"Hello, Jeffrey," Nick greeted, gesturing to a chair beside his desk. "Please, have a seat."
Jeffrey lowered himself into the chair, his movements awkward and tense. He studied Nick's expression, trying to gauge what news awaited him. The detective's face gave little away, but there was a heaviness to his demeanor that made Jeffrey's heart sink.
"I'll go grab some coffee," Christian announced, sensing the need for privacy. He slipped on his jacket and quietly exited the office. As the door clicked shut behind him, Nick took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead.
"We've received the pathologist's report and the analysis from the crime scene," Nick began, his voice carefully controlled. "I'm afraid the news isn't good, Jeffrey." He paused, lowering his eyes for a moment before meeting the sheriff's gaze once more.
"What do you mean, it isn't good?" Jeffrey's voice rose, a mix of fear and anger coloring his words. "What do you know? I want to know everything – we're talking about my daughter!"
"Rose died from asphyxiation," Nick continued, his tone gentle but firm. "The expert believes the murder weapon was a rope, though we found nothing at the crime scene." He paused, allowing Jeffrey a moment to process this information before continuing. "We found Rose's phone near her body. The last call was from Mary at 9:10 PM, which aligns with the estimated time of death. Traces at the scene indicate Rose was running, likely being chased. It appears she may have dropped her phone while trying to escape her pursuer."
Nick's expression grew grimmer as he delivered the next piece of information. "The most troubling aspect is that we found no traces of the killer. The rain that continued until morning washed away any evidence that might have been left behind. There are no surveillance cameras in the area – we've checked thoroughly. It seems the killer knew the area well and chose the location deliberately."
Jeffrey's gaze had grown distant, his mind struggling to process the horrific details of his daughter's final moments.
"Jeffrey, are you with me?" Nick pressed gently. "This is crucial information. I need you to try and remember – was there anything unusual about Rose's behavior recently? Did anything happen that stood out? Was she being threatened or stalked by anyone?"
"I don't remember anything like that," Jeffrey replied, his voice monotone, his eyes still unfocused.
"What about you, Jeffrey? Have you had any recent conflicts? Is there anyone who might wish harm on you or your loved ones?"
This question seemed to rouse Jeffrey from his stupor. He blinked, scratched at the bald spot on the back of his head, and bit his lip in thought.
"No, that's out of the question," he drawled, though a note of doubt crept into his voice. "I'm a decent person. I don't have enemies."
"Are you certain?" Nick pressed, his eyes narrowing slightly as he twirled a ballpoint pen between his fingers. "Maybe there's something you've forgotten? Even a small detail could be important."
"I'm sure," Jeffrey insisted, meeting Nick's gaze with a serious expression that betrayed no hint of deception.
"Alright," Nick conceded with a small sigh. "If you remember anything or learn any new information, call me immediately. For now, we'll be questioning those who were in the vicinity of the murder site."
