Page 6 of Forever

Morgan studied him for a moment, taking in the raw pain etched across his features. She couldn't offer him comfort right now--she had to focus on finding the truth. And the truth was often a jagged, unforgiving thing.

"Freeze!" Derik suddenly shouted.

Morgan whipped her head around, her eyes narrowing as she saw Stew trying to slip away from the scene. She marched over to him, her steps deliberate and measured.

"Where do you think you're going?" she demanded, anger simmering just beneath the surface. "You lied to us about knowing the victim, and now you try to sneak off while I'm talking to your son? How exactly did you think this would play out?"

"Look, it's all a misunderstanding, I swear!" Stew stammered, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "I didn't kill Stacy, I promise. I didn't even know it was her until Evan said something."

"Dad, what are they talking about?" Evan whined.

Morgan kept her focus on Stew, searching for any hint of deception. A decade spent behind bars had taught her how to read people – how to peel back the layers of self-preservation and fear to find the truth buried within.

"Alright," she said slowly, her voice edged with steel. "Then you'd better start explaining. And don't leave anything out."

"Okay, okay," Stew agreed, his voice shaky. His eyes darted to Evan, who stood nearby, watching the exchange with wide, fearful eyes.

"Please," Stew implored, turning his gaze back to Morgan. "I didn't hurt her. I wouldn't hurt anyone. I know I messed up by lying, but I just... I didn't know what else to do."

"Start talking," Morgan ordered, her tone brooking no argument. "And maybe, just maybe, I'll believe you."

Stew's face turned a deep shade of red, clearly embarrassed and cornered. He wiped the sweat from his forehead before admitting his secret. "A few weeks ago, I had an argument with Stacy. I asked her to break up with Evan because of her drinking problem."

Evan's eyes widened in horror as he stared at his father. "You did what?" he shouted, betrayal evident in his voice. "You had no right to say that to her! She was trying to get better, Dad!"

"Son, I'm sorry," Stew stammered, attempting to reach for his son's arm. "I thought I was doing what was best for you. I didn't want to see you hurt."

"Enough!" Morgan snapped, cutting off their bickering. "We're not here for your family drama. A woman is dead, and we need to find out who's responsible." She stepped closer to Stew, her gaze never wavering. "Now, if you have any relevant information, share it. Otherwise, keep quiet."

Evan clenched his fists, trying to hold back tears. It was clear that the revelation had hit him hard. He glanced at his father, a mix of anger and disappointment on his face. Morgan felt a pang of sympathy, but quickly pushed it aside. This wasn't the time or place for emotions.

She studied Stew intently, searching for any sign of deception. The man seemed genuinely remorseful, but she couldn't afford to be lenient. Trusting too easily had cost her everything once, and she wouldn't make that mistake again.

"Is there anything else you haven't told us?" Morgan pressed, her tone stern. "This is your last chance to come clean."

Stew shook his head, his words tumbling out in a rush. "No, I swear. That's everything. I didn't hurt her, Agent Cross. You have to believe me. I couldn't have killed Stacy, Agent Cross. I was home all night." He wiped the beads of sweat off his brow and took a shaky breath. "Our house is small, and sound travels fast. If I'd gone out, my wife or Evan would've noticed."

Evan, clearly still reeling, hesitated before he reluctantly said, "He's right. I didn't hear him leave last night, and I was up late. Mom would've heard something too."

Morgan studied the two men, noting the desperation in Stew's eyes and the anguish in Evan's. Maybe they were both telling the truth, but at the same time, Morgan didn't know enough about even Evan to clear him. What if it had been a conspiracy? If it was, then Evan was a one heck of an actor, but still. She couldn't afford to let her guard down.

"Alright," Morgan said, her voice firm. "We'll check with your wife to verify your alibi. But don't think you're off the hook just yet."

Stew exhaled in relief, nodding profusely. "Of course, Agent Cross. We'll cooperate fully with your investigation."

"Good," Morgan replied, her eyes narrowing as she glanced around the Orca World grounds. The sun glared down at them, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch towards the crime scene, where Stacy's lifeless body had been discovered only hours before. An unsettling feeling crept over her, a reminder that a killer was still on the loose.

Morgan stared at Stew and Evan, her eyes narrowing as she tried to gauge the truth of their words. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this story than they were letting on, but for now, it was all she had to go on.

"Alright," she said tersely, signaling to a nearby officer. "Take them both into custody for further questioning. I don't want either of them out of our sight until we have some answers."

As the officer led Stew and Evan away, Morgan turned her attention at the direction of the dolphin tank. If the body had been taken out, then she needed to see it for herself. She began storming toward it, Derik on her tail.

"Hey, Morgan," Derik began hesitantly, his voice low and cautious. "I, uh, I just wanted to say—"

"Derik, not now," Morgan cut him off sharply, her focus fixed on the body. "We have work to do."

When they reached the dolphin tank, Morgan's stomach fell. The body lay on the concrete now, cold and lifeless, a morbid curiosity for the forensic team swarming around it like flies to carrion.

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