away from you?" Obius questioned, his eyes moving to and from Ilas and the screen.

"No." The machine beeped green.

"Was Reginald Copperbottom the person locked in the cell?"

"Yes." The machine beeped green once again.

My plan was for the machine to indicate that Ilas Hayes was telling the truth so that he would be released of the charge.

Throughout the five yes-or-no questions, the green light flashed all the way through. That allowed the good doctor to move on to the other type of question, the open ended ones.

Throughout the whole process, I was sweating, but at least I tried not to show my heavy breathing. According to what I see, Dr Obius was keeping his eyes fixed on Ilas and the screen. Charles watched with utmost attention, knowing how important this is.

Even at the last of questions, Ilas spoke them all truthfully without any flaw, so Charles had no choice but to let him go. This whole investigation just got big although it only blew open yesterday. The letter was still in my bag in one of the hidden pockets.

"I am so sorry, Ilas." Charles apologised and bowed. "You know all this is just part of the investigation. "

Ilas shook Charles's hand firmly, mentioning that he was glad that he could clear his name. I was relieved that Ilas isn't found guilty, or I would have felt much more terrible than I already felt. As we were leaving the room, Dr Obius tapped on my shoulder and glared at me with a weird and serious stare. I was confused, but felt intimidated at the same time.

The doctor then took hold of my arm and firmly yanked me back into my chair. I didn't understand what was going on at all. He then shut the door, leaving the both of us alone inside.

"I have been watching you, Henry Stickmin. I have been monitoring you throughout the whole duration of the test. Don't look at me as if I am stupid." He spoke angrily.

"Dude, chill. I have no idea what you're talking about." I lied, trying to remain calm.

"If you're telling the truth, then you won't mind me conducting the lie detector test on you." He replied.

"Why are you getting so worked up? Copperbottom has just been gone a day and he couldn't possibly cause so much havoc in such a short period of time, especially considering that he just got back to the clan."

"How would you feel if one of your family members were killed by those Toppat dumbasses??" He interrupted.

I widened my eyes in shock. He must have some sort of grudge against the clan. My clan, to be more specific, but I had to remain calm.

"4 years ago, my younger sister faced financial issues again for the 3rd time. She was going into debt with the bank and my parents wouldn't assist her anymore. At that time, I was away for a business trip." He said as he prepared the machine for me again.

"You didn't help her?" I asked with a little shock. I thought siblings were supposed to help one another.

"Of course I wanted to help, but my parents were afraid that she would repeat her mistakes again and start depending on us to fix her problems."

"So.. what does any of this have to do with the Toppats?"

"She met this shady looking guy out on ther streets who introduced himself as a money lender. Loan shark, to be more exact as the way he was conducting his business was illegal. She loaned out a huge sum of money and didn't repay in 4 months. He turned out to be part of Toppat Clan, so..." he stopped, about to cry. He didn't need to explain any further for me to know what happened to her sister, so I stopped him from talking.