"I thought I had gotten away. But little did I know, a sin I had committed, for which I was not punished, would result in me being framed for something much bigger and more obnoxious. I feel remorse for the sin I once committed. I owe the person who blackmailed me, and I cannot tell you his name.
So, I will do you this: I will tell you one thing. If you are searching for the murderer, start by searching your team. Maybe you will find the person holding the gun.
By George
To Aiden"
After reading the letter, Aiden was still. He didn't blink, let alone move. He knew who had betrayed him.
"What—" Ryan tried to speak. "Does... it mean?"
Aiden gave a short-lived laugh filled with pain and grief. Daniel read from the letter, "The one holding the gun." Aiden nodded once.
"Let's wait and confirm it. He could be lying," Aiden said, his voice even with sheer force of will.
"Ryan," Aiden said, "I'll go to Tristan's apartment. You should go and find the owner of the knife."
"And for God's sake, for once, Ryan, do something right," Daniel added, his voice firm and strict.
Ryan felt regret, and his eyes filled with tears. "I.." Ryan tried to speak. "That knife," he pointed, his hands shaking. His voice broke as he said, "it belongs to me."
"What?!" Aiden exclaimed, his loud voice startling Ryan.
"I.. I have no hand in his murder," Ryan stuttered. "I... I have no idea how he got that knife." He managed to say, continuing, "I promise I just met him once, and at that time, he was angry. I didn't even say a word to him. He grabbed me by my collar with one hand, and then the knife was gone."
Ryan's eyes fell toward the floor. Aiden and Daniel watched him with full attention.
"So, he took it, and you didn't even notice?" Daniel asked sarcastically.
"He's a fool, Daniel. Of course, he didn't notice!" Aiden shouted, his hands on his forehead. Daniel threw his hands up, hopelessly.
Ryan started crying. One tear after another escaped his eyes. The tears that were long trapped in the cage of his heart and the maze of his body now escaped one by one.
"Who gave you that knife? How did you obtain it?" Daniel asked. Nobody spoke. Ryan was now still, and no tear dared to leave his eyes.
"I..." he began to say.