Chapter 5: Hidden Connections

In the office, Jason was staring at the surveillance footage on the screen, finally capturing a blurred figure. It was a slightly plump man who paused briefly by the lake before quickly leaving, as though he didn't want to be noticed. Jason zoomed in, but the man's facial details remained indistinguishable. He wore a trench coat, with a silhouette that was relatively clear.

"Check if anyone lives nearby," Jason instructed his team. Moments later, the investigation report surprised him: the only private building by the lake was a small design studio in Sunnydale City, owned by someone named Ray Quinn.

That afternoon, Jason went to the lakeside. His gaze swept over the empty shore, and the silence gave him an odd feeling. He walked slowly to Ray Quinn's studio, where a simple plaque read "Morning Heart Design Studio." He rang the doorbell, but there was only silence. He knocked again, but there was still no response.

Jason furrowed his brow, glancing around. He noticed faint footprints on the grass not far from the door, seemingly leading toward the lake. These footprints closely matched the traces he had seen before.

Perhaps this Ray Quinn was more than just an observer that night.

Back at the police station, Jason looked into Ray Quinn's background but found it unusually sparse. Ray Quinn was a designer who had moved to Sunnydale City in recent years, keeping a low profile and rarely interacting with others, without any clear familial or social records. He was like a mystery, moving in secret, deliberately keeping his distance from the outside world.

"This person is rather unusual," Jason closed the file thoughtfully and handed it to Edward Wilson. "Maybe we need to pay closer attention to Mr. Quinn's movements."

"Boss, we just found that Mr. Quinn also owns an apartment in the city center," a nearby officer reported.

Jason nodded slightly, instructing his subordinates, "Mark the address, retrieve the surveillance around the apartment, and see if he's appeared recently." Suspicion about this mysterious designer had begun to grow in his mind.

Edward flipped through the file, intrigued. "Boss, this Ray Quinn is really low-key. He's a designer, but his resume shows almost no public projects or collaborations. He seems like someone who doesn't like the spotlight."

Jason nodded lightly, a calm sharpness in his gaze. "Yes, but whenever someone hides deliberately, there's always a reason. Let's start by investigating the places he frequents over the next few days."

Edward shrugged and asked, "Since Mr. Quinn is so low-key, do you think we might uncover something interesting this time?"

Jason pursed his lips, his gaze falling on the documents on the table. "Someone like him probably knows how to cover his tracks well, but if he's really involved in the case, he'll slip up somewhere."

Ray Quinn was feeling rather troubled now, his brows slightly furrowed, watching with helplessness as the woman across the street, dragging a large suitcase and beaming, waved at him. It was Nina Eichner—the lively female streamer, her wave radiating excitement, seemingly ignoring the attention of the passersby around her.

"Ray Quinn! Over here!" she called out excitedly, her voice full of her usual energy.

Ray sighed softly, forced a slightly strained smile, and waved back. He had only casually mentioned the scenery by the lake in a message, hoping she might imagine it from the other side of the screen, never expecting her to actually rush to Sunnydale City—let alone with such a large suitcase, as if she intended to stay a while.

"Why did you come?" he asked as he approached, lowering his voice, his gaze carrying a hint of helplessness.

"Come on! You invited me, don't you remember?" Nina replied confidently, her eyes sparkling with playful energy. "And didn't you say you'd show me the autumn scenery here? I was so tempted; I just had to come!"

Ray shook his head, his gaze conflicted yet amused as he looked at this uninvited Nina, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"That's not what I meant," he said with a wry smile. "It was just a casual remark; I didn't think you'd actually come all the way here."

"Casual?" Nina widened her eyes, her tone filled with playful sarcasm. "I think you just wanted to see me but didn't know how to say it. What? Regretting it now that I'm here in person?"

"Not at all," Ray scratched the back of his head slightly, looking at her with mild embarrassment. "It's just… I really wasn't prepared for this, and it's not exactly the best place to host anyone."

"Don't worry, I'm not some princess; I can handle it." Nina waved her hand nonchalantly, patting her large suitcase with a bright smile. "As long as I get to see the autumn scenery in Sunnydale, I can stay anywhere. Besides, didn't you say you live by the lake? Perfect for my vision of Sunnydale!"

With Nina settled in the passenger seat and her luggage stowed in the back, Ray couldn't help but sigh to himself. This streamer's level of spontaneity was beyond anything he had expected, catching him completely off guard.

"I'm sorry," he turned to look at her. "The lakeside is off-limits for now—a murder happened there recently, and the entire area has been sealed off."

Nina's eyes widened in shock. "What? A murder? In such a peaceful place?" Her voice was filled with disbelief.

Ray nodded. "Yes, so we'll have to explore the city instead. Sunnydale's old town is quite charming."

"That works too! The old town has so many unique little shops. I've been wanting to visit for ages." She smiled, pulling out her phone to capture the street scene through the window. "But when the lake reopens, you have to take me there. I hear the scenery is amazing!"

Ray smiled slightly, nodding as a vague sense of worry rose within him. Her chatter filled the car, momentarily letting him forget this unease as he prepared to show her around other parts of Sunnydale.

In the apartment lobby, Jason stood at the reception desk with an air of calm authority. "Hello, I'm with the Sunnydale Police Department. Could you tell me if Mr. Quinn from Apartment 5C is home?"

The receptionist glanced at Jason's badge, quickly looking at the two officers behind him, then hesitated slightly. "Mr. Quinn... he left this morning."

"Mr. Quinn... usually returns home every day," the receptionist recalled after a moment, adding, "He's very punctual. He usually comes back around eight or nine in the evening, but he leaves early in the morning."

Jason nodded, shifting his gaze from the receptionist's desk to his face. "So, he'll be back around eight or nine tonight?"

"Yes, Officer Jason, Mr. Quinn is very punctual," the receptionist confirmed, adding, "almost no exceptions."

After a moment's thought, Jason took out a business card and handed it to the receptionist. "Please notify us as soon as Mr. Quinn arrives. Here's my contact information."

"Understood, Officer Jason. I'll contact you immediately if there's any news."

Just then, the receptionist's voice caught Jason's attention. "Oh, Mr. Hess, here's your package." Jason turned slightly and saw a casually dressed man walking up to the desk, nodding with a somewhat awkward smile. The man wore a casual jacket and appeared relaxed.

Jason remained unassuming, observing this "Mr. Hess" closely. He was of medium build, wearing glasses, with an aloof expression. Jason squinted slightly, quickly committing his features to memory.

"Thanks. I've been waiting for this package for quite some time," Ethan Hess said casually as he turned to leave.

Jason signaled to his officers, calmly stepping forward to intercept him. "Excuse me, sir. May I ask which apartment you live in?"

Ethan Hess paused, a hint of wariness flashing across his face. "And who are you?"

Jason showed his badge, smiling slightly. "I'm Officer Jason from the Sunnydale Police Department. Just a routine inquiry; thank you for your cooperation."

After a brief hesitation, Ethan Hess replied, "I live on the 4th floor, apartment A. Is there a problem, Officer?"

Jason nodded politely, maintaining a courteous but authoritative demeanor. "Just routine; no need to worry." He casually asked, "Have you seen Mr. Quinn from Apartment 5C?"

Ethan Hess hesitated subtly, a flicker of unease crossing his eyes before he quickly composed himself, smiling lightly. "Mr. Quinn? I occasionally see him in the elevator, but we're not particularly close."

Jason nodded, his gaze calmly fixed on Ethan Hess. "Understandable; Mr. Quinn seems to keep a low profile. We expected that answer."

With a friendly smile, Ethan Hess continued, his demeanor unwavering, though Jason's sharp gaze never left him, instilling a quiet unease within. However, Ethan Hess maintained a calm facade, gently nodding to show his understanding. "Of course, Officer. Let me know if there's anything else I can assist with."

"We will. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Hess," Jason replied, his tone steady as he watched Ethan Hess leave, his eyes reflecting a thoughtful gleam.

After Ethan Hess departed, Jason turned to his colleague, issuing quiet instructions. "Look into Mr. Hess's background and his comings and goings, particularly any interactions he's had with Ray Quinn."

Ethan Hess left the apartment building, striving to appear calm, though inside, his guard was up. During Jason's questioning, he had deliberately kept his answers vague, especially regarding his relationship with Ray Quinn.

In truth, he and Ray shared occasional meals and chats, but their connection was limited to a casual friendship. Ray always exuded an air of mystery, and Ethan sometimes recalled subtle hints in Ray's words, suggesting secrets he didn't want others probing, which kept Ethan at a careful distance.

Jason's penetrating gaze left him slightly uneasy. The Sunnydale Police's involvement with Ray hinted at something unusual, perhaps that Ray's discreet lifestyle concealed more than he let on.

Ethan quickly crossed the street, disappearing into the crowd, keen to avoid attracting further attention. Tonight, he decided it was best to avoid any encounters with Ray, not wanting to become too entangled. He knew police investigations rarely concluded easily, and any connection between himself and Ray was best kept under wraps.

Settling into a quiet café, Ethan ordered a black coffee, gazing out the window as he quietly pondered the situation's implications.

When his phone vibrated, he pulled it out only to find an inconsequential notification, which brought a brief sense of relief, though the questions continued to linger.

"Unexpected indeed…" he murmured, his gaze drifting across the street as he considered reaching out to Ray. But then he shook his head, choosing to watch and wait for now. The police's involvement complicated everything, and contacting Ray would only deepen suspicions. After all, they were just casual acquaintances, sharing meals in the same city, with no need for deeper involvement.

He took a sip of coffee, setting down the cup as Ray's usual calm expression surfaced in his mind. Whatever secrets Ray hid were not his concern, he told himself. After tonight, perhaps they should meet less frequently.