The Imposter Bride (Natalia and Magnus) novel Chapter 411

The chief waggled his finger with smug certainty. "No can do, we can hold suspects for up to forty-eight hours by law, and I'm pretty sure we'll have enough to pin this guy by then."

Natalie bit her lower lip in frustration. "You're just making this difficult on purpose because you don't want us to bail him out."

"Don't worry, I've got a trick up my sleeve," said Magnus, giving Natalie's shoulder a reassuring pat before he strode out of the chief's office and dialed up a local Hawaiian politician.

Before long, the chief's desk phone rang. He answered with a cocky tone that quickly turned into groveling, "What? Release the suspect? Yes, sir, we don't have solid evidence yet... Yes, we'll release him immediately!"

Whatever was said on the other end had the chief hanging up with a sour expression.

Magnus walked back in, his voice cold as he asked, "Can I bail out Hector now?"

The chief's face bloomed into a forced smile, nodding excessively. "Of course, of course. The commissioner has spoken. No problem at all."

Natalie's eyes widened in shock, unable to comprehend the chief's sudden change of heart. Magnus seemed unsurprised, as if everything was going according to plan. "Then let's get the paperwork started."

"Right away, right away," the chief said, leading Magnus and Natalie towards the interrogation rooms. "Follow me, I'll take care of the release forms for you."

Magnus kept a stoic face as they walked, supporting Natalie by the elbow.

Entering the interrogation room, the chief spoke briefly to the officers inside, then stepped out to tell Magnus, "Rest assured, the paperwork will be done shortly; we'll have him out in no time."

With his hands in his pockets, Magnus leaned against the door frame, waiting. Natalie paced the hallway, visibly anxious for the door to swing open.

Finally, the door creaked, and Hector, handcuffed, was escorted out. He looked pale and distraught, having been interrogated under harsh lights since his hasty arrest the previous night.

Seeing Hector, Natalie rushed over, examining him from head to toe. "Hector, how's your wound? Did they do anything to you?"

The chief huffed, "Miss, that's quite the accusation. As if we'd resort to torture."

Natalie, realizing they were still in the police station, bit back further comment and turned to Hector. "Your leg still hurts, doesn't it? Lean on me; let's get you home."

"I've got him," Magnus suddenly interjected, taking Hector from Natalie.