Forensic Imperial Concubine by Erika Black

"Marquis Pearce, do you mean to say that we should not respond to this mistake, and just make the

best of it?" asked Hollis

cautiously. He dared not make wild guesses. He could suffer serious disadvantages if he made the

wrong guess about Pearce's

intentions. What complicated the situation was that Matthew was Alexander's brother-in-law, and he

couldn't afford to offend the

prince either.

Also, he knew that Matthew was in the River City now. If Matthew knew that Alexander had been

framed, he would be in trouble

and his life might even be in danger. But Hollis sensed that Pearce obviously wanted to convict

Alexander for the murder. Thus,

the first thing Hollis needed to do was appear to be obeying Pearce's demands, and then figure out a

way to inform Matthew.

Pearce wrinkled his brows in perplexity. Hollis immediately observed his subtle reaction and felt that he

had read his mind

correctly. So Hollis said, "Sorry, I misspoke. It wasn't a mistake. Alexander is the murderer who killed

your son. He will be put to

death in two days!"

Pearce's brows wrinkled into a deep frown. He had gone so far as to come to the government office in

person. And now Hollis

insisted on the death penalty for Alexander. Had Hollis done it on purpose? Had he incited the coroner

to issue the false

judgment?

Pearce restrained his anger and asked, "Hollis, do you know you are the mayor of the River City?"

"Marquis Pearce, I know. Although I am the mayor, you are well-loved here. I will not let you suffer, nor

let your son die in vain. I

will definitely seek justice for you and punish the murderer, Alexander Chu!" Hollis thought he had read

what was in Pearce's mind. Killing Alexander to avenge his son was simple enough. If Matthew wanted

to blame him, he would simply insist that it was Pearce who pushed him to do that, and that the whole

thing had nothing to do with him. He was just a low-level local officer and could only obey the

commands of high-level officials. Taking a deep breath, Pearce couldn't contain his impatience

anymore. Then he stood up and kicked Hollis down to the floor, snarling, "Damn you! You think I am a

lousy official who has people killed regardless of law and justice, do you?" Hollis, after being kicked to

the floor, quickly got up and went on kneeling down in front of Pearce. He added anxiously, "Marquis

Pearce, I don't think that of you. Please tell me how I should deal with Alexander Chu." "Are you the

mayor or not? Why must I tell you what to do?" Pearce was so disgusted with Hollis that he felt a

headache. He used to think it was a good thing that Hollis was so spineless, but now it seemed that his

character was bound to drag him down.

"Marquis Pearce, you are my superior and of course you have the right to command me. I and all the

civilians of River City will follow your commands." Hollis hastened to flatter him.

Pearce's face turned red in anger and contempt. He snorted, "Since Alexander Chu is innocent, let him

go, you damned fool!

And I command you to find the killer of my son with no further delay. Otherwise your political career will

come to a quick end!"

Shocked, Hollis nodded quickly and said, "Yes, all right. I'll tell my men to release him right now.

Marquis Pearce, please don't

worry. I'll dedicate myself to finding the murderer.

Taking a look at Hollis, Pearce felt increasingly angry. He stormed off after ordering Hollis, "Send

Alexander Chu to Joy Inn."

"Yes, Marquis Pearce. I'll make sure that he will be sent to the Joy Inn right away." Even though Pearce

had already left with his attendants, Hollis was still kneeling on the floor. When Hollis's assistant saw

that Pearce had gone out, he whispered to him, "My Lord, Marquis Pearce has gone." Then Hollis lifted

his head and saw that there was no more trace of Pearce to be seen. He heaved a sigh of relief, forced

himself up from the floor, and kicked his assistant. "Why are you still standing there, fool? Why don't

you get Alexander out of prison and take him to the Joy Inn?"

Alexander was stunned to find himself released. When he saw people waiting outside the prison, his

eyes turned red with tears.

"Mister Alexander, let's go. I must drive you to the Joy Inn," said the assistant gently. It was not easy to

be a mayor's assistant

nowadays. He was the one who ran errands, and he was also the one who took beatings. He couldn't

share the honor and

wealth of the position, but only took the blame. What had he done wrong?

Alexander took two steps forward and said, "Sir, you don't have to send me there. The person to pick

me up is already here."

Taking a look at the carriage that was waiting at the gate, the assistant was a little worried and said,

"The mayor ordered me to

send you to the Joy Inn. If you go with others halfway and run into danger, I will be the one to pay the

price."

Alexander paid him no attention and went straight to the carriage. "Robert," he said to the man who

was driving the carriage.

Robert bowed to Alexander and said, "Mister Alexander, Her Highness is waiting for you in the

carriage. Please get in."

The assistant found that Alexander was quite familiar with the group of people. Suddenly, something

popped into his mind and

his eyes lit up. Matthew and his wife seemed to be staying in the Joy Inn.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted up and Alexander entered. The assistant saw a man in white

sitting in the carriage, and he

looked quite handsome. As soon as Alexander got in, he jumped into the arms of the man. It was

obvious that he knew and

trusted that man.

Still fearing an emergency, the assistant summoned up his courage and asked, "Excuse me, but who

are

you?"