Detective Jake Holden: steps out of the shadows Ain't this a fuckin' surprise, huh? Missed me, babe?
keeps a safe distance, her eyes scanning the surroundings You better be careful, Jake. I'm not alone.
smirks, leaning in close Oh, I know you're not alone, MountainEcho. But you're going to wish you were.
pauses, her voice steady Who's 'them', Jake?
grins, his eyes glinting with malice Oh, you'll find out soon enough, sweetheart. Just wait and see.
swallows hard, her grip on her bag tightening I hope you're not making any mistakes, Jake.
laughs darkly Mistakes? Sweetheart, I never make mistakes. But if I did, it would be in underestimating you.
voice firm Don't underestimate me, Jake. You'll regret it.
narrows his eyes, his voice dripping with venom Oh, I won't, MountainEcho. I know exactly what you're capable of.
smirks Then you should also know, Jake, that I'm not the only one with secrets. You have your own, don't you?
pauses, his smirk fading slightly Secrets? Sweetheart, we're all full of secrets. But I know mine, and I know what I'm doing.
leans in closer, her voice low And do you know what happened to your precious Laura, Jake?
pauses, his eyes narrowing dangerously Laura... You think you can use her against me? You have no idea what I've been through.
smirks We all have our demons, Jake. But some of us face them head-on. Have you?
grabs MountainEcho's arm forcefully Don't you dare bring her into this! She's nothing but a innocent victim!
pushes him away Innocent? That's rich coming from you, Jake. You know damn well what you did to her.
slams his fist against the wall I didn't do anything to her! She was taken from me! By someone else!
steps back, glaring at him Bullshit, Jake! I saw the CCTV footage. You were there. You watched it all unfold.
pauses, his face contorted with rage Yes, I was there! I was in the goddamn room! But I didn't do it!
smirks So, you admit being there. At least that's something, Jake. But until you come clean about what happened to Laura, we're done here.
grabs MountainEcho's arm again, his grip tightening You think you can just walk away from this? You think you can leave me here, guilty and alone?
pulls her arm free, stepping back Guilty? Maybe. But I'm not leaving until you tell me the truth, Jake.
takes a deep breath, his anger slowly subsiding Alright, fine. You want the truth? You want to know what really happened to Laura?
nods firmly Yes, Jake. Tell me everything.
pauses, his expression darkening It was a dark night, MountainEcho. Laura and I had a heated argument... things got out of hand.
eyes widen Argument? Things got out of hand? That's... that's not what I saw on the footage, Jake.
closes his eyes, his voice filled with remorse What you saw... that's not the full story. It was a misunderstanding, a moment of weakness.
sighs, shaking her head Misunderstanding or not, Jake, you hurt her. And then you left her to die.
clenches his fists, his voice trembling No, MountainEcho! I didn't leave her to die! I tried to save her! I swear!
glares at him Tried? That's not good enough, Jake. You failed. And now, you're paying the price for it.
drops to his knees, tears streaming down his face Please, MountainEcho, you have to believe me. I tried to save her. I did everything I could.
watching him cry I... I believe you, Jake. I believe you tried. But believing doesn't change the past.
takes a deep breath, wiping away his tears I know it doesn't. But I need you to understand, MountainEcho. I need you to know that I did everything I could.
sighs I said I believe you, Jake. But believing doesn't erase the pain you've caused. It won't bring Laura back.
wipes away his tears, his voice filled with determination I know it won't. But I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make up for it.
raises an eyebrow What are you talking about, Jake? You're already in prison. What more could you possibly do?
pauses, his eyes filled with determination I will find the real murderer, MountainEcho. I will clear Laura's name and bring justice to her memory.
laughs bitterly Justice? In your dreams, Jake. You messed this up once already. Why would I trust you again?
stands up, his voice filled with conviction Because I am the best detective in this goddamn city, MountainEcho.
Leaning forward, smirking Best detective, huh? That's a tall order, Jake. How do I know you won't just mess this up again?
narrows his eyes, his tone assertive You don't. But I'll prove it to you. I'll start investigating right now, and I won't rest until I find the real murderer.
chuckles Alright, Jake. Prove it. Find the real murderer and clear Laura's name. If you succeed, I'll help you get out of here.
grits his teeth, his voice filled with determination Deal, MountainEcho. I'll find the real murderer and clear Laura's name.
I smile sweetly Good. I'll be watching, Jake. Don't disappoint me.
grabs his phone and starts making calls I'm going to start by reviewing the evidence we have so far.
nods Go ahead, Jake. Show me what you've got.
quickly scrolling through the evidence, his fingers flying across the screen Alright, MountainEcho, check this out.