Interrogation (Part 2)

The coffee was brought up.

 Reno took a sip, savoring its bitterness and sweetness.

 His expression was focused, as if he were not tasting coffee, but life itself.

 His fingertips lightly traced the edge of the coffee cup, his gaze deep and confident.

 He smiled.

 "You've been eyeing my legs," he said.

 This statement caught Russell Hill off guard.

 Reno continued, "From a psychological perspective, when a subject is being interrogated, constantly changing sitting positions is a sign of nervousness and unease. Agents are adept at finding loopholes in these body languages. For those without professional training, their body language exposes them regardless of the lies they tell. Some people tend to fidget or cross and uncross their legs while lying. Additionally, they may cover their face with their hands, trying to conceal their anxiety, not realizing that these behaviors betray them."

 He looked at Russell Hill and smiled, "So, you need to pay attention. Observe my actions, listen carefully to my words, analyze whether there are lies in what I say. Oh, and by the way, you don't need to hide the lie detector under the table; just bring it out in the open."

 Russell Hill exchanged glances with the female investigator and retrieved a small box from under the table.

 This box was the lie detector, used to accurately analyze lies. Despite its improved accuracy, due to the complexity and control of human behavior, its precision never reached one hundred percent, thus making it an auxiliary tool rather than conclusive evidence.

 Reno placed his hands on the table, suddenly adopting a stern expression, "Alec Corckett was an outstanding officer. I knew him, admired him, respected him, and would never murder him. Regarding your questions, I can only tell you that during the incident, as Captain Jeram summoned all officers of the rank of major and above for a meeting, I did not attend. Everything that happened was only known to us later. When a battle breaks out, the scene is usually chaotic. Everyone is focused on self-preservation, with no time to remember details. You ask me why Corckett's chip wasn't vaporized by the energy cannon. I can only say I don't know because I wasn't there. I was at my post, in the mech bay. When the Divine Clan attacked, I led the mech squadron to engage in combat. It wasn't until the bad news arrived that I learned I had become the captain of the Abronado. It's normal for misunderstandings to arise due to these circumstances."

Pausing for a moment, Reno continued, "As for your assertion that Corckett was murdered, it is indeed a shocking possibility. But I do not believe the Abronado experienced such an event without my knowledge. Personally, I view it differently. Is it possible that Corckett wasn't shot but rather, during the Divine Clan's attack on the Abronado, the starship sustained damage, causing internal facilities to be destroyed, and a piece of machinery flew out, passing through Corckett's head? As you mentioned, the chip's information indicates head trauma, skull fracture, severe brain and brainstem damage... It didn't specify a gunshot wound."

 Russell Hill's expression changed, becoming extremely unpleasant.

 Reno continued, "Even if he was indeed murdered, what evidence do you have to link it to me? Just because I benefited from the deaths of the officers? Maybe I need to correct your understanding on this matter. I am not a beneficiary; I merely assumed a heavy burden, like carrying a mountain, a burden that can crush a person. Mr. Hill, perhaps in your eyes, the world is full of conspiracies and murders, but in the eyes of a soldier, the world is sometimes simple—life and death. You don't understand what it's like to lose leaders on the battlefield. Chaos, disarray, no one to lead, everyone fighting on their own, and the inevitable outcome is death!" Reno's voice suddenly rose, filled with excitement and anger.

 Then he took a few deep breaths, calming himself down, his voice returning to a low tone, "After losing Captain Jeram, although I temporarily suppressed the news, it couldn't be concealed completely. Some soldiers gradually found out. I experienced a lot during that time—distrust, suspicion, insubordination, and almost rebellion..."

 "So, it's not a good thing. I am not a beneficiary in this matter. On the contrary, I am a victim!"

 Russell Hill's body jerked backward.

 He leaned back in his chair, his face serious as he looked at Reno.

 After a moment of thought, he said, "I must admit, I overlooked this point."

 "But is it possible that you yourself were unaware of it at the time?" The female investigator suddenly spoke up. She looked at Reno, her eyes full of arrogance. "Perhaps you had coveted the position of captain, like a dream, willing to do anything to grasp it. Only after obtaining it did you realize it wasn't as glorious as you imagined. This is also possible, right? Furthermore, how do we know your pain is real? It could also be an exaggeration. Perhaps your situation wasn't as difficult as you claim, or even if it was, you might have enjoyed it."

 Her self-righteous statement did not earn Russell Hill's approval. On the contrary, he glared at her reproachfully.

 The most taboo thing during interrogation is to treat the suspect with speculation, as it implies prejudice and presumption of guilt, violating human rights. Throughout the process, Russell Hill never accused Reno of murdering his superiors; he only sought to find flaws in Reno's story, causing inconsistencies and exposing contradictions. As long as there was enough evidence to prove Reno was lying, the initiative would be in his hands.

 But the female investigator's self-proclaimed cleverness was easy to fall into a trap—today's conversation was all recorded.

 Indeed, when Reno glanced at her, there was a trace of pity in his eyes.

 A small-minded individual, eager to catch the culprit, like most people, striving for advancement but ignoring the essence of things—she only wanted to prove Reno was the murderer, whereas a qualified investigator should pursue the truth, not preconceived answers.

 After a moment of thought, Reno replied, "Investigator Hill, I've answered all your questions. You can doubt the cause of Corckett's death and believe I'm lying because of it, but if you want to prove more, you need more evidence."

 Russell Hill shrugged. He was about to say something when suddenly there was a knock on the door.

 A guard entered, saying, "A lawyer has arrived for Reno."

 Russell Hill's entire body trembled, and he turned to Reno, "You called a lawyer? Johnny Reno, this isn't a police station; don't think you can use those citizen rights tricks to deal with me!"

 Reno responded calmly, "Don't get agitated, Investigator Hill. I don't intend to use a lawyer to resist your investigation. Look, I'm sitting here, answering your questions. As a soldier, a former acting captain, I have an obligation to cooperate with the investigator's work. As for the lawyer, it's just to prevent abuse of power. I mean, as long as you don't detain me without sufficient evidence, you can continue questioning me here. I assure you, the lawyer won't cause you any trouble."

 Russell Hill took a deep breath, "You're familiar with the rules."

 "I'm familiar with the rules. Even if the lawyer comes, I still have the right to continue questioning you for up to forty-eight hours," Russell Hill snorted, standing up and addressing the female investigator, "You stay here; I'll go meet with the lawyer."

 With that, he walked out.

 In the "meeting room," there was only Reno and the female investigator left.

 The female investigator's expression remained arrogant, looking at Reno as if he were a criminal, her lips moving with a disdainful tone.

 After a moment of thought, Reno looked at the female investigator.

 His gaze lingered on her chest.

 As it was summer, the female investigator was dressed relatively lightly. Through her black silk blouse, faint contours of the mountains could be discerned.

 The female investigator had a pair of full and beautiful breasts.

 So Reno's gaze lingered on them shamelessly.

 The female investigator soon realized this, her face turning red, glaring at him fiercely and shifting her body to the side.

 But Reno's gaze persisted, roaming freely over her.

 As his gaze swept over her body, perhaps due to psychological influences on physiology, she felt as if something was brushing against her, causing a tingling sensation.

 This made the female investigator extremely angry.

 This damn, arrogant criminal!

 He had murdered all his superiors, yet dared to look at her with such contemptuous eyes.

 Reno's gaze intensified.

 As if something were caressing the female investigator's body, she couldn't help but feel an uncontrollable impulse and itchiness, swaying slightly.

 This scene fell into Reno's eyes, and his smile grew broader.

 Then he suddenly said, "Apart from your chest, you have nothing, especially intelligence."

 The words reached the female investigator's ears, and she trembled all over.

 Just then, she felt a wave of soft heat rising from her back, as if a hand were touching her, extending all the way to her bra, and with a crisp sound, the female investigator's bra suddenly snapped open.

 "Ah!" The female investigator screamed, "Bastard!"

 Then she did something.

 She turned around and punched Reno hard.

 Reno's head tilted backward, blood splattering as he fell heavily to the ground.

 The alarm blared!

 When Russell Hill arrived with the lawyer in the meeting room, seeing Reno covered in blood, Hill's heart sank.

 "My God, what have you done!"