[Chapter 49: Case Solved]
"Let go of me! Get lost! Stay away!" Sheriff Ryan seemed locked in a brutal struggle against an invisible force trying to seize control of his body.
But it was clear that he was losing the fight.
At his feet sat a gasoline barrel, more than half empty. He still gripped a lighter tightly in his hand.
Earlier, if they had hesitated even a second longer, the flames would have ignited the fuel and burned everyone alive in the basement.
Fortunately, Daniel had intervened.
"He can't move now. You can handcuff him," Daniel said coolly.
Sheriff Ford exchanged a glance with Lara and Kane.
Without hesitation, Lara and Kane stepped forward and forced the tall, burly Sheriff Ryan to the ground. They took the lighter from his hand and cuffed his wrists behind his back.
Throughout the whole process, Sheriff Ryan lay still like a puppet, shockingly "cooperative" despite the violent fight raging beneath the surface.
Once he was restrained, Daniel waved a paper weight in the air. "Come back."
Suddenly, Sheriff Ryan's body jerked violently, an overwhelming force pushing against Lara and Kane, nearly knocking them over.
Luckily, his handcuffs limited his range of motion and strength, allowing them to quickly subdue him again.
Only then did Robert Downey Jr. and Susan finally exhale, their tense bodies relaxing in relief.
"Thank you, Mr. Cross," they said as they approached him, their voices raw with genuine gratitude.
This was by far the most heartfelt thanks they had ever spoken in their lives. They had just come inches from death -- burning alive, one of the most agonizing ways to go.
Just the thought sent a shudder through them.
"It's you! It was you all along..." Sheriff Ryan snarled suddenly, eyes blazing as if he wanted to devour Daniel right then and there. "This is all your fault! I'll kill you!"
Daniel idly picked at his ear with his pinky finger. "That sounds familiar. Seems like a lot of people have been saying that to me lately. But in the end? They were the ones who died."
"Arghhh!" the sheriff bellowed in fury, struggling hard against his restraints and his two captors, but he couldn't break free.
Seeing his defiance, Lara took off her own handcuffs and locked him to a nearby shelf instead.
At last, he grew quiet.
The tension in the room dissipated, and even Sheriff Ford holstered his gun.
...
Daniel walked over and passed the DV camera to Sheriff Ford. "I'll leave this in your hands. We'll be heading off now. Oh, and Emily should go to the hospital."
"No problem. I'll handle everything here and keep you updated on the case," Ford promised gratefully. "Mr. Cross, thank you."
Lara and Kane also thanked Daniel, their voices deeply sincere.
Emily, wrapped in Susan's clothes and tears brimming in her eyes, looked up at Daniel.
"Thank you. I will never forget your help," she said softly. She knew her salvation was entirely because of this man.
Daniel smiled gently. "I hope this incident won't cast a shadow over you. Above all, don't blame yourself for the mistakes of others."
Emily nodded, her eyes shimmering. "I hope I can live by that."
"Keep it," Susan said, stopping Emily as she tried to return the clothes. "It's a gift." Then she bid them farewell.
...
As they drove back, Daniel took the wheel.
Though the worst was over, Robert Downey Jr. and Susan still fidgeted nervously, their hearts pounding. The danger had left its mark.
But there was a strange mix of fear and exhilaration in the air.
"Wow..." Robert suddenly let out an unexpected whoop, eyes shining with excitement. "Mr. Cross, inviting you was the best decision ever."
He slapped his thigh enthusiastically. "I'm going to be bragging about this all my life. It was absolutely thrilling."
Daniel gazed calmly ahead. "If you're interested, I can take you along next time I perform an Exorcism. I guarantee it'll be ten, maybe a hundred times more intense. You'll get to face down ghosts and monsters directly, really experience what it's like to stand at death's door. Or even... to die by their hands."
The excitement drained from Robert's face immediately. "No thanks," he muttered. "This was already stressful enough. I don't know if my heart could take anything more."
After all, he was already 39 years old.
"Yes, that's how it should be; then he'll calm down." Susan said with a smile, appearing much more composed than Robert Downey Jr.. But in reality, she was a full eight years younger than Robert.
"Mr. Cross, thank you so much. If it weren't for you, we'd all be dead," she added sincerely.
Daniel returned the smile. "Truth always comes at a cost."
"That price was way too high for us," Susan said with a relieved sigh. "But having you here... I've never felt so safe with a man. Not even with my father."
Robert interrupted, mock-offended, "Hey, hey! I'm still here! I helped bring in Mr. Cross, too!"
Susan kissed him on the cheek. "Of course you deserve credit, right after Mr. Cross."
Robert beamed with pride.
...
The car pulled up outside the mental hospital.
Daniel glanced at Robert. "You should settle the remaining balance."
"But Miranda hasn't--" Robert began.
Susan cut him off. "No need to wait. I trust Mr. Cross. Robert, if it's easier, I can--"
"No, Mr. Cross was invited by me," Robert said firmly.
He pulled out his checkbook and wrote a check for the final $80,000.
Daniel examined the check briefly, then pocketed it.
He opened the door and stepped out. "Robert, you've found an excellent girlfriend."
Susan smiled warmly. "Thank you."
Robert looked proud as he grinned. "I know."
Daniel waved and climbed back into his Cadillac, speeding away.
...
Watching him go, Susan asked, "Robert, how did you find Mr. Cross? He's incredible. It's like he knew everything today -- especially when handling Sheriff Ryan. I was terrified before, but having him there made all the difference."
Robert's mouth curled into a smug smile. "Like I said, he's a powerful Exorcist. He scared me yesterday. But today, he was even stronger than I thought."
"How did you find him?" Susan pressed.
"I figured you were worried about Miranda. She mentioned a vengeful spirit was messing with her, so I looked for an Exorcist. After asking around in the circle, I finally tracked him down. Oh, right -- the vengeful spirit," Robert said, his tone growing serious. "Has it been dealt with? Could it cause Miranda problems again?"
"Robert, don't you get it?" Susan replied. "That spirit was connected to someone Miranda's husband killed. Miranda was just a pawn in its revenge. Now that Miranda's husband is dead -- and Sheriff Ryan's under arrest -- its revenge is complete. It won't bother Miranda anymore."
"Miranda was just a tool for the spirit's revenge. Now that Miranda's husband is dead, and Sheriff Ryan is in custody, the spirit won't trouble her again," Susan reaffirmed.
"So the words on Miranda's arm were referring to Sheriff Ryan," Robert said, piecing it together.
"Yes. At this point, Miranda should soon be cleared and regain her freedom."
As their conversation relaxed, Robert suddenly slapped his thigh. "Damn it, I forgot something!"
*****
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