Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Chapter 3

THE COPS from the Wallis Station were gathered at the city police as they were called by the current chief, and now firmly standing in front of him.

"How sure are you that this piece of necklace belongs to him?" the chief asked, as he himself couldn't believe that the former Detective Illinois is linked to the recent crime.

"I gave it to him as a gift for his birthday last year, sir. His initials were imprinted on the pendant as I have it customized, therefore, there couldn't be anyone who owned this other than him." Inspector Isaac answered, leaving a messy mind to the chief. The chief examined the pendant, and there really are initials in it. I. N. W.

"Where did you specifically find this?" he asked with his eyes glued to the necklace.

"I found it on the backseat, sir." Kyle answered. The chief turned his head to him and frowned.

"While the body was at the driver's seat, right?" the chief said. Inspector Isaac halted. "Alright. So, as of now, Illinois is the primary suspect. Dig and find everything you could to justify your claim. Otherwise, you'll have the suspect on the loose." He added, and his phone suddenly rang. He just let it ring as he's opting to finish this meeting quickly.

"Yes, sir!"

"Keep an eye on Illinois, I know you're aware of how clever he could get." The chief closed his remarks, and was about to answer the call, but his brows sank when he noticed something among the team before him.

"You all are present here... Who's guarding him at the hospital, then?"

Isaac looked around them and noticed it too, and he can't help but to frown at them. "Philip, didn't I tell you to just not go with us?" he asked to one of his men, who's stunned at his words with his eyes expanded open.

"S-Sir? I couldn't remember you telling me that..." Philip stood frozen.

"You idiot! It was because you're focused on your phone when he said that!" Sam hissed at him.

"We're screwed." Isaac murmured and abruptly bid his goodbye to the chief to go back to the hospital.

The team rushed to the hospital until they were greeted with a nurse baffled by the sight in front of her. The nurse who was assigned to take care of Illinois. She was standing in front of the empty hospital bed, with a medicine with her.

"Where is he?" Isaac asked the nurse.

"I... I just got here too..."

Isaac rushed closer to the bed when he noticed the opened cuff and the pin in it. But he eventually halted when he noticed a letter on a scratch paper that says, 'I will take care of this. Watch and I'll prove you all wrong. PS: You may consider this as my comeback to the force.'

"Check the footage. NOW!" Isaac shouted at the team, prompting them to comply immediately.

I.N.W.

MEANWHILE, Illinois was hiding on the plain sight of the people while looking for shelter. He went from his condominium to get the things he needed, still wearing the same suit. He didn't get the chance to change because he was in a hurry.