Shadows Of Deceit

Chapter 9: The Confession

The interrogation room was a stark, sterile space, its fluorescent lights casting harsh shadows on the walls. Jane stood behind the one-way mirror, watching as Mike sat at the metal table, his hands cuffed, his eyes downcast.  Her Boss, Detective Ramirez entered the room and took a seat across from him, placing a file on the table.

"Mike," Ramirez began, his voice calm but firm. "We need to talk about Parker's murder."

Mike's shoulders slumped. He looked tired, defeated. "I did it," he mumbled, barely raising his eyes to meet the detective's gaze.

Jane's breath caught. She leaned closer to the glass, scrutinizing every detail of Mike's demeanor. Something about his confession felt off.

"Can you tell us what happened?" Ramirez asked, his tone gentle but probing.

Mike nodded slowly. "Parker and I had a fight. Things got out of hand. I... I didn't mean to kill him. It just happened."

Ramirez nodded, taking notes. "And what about Anna? Did you kill her too?"

Mike's head snapped up, his eyes wide with fear. "No! I didn't kill Anna. I swear I didn't."

Jane's suspicion grew. There was a desperation in Mike's denial, a fear that seemed genuine. But if he didn't kill Anna, why confess to Parker's murder? She knew she had to dig deeper.

After a few more questions, Ramirez ended the interrogation and stepped out. Jane was waiting for him in the hallway.

"He confessed," Ramirez said, shaking his head. "But it doesn't feel right, does it?"

Jane nodded. "No, it doesn't. I think he's covering for someone. We need to find out who."

They returned to the observation room, where Mike remained slumped in his chair, a picture of resigned defeat. Jane took a deep breath and entered the interrogation room, her mind racing with possibilities.

"Mike," she said, taking a seat across from him. "Why are you confessing to a crime you didn't commit?"

Mike looked at her, confusion and fear mingling in his eyes. "I told you, I killed Parker."

Jane shook her head. "I don't believe you. Someone's putting you up to this, aren't they? Who are you protecting?"

Mike's lip trembled, his resolve weakening. "You don't understand. I had to."

"Had to what?" Jane pressed. "Mike, if you didn't kill Anna, you need to tell us who did. We can protect you."

Tears welled up in Mike's eyes, and he buried his face in his hands. "They threatened my family. Said they'd hurt them if I didn't take the fall."

Jane's heart pounded. "Who threatened you? Give us a name."

Mike hesitated, glancing around as if the walls themselves could betray him. "It was... it was someone close to Parker. Someone powerful. I can't say more. They'll know."

Jane leaned forward, her voice firm but compassionate. "We can help you, Mike. But you need to trust us. Tell us who it is."

Mike's shoulders shook with silent sobs. "I can't... I can't..."

Jane sighed, knowing she was pushing him to his limit. "Alright, Mike. But understand this: the truth will come out, one way or another. We'll keep your family safe, but you need to help us."

As she left the room, Jane's mind was already racing with the implications of Mike's words. Someone powerful, someone close to Parker. The pieces were starting to come together, but the picture was far from clear. She knew she had to tread carefully, for Mike's sake and her own.

Back in the hallway, she met with Ramirez. "We need to look into Parker's associates, especially those with influence. There's more to this than we thought."

Ramirez nodded, determination hardening his features. "Agreed. Let's find out who's really behind this."

As they walked away, Jane couldn't shake the feeling that they were about to uncover something much bigger than a simple murder. And with Tom Lawson's new information, the stakes were higher than ever.