Edge Of Innocence

Chapter 9 (The Turning Tide)

The clock had just struck 10 AM when Samuel and his team arrived at Lucas’s quiet neighborhood. Lea and Luke accompanied them, with Lea visibly tense but determined to see the day through. Luke, on the other hand, maintained an air of neutrality, unsure of what lay ahead.

The group stepped out of the car, scanning their surroundings. The air was crisp, and the morning sun shone brightly, but the mood was somber. Lucas's house stood silent and still, the curtains drawn, showing no signs of activity.

Samuel took the lead, ringing the doorbell three times in quick succession. The sound echoed faintly in the serene street, but there was no response. He pressed the button two more times, his patience wearing thin.

Inside, Lucas stirred groggily in his bed. The repetitive chime pulled him from a restless sleep. His mind immediately went to the ongoing investigation. He had prepared himself for this possibility.

Dragging himself out of bed, he shuffled towards the door, his mind racing. He hesitated momentarily before opening it. As his eyes adjusted to the daylight, he saw the group standing before him—Samuel, two other officers, Lea, and a man he did not recognize.

Samuel motioned for Luke to step forward. “Do you know this man?” Samuel asked Lucas pointedly.

Lucas glanced at Luke, his expression blank. “No, I’ve never seen him before in my life,” Luke responded firmly.

Seizing the moment, Lucas added, “See? This is all a misunderstanding. I don’t know what Lea’s trying to do here, but I have nothing to do with Marcus or this case.”

Samuel remained silent, his eyes narrowing as he observed Lucas. He gave no indication of believing or disbelieving Lucas’s claim.

Lea stood off to the side, her nervous energy palpable. Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her coat, her eyes darting between the garage and Samuel. She fought to maintain composure, knowing that anything she said could worsen the situation. With Luke present, she felt cornered, unsure of how much she could rely on him to corroborate her story—or if he even would.

Lucas noticed Lea’s demeanor and couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease. What was she hiding? What was her endgame? He masked his growing anxiety behind a façade of indifference.

Samuel’s sharp gaze alternated between Lucas and Leah. He had been in enough interrogations to recognize when someone was holding back. Lea’s nervous fidgeting, contrasted with Lucas’s feigned indifference, only confirmed his suspicions that something was amiss.

He decided to press the matter. “Lea,” he said, breaking the tense silence, “you mentioned Lucas had a garage. Is there any reason we shouldn’t take a look in there?”

Lea stiffened, her eyes widening momentarily before she caught herself. “I—I don’t know. It’s not like I’ve been inside his garage,” she replied, her voice barely steady.

Lucas interjected, his tone clipped, “Are we done here? Or are you planning to search my entire house too?”

Samuel’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “We’re just doing our due diligence, Lucas. Why so defensive?”

While Samuel continued to push, Lea’s mind raced. She had to keep her reactions measured, but the stakes were too high. The garage held the truth, she was sure of it.

As Samuel questioned Lucas further, Lea’s confidence grew. If the police found anything incriminating, it would lead directly to Lucas, shielding her from further suspicion.

She allowed herself a fleeting moment of satisfaction. Lucas had made a critical error by hiding Marcus’s body in his garage. The concrete floor wouldn’t be enough to mask his involvement forever.