Debra said, "Joe isn''t afraid of death or jail. He is loyal to Jeffrey andmitted to the Nichols family. Theposure he demonstrated tells me something. Either he knows someone''sing to get him out, or he''s just a die-hard follower."


    "What if it''s thetter?" Marion asked.


    "Then we have to gamble. I need your help to prepare a backup."


    "Got it."


    Debra and Marion walked out of the police station together.


    Pedro froze, then hurried up to their side. "Is it done? That was fast."


    Debra said, "Mr. Hardy, I''ll need your help tonight."


    Pedro straightened up. "Just say the word. I''ll do my best."


    "Someone ising tonight. Aside from a police uniform, I''ll need you to work


    with me and put on a show."


    "Sure thing. Let''s do it."


    "Thanks, Mr. Hardy."


    "No problem. I''ll get everything ready."


    ...


    Soon, it was evening.


    Outside the police station, it was eerily quiet. Not a soul was in sight.


    Two officers escorted Joe into the interrogation room. Across from him sat Pedro.


    "What''s it for at this hour?" Joe slouched in his chair, as if he owned the ce.


    Pedro looked at him. "I''m no fan of working overtime, but some big shots sent me to ask you a few questions."


    Joe realized he was referring to Debra.


    you


    "Having the police chiefe personally? That''s a bit overkill, don''t think?" Joe replied. "As I told Mrs. Houston today, you won''t get any useful information out of me."


    Pedro took a deep breath. "We''ve


    known each other a while. If you


    don''t talk, I won''t be able to report back. In that case, I''ll have to use some force."


    Joe remained unfazed. "Whatever you say, Director. Nothing to report."


    Pedro''s face darkened, and an


    officer


    nearby raised his hand andet


    d Joe, sending him craet


    to the ground.


    His hands cuffed, Joe couldn''t fight back.


    "Still not talking?" Pedrozily leaned back. "Better think twice and avoid trouble."


    Joe red at him, refusing to talk. Pedro signaled to the officer, who hit Joe harder.


    Blood started to spill, and screams echoed through the room.


    In the meantime, a figure in a ck cloak and a white mask walked into the police station.