"Irish, do you still not grasp the current situation? While we have evidence pointing to Joseph as the murderer, he is not entirely innocent. Let me put it another way. Joseph possesses sufficient motive, and both the testimony of the witness and his blood found at the crime scene provide damning evidence against him. I understand your perspective, but if you wish to prove his innocence, you must carefully consider whether you have overlooked something. Rest assured, our police force would never wrongfully treat an innocent person, but we cannot allow a criminal to evade justice. I hope you can comprehend this and cooperate with us," Chalmers stated.
Chalmers' words seemed logical, yet they inflicted a cruel reality upon Irish.
How could she prove Joseph's innocence?
In a society built on scarce trust and where the law served as the sole arbiter of human morality, evidence alone held the power to exonerate. It was akin to proving one's identity by presenting an ID card and proof of residence. Without these documents, one's identity remained unverified. Thus, evidence was the most convincing factor. Irish found herself at a loss, unsure of where to find the evidence that would establish Joseph's innocence.
Even if Joseph was merely considered a suspect, Irish felt deeply disheartened.
Her home felt empty upon her return.
Joseph had yet to return.
Though the daylight seeped in, Irish refrained from immediately illuminating the room.
The aroma of food wafted through the air, permeating the room from the open window.
It stirred memories in Irish's mind, reminiscent of a weekend after their marriage when Joseph had yet to return from overtime. Irish cheerfully cooked in the kitchen, embracing the moment of preparing a meal for her beloved.
Lost in her culinary endeavors, Irish failed to notice when Joseph had arrived. He embraced her from behind, prompting Irish to turn around with a gentle smile. Concerned about his expensive suit getting dirty, she playfully suggested they go out. However, instead of loosening his grip, Joseph tightened his arms around her. Lowering his head, his lips gently brushed against her cheek. His woody cologne seemed to seep into her heart as he whispered, "It's wonderful to build a family with you."
Joseph had always yearned for a warm and loving family. The size of the house mattered little to him; it was the person residing within it that held significance.
Irish was the person he cherished, and for Irish, Joseph was her shelter from the storms of life.
But now, everything within this house felt lonesome.
The lingering heat of the afternoon had yet to dissipate, casting a dry and sweltering ambiance over the night. Standing within the house, Irish felt a deep sense of desolation in her heart.
Retrieving her cellphone, Irish dialed Joseph's number, but the call failed to connect.
She then reached out to Daisy, only to be informed that she, too, had been unable to reach him.
A nameless panic gripped Irish, intensifying with each passing moment. It felt as if something was slowly peeling away at her heart, causing unbearable anguish.
As the evening wore on, nearing nine o'clock, Irish's anxiety continued to escalate.
In an attempt to regain composure and uplift her spirits, Irish made the decision to cook dinner, hopeful that Joseph might return during the preparation. She envisioned him embracing her tenderly, expressing his happiness about their family.
The kitchen bustled with activity, and steam veiled the window.
However, Joseph remained absent even after Irish had finished cooking.
Memories of the moment when he was taken away by the police flooded Irish's mind. Each day since then felt like an eternity. Irish began reaching out to others, desperately seeking any information about her husband. She yearned for reassurance that Joseph was safe and would return soon.
Yet, her hopes shattered into pieces as no one had any news of him, indicating that he was still under investigation.
This was not favorable news.
Unable to contain her panic any longer, anxiety surged through Irish's entire being. With a wavering resolve, she finally dialed Bowen's number.
When the call connected, Irish could feel her voice trembling with raw emotion.
Shocked, Bowen rushed to provide comfort to Irish.
"What should I do? He said he would be back tonight, but he still hasn't returned," Irish voiced, her voice trembling.
Even Bowen was uncertain about Joseph's condition, and all he could offer was reassurance. He explained to Irish that if the police and investigators had substantial evidence against Joseph, they wouldn't invest so much time and effort into the case.
Irish understood this logic, and hearing it from someone of Bowen's social standing brought her some relief. Bowen assured her that he would do everything in his power to help Joseph navigate through this ordeal.
It was only after Irish ended the call that she realized the impulsive nature of her actions.
Irish was not a fragile woman. The loss of her parents and the challenges she had faced over the years had forged her into a resilient individual. Irish had believed she was indomitable, but now her mind felt completely unraveled.
She exerted her utmost effort to regain her composure and reclaim her clarity of mind. Desperately, she longed for someone to reassure her that Joseph would be fine and would soon return.
After a prolonged period, Irish eventually managed to calm herself down, fearing that her anxiety might cause her to overlook crucial aspects of the situation. Chalmers had once advised her that her focus should be on finding evidence.
Had she truly overlooked something important?
Taking hold of a cushion, Irish leaned back against the couch, contemplating her next steps.
Irish's mind raced as she tried to recollect every detail of the night Ruby died.
She went over the memories again and again, but nothing seemed amiss. Gradually, thoughts of her father's death surfaced in her mind. Chalmers had mentioned that her father's death was also suspicious. Irish herself had been perplexed by Henry's sudden and unexpected heart attack. Ruby, too, had voiced suspicions about Henry's demise.
Deep in thought, Irish furrowed her brow, and a sudden realization flickered across her consciousness.
If Henry had indeed died under mysterious circumstances, then there must be a murderer involved. This person could be either an employee of the Runestone Group or someone harboring animosity towards Henry. Perhaps this individual didn't want Ruby to persist in her doubts and had thus silenced her.
However, this line of thinking casts suspicion upon Joseph, making him appear as the most likely culprit.
Yet, it could also be the case that the true murderer aimed to frame Joseph.
As Irish considered the evidence that seemed to point solely to Joseph, while the police remained oblivious to any other possibilities, she began to question the motives of the actual murderer. Was the real culprit so confident that the police would be unable to uncover the truth?
Suddenly, Irish's thoughts shifted to the diary her father, Henry, had left for her. Something about it felt off, as Henry repeatedly mentioned seeing Irish's mother, who had passed away years ago.
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