Goodbye
Chapter 8

Part 8

Steven returned to the dissecting room, his steps heavy as if he were carrying a thousand pounds. Xander waited at the entrance, his expression somber. “Now… can you accept it?” he asked.

Steven shook his head slowly, his face pale as paper. He seemed lost, his focus slipping away.

Xander continued, “Someone called in with a tip. They found the last bag with the victim’s head, index finger and ankle. We’re closer to solving the case.”

“Solving a case? Heh,” Steven scoffed. “The victim is dead. What good is solving it now?” He grabbed Xander’s shoulder, desperation in his voice. “Why did the killer want to kill her? She was just an ordinary housewife!”

Xander frowned. “In our line of work, nobody’s family is ever truly safe. You may think she’s ordinary, but criminals don’t see it that way.”

Steven’s eyebrows twitched. “Was it me? Did I put her in danger?”

I nodded. Yes, my husband. You and your ex–girlfriend killed me together.

Xander, sensing Steven’s discomfort, tried to steer the conversation in a different direction. “Don’t jump to conclusions. You mentioned the killer’s methods were similar to those used by the gangs in Yorehaven. Maybe your wife was involved with them somehow?”

Steven’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Maybe she was involved in something illegal and I had no idea. This could all be her fault.”

Xander frowned. “Let’s not jump to that yet. This is just speculation. Steven, she was your wife. You should consider all possibilities before making judgments.”

Steven sneered and shook his head. “With her, it’s not unreasonable to think the worst. The day we solve this case will be the day her true nature is revealed!”

After Steven finished work, he found Kelly waiting for him outside the police station. He managed a faint smile despite his pale face as he approached her.

“Why did you come?” he asked.

Kelly replied, “My plane will leave tonight. I wanted to see you again before I go.”

A look of disappointment briefly crossed Steven’s face. It seemed he’d forgotten that his wife was lying in the autopsy room.

They walked home together, chatting about random things. Kelly asked, “You’ve been really busy lately. Is there a big case you’re working on?”

Steven hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah, there’s a big case.‘

“Is it the headless female corpse dismemberment case? Any progress?” Kelly inquired.

Steven frowned. “How do you know about that? You never watch the news.”

Kelly looked awkward and answered. “I was bored at the hotel, so I turned on the TV.”

Steven stopped in his tracks. “But this case is being suppressed by the province and isn’t allowed to be reported.”

Kelly’s footsteps also halted.