The news of Bram's death spread like wildfire. As a high-ranking police officer suspected of being entangled in the dark web of narcotics, the case became a nationwide obsession.
Public outcry followed, fueled by the irony of it all: a man meant to be a guardian of the law, lead a double life, only to end up as a cold statistic.
The most bitter irony? The prime suspect was his own closest ally.
Earlier, the authorities had raided Bram's private residence and office, seizing everything that could serve as a ledger for his illicit dealings.
But the momentum didn't stop there. Once Mr. Charlie was labeled the primary suspect, his own home was next to be picked apart.
"We've re-evaluated the cause of death, the timeline, and the location. We found this," the investigator stated, returning to the interrogation room to face Mr. Charlie.
He slid a folder across the table. Mr. Charlie recognized the label immediately. It bore the case number burned into his memory.
Case No. 14-0873
