Page 45 of Ruthless Regret

I shake my head.

Enough of this. Just do it.

With a deep breath, I grab the first printed page. The words blur for a second before coming into focus.

Key witnesses describe a figure near the scene who does not match Ryder’s description. Authorities dismissed this account due to lack of corroborating evidence, favoring the initial narrative that placed Ryder as the prime suspect.

I swallow. How could they havedismisseda witness statement that said someone else was there who wasn’t Zain? It’s right here, printed in black and white. Someone else was seen near the house, someone who didn’t look like him, and they what? Just ignored it?

I flip to the next article.

Holson, one of the detectives involved in the investigation, reportedly had doubts about the swift conviction of Ryder, particularly regarding the lack of follow-up on several witness statements. Sources close to the case suggest Holsonfelt pressured to go along with his superior’s decisions, leading to the closure of the case despite lingering inconsistencies.

Holson must have known something was wrong, but obviously he didn’t push hard enough. The entire case was built on the assumption that Zain was guilty … something that’smyfault … and it seems like everyone was so eager for a quick conviction that they turned a blind eye to anything that didn’t fit.

The idea that Zain could have been set up … I can’t imagine what that must have been like for him. Trapped in a nightmare, knowing that no one cared to look deeper.

I pull another article closer.

Inconsistencies in forensic evidence were brought up during Ryder’s trial, but were largely dismissed by the prosecution. Discrepancies in the time of death, and physical evidence found on the victims were glossed over, leading some to question whether the rush to convict Ryder ignored key details.

I exhale slowly.

The time of death. The physical evidence. How did they justgloss overit? The more I read, the more it becomes clear that the case wasn’t as airtight as it seemed.

A noise outside makes me flinch again, and my eyes dart toward the window. A group of people walk past, talking loudly, but none of them stop or look toward the house. I rub the back of my neck, trying to shake it off.

What if this is what someone is trying to bury? Zain was never supposed to get out of prison. My testimony put him therefor two life sentences. Now he’s out. Was the attempted attack on me accidental? Were they there for Zain?

I jump up and pace the room.

If there was someone else at the scene of the crime, and Zain didn’t kill Jason and Louisa … then who did? And why did they make sure Zain took the fall?

I need to talk to someone. Voice aloud the things I’m thinking.

What if this really is bigger than just a wrongful conviction? What else will I uncover if I keep digging?

Or am I reading too much into it?

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

ZAIN

“Are youinsane?”

I hold the phone away from my ear at Peter’s bellow.

“I didn’t spend all that time working to get yououtof prison, for you to end up back in there on stalking and blackmail charges!”

“You’re overreacting.”

“I’m overreacting?Really? You tell me that after the interview Ashley was attackedin your home, and she walked out thinking you used her asbait. Andnowyou want to go and talk her into coming back? Did all those years in prison rot your mind? On what planet is she going to come anywhere near you after all that?”

“She signed a contract?—”

“You know full well that contract is bullshit. All she has to do is take it to any half-assed lawyer to find that out.”

“If you’ll let me finish?”

---