The Captain I Married by Chance novel Chapter 561

"Something like that actually happened?"

Nora had seen her fair share of bizarre homicides since joining the precinct, but she had never encountered anything quite like this.

"It gets even more ridiculous."

Nathan pinched the bridge of his nose, finding the case surreal just thinking about it.

"Two neighbors in the same apartment complex. One on the second floor, one on the first. They were good buddies from the same hometown, so close they even spent the holidays together."

"But the guy on the second floor had a habit of tossing his trash over the balcony. The guy on the first floor didn't want to make it awkward by bringing it up. Until one day, he snapped and killed him."

"During the autopsy, the medical examiner found the victim's stomach stuffed completely full of garbage, packed tight all the way down his throat."

Nora was rendered speechless.

"Just because he threw his trash off the balcony? Did the first-floor neighbor ever warn him?"

Nathan shook his head. "According to the other neighbors, they tried to stick up for the first-floor guy. But the victim was oblivious. He brushed it off, saying if the guy downstairs didn't mind, why should anyone else care?"

"Seeing that, the others dropped the subject."

"Later on, when people would ask the first-floor neighbor about it, he always smiled and said it was no big deal, just a little extra sweeping."

"And then he suddenly exploded and murdered him."

Nora fell silent.

The case seemed incomprehensible at first glance, but from their respective viewpoints, it made a twisted kind of sense.

Neither had realized that the consequences of temporary negligence could be permanent and devastating.

Who would have thought you could lose your life over littering?

"Want to hear more?"

Nathan asked considerately, noticing Nora's deeply conflicted expression.

Her expression grew even more complicated. "You have more?"

Nathan nodded.

Nora let out a heavy breath. "Never mind. Forget it."

Nora opened her mouth to argue, but as she followed his train of thought, she realized he might actually be right.

"But I don't remember having any stalkers that unhinged."

"Really?" Nathan's gaze turned predatory.

He watched her, his voice carrying a subtle, coaxing edge.

"Why don't you tell me all about your suitors? I'll analyze them for you."

Nora didn't overthink it and nodded. "Sure."

She pulled out her phone, settling in as if preparing for a long, serious chat. "Should we start with the guys at the precinct?"

Nathan's expression instantly darkened. "There are guys at the precinct?"

Nora raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just say it was likely someone close to us?"

"The people at work are definitely closer to me than anyone on the outside."