No Loose Ends
March 2, 2025
The body lay crumpled on the penthouse floor, a crimson stain spreading across the white marble. The city skyline glittered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, indifferent to the murder that had just taken place.
Detective Ryan Hale crouched beside the victim. Jonathan Pierce. Billionaire, philanthropist, and—if rumors were true—a man with more enemies than friends.
Officer Blake stood by the doorway, flipping through his notes. “Gunshot wound to the chest. Silencer used. Security cameras were disabled at 10:15 PM, right before the murder.”
Hale sighed. “A pro job.”
Blake nodded. “Only three people were in the building at the time—his business partner, Alan Grayson. His lawyer, Olivia Marks. And…” He glanced at Hale.
Hale frowned. “And?”
Blake hesitated. “His wife. Evelyn Pierce.”
Hale rubbed his temples. Of course.
Interrogation Room 1 – Alan Grayson
Alan Grayson leaned back in his chair, his suit wrinkled, his eyes tired. “Jonathan and I had disagreements, sure. But kill him? No way.”
Hale crossed his arms. “Disagreements like what?”
Grayson exhaled. “He was about to cut me out of the company. After twenty years of building it together. That bastard was greedy.”
Hale tapped a pen against the table. “Sounds like motive.”
Grayson scoffed. “I was in my office all night. Security logs will prove it.”
Hale studied him. He didn’t seem rattled.
But he wasn’t off the hook yet.
Interrogation Room 2 – Olivia Marks
Olivia Marks was composed, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
“I handle Jonathan’s estate,” she said. “That’s all.”
Hale leaned in. “He was rewriting his will, wasn’t he?”
She hesitated. “Yes.”
Hale narrowed his eyes. “Cutting someone out?”
A beat of silence. Then, she nodded. “His wife.”
Hale sat back. That changes things.
Interrogation Room 3 – Evelyn Pierce
Evelyn Pierce was stunning, even in mourning. Her emerald eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
“My husband is dead, Detective,” she whispered. “And you think I did it?”
Hale folded his arms. “He was removing you from his will.”
She flinched. “How do you—” She stopped herself.
Hale caught it. “You knew.”
Her hands trembled. “He was leaving me with nothing. After years of marriage.”
Hale placed a small evidence bag on the table. Inside—a single pearl earring.
“Found near the body,” he said. “Matches the one you’re wearing.”
Evelyn’s breath hitched. “I… I dropped it when I found him.”
Hale shook his head. “No. You were there before he died.”
Silence.
Then, a slow smirk curled her lips.
“You can’t prove I pulled the trigger,” she murmured.
Hale smirked back. “No. But I can prove you paid someone who did.”
As Blake cuffed her wrists, she leaned in close to Hale.
“No loose ends, Detective,” she whispered. “Are you sure you got them all?”
Hale hesitated. A chill ran down his spine.
As she was led away, he couldn’t shake the feeling—someone else was still out there.