Chapter 344:
“Miss Stacey Kirk,” the one in front said as he held out his badge. “We’re with the Navy’s investigative unit. You’re being…”
Placed under investigation for stirring public unrest, spreading false accusations, and forging medical credentials, the officer said, “We ask that you come with us and cooperate.”
Color drained from her face as her knees buckled. She staggered back a step. “I don’t understand what you’re saying. This has nothing to do with me! Y—you’ve made a mistake — I didn’t do anything!”
Without flinching, the officer pulled out a folder thick with documents. “We have surveillance footage of you pushing Trevor and the others at the café, phone logs linking you to a Crolens Evening News reporter, and copies of your forged medical credentials.”
Each piece of evidence drained more color from her face. Leland’s gaze hardened with disappointment. “How much worse can it get? What else are you hiding from us?”
“It’s not true, Leland! Please, you have to believe me!” she cried, backing away in panic—until the second officer stepped forward and seized her wrist.
“Help me! Leland, don’t just stand there! I didn’t do anything!” she shrieked, thrashing wildly. “I need a lawyer — get me a lawyer!”
When he saw his sister unravel like that, Leland’s expression tightened — but something in him softened as he stepped forward. “Officer, are you sure this isn’t a mistake? My sister—”
“Mr. Kirk,” the officer interjected sharply, “the evidence is concrete. If you interfere, you’ll be charged with aiding a fugitive. And if I’m not mistaken, you already have a prior conviction, don’t you?”
Leland froze, words caught in his throat. While Stacey cried and fought back, the officers restrained her and pulled her out the door.
Tessa, wincing with every step, tried to run after her daughter. Her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor. By the time she dragged herself outside, the vehicle was already gone.
Tessa sank to the floor, gripping Leland’s sleeve tightly and shaking him with desperate urgency. “That’s your sister! How can you just stand there and let them take her?”
His fists clenched at his sides as she berated him, her voice sharp with pain and frustration. When her anger faded into quiet sobs, he finally spoke in a low, steady tone. “Maybe with her gone, we have a chance to bring Rylie back and fix what’s left of our lives.”
She froze, staring at him like he was a stranger. “But she’s the daughter I searched for all those years.”
“She’s facing serious charges, Mom. Do you still believe she’s the innocent, kind-hearted girl you think she is?” Leland exhaled slowly, his eyes heavy with weariness. “If no one stops her, she’ll tear this family apart.”
Tessa sank to the floor, words failing her. After a heavy pause, she finally looked up and whispered, “She’s my child, but maybe we should send her overseas — to start fresh and never look back.”
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