CHAIN OF TRUTH

CHAPTER III

   Agatha, curious, asked, "So, what kind of surprise are we talking about?" Cathy reached into her bag and retrieved a printout, passing it to Enola. "It had your address on it. This was for you," she explained, her demeanor serious as the crew examined the letter. Enola's eyes scanned the letter, searching for any clues about the sender's identity, but found none. Copper took the letter, hoping to glean information from it, but his efforts proved fruitless. Agatha, however, posed an intriguing possibility. "What about the numbers? What if they're not related to birth or death, but to a case file?"

Enola's mind raced as she pieced together Agatha's theory. "I know what you mean," she said, a spark of realization in her eyes. "Copper, check on the case files relating to the numbers we found." With a sense of urgency, Copper set out to investigate while the rest of the crew headed to meet Maxim to gather more information about Roy and his untimely demise.

Maxim greeted them with a calm demeanor, though the pain of losing his boyfriend was evident. Agatha wasted no time getting to the point. "You seem remarkably composed for someone who just lost their boyfriend. Don't you think so?" she prodded, observing Maxim's reaction carefully. As they conversed, the crew couldn't help but notice the absence of any signs of grief in Maxim's home. However, a photograph caught Agatha's eye, revealing a surprising detail about Roy and Maxim's relationship. She discreetly captured a picture of it, intending to analyze it later.

Maxim's demeanor shifted as the conversation turned to the circumstances of Roy's death. "He cut me off when he found someone more his type," Maxim revealed, his voice tinged with bitterness. Enola pressed for more details, eager to uncover the truth behind Roy's betrayal. Maxim admitted to receiving a text from Roy after their breakup, requesting financial assistance. "I was not the rich to lend him the money he needed," Maxim explained, his frustration palpable. He recounted how Roy had even trespassed into his home, leaving Maxim's mother shaken.

Enola's curiosity was piqued by Maxim's reluctance to report the incident to the authorities. "Why did you not file a complaint?" she inquired, her gaze piercing. Maxim's response revealed a deep-seated loyalty to his mother, despite her reluctance to involve the police. As they left Maxim's home, Enola couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. "I think there is something wrong with Maxim. He might be hiding something," Agatha remarked, voicing the crew's collective unease. With more questions than answers, they resumed their investigation, determined to uncover the truth behind Roy's death.

Enola remained silent as she drove, but her mind was buzzing with anticipation. When Copper called with news, she hoped it would shed some light on their investigation. "I found it, guys," Copper reported. "The case number, and I think you should see it. You might not like the details, but it sure can't be overlooked." "What do you mean by 'not helpful'?" Edwin inquired from the backseat. Copper explained, "The victim and anyone she had as relatives are all dead. There is no one to seek revenge."

"We'll be reaching the office in minutes. Get the meeting ready," Enola instructed, ending the call and driving with determination.

Upon reaching the office, Copper shared the details of the victim, Mia Mathew. "Aged 26, Mia was working in a call center before she was raped and killed by five men in a gang rape," he explained. "Despite surviving, Mia faced immense hardship. She and her sister decided to return to their home country, but Mia tragically took her own life, leaving her sister alone. Distraught over her sister's death, Ami, Mia's older sister, also committed suicide. With no family left to care for them since losing their parents at a young age, they were left to fend for themselves."