CHAPTER ELEVEN

Finn sat across from Tim Nolan in the stark interview room at Hertfordshire Constabulary, the air heavy with tension. Amelia"s presence beside him offered a silent reassurance as they prepared to delve into the depths of Nolan"s twisted mind.

The solicitor, a middle-aged man with a stern expression named Paulson, sat next to Nolan, his pen poised over a legal pad. Finn noted how Nolan"s eyes darted around the room, his hands fidgeting nervously in his lap. The man exuded an air of defiance that Finn found both intriguing and unsettling.

"Mr. Nolan," Finn began, his voice steady and probing. "You"ve been linked to both Emily Stanton and Lucas Henshaw through various means. Care to explain your connection to them?"

Nolan"s lips curled into a sardonic smile, his gaze locking onto Finn"s with an intensity that sent a shiver down Finn"s spine. "I have no obligation to entertain baseless accusations," he retorted, his tone laced with arrogance.

Finn"s gaze remained fixed on Tim Nolan, his expression unreadable yet piercing. The solicitor, Paulson, cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence that enveloped the room. His voice was measured as he addressed Finn and Amelia.

"Detective Wright, could you please elaborate on the alleged connections between my client and the victims in question?" Paulson"s tone carried a hint of skepticism, his eyes flickering between Finn and Amelia.

Finn leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped together on the table. "Mr. Nolan," he began, locking eyes with the defiant man across from him. "Our investigation has uncovered records of cryptic messages sent by you to Emily Stanton prior to her tragic demise."

Nolan"s facade wavered for a moment, a flicker of unease crossing his features before he masked it with a practiced nonchalance. "I fail to see how private correspondence implicates me in any wrongdoing," he retorted, though a trace of uncertainty lingered in his voice.

Amelia interjected smoothly, her gaze unwavering. "Furthermore, Mr. Nolan, it has come to our attention that you share a peculiar fascination with Lucas Henshaw—a fascination that centers around an individual named Ezra Bellamy."

Nolan"s mask slipped further at the mention of Bellamy"s name, a shadow passing over his eyes before he composed himself once more. "Ezra Bellamy is merely a historical figure of interest," he replied curtly, though Finn detected a subtle tremor in his tone.

Finn continued with precision, each word calculated to unravel Nolan"s facade. "Both Emily Stanton and Lucas Henshaw exhibited an unhealthy fixation on this enigmatic figure from the past—a fixation that seems to have drawn them into dangerous territory."

Finn"s steely gaze bore into Nolan, a spark of defiance igniting within him. "Ezra Bellamy, a madman with weird ideas about time travel and Victorian contraptions. If he were alive today, he"d be nothing more than a deluded dreamer lost in his own fantasies," Finn remarked with a calculated edge.

Nolan"s eyes blazed with an unexpected fervor as he leaned forward, his voice laced with reverence.

"Ezra Bellamy was a visionary, Detective Wright. His inventions could have revolutionized the world if only he had been given the chance to see them through," Nolan countered passionately.

With a hint of skepticism, Finn raised an eyebrow. "There"s no tangible proof of that, Mr. Nolan. Just fanciful tales spun by those who idolize a man lost to history," Finn retorted coolly.

Nolan"s expression softened slightly, his eyes distant as if recalling a long-forgotten tragedy. "You speak of history, Detective, but do you know the truth behind Ezra Bellamy"s demise? He was not just forgotten; he was murdered by a mob of Luddites who feared his advancements would upend their way of life," Nolan revealed solemnly.

"Ezra Bellamy could have changed everything if only..." Nolan"s voice trailed off wistfully before regaining its usual composure. "But alas, history is written by the victors who silenced his brilliance."

Amelia"s gaze sharpened as she leaned forward, her voice cutting through the tension in the room like a blade. "Mr. Nolan, we have reason to believe that you and associates were attempting to recreate one of Ezra Bellamy"s contraptions, specifically the Tempus Machine. Lucas Henshaw possessed a crucial component known as the Difference Engine, which we suspect led to his untimely demise at your hands."

Tim Nolan"s laughter filled the room, a chilling sound that sent a shiver down Finn"s spine. "You truly think I would resort to murder for a mere machine part? How quaint," Nolan scoffed, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling glint of amusement. "I am not a killer, Detective Winters. I am trying to save the world from itself."

Amelia"s brow furrowed in disbelief at Nolan"s brazen denial. "Save the world? By what means, Mr. Nolan? By orchestrating murders and delving into forbidden technologies?" Her words dripped with skepticism as she challenged him.

Nolan"s expression remained unperturbed, his demeanor exuding an air of calculated confidence. "The world is on the brink of collapse, Detective Winters," he stated with an intensity that bordered on fervor. "Ezra Bellamy understood this truth and sought to transcend time itself to alter our course. I merely seek to continue his work, to unlock the secrets that can reshape our destiny."

Finn observed the exchange with a mix of fascination and wariness, noting the unwavering conviction in Nolan"s words. Despite his calm facade, there was an underlying zeal burning within him that hinted at deeper motivations.

"I may be unconventional in my methods," Nolan continued, his tone measured yet fervent. "But rest assured, Detective Wright, Detective Winters—I am a visionary striving for a future beyond our current understanding."

Finn"s gaze lingered on Nolan, assessing the man before him with a calculating intensity. "Mr. Nolan," Finn began, his voice measured yet probing, "given your unconventional beliefs and actions, do you have a history of psychiatric issues?"

Nolan"s eyes flashed with indignation, his jaw tensing at the implied accusation. "Psychiatric issues?" he echoed, his tone laced with offense. "Just because my ideas diverge from the norm does not automatically classify me as mad, Detective Wright."

The air crackled with tension as Nolan"s words hung in the stark interview room. His posture stiffened, a flicker of defiance glinting in his eyes as he squared his shoulders, refusing to be reduced to a mere stereotype.

Finn maintained his steady gaze, unfazed by Nolan"s reaction but attuned to the subtle shifts in his demeanor. The solicitor beside Nolan observed the exchange with a watchful eye, ready to intervene if needed.

"Mr. Nolan," Finn continued evenly, "our concern lies in understanding the motivations behind your actions and beliefs. Your fervor for reshaping destiny raises questions that warrant exploration."

Nolan"s facade remained resolute, a veneer of composure masking any underlying turmoil within him. "I am not defined by society"s narrow perceptions," he asserted firmly. "My vision transcends conventional boundaries and challenges preconceived notions."

"Enough to kill for it?" Amelia asked.

Paulson, the solicitor, interjected with a steely resolve in his voice. "Detective Wright, it seems evident that you have no substantial evidence linking my client to these crimes. If this baseless interrogation persists, I will have no choice but to remove Mr. Nolan from this unwarranted scrutiny." His eyes bore into Finn, challenging him to provide concrete proof.

Finn"s gaze shifted from Paulson to Tim Nolan, his expression inscrutable yet focused. With a deliberate pause, he leaned back slightly in his chair before fixing his penetrating stare on Nolan. "Mr. Nolan," Finn"s voice cut through the tension like a blade, "where were you on January 19th? The night both Emily Stanton and Lucas Henshaw met their tragic ends." The question hung in the air, heavy with implication and expectation.

Nolan"s mask of indifference faltered for the briefest moment, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features before he regained his composure. His eyes met Finn"s unwavering gaze as he replied with practiced nonchalance, "I believe I was attending a literary gathering at the Mayfair Library that evening—a rather mundane alibi for your dramatic accusations."

Amelia"s sharp gaze locked onto Nolan, her skepticism palpable as she pressed further. "Can anyone corroborate your presence at this literary event?" Her tone held an edge of challenge as she awaited Nolan"s response.

Nolan"s demeanor remained composed as he coolly retorted, "I"m sure the esteemed guests and scholars in attendance can attest to my whereabouts if necessary." A hint of defiance lingered beneath his calm facade, a silent dare challenging Finn and Amelia to prove otherwise.

Finn observed Nolan closely, noting the subtle nuances in his body language and speech patterns. There was a calculated precision in Nolan"s responses that hinted at meticulous preparation—a veneer of confidence masking deeper uncertainties lurking beneath the surface.

Amelia"s gaze bore into Tim Nolan with unwavering intensity, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. "Mr. Nolan, why were you threatening Emily Stanton with those messages?" she demanded, her tone sharp and probing.

Nolan"s expression softened slightly as he met Amelia"s eyes, a glimmer of somber earnestness in his own. "Detective Winters, I wasn"t trying to hurt her," he began, his voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. "I was trying to save her."

Finn couldn"t help but interject with a touch of dry humor. "Save her from what? The perils of live streaming?" he quipped, a playful twinkle in his eye.

Nolan"s composure faltered for a moment before a flash of frustration crossed his features. "It"s not just about live streaming," he retorted sharply, his tone laced with urgency. "Modern technology has set us on a path to destruction."

The room fell into a heavy silence as Nolan continued, his words carrying an undercurrent of desperation. "Technology has seeped into every aspect of our lives, strangling us slowly without us even realizing it," he explained, his voice tinged with genuine concern.

Nolan"s eyes flickered with memories as he spoke again, this time softer yet laden with emotion. "I messaged Emily because... because years ago I knew her," he confessed quietly. "And in my own way, I was trying to save her soul from the grip of this technological abyss."

Amelia"s skepticism lingered in the air as she absorbed Nolan"s words, her gaze unwavering despite the complexity of emotions swirling around them. Finn observed the exchange with a mix of curiosity and wariness, recognizing the depth of Nolan"s convictions beneath his seemingly radical beliefs.

"Finn fixed his gaze on Tim Nolan, his voice measured yet probing. "Mr. Nolan, were you the one who introduced Emily to the idea of exploring Victorian-era technology?" he inquired.

Nolan"s eyes met Finn"s with a hint of resignation. "Yes, I did," he admitted quietly. "I lent her some reading materials, hoping to guide her towards a path away from modern technology and its pitfalls."

"Our team will be searching Emily"s messages to confirm any of your story," Finn said, "just so you should know."

Amelia"s brow furrowed as she delved further. "Did it anger you when she chose to incorporate Victorian tech into her live streams instead?"

Nolan"s expression darkened slightly before he replied, "It wasn"t anger, Detective Winters. It was disappointment that she didn"t see the potential for change beyond mere entertainment."

With a steely resolve, Nolan asserted, "My alibi is sound. You should check it."

As Finn and Amelia stood up to leave, Finn paused at the door, turning back to face Nolan. "Just because you didn"t kill Emily directly doesn"t mean you aren"t involved somehow," he stated firmly before exiting the room with Amelia in tow.

The weight of unspoken truths lingered in the air as they departed into the hallway outside.

Amelia glanced at Finn, her brow furrowed in contemplation. "You're really set on this more than one killer theory, aren't you? I will say… There"s something... off about this whole situation," she admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Finn nodded, a flicker of intuition sparking in his eyes. "I can"t shake the feeling that there"s more to this than meets the eye, that there are others involved," he mused, his tone reflecting his gut instinct.

"I"ll have someone check on Nolan"s alibi," Amelia stated resolutely, tapping away on her phone. "But he seems pretty confident about it."

Before Finn could respond, Chief Rob Collins strode into the room with a grim expression etched on his features. The air seemed to thicken as the weight of his presence settled over them, casting a shadow of foreboding over the investigation.

Amelia greeted Chief Rob Collins with a casual "Hi, Chief," as he entered the room. Finn couldn"t resist injecting some humor into the tense atmosphere.

"Rob, the last time I saw a face like that was when I accidentally broke your aunt"s priceless Ming vase," he quipped, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Curiosity and concern mingled on Finn"s face as he asked, "What"s wrong, Rob?"

The chief"s response sent a chill down Finn"s spine. "There"s been a sighting of Max Vilne," Rob announced gravely, his words hanging heavy in the air. "He was seen in London near the London Eye."

Finn felt his blood run cold at the mention of Vilne"s name. The elusive and dangerous serial killer had resurfaced in their city, casting a shadow of fear over their already complex investigation.

Finn quickly shifted from their current case.

"We should head there immediately and look around," Finn suggested, his eyes reflecting a sense of urgency.

"We already have people on it, but if Vilne was spotted near the London Eye, he"s long gone by now," Rob informed them solemnly.

"Still, we should check," Finn insisted, his determination unwavering.

Amelia interjected softly, her voice calm yet persuasive. "Finn, we still haven"t confirmed Vilne"s involvement beyond a shadow of a doubt. Our current case involves an active killer. If it isn"t Vilne, then we could jeopardize lives if we focus on chasing him now."

Finn hesitated for a moment, torn between chasing down Vilne and prioritizing the safety of potential victims. Slowly nodding in agreement with Amelia"s reasoning, he felt a surge of admiration for her unwavering dedication to their mission.

With a sense of resolve settling over him, Finn acknowledged Amelia"s wisdom. "You"re right. Let"s stay focused on what matters most," he conceded, a newfound respect shining in his eyes as they turned back to the pressing case at hand.