PROGRESS

Alan arched an incredulous eyebrow, struggling to fathom that a detective would chalk it up to a mere coincidence.

"I understand your skepticism, but sometimes seemingly insignificant coincidences can have a profound impact on one's life," Adrian responded with calm assurance.

"I'd like to request my release," Adrian asserted confidently, "since you have no concrete evidence linking me to these events. I need to return home and prepare a meal for Emilie."

"I regret to inform you that I cannot comply, Adrian," Alan declared with a hint of regret. "Given the risk of further murders, it's crucial to err on the side of caution. You'll remain here until we uncover concrete evidence of your innocence or locate the true perpetrator." With those words, Alan exited the room, leaving Selena alone with Adrian, a situation that made her uneasy.

Selena was convinced that Adrian couldn't have been responsible for the murders. While he may have appeared peculiar the previous evening, in her eyes, he had never been quite ordinary to begin with.

Adrian heightened his senses to eavesdrop on the conversation outside the room. He overheard, "No, we haven't uncovered any fingerprints at the crime scene, and there are no traces of tampering with the footage. So we cannot just keep Adrian here," said some officers to Alan.

"I'm fully aware, and I have my doubts that Adrian would commit such a crime. The question is, why would someone go to great lengths to frame him? It's utterly perplexing," Alan contemplated. Then, as he pondered further, a realization struck him: Adrian had called him the previous day to trace a number, but he hadn't returned the call to confirm the results.

Alan reentered the room and, with a furrowed brow, inquired, "Adrian, you contacted me yesterday, requesting that I trace a number for you. The number you provided is no longer in service. Can you shed some light on what's going on?" He sensed that this detail might be crucial in understanding the situation.

Alan's reminder triggered a sudden realization in Adrian.

Adrian chuckled softly as he realized, 'I was on my way to check up on Alan from the bar.' The extent to which he had been manipulated began to dawn on him.

Adrian proceeded to narrate his entire encounter with a client named Katharine. He described how he had witnessed a murder and harbored suspicions about the victim's wife, Katharine.

"I understand your story, but why didn't you return my call to obtain the information I'd traced?" Alan inquired, still struggling to piece together the complex situation.

"I did attempt to call you back, but I couldn't establish a connection at the time. Subsequently, it slipped my mind. Nevertheless, that's in the past. We should now direct our attention to this current case," Adrian stated, recognizing the futility of dwelling on the mysteries surrounding Katharine.

Abruptly, Finn burst into the room, his breath uneven. "Alan, there's a swarm of reporters outside. They're demanding answers regarding the case, and, incredibly, they're claiming that Adrian is the one responsible for the murders," he relayed urgently.

Upon hearing this shocking news, everyone in the room was taken aback. "Who leaked information implicating Adrian? There was no indication of his involvement," Alan inquired, his voice resonating with genuine anger.

Finn, uncertain of the unfolding situation and wanting to avoid any involvement, questioned, "I have no idea. What's our course of action?"

Alan shifted his attention to Adrian, who regarded him with a steely, distrustful gaze. "It didn't come from within our team. I can assure you of that." Alan attempted to reassure Adrian, but the skepticism etched on Adrian's face indicated it wouldn't be easy to earn his trust.

Adrian contemplated in silence, 'You're still entangled in this intricate game, Katharine. What's your endgame?' A sense of enjoyment and challenge crept over him. 'You're truly pushing me to exercise my intellect.'

Adrian still didn't understand why Katharine was doing all this. 'There are people behind her for sure, but who are they? Why are they not contacting me if they really want something from me? But what could they be after?'

After a period of contemplation, Alan declared, "Adrian, you're free to leave." He had reached the conclusion that Adrian was not the perpetrator, and he recognized that if anyone had a chance of uncovering the true murderer, it was him, given the lack of leads.

As Adrian exited the room, his phone began to ring. Observing the unknown caller ID, he anticipated that the situation was evolving. Answering the call, Adrian quipped, "Took you long enough."

The call started with a burst of static, followed by a voice that declared, "By now, you should understand that there's nothing you can do about your situation, cursed by the moon."

Upon hearing this, Adrian finally discerned the source of the call. "I may not know who you are, but how about we arrange a meeting?" he proposed. "I'm certain you have some demands or intentions, and it would be more efficient for both parties if we met in person."

"That's precisely why we reached out to you. We'll provide you with a location shortly, and you'd be wise to arrive promptly. If you even consider involving the police, you will be responsible for the blood we shed," the caller warned before abruptly ending the call.

'As if I care whether a few humans live or die, but I'm already dying of curiosity. So, let's get going.'

Having received the location from the unknown number, Adrian climbed into a cab, clutching his cane in his right hand, and embarked on his journey. As the vehicle sped ahead, he couldn't help but think, 'Don't disappoint me now.'