#91 “I Want You to Do Some Research on the Sophia Case.”
Alexander returned to the hotel. Determined to untangle the web of deception, Alexander sought solace on the sofa, armed with a pen and a sheet of paper. He had decided to write down everything incriminating about Sophia on a sheet of paper. This simple act, a cathartic release, was a technique he had honed over the years.
The television droned on, broadcasting the latest developments in Sophia’s case. Alexander, immersed in his thoughts, meticulously scrutinized the charge sheet. He unreservedly believed that Sophia was telling the truth, he had seen it in her eyes as they sat in the apartment that was supposed to be her grandfather’s. Sophia couldn’t have lied to him, which made him think Cassie was the one not telling the truth.
As he chewed on the end of the pen, Alexander couldn’t shake the suspicion that Cassie, the girlfriend of the deceased, held the key to the truth. It was suspicious to Alexander that the deceased had notified his girlfriend in advance of a threat.
He thought it was over-planned, meaning he expected the worst. The man had shown a photo of Sophia, a photo that had so fittingly ended up in the police the other day. Every piece of evidence was so neat that it was impossible.
There are thousands of criminal cases in which years go by without finding a perpetrator or solid evidence, and there are thousands of perfectly stacked evidence against Sophia.
Alexander thought it was comical. Even if she imagined a sleazy lawyer like Sophia Johnson was involved in drug dealings, why would she be so careless in her work? Why would she go out on her own to make a drug deal when the risk is so great?
The risks involved, the sheer impracticality of her engaging in such a venture with her financial means, baffled him. It wouldn’t make sense for a petite woman like her to do such a dirty job as handling a drug selling herself. She would hire some man to do the deal.
Alexander shook his head at the absurdity, angry at the detectives for not seeing through such an obvious detail. He decided that if he wanted to help Sophia he had to start with Cassie.
Mechanically, Alexander dialed his assistant, Laura, the sound of typing on the other end indicating her readiness.
“Laura, I have a task for you,”
Alexander began without formalities, his focus solely on the unraveling case.
“Sure, Mr. Stone. How can I help?” Laura responded.
“I want you to do some research on the Sophia case. I want to know everything about the deceased and his girlfriend, Cassie-anything that can serve me,” Alexander ordered, his voice laced with urgency.
“Sure, I’ll get right to it,” Laura replied. Undeterred, Alexander took matters into his own hands. He retraced Sophia’s steps, revisiting locations from the day before and the day of the incident. He hoped to discover any overlooked clues or lingering traces that might shed light on the mystery. Yet, his efforts proved fruitless.
From the hotel, where Sophia had lodged, to the apartment, the stage for the unfolding drama, no suspicious traces emerged. It was as if the city had swallowed the breadcrumbs of intrigue, leaving behind a frustrating void. Even the surveillance footage, typically a reliable source of information, revealed nothing more than Sophia navigating the city on her own.
In the face of these enigmatic dead ends, Alexander grappled with the realization that the answers he sought remained elusive, teasingly hidden.
Returning to the hotel, Alexander wearily sank into the plush sofa and instinctively reached for the remote. Clicking on the television, he was met with the glaring reality of Sophia’s predicament. The murder case, now a sensational spectacle, had outgrown the confines of police investigations, permeating the fabric of public consciousness.
Images of Sophia’s face, once distinguished in legal circles, now graced the screens with a haunting aura. The news anchors, their voices a blend of speculation and conviction, narrated the tale of a well-known American lawyer suspected of committing murder on the streets of London. The vibrant city, usually indifferent to the personal dramas of its transient inhabitants, had become the stage for a saga that transcended borders.
Local residents, caught in the surge of sensationalism, had already rendered their verdict. The collective sentiment, amplified by the relentless hum of news cycles, demanded retribution. Calls for the swift apprehension and punishment of the alleged perpetrator echoed through the airwaves, drowning out any nuances that might have colored the narrative differently.
In the confines of his hotel room, Alexander felt the weight of public opinion pressing upon him. As the images flickered on the screen, Alexander’s sense of frustration and helplessness deepened.
Turning off the television, Alexander found himself pacing the room, anxiety gnawing at him like an incessant itch.
Determined to try once more, Alexander made his way outside. The city, usually indifferent to individual dramas, carried on with its relentless pace. He retraced Sophia’s steps, navigating the labyrinthine streets with an urgency that matched the fervor of his thoughts.
Arriving at the location where Sophia had encountered the mysterious man, Alexander sought out the surveillance footage that might hold the key to unraveling the enigma. The security cameras, silent sentinels of the urban landscape, promised a glimpse into the events that had set this intricate tale into motion.
As the footage played, the grainy images flickered on the screen, revealing the dance of shadows and light that characterized the city’s nocturnal tableau. However, the figure in question remained elusive, a blurry specter defying easy identification. Frustration mounted as Alexander strained to discern details that could pierce the shroud of uncertainty.
The surveillance footage yielded little clarity. He can see Sophia talking with the man she informed the police about. In the video, he can see that he was giving something to Sophia and then leaving. The mysterious man retained his inscrutable anonymity. His features eluded the camera’s unrelenting gaze.
Alexander had just returned to his hotel room exhausted, the air thick with tension. He needed a breakthrough, a glimmer of hope in the darkness surrounding the case.
As he was getting ready to order something to eat, his phone pinged with a new email. It was from his secretary, bringing updates on the investigation. With a mix of anticipation and trepidation, he opened the email.
Subject: Important Case Update –
Sophia Johnson
Dear Mr. Stone,
I hope this message finds you well. I’ve conducted further research into the Sophia Johnson case, and I wanted to update you on some crucial findings.
1. Relationship Between Deceased and Girlfriend:
The relationship between the deceased and his girlfriend was strained. On the day before the incident, they engaged in a dispute, indicating a troubled dynamic between them.
2. Financial Distress:
The deceased’s girlfriend is facing dire financial circumstances, being burdened with a substantial amount of debt. This financial strain might provide a motive for desperate actions.
3. Surveillance Records:
I have managed to obtain surveillance records showing the deceased’s girlfriend interacting with the mysterious man, who later met Sophia, a few days before the incident. You can find the video in the attached file.
Upon reviewing this information, there’s a high likelihood of her conspiring with the mysterious man to orchestrate the murder of the deceased. Furthermore, it seems plausible that they collaborated to provide false testimony, complicating the case.
I suggest we delve deeper into this angle to build a stronger defense for Sophia. Please let me know how you’d like to proceed.
Best regards,
Laura
As Alexander absorbed the contents, a relief washed over him. This was the break he needed, a thread to unravel the intricate web around Sophia.
He reread certain parts, allowing the implications to sink in, and then, with a newfound focus, he began to strategize his next moves. The pieces were falling into place, and he was ready to challenge the narrative that had been woven against Sophia.
