Martha Murder Case Investigation: Day 30

Lara Murder Case Investigation: Day 10

Reyna Murder Case Investigation: 6

Just like before, it seems like Stygias is only interested in talking to Maya. She knows that she has to keep pushing forward. Now, at least she had a lead, and she wasn’t going to let it slip away. Meanwhile, Runo, Daniel, and Maya sit in the cabin and express their frustration in these cases. 

Maya expresses, “It is very clear that he is involved with the murder or at least with the planning. 

But the point is, this arrest seems a bit too easy to be true. He, himself, seems eager to be arrested and doesn’t show any sign of fear or resistance during any practice.”

Runo nods in frustration and Daniel expresses, “Stays calm during interrogation and interviews, keeps her face tilted down as if his whole family is buried in the ground beneath his feet. This might have been a very grim example, but it does seem like it.”

Maya questions, “And it seems like he talks only to me. Have you noticed it?”

Runo agrees and mentions, “He did seem a bit too much interested in you. I mean, criminals are human too. Wish you were not told to avoid direct interrogation till your background checks are finished. He would definitely like that.”

Daniel and Maya both give him stern eyes and then they continue the conversation. Daniel expresses, “He is still on his ‘I want to bring Maya to some place’ track. Still have not budged even a bit. And insists a ‘no-police’ accompany the situation as well. Not sure how to describe it. He is not trustworthy, but it doesn’t look like he is completely fooling, either.”

Maya nods and proposes, “Well, maybe I can try that?”

Runo and Daniel both respond in unison, “Absolutely NO!”

Maya adds, “Who knows, maybe something good will come out of it. We don’t seem to have much choice either. His background check, his records, his actions, nothing leads to anything at all. We even looked up his information and talked to the people at the Bar. No living or even dead say anything bad about him. He is the innocent and most amazing person in the paper. What to do? He is in custody, but for how long can we do that?”

Daniel agrees and adds, “We also reviewed the surveillance footage and the guy is as pure as oxygen! No impurities can be found at all!” 

While the brainstorming is leading to nowhere, Rebecca comes and announces, “Maya, some of your background data, documents, and personal reports have been evaluated, nothing of use was found but since you are clear, you can take part in the interrogation from now on.”

It was a great sigh of relief for everyone in the room. And without wasting even a second, Maya walks into the interrogation room where Stygias is counting the ants on the floor. But of course, as always, the moment she walks in, his demeanor changes, and he looks at her in the eyes and smiles.

Maya questions, “Why talk to me only? And why alone?” She receives no response for a moment. And after a silent minute, he declares, “I never mentioned that you need to follow me somewhere sketchy, just want you to be alone… with me… during the conversation. It is important. No one else should be in the room. No presence of communication. Not even a single breath of air in the room apart from the two of us.”

It was a bit of an odd request, and even though he did not show any sign of contempt, it was the request that can easily be considered perverted as well. But, of course, he is the purest species of humankind. He cannot be wrong. And Maya needs whatever she can get from him. 

Looking at her face, Stygias sprinkles the fairy dust of consideration on her and suggests, “If you want to feel safe, you can keep me handcuffed during the conversation. You can chain me up. Just get rid of any other presence and voice recordings, call connections, and then I can talk. I want to talk. I am willing to talk. Just close the door, cut the recording, and call. No one should be in the observation room as well. Whether you believe it or not, from the start, I am your friend, not a foe.”

She looks at the window mirror, where other officers are observing the interview. They all come to the cabin and Daniel declares, “No one will record you. We will close the door, but you will be handcuffed. Majorly for your own safety, butMaya’s safety as well. Do you agree?”

Stygias nods in agreement and then Daniel handcuffs him and ties him to the table hook. Then he looks at Maya, tapping on her shoulder to remind her of her safety over everything, and then leaves the cabin while closing the door behind. 

Rebecca is standing outside, a bit puzzled and anxious. She asks Daniel, “The CCTV is still on. Is he that delusional? What is he trying to achieve?”

Daniel adds, “We’ll see. Let’s leave for now.”

(Not so) Secret Conversation: Maya and Stygias 

Now Maya and Stygias are alone in the room. A moment goes by in silence and then the conversation starts.

Maya: So, what’s the big revelation? Shall we discuss this now?

Stygias: Do you mark your words that you are not recording?

Maya: As you said, as you wished. Everything is offline. I have no phone call ongoing, no records, and no person. So, let’s not push it further.

Stygias: Great! So, here’s the thing. I never murdered anyone.

Maya: Yes, of course. You announced that in the Bar.

Maya speaks with a bit of annoyance in her voice since her nerves are a bit high at this time. But then she calms herself and continues. 

Maya: It was already established that you are not a killer, so I wish to discuss more about other possibilities that you mentioned. Do you have any other information or was it just a clickbait situation?

Stygias: No, of course not. I do know what you want to know.

Maya: Then let’s move to the point.

Stygias: Gladly. As I said, I am not the killer of these murders. But I know someone who is involved. 

Maya: Yes. And I want to know who that person might be.

Stygias: Do you know Caius?

Maya: Yes. Of course. Have interviewed him multiple times.

Stygias: Couldn’t find any dirt on him?

Maya: What are you talking about?

Stygias: You might wanna keep him more focused. He definitely can give you the answers that you all need.

Maya: Why are you going in circles? Just tell me what the info is.

Maya is losing her patience, and her sudden headache is killing her as well. Her paranoia and nerves are at it again. She is seeing people in the corner of her eyes. But she changes her focus, brings herself back to the topic, and hints towards Stygias in a questioning manner, expecting an answer to her question.

Stygias: Well… the thing is.

Maya: Yes.

Stygias: I can’t tell you right now.

Maya: WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING? IS THIS SOME KIND OF SICK JOKE?

She stood up in anger and couldn’t calm herself any longer.

Stygias: Calm down. I know your condition must be worsening with each passing day. Believe me, I want to help.

Maya: My condition… What do you mean?

Stygias: I know that you are seeing things and having headaches and traumatic episodes ever since this case started. 

Maya: What…? How would you know that?

Stygias: Believe me. I know a lot more than you do about yourself. I just can’t… say it.

Maya: What does that mean? Can’t say it?

Stygias: Well, can’t say it. Can’t bring myself to say it. Can’t help it.

Maya is certain now that he will be of no use, so she stands up and starts walking out. At that moment, Stygias stops her in her tracks and advises her, “Make sure to do more than you normally do when you investigate Caius. And never stay alone with him in one room. He can easily use his skills to manipulate you. Be careful.”

After this, he goes back to his usual pose. Staring at the floor, counting his sins. And Maya leaves him there, handcuffed and alone. 

Everything is recorded and live on the CCTV, so of course, Rebecca and Daniel witness it as well. Daniel exclaims, “What a weirdo he is. Made a full commotion about leaving him alone with you and didn’t give anything at all. What was his motive?”

Maya is silent, as if she is contemplating the conversation and thinking about where things could take a turn. Then she looks at both of them and exclaims, “These guys are into hypnosis and stuff. Maybe Stygias is hypnotized to keep the secret?”

Both nods and Rebecca asks, “So you think there could be some gravity to his ‘check Caius’ claim?”

Maya answers, “That’s exactly what it seems here. Even personally, I never liked that guy either. He seems fishy even after all his nice gestures of support in the investigation. He helps in the investigation in any way he can, but still, the question never fades away. Why is he so involved in every part of this case? This can’t be a coincidence.”

Everyone agrees on this point and then they decide to investigate Caius from a different perspective this time.

As the suspicion of Caius is also growing with time, it is becoming important to try other methods. His colleagues and he himself claimed to have the ability to mentally manipulate a human mind. And he does seem a bit on the genius side of people. So, this aspect is, of course, in a positive light of help in his version, but every positive thing can be easily turned around with the right amount of intent. He has always been a bit suspicious, but now it is a real likelihood that he might actually be the actual suspect of the case. 

They need to turn the tide right away. They need to decide. They send Stygias for a psychological evaluation to check if there is any mental manipulation going on in his case. And another invite is sent to Caius. But this time, instead of a friendly request for a visit, he is sent legal documentation for the purpose of legal questioning. And his nice self agrees! Again! Leaving everyone puzzled, once again!

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