Chapter 182: The End of Terror (2/2)

I felt my body give away. I had never really known her true voice. From when I knew her, her voice had been demanding and rough. When she called people, they sometimes thought she was a young boy. Now, it was lower. Maybe with time, the roughness wouldn't sound so devastating to me, but the pain… how long would it last?

There were several other medical questions that revealed that Evie didn't quite remember everything that happened. It was okay. The doctor said that she would slowly regain those memories. Either way, it was fine.

Actually, after the doctors left, the police officers and prosecutors came. They questioned her about everything she remembered and knew.

I followed them out of the room to see them off.

”Dr. Butler,” the prosecutor turned to me. ”I must thank you on behalf of the prosecutor's office and the police force. Through the joint investigations of Detective Nash, Miss Lewis, and you, we uncovered so many serious criminals within the span of a few days.” He bowed deeply.

I nodded. ”I had selfish reasons for it. Has the police department announced that all these people have been caught?” I asked gingerly.

He shook his head. ”With the Director General being one of the killers, we haven't made the announcement yet. The Assistant Director General will be taking up duties from today. They are preparing for a collective press conference right now.” He gave me a lukewarm smile.

”And Benny Phillips. Has he confessed?” I asked. I couldn't go in any longer. I had been thrown out of the investigations. This was personal business now.

”Yes. He didn't see a point in denying it. We can't prove anything apart from aiding and abetting crimes as of now,” he shrugged.

”No, with Miss Lewis and the two other victims testifying, the charges will be worse. We've already made Billy Phillips speak. The only person left is Alicia Williams. Before the trial, just let Evie and I talk to her. We'll make her testify,” I swore.

He looked at me curiously. ”Are you sure you can handle it?” he asked. Then he glanced towards Evie's room. ”I can't imagine what it is like to go through that ordeal once, let alone twice. She's a hero. I hope she knows that.”

I hung my head. ”Don't ever say it to her face. She might throw a tantrum.” I tried to give him a smile. ”Will the names of the victims be given?” I asked.

”Yes. It is a detailed conference. We aren't going to hold back on any answers.”

I sighed in relief.

I walked him out and let myself in the room.

Evie was sleeping once again. I didn't disturb her. When the time for the press-conference came, I shook her lightly to wake her up. She groggily looked up at me with confusion.

”They're announcing it,” I said quietly. Her eyes had a spark of interest and she nodded. The television in the room was switched on and the logo of the city police was shown. The news channel contemplated what it was about until finally, the Assistant Director General came into the picture.

Questions were thrown at him, but he dodged them. Finally, he began to speak.

”Thank you for coming on such short notice. We have a series of announcements to make, some happy and some sad. Please bear with us.” He sucked in a deep breath.

”The officers and consultants from the City Police headquarters have been working tirelessly for the last few months to solve various unsolved cases. In the end, we can reveal the results it has brought us.”

Silence.

”At the end of thirty years of terror, we can finally announce that the BTS Killer has been caught. We are deeply saddened to announce that the serial killer that tormented our city and the country for decades had been someone from our own agency. The previous Director General, Billy Phillips was proved without reasonable doubt as the BTS Killer. We have already gotten his confession.”

An uproar took over.

”In addition to his confession, we were able to confirm several other serial killings and crimes in the same time frame. The mysterious disappearance of women on highways which was attributed to a serial rapist has finally been solved. The father and daughter pair, Lucy Page and Bernard Page acted together to abduct, torture, and kill women. From their testimonies, we can estimate over a hundred women being a victim of their crimes.”

Not one reporter in the room could stop throwing questions.

”And finally, an accomplice to several serial killer cases has been revealed.”

They gave his name and his connections as well. Evie's name was mentioned, as was Detective Nash and mine. It was an uproar. Questions were asked and they were all truthfully answered. Transparency was the key to it all.

”They'll give out all the interviews and tapes, won't they?” Evie asked me softly.

”Yes,” I said with finality. ”Evie… you are finally free.”

”Yes… Yes, I am.” And she cried.