Chapter 10, The Understanding Warden

"But what do we have to talk about?" Veronica relaxed a little.

"Are you trying to set up a blind date with a death row inmate?" Veronica understood his joke and smiled faintly.

The isolation room is meant to be monitored; if an inmate were to commit suicide by crashing into the walls, it would be a serious matter, " Aiden replied softly

The confinement chamber of the Rose Iron Prison is a small room with an area of less than 3 square meters. The only facilities are a squat toilet and a basin filled with water, with no bed board provided. Inmates can only lie on the floor next to the squat toilet and cover themselves with a blanket to sleep. The room has no windows and can only communicate with the outside world through a food delivery slot in the iron door and a small barred opening above it.

To be honest, you really have no intention of killing?

The establishment of psychological correction positions is also something Aiden learned from his past life experiences. Before he became the warden, he had already implemented this initiative. The prison system in this world is still relatively rudimentary; although there are psychologists in the outside world, no one has ever thought to pay attention to the psychological issues of criminals.

"Indeed, they were selling counterfeit liquor at their store, so I apprehended the owner. Then the family members came to the police station to cause a scene, which is quite common. " Veronica recounted calmly, "That person cursed at me a few times and even tried to obstruct my work. I was actually prepared to detain her as well, but my colleague stopped me."

I speak nothing but the truth, whether you believe it or not

What did you say?" Veronica suddenly perked up her ears

What exactly do you want to do? she asked through the iron gate

No, I mean, do you really not understand what is going on? If you didn't kill the person, then there is clearly only one possibility left

Just open it and you will know

"At the very least, change to a female guard. You're sitting here, how am I supposed to go to the bathroom?" Veronica shot him a fierce glare.

You..." Veronica paused for a moment, "Are you willing to believe that I have been wronged?"

Inmates placed in solitary confinement are confined to a space of less than 3 square meters for all their basic needs, making each day feel like a year in the true sense. Compared to this, a regular cell can almost be considered a paradise, which is why prisons use solitary confinement as a punitive measure against inmates who violate discipline

It is exactly twelve thirty," Veronica replied immediately

"What are you doing sitting here?" Veronica stood in front of the iron gate, frowning as she stared at him

Veronica replied irritably, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with Aiden's sudden doubts

Well, then... Aiden felt a bit awkward for a moment and quickly steered the conversation back on track, "When did you return the service pistol that day?"

The victim was attacked at 12:20, which is why you are under suspicion. Aiden nodded, "The crime scene is within your patrol area, isn't it? Were you not nearby at the time of the incident"

Veronica opened the oil paper bag with suspicion, and a rush of steam carrying a strong aroma burst forth, revealing several pieces of roasted chicken wings and drumsticks wrapped in grease

Finally, Veronica spoke up: "If you ask me like that, I really don't know what to say. If I had killed someone, I would certainly have a lot to confess. But the truth is, I did not kill anyone. That day, I was patrolling as usual, went home after work as usual, and then the next day, I was inexplicably arrested"

"I see that the case file states that on the morning of the incident, you had a conflict with the victim. Is that true?" Aiden straightforwardly asked in order.

Are you serious?" Aiden suddenly frowned.

Veronica remained silent for a very long time, to the extent that Aiden began to doubt whether she had fallen asleep.

Then tell me how you were wronged Aiden seamlessly continued with the book

"I am not joking with you; I have established positions for providing psychological counseling to inmates in this prison," Aiden said in a serious tone. "Occasionally, I also have face-to-face conversations with the inmates, acting as a confidant warden."

"Mental health? What the hell?" Veronica said with a look of suspicion

However, Veronica let out a cold laugh: "Ha, if just a single sentence could warrant a death sentence, then I should have started killing at the age of eight and continued until now. Warden, you are a normal person; you probably cannot comprehend what it feels like to be inherently different from others. I have been in the mounted police for nearly six years, and while there are those who merely occupy positions without contributing, as well as scoundrels who take advantage of their roles, I believe I have been quite dedicated in my duties, even without comparing myself to them. Yet, despite this, every month, anonymous letters from the public are sent to the police department, suggesting that my superiors should dismiss me, with the sole reason being that I am a werewolf. Some of those letters contain insults that are even harsher than this." I have been in the mounted police for nearly six years, and while there are those who merely occupy positions without contributing, as well as scoundrels who take advantage of their roles, I believe I have been quite dedicated in my duties, even without comparing myself to them. Yet, despite this, every month, anonymous letters from the public are sent to the police department, suggesting that my superiors should dismiss me, with the sole reason being that I am a werewolf. Some of those letters contain insults that are even harsher than this.

"Don't worry, I'll just chat for a bit and then leave," Aiden said as he placed an oil paper bag at the delivery point. "Do you want to eat?"

Putting oneself in another's shoes, Aiden himself also felt that it was impossible not to be affected after hearing such excessive words

"How is that possible?" Aiden answered without hesitation, "This place is a prison, filled with thieves, robbers, and fraudsters... as well as murderers. I cannot say that there are absolutely no good people here in the true sense, but they are indeed few and far between. Very few criminals have seriously confronted their own guilt; each one believes they have been wronged. It is a grave mistake for those of us in this line of work to easily trust criminals."

Veronica hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she still put the oiled paper bag away and turned to sit down with her back against the iron gate

I merely wanted to have a few words with you; attending to the psychological well-being of inmates is also part of the warden's responsibilities

Yet she restrained herself, watching Aiden warily: "There is no such thing as a free gift; you haven't slipped me any strange drugs, have you"

Although I do not currently believe you, I am willing to listen to what you have to say. Aiden said calmly as he leaned back in his chair, I have reviewed your case file, and there are indeed some aspects that are difficult to explain

"Spare me, I don't want to lose my job yet," Aiden scoffed with a smile, "The things are here, eat them if you want."

"Then why are you still asking me?" Veronica's gaze dimmed.

Veronica instinctively swallowed, as the aroma of oil, spices, and honey roasted by the fire was particularly enticing in the depths of the night

However, the investigation team ultimately concluded that you quietly went to that tavern to kill m.hetushu.com.com while on patrol, as there was one less bullet in the sidearm you left in the armory. Aiden mentioned the most crucial piece of evidence

... ...

There are many, such as the interests and hobbies of you and me, as well as annual income and so on

"I did not kill anyone." The smile instantly vanished from Veronica's face, and her voice followed suit, growing somber.

Due to the events of that morning, I was reassigned to patrol in a different jurisdiction that evening, as my superiors were concerned that I might encounter a dispute while passing by that tavern

Aiden personally brought Veronica into the confinement room and closed the iron door, then went out to move a chair and sat down at the entrance

Then let us discuss your thought process regarding the act of murder

I cannot recall the other details, but the most offensive insult directed at me was that I was a bastard born from a prostitute and a wild dog

How did she insult you

What is this? Veronica did not reach for it immediately, but she could already smell the fragrance emanating from the oiled paper bag—werewolves have noses that are far more sensitive than those of ordinary people

If what you say is true, then it is certainly the person in charge of the storage vault who has committed perjury to frame you

"To be honest, I don't know what happened either..." Veronica lowered her eyes, "That day, I simply returned the sidearm as usual. I even checked it before taking it for patrol, and during that time, I did not fire the weapon at all"