"I heard," Clyde said nonchalantly, glancing up at Nick. With his hands clasped behind his head, he added, "This teaches us the importance of punctuality. So really, Bill Reynolds' death is on you."
"If you want to play life coach, fine," Nick said, his face tense with grief. "But don't you think your methods are too cruel?"
Clyde chuckled, lying there with his legs crossed. "Nick, from what I've learned over the last decade, bloodless lessons don't stick. Look at you. I bet you'll be a stickler for punctuality from now on."
"Dammit," Nick muttered under his breath, then pressed further. "Why did you kill your cellmate? And don't give me that crap about him being scum."
"Why?" Clyde's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Because some people think they're untouchable. For those types, you need to use the harshest methods to show them they're nothing."
Pausing for effect, Clyde added, "Did you see the warden's face earlier? Priceless. He'll think twice before assuming his word is absolute, even here."
Sitting up, Clyde walked to the bars of his cell and stared at Nick, who was standing outside, his face dark with anger. "This lesson also teaches us that everyone is responsible for their actions. You see, the warden wanted to play games with me. I played along. A little back-and-forth makes it fun."
Nick didn't buy a word of it, but at least Clyde being in solitary meant he couldn't harm any other inmates. It was best to keep him there until his trial.
No matter how Nick tried to provoke him into talking more, Clyde simply lay on his bed in silence.
Getting nothing out of him, Nick left the solitary cell and called his superior to schedule a meeting with Judge Roberts the next day. They planned to request that Clyde remain in solitary until the trial was over.
The moment Nick was gone, Clyde pulled his blanket over his head and fell asleep. Late that night, after waking up, he lay still for half an hour, listening intently to confirm the guards outside his solitary cell had left.
Only then did Clyde quietly activate a hidden switch beneath the sink, slipping into the tunnel he had dug himself. The tunnel led to a spacious underground chamber he had prepared in advance.
Walking to his surveillance setup, Clyde tapped a few keys on the keyboard, bringing up the live feed of a large house. He clicked through the cameras until an image of a bedroom appeared. Smirking, he muttered to himself, "Wait for me, Judge Roberts."
After changing out of his prison uniform and disguising himself using tools he had stashed, Clyde grabbed his equipment and drove to Judge Roberts' home.
Clyde's revenge plan had been ten years in the making. He knew everything about the people involved in the case that had taken his wife and daughter from him. He even had a copy of the key to Roberts' house.
An hour later, he arrived at his destination. Using the key, he strolled confidently into the judge's home. With practiced ease, he installed a listening device and a small explosive inside the judge's cellphone.
After completing his work, Clyde retraced his steps to the solitary cell, where he lay in bed, contemplating the next day's events. Once Roberts was dead, Clyde was certain he'd remain in solitary permanently—exactly what he wanted.
The following morning, Nick and his superior, Bruce Mack, arrived at Judge Roberts' office.
After glancing through their request, Roberts tossed the document onto the desk. "You two came here first thing in the morning just to extend Clyde's solitary confinement?"
Bruce nodded. "You've read yesterday's report, haven't you? That lunatic not only killed Bill Reynolds but also snapped his cellmate's neck like a madman. We're worried about what he'll do if he's let out."
"But the public is watching us closely," Roberts said, pointing to the papers. "Signing something like this during such a sensitive time is risky unless you give me a solid legal justification."
Seeing Roberts was already leaning toward agreement, Bruce smiled and handed over another document. "This should resolve your concerns."
Roberts skimmed the new document, then leaned back in his chair, thinking for a moment before signing it. "I've signed it, but don't expect me to..."
A knock at the door interrupted him.
Bruce quickly slipped the signed document into his briefcase as Roberts straightened up and called, "Come in."
The door opened, and Roberts' secretary, Janet, entered with a middle-aged man in a military uniform and a tall man in plain clothes.
"What's this about, Janet?" Roberts asked, confused.
Janet quickly approached, handing Roberts a piece of paper instead of a document.
Roberts frowned and unfolded the note, which read, "CIA. Urgent situation. Follow our instructions silently."
As Roberts was about to speak, Janet clamped a hand over her mouth. Before Roberts could react, Janet leaned close and whispered, "Boss, I've verified their identities. They say there's a threat to your safety."
Roberts' eyes widened in alarm as she looked at Janet, who nodded firmly. Hesitant but trusting, Roberts also nodded, and Janet removed her hand.
Suddenly, the judge's cellphone on the desk began to ring.
Before Roberts could pick it up, the plainclothes man swiftly moved forward, grabbing the phone with gloved hands. Silently, he gestured for everyone to remain quiet.
He carried the phone to a corner of the office, flipped it open—and it immediately exploded.
Back in his solitary cell, Clyde hung up his end of the call, satisfied. He tossed the phone into the underground chamber and sealed the hatch before lying down, waiting to be summoned.
At the office, the blast left Roberts shaken and screaming at the military man and plainclothes operative, "What the hell was that? Why did my phone just explode?!"
The plainclothes man, shaking out his slightly numb hands, removed his gloves and inspected his palms. Seeing no injuries, he grinned and spoke to the air. "All clear, Mr. Devonshire."
Moments later, the office door opened, and William Devonshire entered. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I'm William Devonshire."
The room fell silent, stunned. Nick recovered first, rising to confront him. "What's going on here?"
William didn't answer Nick but smiled at the military officer. "Benny, you're the host here. Why don't you explain?"
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Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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