Chapter 47: Joy’s Death Is Because of You

Chapter 47: Chapter 47: Joy’s Death Is Because of You

Ruby’s expression was one of astonishment. ’Weren’t we just in the stairwell? How did I suddenly end up in this strange room!’

Based on the people and the decor, Ruby had a good idea of where she was.

"No wonder you could find so many of our locations and ruin several of my ’games.’ And Jim Lynch—you must have attacked him. That’s why he’s in a coma, isn’t it!" Ruby really was the brains of the operation; she put the pieces together in an instant.

Her expression as she looked at Zoe Sawyer was incredibly complex.

’If I’d known she had this kind of godlike power, I would have sent more people to capture her and study her thoroughly!’

Ruby was filled with regret, but what’s done is done.

"It would be so much better to work with us. With an ability like yours, you could transport cargo. Just one trip, and you’d be rich overnight.

Zoe Sawyer, I know you. If you want, we can give you a much bigger stage to play on. It’s got to be better than slaving away for these people. It’s dangerous work with hardly any reward.

Think about it. Even though you’re the main reason I was caught, when they’re handing out commendations, your name won’t be on the list. All your hard work will just be swept under the rug by them. Are you really okay with that?" As Ruby tried to tempt Zoe Sawyer with her words, she inconspicuously pressed down hard on the sole of her shoe with her big toe.

"You can stop trying to sow discord. None of what you’re offering is the least bit tempting to me," Zoe Sawyer said with an indifferent shrug.

’Choosing the criminal path could certainly make me rich overnight.’

’But it could just as easily get me killed overnight.’

’While spending all that money, I’d constantly have to worry about my life ending in a sudden "accident."’

’I’d have to watch out for suspicious bank transactions, be careful with every purchase I made, and I wouldn’t even be able to contact my family freely.’

That’s not the kind of life Zoe Sawyer wanted.

As for Ruby’s claims about her not getting any credit and her efforts being swept under the rug, Zoe Sawyer couldn’t care less.

The chief had already explained everything in detail. For her own safety, her contributions couldn’t be made public until the entire organization was dismantled. But everything was being officially recorded; they would never let her work for nothing.

Besides, after Teacher Scott’s case was closed, the police department had issued her a special bank card.

It was deposited with the payments for her assistance in solving their cases.

It wasn’t as much as the ill-gotten gains Ruby spoke of, but she could spend it with a clear conscience.

So, all things considered, Ruby’s words had absolutely no effect on her.

Even though they knew Zoe Sawyer wasn’t the type to be swayed by a few words, everyone in the office still breathed a collective sigh of relief when they heard her response.

A faint smile touched Elder Crowe’s and Heath Hale’s eyes, and their gazes toward Ruby grew even more disdainful.

Just then, Officer Lee suddenly spoke up. "I’ve intercepted a strange signal."

Ruby’s heart skipped a beat. ’Wait, they have this kind of equipment in their office?’

After quickly tracing the signal’s source, Officer Lee smugly brandished his laptop at Ruby. "When we’re dealing with heinous criminals like you, of course we come fully prepared."

It was a precaution, in case these people had any other tricks up their sleeves. They couldn’t risk having Zoe Sawyer’s ability leaked.

They hadn’t expected to actually need it.

"Alright, that’s enough nonsense from her," the chief said with a wave of his hand. "Sean Hughes, search her. Confiscate any electronic devices and then move her to a separate holding cell."

’Two suspects caught in one day. We’re making incredible progress!’

Just before Ruby was escorted out, she stopped and turned to look at Zoe Sawyer, a malicious smile playing on her lips. "Zoe Sawyer, do you remember that girl who lived across the hall from you?

Her name was Joy, if I remember correctly? Do you know why she died?

It’s because of you. You ruined my plans, so I had to go after someone close to you. That girl was the most convenient target. Who do you think will be next?

Your parents? Your sister and her family? Your little niece is just adorable, isn’t she?"

Ruby didn’t finish her sentence, but the implication sent a chill down Zoe Sawyer’s spine.

’These people are targeting my family!’

’And Joy... She was targeted by them because of me...’

For a moment, Zoe Sawyer’s mind was a tangled mess.

Seeing the horrified look on Zoe Sawyer’s face, Ruby burst into loud laughter.

Back in the office, the atmosphere was no longer as celebratory as it had been moments before.

Elder Crowe walked over to Zoe Sawyer and patted her shoulder. "Don’t worry," he said. "We can contact the police in your hometown right now and have them check on your family’s safety."

"Yeah, or if we have to, we can bring them here for now, just like we did with Mrs. York’s family," Officer Lee suggested, scratching his head.

Zoe Sawyer shook her head.

’Bringing them here temporarily would be fine, but in the long run, it would disrupt my family’s lives.’

’Besides, knowing my parents, they’re the type who get antsy if they go a single day without working. If I really brought them here, they’d never be able to just sit around.’

"Don’t overthink it," Sean Hughes said, also patting Zoe Sawyer’s shoulder. "They might not even know about you yet. If we suddenly make a lot of moves, it might just draw their attention."

As for Ruby’s claim that Joy’s death was related to Zoe Sawyer, everyone, by unspoken agreement, remained silent.

Witnessing today’s events had already put Zoe Sawyer under immense pressure. There was no telling what might happen if they pressed her on this topic.

Zoe Sawyer had never received any formal psychological resilience training, so they didn’t dare say anything careless.

They were afraid that one wrong word might put her under even greater mental strain.

"Don’t worry about me," Zoe Sawyer said, noticing the expressions on Heath Hale and the others. She managed a faint, reassuring smile. "I know she’s just trying to make me feel guilty. If I really took it to heart and started blaming myself, letting it get in the way of the investigation, that would be falling right into Ruby’s trap."

It was just like what she had told Ann to comfort her: the ones at fault are the deranged murderers. To take all the blame on herself would be to needlessly torture herself.

"My goal right now is to catch those murderers and bring them to justice. To get justice for Joy and all the other innocent people who died for nothing," Zoe Sawyer said, smiling at them with a determined tone.

Hearing that Zoe Sawyer wasn’t blaming herself, everyone breathed another sigh of relief.

’Thank goodness. Zoe Sawyer’s mental resilience is pretty good. We don’t need to worry too much,’ they all thought, relieved.

Barry Quinn, who had been standing in the corner the whole time, took a step forward. He looked at Zoe Sawyer and said, "Zoe Sawyer, can you do me a favor?

Help me find my colleagues. They can be a great help to you!"