Year 2026

The morning of January 1, 2026, broke with a cacophony of headlines from every major news outlet, their glaring banners dominating screens across the globe not about the new year wishes but about a sensational coverage about the story that haunted all over the nation and even international level. Each channel seemed to compete for the most sensational coverage of a story that had gripped the public's imagination and stirred its deepest emotions.

On CNN, a stern-faced anchor announced, "Breaking News: Shocking developments in the case of Thomas Garrett, the adopted boy allegedly forced to undergo a gender transition by his sadistic adopted father, Harold Garrett. Last year, the gruesome details of Thomas's death in the Culture Forest and his father's subsequent punishment by hanging sent shockwaves through the nation. Today, new evidence has emerged that could change everything, a blackbox evidence showing that Harold Garrett was traveling in his car towards the Culture Forest in the time at when Thomas Garrett was shot and killed."

Over at BBC World News, the screen split into two: one half showing a serene family photograph of the Garretts, and the other half displaying a grainy black-and-white video of a car's dashboard camera. The anchor, her voice steady but with an undercurrent of urgency, reported, "Newly discovered car black box footage has surfaced, raising serious doubts about Harold Garrett's guilt. The video clearly shows that at the time police reported Thomas's death, Harold Garrett was miles away, in his car."

Fox News, not to be outdone, broadcast a heated panel discussion. The host introduced the segment with, "Ladies and gentlemen, the nation is reeling from revelations that Harold Garrett may have been wrongfully executed. This morning, a mysterious person released car black box evidence indicating Garrett's alibi at the exact time his son was killed. If true, this could be one of the most egregious miscarriages of justice in recent history."

Switching to Al Jazeera, the newscaster's grave tone mirrored the gravity of the situation. "In a tragic twist, evidence from a car's black box has surfaced, showing that Harold Garrett, who was executed last month for the murder of his adopted son, could not have committed the crime. This development has sparked a call for a thorough investigation into the original police reports and judicial proceedings that led to Garrett's hanging."

Across the channels, reporters stood outside the courthouse, where a throng of protesters had gathered, holding signs demanding justice for both Thomas and Harold Garrett. The courthouse steps, bathed in the flashing lights of police cars and news cameras, were a hub of activity.

Inside the newsroom of NBC, a correspondent explained, "For those just joining us, Harold Garrett was convicted last year of the heinous crime of forcing his adopted son, Thomas, through a gender transition process and subsequently murdering him to cover up the abuse. The body of Thomas was found in the Culture Forest, a chilling detail that added to the horror of the case. Garrett maintained his innocence until the end, but the court found the evidence overwhelming. Today's revelations, however, cast a long shadow over the integrity of that conviction."

ABC's coverage included an interview with a legal expert who dissected the implications of the new evidence. "The car black box data, if verified, provides a timestamp and GPS location, proving that Harold Garrett was not at the scene of the crime. This raises significant questions about the original investigation. How did the police miss this? Was there a rush to judgment? And most importantly, who is the real perpetrator of this atrocity?"

MSNBC ran a documentary-style segment, recounting the harrowing details of the case. As archival footage played of last year's trial and the grim announcement of Harold Garrett's execution, the voiceover intoned, "The nation was transfixed by the trial of Harold Garrett, a case that highlighted issues of child abuse, gender identity, and judicial integrity. But now, with new evidence coming to light, the narrative is shifting. The integrity of our justice system is under scrutiny as we seek to understand how this evidence was overlooked and what it means for the Garrett family and the public's trust in legal proceedings."

The news continued to unfold across all platforms, each adding its own analysis and angle. Social media erupted with hashtags demanding justice and accountability. The court of public opinion was in session, and its verdict was far from unanimous. As the day wore on, the demand for answers grew louder, and the implications of the new evidence sent ripples through the fabric of society, suggesting that the final chapter of Thomas and Harold Garrett's story was yet to be written. 

#justiceforthomas trended that day after an year exactly from the date of Thomas death day.

The nation's gaze remained fixed on the unfolding drama. Protests erupted across cities, their fervor intensifying as more people took to the streets, demanding justice for Harold Garrett and calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the judicial system. Chants of "Justice for Thomas!" and "Reform Now!" echoed through the streets, signs waved high in the air, bearing messages of anger, sorrow, and determination. The media's relentless coverage fueled the fire, keeping the public's attention sharply focused on every new development.

In response to the escalating unrest and the growing mistrust in the judicial system, the Central Intelligence Bureau (CIB) made an unprecedented move. Voluntarily, they took over the investigation, vowing to uncover the truth. The Director of the CIB, recognizing the gravity of the situation, assigned Inspector Dean Richards, a seasoned and meticulous investigator known for his unwavering commitment to justice, to lead the case.

Inspector Dean, a man in his mid twenties with a reputation for leaving no stone unturned, convened his team in a high-security briefing room at CIB headquarters. The room was equipped with state-of-the-art technology, every detail designed to facilitate the thorough and precise work that lay ahead.

"Alright team," Dean began, his voice steady and authoritative, "We have been tasked with re-investigating the Garrett case from the ground up. The integrity of our justice system is at stake, and we must approach this with absolute diligence. No errors, no oversights."

The team, a group of elite agents with varied expertise, nodded in agreement. They understood the magnitude of their mission. Among them were Agent Lisa Carter, a forensic expert with an eye for detail; Agent Michael Kim, a cybersecurity specialist; and Agent Rachel Smith, an experienced profiler.

Dean continued, "First, we need to secure and analyze the car black box footage thoroughly. Agent Kim, I want you to cross-verify the timestamps and GPS data with other traffic and surveillance cameras in the area. Ensure that there's no manipulation or tampering with the footage."

"On it," Kim responded, already typing away on his laptop, accessing databases and surveillance networks.

"Agent Carter," Dean turned to the forensic expert, "I need you to re-examine all physical evidence from the original crime scene. Let's see if there's anything that was missed or overlooked. Pay special attention to any biological samples that might have been improperly handled or misidentified."

"Will do," Carter replied, her mind already racing through the possibilities.

"Agent smith," Dean addressed the profiler, "I need a fresh psychological profile of both Thomas and Harold Garrett. We need to understand their relationship dynamics, any potential motives, and the mental state of both individuals leading up to the incident."

Singh nodded, "I'll start with interviews and background checks. We need to build a comprehensive picture."

The team dispersed, each member diving into their assigned tasks with a sense of urgency and purpose. As they worked, Inspector Dean couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this case than met the eye. He reviewed the case files meticulously, noting discrepancies and gaps in the original investigation that demanded further scrutiny.

Days turned into nights as the team worked tirelessly. Agent Kim, after hours of painstaking cross-referencing, confirmed that the black box footage was genuine. "The timestamps and GPS data match perfectly with the city's traffic surveillance. There's no sign of tampering." Agent Carter reported back with a critical finding. "During my re-examination, I discovered trace amounts of DNA that were not identified in the original investigation. It doesn't match either Thomas or Harold. We need to run it through the database."

Meanwhile, Agent Smith's profiling painted a more complex picture of the Garrett household. "From the interviews and background checks, it's clear that there were tensions, but there's no concrete evidence pointing to Harold as abusive. In fact, several acquaintances described him as protective, almost overly so."

Inspector Dean synthesized the findings, the pieces of the puzzle beginning to align differently than before. "We have new DNA evidence, a confirmed alibi for Harold, and a deeper understanding of the family dynamics. This points to the possibility of another suspect, someone close enough to the family to be involved."

As the investigation progressed, the nation watched with bated breath. The initial shock and anger began to give way to a collective hope that the truth would finally emerge. The CIB's involvement had injected a new sense of credibility and rigor into the case, and Inspector Dean and his team were determined not to let the nation down.