Devil's Whisper Chapter 120: The Silent Suspect

"It's not the right time to argue... we need to arrest Juan Luu," Jason forced himself speak, declared as he swiftly exited the dressing room, almost like fleeing from Kate.

He pushed her away, again. The realization stung, a quiet ache that pulsed beneath his ribs. He could feel her eyes on him, burning into his back, and it took everything in him not to turn around, not to close the distance he’d just forced between them.

He always knew he wasn’t a perfect police officer—his record was littered with missteps, late nights chasing leads that went cold, cases that slipped through his fingers like sand. But after meeting Kate, something had shifted. She’d lit a fire in him, a relentless drive to be better, to prove himself—not just to the force, but to her. He’d thrown himself into this investigation with a fervor he hadn’t known he possessed, poring over files until dawn, chasing every thread, all because he wanted to see that spark of pride in her eyes, to feel her trust wrap around him like a lifeline.

But, however, nothing seemed enough. The destroyed samples, Sasha’s death, the nagging sense that he’d failed her again—it gnawed at him, a relentless whisper that he wasn’t the man she deserved.

He’d seen the disappointment in her face moments ago, the way her voice had cracked with frustration, and it cut deeper than any reprimand from a superior ever could. He wanted to be her rock, her partner in every sense, but each misstep widened the chasm he feared she’d never cross. As he moved toward Juan Luu’s house, he felt the weight of her presence behind him—a pull he couldn’t escape, a longing he couldn’t voice. He wanted to turn back, to pull her into his arms and kiss away the anger, the hurt, the distance, but duty—and his own doubts—held him fast, driving him forward even as his heart stayed with her.

"Why do you have statues of Satan? Are you drawn to Satanism?" Jason questioned in a dead serious tone, his voice sharp like a blade cutting through the silence.

Juan met Jason’s gaze for a fleeting second but remained silent, his lips firmly pressed together, his expression giving away nothing. The room was heavy with suspense, the weight of the accusations lingering in the air.

"What is your connection with the people whose photos are in this album?"

Still, Juan remained silent, standing stiffly, refusing to even acknowledge the question.

Jason took a deep breath, his patience beginning to thin. "You were a member of the Pathway of Ascendants cult, and then two years ago, you not only left the cult but also abandoned your job and social life. What was the reason behind this? What happened two years ago that made you withdraw completely from the world?"

But Juan remained unmoved, his expression blank, his body language completely closed off. It was as if he had built an impenetrable wall around himself, refusing to let any words break through.

"Please listen to me... I've already told you, Juan doesn't speak, and he's withdrawn from social life for the past two years. Please stop troubling my child!" Charlotte pleaded in a loud, desperate voice, her concern for her son evident in her trembling words.

"Mrs. Luu, your son is the prime suspect in a case of murder, and you can't defend him with lame excuses," Jason stated in a serious tone, his voice laced with authority.

"My son is not a killer!" Harper insisted, his voice laced with both anger and desperation.

Charlotte swallowed hard before speaking, her voice thick with emotion. "It's true that Juan was a member of the Pathway of Ascendants, and two years ago, he left the cult... I don't know what happened back then, but I'm certain that something related to that cult caused my son to abandon everything and become as silent as a stone. I wish I knew what had changed him so drastically."

Jason took a step forward, his gaze unwavering. "It may be difficult for you to believe, but the truth is that your son had a deep connection to Sasha Paula's abduction and murder."

"I'm telling you, my son had nothing to do with Sasha... she was a sweet girl. Why would Juan kill her?" Harper demanded, his voice rising with anger. "And Juan hadn't seen Sasha or Shawn in a long time,"

Jason tilted his head, scrutinizing Harper. "You're claiming that your son hadn't seen Sasha and Shawn in a long time, but then why did he visit Shawn Paula's house by climbing the back wall, leaving behind his fingerprints and blood on Sasha Paula's window?" His voice turned colder as he leaned in slightly. "I have strong evidence against him."

Harper’s breath hitched for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "My son is innocent! You're using Juan and Shawn's enmity to close the case!"

"We’re not doing anything of the sort,” Kate interjected, stepping forward with a calm but firm demeanor that cut through the rising storm like a beacon. Her voice was steady, a quiet strength anchoring the room, and she moved with a grace that belied the fire simmering beneath her surface.

She stood beside Jason now, close enough that he could feel the warmth radiating from her, the subtle brush of her arm against his sleeve sending a jolt through him despite the gravity of the moment.

Jason glanced at her, his breath catching as their eyes met for a fleeting second—hers sharp and resolute, a mirror to his own determination, yet softened by something deeper, something that reached into the quiet corners of his heart. He quickly moved away, stepping back a fraction, but the motion wasn’t fast enough to hide the flicker of emotion that crossed his face.

She was speaking for him, stepping into the fray to bolster his stance, and that simple act—her voice rising in his defense—sent a wave of reassurance through him, a quiet happiness blooming deep down in his chest. It was a small thing, but it felt monumental, a thread of trust and partnership weaving tighter between them, and for a moment, the weight of his failures, the sting of their earlier argument, eased under the warmth of her support. He wanted to reach for her, to let his hand brush hers in silent gratitude, but the room—Harper’s glare, the case’s stakes—held him in check, a tether he couldn’t break.

While Juan’s parents argued with Kate and Jason, Juan stood silently, his expression eerily neutral. It was as if the argument unfolding around him had nothing to do with him at all. He didn’t protest, nor did he attempt to defend himself.

"There is ample evidence against your son," Jason stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt or negotiation. Turning his attention back to Juan, he took a breath before speaking. "Mr. Juan Luu, we are arresting you under charges of the abduction and murder of Sasha Paula. You have the right to remain silent, as anything you say from now on can be used against you in a court of law. You also have the right to call your lawyer."

Juan Luu heard every word, but he offered no reaction, no plea, no attempt to argue his innocence. He simply stood there, expressionless, as if the weight of the situation did not affect him.

Oliver stepped forward, securing the handcuffs around Juan’s strong wrists. Juan didn’t resist, didn’t struggle—he extended his arms, allowing the cuffs to be locked around them.

Harper and Charlotte’s faces contorted with horror and distress as they watched their son being restrained. "Son, don't worry... I'm coming with our lawyer."

"You don't need to worry... I know you're innocent," his mother reiterated, his voice firm but lined with sorrow.

Juan’s gaze flickered briefly towards his parents, but he said nothing. He remained an enigma—silent and unreadable.

"You're all doing something terribly wrong... my son has done nothing, and yet you're arresting him... I'll let everyone know what the Adelaide police are doing to innocent people!" Charlotte exclaimed loudly, her voice filled with fury and despair.

Kate stood apart from the officers and Juan’s parents, her arms crossed as she observed the unfolding chaos. She could see the sheer devastation on Charlotte and Harper’s faces—their world was crumbling before their eyes, collapsing like a fragile house of cards. Grief, anger, and helplessness radiated from them in equal measure, emotions they were struggling to contain.

Jason ignored the conversation between Harper and Charlotte and turned to Oliver. "Take him outside."

A few moments later, Juan was led out of the house, his parents watching in sheer agony. He was placed inside a police car, with Jason and Kate joining him in the same vehicle.

Jason cast a glance at Kate, noting the tension in her expression. "Don't feel bad for them... everyone has to face the consequences of their actions," he remarked.

Kate tore her eyes away from Juan’s parents and shook her head slightly. "I'm not feeling bad for them. I was just lost in thought...Let's go... we have a lot of work to do,"

"Yes... we need to gather more evidence against Juan to expose his true nature," Jason agreed, starting the engine, leaving behind a terrified father and a devastated mother, their only child taken away under accusations that would change his life forever.