บท 74: Chapter 74: My Heart Is Dead
"I suddenly understand why Tim was always content with patrol work," Angela said softly. Jack could only respond with a bitter smile. The saying "there is no perfect solution" often applies to more than just relationships. When it comes to law enforcement and dealing with both suspects and victims, the choices can be equally tough.
From the moment they discovered the case's root cause was illegal drugs, Jack's former disdain for drug addicts made him lose all sympathy for the so-called victim. Now, he realized he had completely overlooked the feelings of the deceased's parents.
Regardless of Mrs. Christen's tragic fate or Matt Christen's efforts to save his son, these unfortunate parents were innocent victims in the whole ordeal. Even if Matt had concealed his son's drug addiction from the police, it was likely out of a desire for revenge. As a father, he had done everything he could.
At that moment, Superintendent Gray's voice came from behind them.
"How's the investigation going?"
"We can be almost certain that Matt attacked Bruno, but we don't know if he recognized Bruno's accomplice," Angela replied.
"Keep an eye on him. Here's Bruno's phone call log. Check it out; it might yield some results."
Angela nodded. "I've had the Intelligence Department install a tracker on Matt's car. Nira and John will monitor and report his movements."
Jack took the documents from Superintendent Gray.
"I'll investigate these phone numbers."
There weren't many numbers in the call log, and Jack quickly found a lead.
"Tony Craig, likely Bruno's accomplice. They had frequent contact before the break-in. This guy has a bunch of minor offenses, mostly drug-related."
"Address?" Angela asked urgently.
"An apartment near Century City."
"Damn," Angela cursed, frustrated. "Nira just reported losing Matt. He abandoned his car in an underground garage near a mall in Century City and vanished."
"I'll send them the address and have them go directly there. We need to talk to Mrs. Christen," Jack said, rising quickly and driving with Angela to the Christen's villa.
"Do you think we should stop Matt's revenge?" Angela asked, breaking the somber silence in the car after a long pause.
Jack was silent for a long time before replying in a muffled voice, "I've thought about it a lot. Letting Matt have his revenge might be a bigger mistake."
Angela looked puzzled, waiting for him to continue.
"Mrs. Christen was violated and lost her son. If she loses her husband too..."
"Matt would likely only be charged with second-degree murder. Their family is wealthy enough to afford a good lawyer. With the jury's sympathy, he'd probably get a lighter sentence, allowing him to take care of his wife and let time heal everything."
Angela's eyes lit up. "So you're saying we must stop him!"
Jack nodded. "Although I hate to admit my double standards, I think this family has suffered enough. If it were me, I might choose perfect revenge, but for them, maybe there's a better option."
Angela, not one for hesitation, agreed. "Alright, for Mrs. Christen's sake, let's give it our all and leave the rest to God."
They soon arrived at the villa, but despite ringing the doorbell for a long time, there was no answer.
Jack grew alarmed and called Mrs. Christen's phone, but it went to voicemail after several rings.
Both of their faces darkened. Jack hesitated before suggesting, "Should we check inside? I fear Mrs. Christen's life may be in danger."
Angela rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Without a warrant, it wasn't the time to hesitate.
They drew their guns, went around to the side door like yesterday, and Jack kicked it open, quickly entering the villa.
"Damn it!"
In the first-floor bathroom, they found Mrs. Christen lying in the bathtub. The water was stained red with blood from a deep cut on her wrist.
"She's still breathing! Call 911."
Jack quickly used his healing spell to stabilize her vital signs. Thankfully, they found her in time, and she hadn't lost a fatal amount of blood.
"Wait, check her phone."
Angela grabbed the phone from the bathroom counter, used Mrs. Christen's fingerprint to unlock it, and looked through the contents.
"Matt said he caught the man and is taking him to the factory to finish his revenge. Mrs. Christen replied that she'd wait for them in hell."
"Both of them? Matt wants to die with Tony Craig!"
Jack, anxious, pulled out his phone and contacted Superintendent Gray.
"Does Matt own any factories? He might be taking the suspect there."
As they loaded Mrs. Christen into an ambulance, Superintendent Gray sent over the factory address.
"We're closest. It should take less than ten minutes."
Jack got into the car, turned on the sirens, and floored the gas pedal, causing the tires to screech as they headed to the factory.
Matt owned a medium-sized construction company. The "factory" was a huge steel-framed warehouse filled with trucks and construction vehicles.
When they arrived, they saw Matt Christen standing on a truck cab, pulling on a steel cable with a loop at the end.
"Matt, where's Craig?" Angela raised her Glock but hesitated and lowered it again.
"He deserves to die. Now it's all over, or it soon will be."
Matt ignored their weapons, adjusting the loop to head height, a look of resignation in his eyes.
"Marilyn is safe. We got to your house in time to save her. She's in the hospital now, receiving treatment. Believe me, she needs you right now!"
Angela holstered her gun, trying to persuade Matt, who didn't seem to have Tony Craig around.
"That bastard killed my son!" Matt trembled as he fixed the loop and grasped it with both hands.
Jack put away his Glock but pulled out his Anaconda revolver. If it weren't for only having one gold coin left in the system, he would have upgraded his marksmanship to master level on the spot.
"The moment I saw my son's body in the bedroom, Marilyn and my hearts died. The only reason we kept going was for revenge. Now that it's done, everything should end."
"Now with the evidence, Tony Craig will pay for his crimes. You still have a family. Think about Marilyn; she needs you now!"
Angela watched helplessly as Matt put his head into the loop. She turned and saw Jack holding the Anaconda revolver, aiming steadily at Matt.
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