Luke Callas; The Underworld King

The Face Of Betrayal

Luke slowly turned.

"Dead?"

"Yes, sir. He was found in his residence this morning."

For a moment, everything around Luke seemed to become distant, first his father, and now General Hayes. Two people he knew personally, both dead within hours.

"Daniel, what's happening?"

Tears welled up in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall, by his side his knuckle was already turning white.

"I don't know, sir. But there's something else."

Luke closed his eyes briefly, wishing all these was nothing but a nightmare, unfortunately it wasn't.

"Go ahead."

"The police have issued an internal notice connecting you to the general's murder."

Luke's mouth fell, the shock in his eyes could not be hidden.

"What?"

"They're looking for you, Sir."

Luke looked towards the police officers standing outside his father's residence, suddenly, several of them began moving in his direction.

"Daniel, listen carefully, all these is the handwork of someone. Someone is setting me up."

"Sir—"

"I don't know who it is yet, but don't trust anyone. Secure the company records and make copies of everything we've discovered."

"Alright, sir."

Luke ended the call.

Two officers approached him.

"Mr. Callas?"

He turned.

"Yes?"

"We need you to accompany us to the station."

"Am I under arrest?"

One of them exchanged a glance with his colleague.

"You're being taken in for questioning."

Luke looked at the two men, he could have resisted, because his military training made him more than capable of handling both officers, only that would make things even much worse.

So he slowly raised his hands, hoping surrendering will tell them something.

"Alright."

The officers stepped forward.

As they placed handcuffs around his wrists, Luke looked towards his father's house one last time.

---

10:36 A.M. — Police Headquarters.

Luke had been questioned for almost two hours, the investigators had shown him photographs of the crime scenes, financial records, and several documents supposedly recovered from his personal office.

According to their evidence, he had transferred money to an account connected to the general's murder.

They also claimed that his fingerprints had been discovered on a weapon recovered near the general's residence.

Luke denied everything, but the investigators weren't interested in his explanations, they already seemed to have made up their minds.

"Mr. Callas, you expect us to believe that someone stole your credentials, transferred millions of dollars through your company, murdered two people connected to you, and somehow managed to leave all the evidence pointing towards you?"

Detective Miller asked.

Luke leaned back, already heavily exhausted.

"Yes."

The detective shook his head.

"That's quite a coincidence and a well organized plan if you ask me."

"Then investigate it."

"We are."

"No. You're trying to make me confess to something I didn't do."

Detective Miller placed another photograph on the table, It showed Luke standing outside General Hayes's residence.

Luke stared at it.

"When was this taken?"

"Yesterday evening."

Luke almost laughed, but he held himself.

"I wasn't there, Detective."

"We have a witness who says otherwise."

"You can't be serious?"

The detective closed the folder.

"You know these is no joke, Mr. Callas."

"Tell who the person is."

"Your wife."

Luke's expression changed, for the first time since entering the interrogation room, he looked genuinely unsettled.

"Victoria?"

"Yes. Victoria Callas. Your wife."

"Bring her here."

Detective Miller said nothing.

Luke leaned forward his eyes serious.

"Bring my wife here!"

---

12:18 P.M.

The interrogation room door opened, Victoria walked inside, she wore a black dress and carried a small handbag.

Her expression was solemn, almost sorrowful, Luke immediately stood.

"Victoria."

She looked at him, neither spoke for sometime, then Luke approached her.

Victoria lowered her eyes slowly. "I'm sorry, Luke."

He frowned. "Sorry for what?"

She took a breath.

"Detective, I'll tell you everything I know."

Luke kept staring at her.

"Victoria, what are you talking about?"

She turned towards Detective Miller.

"My husband was at General Hayes's residence yesterday evening."

Luke felt his stomach tighten.

"Victoria?"

"I heard them arguing."

"That's a fucking lie, Victoria and you know it. I was with you at home yesterday."

She continued, ignoring him completely.

"He was angry. He said the general had betrayed him and that he would make him pay."

Luke shook his head. "Stop. Victoria stop these right now."

Victoria's eyes became moist. "I tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't listen."

Luke took another step towards her.

"Victoria, look at me."

She slowly turned.

"Did you see me yesterday?"

She didn't answer immediately, then she nodded.

"Yes."

Luke stared at her, he couldn't understand what he was hearing, he spent the previous night at home.

She knew that, because she had been with him.

"Victoria, you were with me yesterday evening."

She lowered her head. "I don't want to do this."

"Then don't." His voice became louder.

"For God's sake tell them the truth!"

Detective Miller stepped between them.

"That's enough, Mr. Callas."

Luke pushed his chair aside.

"She's lying damnit!"

Two officers immediately grabbed his arms.

"Calm down!" One shouted.

Luke struggled briefly before stopping himself, his eyes still remained fixed on Victoria.

"Why?"

She looked at him.

"Why are you doing this?" His face had dropped, almost broken, he couldn't understand why the woman he loved and called his wife, could do such a thing to her.

Victoria's lips trembled, but she didn't answer.

Instead, she reached into her handbag and brought out a document.

Luke's eyes widened in shock.