“Way before you showed up yesterday, I’d already been to the scene, checking the wounds and time of death.


    When we got there, the body hadn’t started stiffening yet.


    Rigor mortis kicks in about thirty minutes to two hours after death.


    When I checked, it was just starting, so I figure the guy croaked about an hour before we found him.


    ”


    Yesterday, folks thought she was either showing off or messing with evidence.


    But today, after what she said sunk in, they saw her in a whole new Light.


    Even Maloney and Trent were floored, not knowing Hannah had that kind of know-how.


    The chubby cop scowled.


    “Miss Moore, why reveal all this now? Sneaking into a crime scene is a big no-no!”


    Hannah dismissed the warning from the stout police officer and continued, “The things I mentioned should have been clear to the forensic expert you brought in yesterday.


    Given that the victim died within the hour, we need to track down anyone without an alibi for that time.


    But an hour before the incident, most of us were in the living room discussing business coborations since he never showed up, and we ended up waiting a long time for him.


    No need for anyone to confirm this; the surveince video from the living room can support my im.


    ”


    The officer nodded in agreement.


    “You’re correct; our initial focus was on thosecking alibis.


    ”


    Hannah looked puzzled.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    “Then if you are aware of this, why are you taking him away?”


    Everyone turned to where Hannah was pointing.


    Their gaze fixed on Bryson.


    Bryson, lounging on the sofa with his hand resting on his cheek, gave a casual shrug under the scrutiny of the room.


    “He spent the entire evening in the living room; how could he be in two ces at once?”


    ‘s BunnyBookery


    Hannah’s logic struck a chord, stirring a wave of uncertainty among the onlookers.


    The stout officer shared a secretive look with Remington and cleared his throat.


    “Let’s remember, this is only a preliminary conclusion.


    Everyone here remains a suspect and could be called inter.


    ”


    He then turned to Hannah, shifting the topic.


    “Miss Moore, you shouldn’t have entered the crime scene.


    If we decide to bring you in for questioning, it would be warranted.


    ”


    Wace’s expression darkened with a surge of anger.


    “You wouldn’t dare!”


    The officer recoiled slightly.


    Wace’s wealth and influence were formidable, and provoking him was not something the police could afford to do lightly.


    Though the officer had the backing of the Lyons family, challenging the Compton family outright was beyond his means.


    As he searched for an exit strategy, a voice oozing with sarcasm piped up beside him.


    “The officer here is merely upholding the rules.


    I trust Mr.


    Compton wouldn’t dream ofplicating matters for the police?”


    The room erupted with usations.


    “We saw herst night! She went into Rhett’s room before the cops got here!”


    “There’s no reason for us to lie, is there?”


    The speakers, young men from the Lyons family’s distant branches, harbored resentment toward Hannah for her past aid to Peterson.


    Now, they seized the chance to stir up trouble for her.


    Remington’s frown deepened, ready to chime in, when Hannah’s voice cut through the tension.


    “Your department hires many forensic experts on a contract basis, and these contracts are logged in your records.


    A few years back, I helped with a case.


    That information should be in your database.


    ”