"We live in a society governed byws. If people break them and get away with it, everything falls apart," Jason said, his tone level but firm. "You''re right, Monica. Order is what keeps things steady."

Monica''s brow furrowed. "So what''ll happen to Rowan? They''re not going to give him the death penalty, are they? He was trying to do the right thing, and he even turned himself in. Doesn''t that count for something?"

Jason shook his head. "That''s hard to say. It all depends on how the trial goes. But the fact is, he really did kill those four men."

"But what if it was self-defense?" Monica pressed. "One guy against four-how is that not self-defense?"

Jason didn''t answer.

"You should get going. Herman''s waiting for me. I should head over," Monica said. "Got it." Monica felt a little pang of disappointment, but she tried to hide it.

Jason softened. "How''s your dad holding up?"

"He''s actually doing pretty well," Monica said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Honestly, I''m a little surprised by how positive he''s been. He wants to hand the recycling depot over to me and take Mom on a trip around the world. I guess after everything he''s been through, he just wants to live life while he can."

"That''s good to hear." Jason looked at Monica like he wanted to say more, but just said, "I''ll get going then."

"Yeah." Monica didn''t try to stop him.

Before he left, Jason reached into the console and handed Monica a small box, then started the car and drove off.

Monica looked down at the box, her heart skipping a beat. She opened it—inside was a delicate ne.

She couldn''t help but smile. She never would''ve guessed Jason had it in him to be romantic.

Honestly, seeing her dad''s optimism had changed her, too. Jason had his own responsibilities—she couldn''t expect him to always be by her side. A man needed his own path.

***

At Willow Teahouse

Herman was already waiting when Jason arrived. "Sorry, got held up," Jason said as he walked over.

"I just got here myself," Herman replied. "Did you talk to Mr. Walker?"

"Yeah, I went to the Walker house. He came back in a hurry. This case is a mess there''s not enough evidence, and Autumn''s got Mr. Walker on her side. I''m not sure can pull this off. Herman, what do you think? Did you already know what was really going on?"  s

When Herman had dropped the case before, Jason knew something wasn''t right.

Then when Mr. Taylor transferred him, it all seemed even fishier.

Herman''s calm and the straightforward way he asked questions made it clear- he''d figured things out long ago.

Herman sipped his tea. "It all started when Autumn came to Riverdale and found out about Julie. That''s when things began."

Jason''s face grew serious. "How much proof do you have?"

"None," Herman said tly. "If I had anything solid, Autumn would already be in

jail."

There just wasn''t enough

evidence no witnesses left alive

Julie''s

Ben was gone. The four kidnappers were dead. There was no way connection to Autumnalone would

be enough to bring her down.

s

"So Autumn really did it?" Jason asked, his voice low. "That makes things a lot harder."

Herman replied calmly, "If I''m right, your higher-ups have already told you to drop it. This isn''t your case anymore. Let it go."

He didn''t want Jason getting dragged any deeper.

"I''ve taken it on, so I''m not backing out," Jason said. "Rowan turned himself in. If I don''t see this through, nobody will."

A cold glint shed in Herman''s eyes. "Unless Autumn confesses, this is going to be nearly impossible."

Even if Rowan tried to pin everything on Autumn, it wouldn''t be enough on itsfn1247 Read full story at find?novel/fn1247

own.

But Rowan had put everything on the line to pull Autumn down, and Herman wasn''t about to let that go to waste.

Jason shook his head. "I talked to Autumn-she''s clever. She''s not going to admit to anything."

"She might not confess, but someone else will."

Jason''s eyes narrowed. "Who?"

Herman''s fingers tapped lightly on his teacup. "Devin. So I''m going to need you to step up."

Jason''s face lit up

with

understanding, and he let out a quiet

what you were getting at."

belongs to s

Herman tapped the rim of his cup, acting casual. "If you weren''t involved, I''d

handle it my way. But since you are, I''m handing it over to you."