"We really appreciate you going to get us at the station. You didn't need to. We could have just taken a taxi." Said Inna from the back seat.

Yasuo looked at the woman through the rearview mirror and gave her a small smile. "No need to thank me." He said simply. Akali had had to leave for the K/DA mansion early and had asked him if he could go get the couple in her place. He had plans to keep on working on his latest project, as he was very close to finishing it, but he just couldn't say no. He knew Akali would be needed at the crime scene.

Between the frazzled hair and the bags under her eyes, Inna looked as if she had aged twenty years overnight. But the characteristic smile still adorned her lips. She admired the skyscrapers and buildings that rapidly passed by outside her window with child-like wonder. They cast shadows on the other cars and passersby that went in all directions in a frenzy. Not even the less than welcoming weather seemed to rob the place or its people of their energy.

"Such a big city. Everyone seems so busy. Don't you think so, dear?" She commented with her husband in an attempt to start a conversation. She turned her head to look in his direction. Her smile faded. Wyeth was ruefully resting his head on his hand as he looked outside, while the rain gently fell down. His expression was vacant as his eyes stared into nothingness. "Wyeth, honey?" She called out to him.

The man jolted softly as if he was waking from a dream and shot a surprised look in his wife's direction. "Sorry, what is it?"

Inna's expression changed from slight worry to a small warm smile. "I said that this city sure is something. What do you think of it?"

"Hm... The city... Yeah. It has tall buildings... And lots of people running around. It's nice." He stammered in a tone almost devoid of emotion. He stopped, surprised, when he felt a hand warmly cover his. He looked up at his wife who was giving him a reassuring smile.

"Hey, it's going to be all right." Her voice was sweet like honey and her eyes shone with understanding.

The worry left Wyeth's face and the tension on his muscles abated. He wrapped his hand around his wife's in a gesture of gratitude and smiled thinly.

"We're here." Announced Yasuo from the front seat. The couple turned to look at the modern building that got closer and closer.

"It's just the way we saw it in the pictures Ekko sent us..." Thought Inna with mixed feelings. She felt genuine happiness for finally entering her son's home, but was also sad because he wouldn't be the one to show it to them.

Yasuo pulled over, got the couple's luggage out of the trunk and lead them to the front door. "I'm home!" He shouted upon entering. "The guests are here!"

A few seconds later, from the hallway, Senna and Lucian emerged to greet them.

"Hello! Be very welcome." Said Senna. There was an exchange of hand shakes and she was ready to introduce herself when Inna put her hand up and told her to wait.

"Our son told us all about you. Let me see if I get your names right. That young man who went to get us at the station is Yasuo, you're Senna and that's your husband Lucian."

Looking at the youngsters' surprised faces, Wyeth chuckled. "Inna has a knack for remembering names and faces. She rarely gets them wrong."

"That's an extraordinary gift." Commented Lucian, trying to be pleasing. But Inna, dismissed his compliment with a shaking of her head.

"It's nothing much, really. Ekko always talked so much about you that I had to remember at least your names."

Yasuo smirked and didn't resist saying "He said good things only, I hope!?"

Wyeth made a sad smile. Senna caught a glimpse of his eyes and they were filled with a profound hurt. "Yes. Our boy always chose good friends." He said lowering his head. "He always did..."

This made Senna frown. All the occupants of the house felt the same way: None of them really considered themselves a "good friend" for Ekko at the moment. He had been taken away right under their noses. The most logical part of her knew, there was nothing they could have done. But the other side of her couldn't help but feel guilt. "We're so sorry that you're going through this..." She said in a sorrowful tone. "We were responsible for your son. I'm... so sorry we allowed this to happen."

This completely changed the tone of the conversation. The tension in the room had doubled in just a few seconds. Inna shifted uncomfortably, but still made an effort to smile. "Oh dear, Akali said the same thing. You don't have to feel responsible, it wasn't your fault. We are well-aware of that."

"We will help you search once more. Later today." Promised Senna.

Lucian took notice of the rising anxiety levels in the room and decided to intervene. "May I suggest that we take a seat? We can go to the living room." What these parents needed was some moments of peace of mind in their company, not more stress.

The couple gladly accepted the young man's offer and followed him. Yasuo turned in the direction of the stairs and told them he would join them later, as he had work to do.

The living room's lighting was gloomy despite the curtains being open. The dark clouds did not allow the brightness of the sun to shine through, making the world below appear much darker, as the rain was violently swept by the wind. Wyeth and Inna took a seat on the chaise longue that Qiyana absolutely loved and Lucian and Senna sat on a comfy white sofa perpendicular to them. The couple looked around at the stylish room and Wyeth took notice of a guitar that had been forgotten on a nearby chair. "Is that... The guitar you gave Ekko?" He asked out of curiosity, in an attempt to break the ice.

In that moment, all the eyes in the room were drawn to the instrument. "Yes. A few weeks ago. He said he loved it." Said Senna.

Inna stood up and walked over to it to have a better look. "It's a fine guitar. Our boy always wanted to learn an instrument." She picked it up carefully and brought it with her so her husband could also examine it from up-close.

"Yeah, he's pretty good with it already." Commented Senna with a smile. "He always picks things up so fast. So we thought it would be the perfect gift for him."

Suddenly, the girl jolted slightly, gasped, and her eyes widened. "I completely forgot about it!" She exclaimed as she snapped her fingers.

Lucian was staring at her, confused at the sudden display of behavior. "Senna, are you ok?" He asked worriedly.

"Excuse me, I'll be right back." She said, getting up and quickly leaving the room. Lucian was puzzled, but he looked in the guest's direction and shrugged. Inna shrugged back, as she also hadn't understood anything.

The mystery didn't persist for long though. Senna came back shortly after, carrying a small box wrapped in a shiny purple paper.

"Sorry." She said apologetically. "With all that happened recently, I didn't even remember this anymore." Lucian observed as she sat down beside him and handed him the small box. "Here! Open it!"

Inna and Wyeth watched in silence as Lucian accepted the mysterious box. "A gift? For me?" He asked with a smirk. "You shouldn't have..."

Senna rolled her eyes. "Don't start. Just open it."

Lucian smiled at his wife for a few seconds before turning his attention to the small box and starting to unwrap it.

"I went to get you this on the day of the party... Before all this happened. Just because I wanted to." Senna said, with her eyes shining. "I hope you like it."

Lucian was done with removing the wrapping paper and proceeded to lift the lid up. Inside the small box, there was a fancy golden and black lighter that glinted in the dim light of the room. His mouth dropped slightly as he picked up the small object. "Senna, it's beautiful. But I don't smoke."

"It's never too late to start, you know?" She provoked, witilly.

"When did you become a bad influence?" Joked Lucian, not missing a beat.

"Maybe I picked it up from you." Senna readily answered. She chuckled and added "I'm just kidding. You'll see. It can come in handy. A lighter has way more uses than just lighting up cigarettes."

"Such as?" He asked, genuinely curious, as, at the moment, he couldn't think of anything off the top of his head.

Senna raised one eyebrow and simply challenged him. "Up to you to find out."

"Young love..." Wyeth commented with a small smile as he listened to the conversation. He looked at his wife. "They kind of remind me of us when we were their age."

Inna nodded and smiled at him. However, she caught a glimpse of her son's guitar and verified that no one was paying attention to her. Her fake happiness completely faded. She carefully gripped the head stock and squeezed it firmly between her fingers. "Don't worry, sweetie. We'll find you." The woman said to herself as she frowned with determination.

"Thank you for your time." Said Vi, adopting Caitlyn's professional tone. Her partner was by her side, in complete silence, with the sunglasses back on. She looked as unaffected as ever, but the dark lens covered her red-rimmed eyes.

They currently found themselves in the entrance hall of the mansion and were about to leave.

"So, my suspicions were right all along. I knew it was Jayce!" Exclaimed Akali with conviction. "I just knew it..."

Instinctively, Vi shot a killer stare in her direction and clenched her fist. When Akali's eyebrows raised in surprise and confusion, she forced herself to calm down. She took a deep breath and her hand relaxed.

Ahri took a step forward. "So if officer Jayce really is guilty... how are you going to catch him? Do you have any idea where he might be at the moment?"

"He should be at the police station. And if not, at home, in his apartment." Quickly answered Vi.

"That... would make sense..." Stuttered Ahri.

"We don't have time to lose. If there is nothing else you need to tell us, we should be on our way." Said Vi.

No one had any objections, so the two cops bid them goodbye and silently exited through the front door. The rain had gotten lighter and it was now gently falling on the umbrella, open over the two women's heads. Vi walked slowly in silence and sometimes glanced at Caitlyn whose head was lowered as she dragged her feet across the ground.

"Hey Cait." Said Vi sweetly, putting one arm over her shoulders. "You ok?"

Caitlyn distractedly stared at the suitcase in her hand for a few moments before answering. "I'll be fine once we're over with this..."

Vi gave her a sad look that quickly turned to anger. Her body got visibly tense and she clenched her fist as her emotions overwhelmed her. "Jayce... I want to kill him! Just when you think you know someone..." She spat bitterly.

Caitlyn quickly looked up and stared wide-eyed at her partner. "Vi! Jayce is... Jayce is our friend..."

Vi furrowed her eyebrows and grit her teeth. "No. He WAS our friend. Or at least I thought he was! I don't want to have anything to do with a child kidnapper. And neither should you." She said darkly, her words like venom.

"Vi...!" Tried Caitlyn, unsurely.

"Cait!" Vi interrupted, her tone increasing in volume as the anger built up inside her. "Do you REALLY want to associate yourself with someone who drugged an innocent kid and took him away from his loved ones? To do heavens-know-what to him?"

Caitlyn suddenly stopped walking and was silent for a few moments. Her chest ached and her hands trembled as she said "I just don't want to believe it..."

"What we found is hard evidence. There is no denying what he did." Said Vi, unwavering.

Caitlyn sighed and resumed walking. "You're really... Just going to abandon him?" She almost whispered.

"Cait. HE abandoned us the moment he decided to do this." Vi said coldly. But when she looked at her partner once again, all she could see were the tears that threatened to fall and her heavy expression.

At last they got to the car. Caitlyn somberly grabbed the door handle and gently pulled it, but a hand suddenly covered hers. Surprised, she looked up and saw that Vi was giving her a gentle smile. "I'll drive. You're in no condition."

Caitlyn didn't speak and didn't object, but her eyes shone with gratitude. She gave her partner the car keys and quicky put the suitcase in the trunk before taking her place in the passenger's seat. Beside her, Vi roughly turned the keys and the engine roared loudly. She was still visibly fuming and it felt like the intensity of her gaze could cut through solid metal.

"Jayce is going to have a lot of explaining to do." She said simply and proceeded to turn the wheel.

Caitlyn sighed and took a last look at the mansion they were leaving behind.

She could already see the Police Station in the distance and her throat tightened. She looked unsurely at Vi who was giving the building a hateful glare. The two women were both in silence as they approached the sidewalk.

Vi hurried to park the car, yanked the keys from the ignition and stormed out of the vehicle with a determined expression. Caitlyn observed her partner, as she rapidly marched to the building's entrance, before opening the door and stepping outside herself.

Vi had a destination to get to and didn't stop for anything. Maintaining her rapid pace, she ignored the colleagues who greeted her, leaving them shooting confused looks in her direction. She almost collided with half a dozen people who glared daggers at her and protested. She would have tore two doors off the hinges if they weren't so sturdy and she nearly knocked a plant over before finally reaching Jayce's office.

The girl didn't stop in her tracks. She didn't hesitate. She simply grabbed the knob and swung the door open. Her eyes immediately focused the man who was sitting at his desk doing some paperwork. His first reaction was giving an annoyed look at whoever had stormed into his office without knocking. But upon noticing it was her, his expression seemed to soften, although lightly.

"Vi? What is it?"

She looked at him directly in the eyes and her expression darkened. "Jayce, you're under arrest."

His jaw dropped. "WHAT?" He asked, seemingly shocked. "But why? I didn't do anything!?"

His reaction made Vi's blood boil in her veins. She lost it and charged in his direction, violently slamming down her fists on the desk in front of him. The sudden action made Jayce jump in his seat.

"HOW DARE YOU ACT LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED?" She shouted at the top of her lungs, letting out her frustration.

Jayce didn't back down though. "What do you mean? WHAT happened?"

Vi couldn't believe this. "Are you seriously denying that you drugged and kidnapped Ekko last Friday?"

She watched as Jayce's eyes widened and he stood up. "WHAT? I did what to who?"

Vi made a sly smile. "You weren't expecting anyone to find out, were you? There was a hidden camera, Jayce. And it recorded EVERYTHING."

"Just WHAT are you talking about?" Asked the man once again. He looked behind Vi and verified that Caitlyn was at the door. She silently stepped inside the office, closing the door behind her.

"Caitlyn? Has Vi gone mad?" He asked her. "Can you help me explain to her that I didn't do anything?"

Cait removed her sunglasses to reveal a deeply hurt look in her eyes. "Jayce... I... I can't believe you still refuse to confess..."

The man took a step back. "You... You too Caitlyn? Have the two of you become crazy?"

"The only crazy one here is you!" Spat Vi, pointing her index finger at his chest accusingly. "Kidnapping sixteen year olds at parties and then having the nerve to deny it! Despite having been caught in the act!"

"Vi." He said, looking her in the eyes. "I don't even understand what's going on. But whatever you're accusing me of, I DIDN'T do it!"

Exasperated, Vi turned around and gave Caitlyn a "can you believe this?" look. Getting her attention back on the man, she said. "OK. Fine. We'll watch that recording together and I want to see you deny this once again in our face."

Jayce's expression was unwavering and he was giving Vi a harsh glare. "Follow me." She said, turning around and exiting through the door. Caitlyn saw Jayce give her an arrogant look before leaving after Vi. She followed them.

On her way to the Audiovisual Room, she couldn't ignore the absolutely terrible feeling growing inside her.

She hated this.

She had watched the recording. She knew Jayce had done something terrible.

But he... He was her friend. At least she still considered him one.

She was incapable of turning against someone who she had been so close to, up until that moment...

Upon arriving, Caitlyn verified that Jayce was beside Vi, in front of the screen. She noticed that even though he had that flair of unshakable confidence that was characteristic of him, there was a glint of nervousness. His body looked a bit more tense than usual and he eyed the pen drive Vi was inserting into the port with uncertainty.

Eventually, the recording was played. Jayce eyed everything with apparent confusion. And when he saw himself on screen, his jaw dropped. His expression was undignified.

"What? That's... That's not me!" He stuttered, his eyes wide like a full moon. "I swear that ISN'T me!"

Vi gave Jayce a cruel stare throughout the whole scene. By the end of it, she spoke. "I never expected this from you Jayce, of all people. But why? Why did you do this?"

The harsh words started getting to him and he only became increasingly nervous. He looked back and forth at his two friends. "Guys, please! That is NOT me in the recording. I didn't do anything! I was never near that kid in my life!"

"You still refuse to admit your crime with undeniable proof in front of our faces." Said Vi. "You know full well that only makes everything worse for you."

"I cannot confess a crime I did not commit." He said. "Plain and simple."

Vi shook her head in disapproval and took a step forward. "Unbelievable... Well, whether you confess it or not, we have enough evidence. Follow me to the Interview Room without offering any resistance. I believe the use of force won't be needed, or I'll personally take care of it." She threatened, clenching her fist.

Jayce glared at her, but obeyed. He walked in front of Vi, as she told him his rights. She knew the words by heart. And so did Jayce, but he was forced to listen to the whole speech, as it was a mandatory procedure. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions. You have the right to have a lawyer with you during questioning..."

As she watched them leave, Caitlyn was at war within herself. "I guess people aren't always what they seem." She thought. But these words made her heart skip a beat inside her chest.

The Interview Room was small and well lit. There was the traditional table with two chairs facing each other and two windows. Caitlyn was sitting across from Jayce and Vi was standing beside her like some sort of bodyguard.

"Jayce." Started Caitlyn, taking off her sunglasses. "You have been accused of drugging and kidnapping Ekko, a sixteen year old teenager, last Friday. I would like to know what exactly..."

"Wait, Caitlyn. Can I go first?" Vi interrupted her.

She looked at her with surprise in her eyes, but didn't object. She was used to Vi's bluntness. "Of course, go right ahead."

Vi didn't waste any time. She walked up to Jayce and there suddenly was a loud sound of something cracking and a yelp of pain. It was so sudden that Caitlyn couldn't understand what was happening until she saw the man bleeding from his lips. Then, it finally hit her. Vi had punched him right in the face. Her features were adorned with a smile of satisfaction as she looked down upon him.

"You know what I always say: Punch first. Ask questions while punching!" She stated, more to herself than to the other two that were present in the room.

"VI!? WHAT THE HELL?" Complained Jayce as the blood ran down his chin and dropped on the transparent table top. He was covering his mouth gently, desperately trying to stop the bleeding.

"That's for kidnapping a damn innocent child you asshole!" Vi exclaimed accusingly. She then turned around and returned to her partner's side. "That made me feel better. Thank you Cait. You can interrogate him now."

Caitlyn's expression was unreadable. It was somewhere between disappointment, shock and already knowing that she should have expected it, coming from Vi. "You know that I'm going to have to suspend you for this. This behavior is unacceptable."

"Yeah, I know." Said Vi, crossing her arms, completely at ease. "My fist was itching. I had to do it. You know I can't control myself."

Caitlyn gave her a bored expression and turned to Jayce who was still trying to get the bleeding to cease. Just to be cordial with him, she handed him a paper tissue and patiently waited until he was ready to speak again. Then, she reached to a compartment under the table and retrieved a picture.

"I'm sure you recognize him!?" Questioned Caitlyn, pushing the picture over to Jayce. "This is Ekko, the teenager you are being accused of drugging and kidnapping."

The man studied the picture, which was the ripped front cover of a magazine, for a few seconds. "Yes, I do know him. Would be hard not to. He's on TV all the time."

"You're saying that you only know him from TV?"

"Affirmative."

"That is not what the recording shows." Said Caitlyn furrowing her eyebrows. She sighed. "Jayce, where is the kid? What did you do to him?"

"I already told you I was never near him in my life!" He stated with a little bit of difficulty, as his lower lip was starting to swell. "Vi, Cait. You actually don't believe me? You think me capable of hurting a kid?"

He looked sad and Caitlyn felt genuinely bad for him. Vi was unwavering. Her stare, cold and unforgiving.

"I thought you knew me better than this." He lamented with a deep frown. "I thought we were friends."

His words penetrated Cait's heart and she started feeling genuinely uncomfortable and doubtful. However, they didn't have the same effect on her partner. Vi's eyes widened, her pupils contracted dangerously and she took a threatening step forward. Her fist was painfully clenched. "Are you trying to guilt trip us?"

It was Jayce's turn to widen his eyes. The man shrunk in his chair. "What? No!" Vi looked like a killer ready to strike.

Caitlyn raised her arm. "Vi, enough!" She said authoritatively before her friend lost it again. It was enough to stop her in her tracks. "Wait for me outside!"

Vi looked at Caitlyn with annoyance plastered all over her face. Even still, she turned around ruefully and headed for the door. She never disrespected Caitlyn's authority.

Now alone with Jayce, the young officer turned to face him. "Look... You ARE my friend. I don't want to believe you did this! But there is clear evidence that you were responsible for Ekko's disappearence. We can't just ignore a literal recording showcasing the kidnapping taking place!"

"I'll say it again and I know you won't believe me: That's NOT me in the video. Last Friday I went home early because I had a very unpleasant headache. I went to bed at around 10 and woke up at 7:30. I was sleeping soundly when that camera was supposedly catching me!"

"I do remember you saying you weren't feeling well..." Caitlyn said, thinking deeply for a few seconds. "But it could be that you went home in order to get everything ready and head to the party..."

"Caitlyn please... I don't know who took the kid! That man the camera recorded isn't me!"

Caitlyn stared at him right in the eyes and tried to find some small physical evidence that he could be lying. But his wide open eyes and intense gaze seemed so genuine... She didn't know what to think.

" Jayce I'll... I'll look into this. I'll investigate further. I know you. I don't really believe that you would hurt someone, much less a kid."

Jayce's eyes seemed to light up with hope. "So you believe me?"

"I can't ignore the evidence. But I also want to believe you. I want to give you a chance..."

"Oh, Caitlyn thank you." He said in a seemingly grateful tone. "I knew I could count on you..."

Caitlyn sighed and gave him a sad smile. She didn't know what the outcome of the further investigation would be. But she was determined to at least try and make an effort for her friend's sake.