Chapter 14

He exhaled shakily. “When I came, I found a body.”

“What?” My voice trembled in shock. “And you expect me to believe that?”

“It’s the truth, Ariel. My phone was soaked in blood. I picked it up to avoid being suspected.”

I scoffed bitterly. “Or you came to clear the evidence.”

“The body is there. Right there. If you don’t believe me.” He pointed.

Behind a curtain lay the lifeless body of a young woman. Brutally murdered. Her eyes swollen, her head bashed in, her legs broken at odd angles. Beside her was an ID card, a student card.

I slapped my hand over my mouth, fighting bile, then bolted out of the tent.

James followed. “Ariel—”

I spun around, raising the gun. “Stay back!”

“I’m not the one, Ariel. This is SK’s plan, to turn us against each other.”

My chest heaved, gun still aimed at him.

“One more word, James, and I’ll pull the trigger.”

I saw his resolve falter. He was cornered, confused, trapped.

“I have evidence,” he blurted suddenly, like something struck him.

My eyes narrowed. “What?”

“Time.”

“And what the hell does that mean?”

“When did he call you? The moment he killed her, right? Fine, check the waitress’s phone too. See when the call came. I’m sure it was after the kill, probably to frame me. That’s why I came here.”

I studied him carefully, then slipped my hand into my coat. The call had come in three hours ago.

“Push the phone toward me,” I ordered.

He slid it across the ground. Using a rag, I picked it up, never touching it directly, and checked the last call log, my gun still leveled at him.

The number was his. But the time, two hours ago.

My eyes lifted to him. He swallowed hard. “Do you trust me now?”

I watched him for a moment. Then sloppy lowered my gun.

“Cops are on their way. Wait here.” I pressed against the wall of the tent, never letting him out of my sight.

Minutes later, the police arrived. They bagged the body and took James in too, since his phone was found at the scene.

\~~~~~

The next morning, I arrived at work early. Raymond intercepted me with a smirk.

“James was cleared. He had a strong alibi,” he chuckled, returning to his desk.

I clenched my jaw and marched to Mrs. Jones’s office. James was just leaving as I entered.

“Ariel,” he called, but I ignored him, slipping past into the office.

Minutes later, I stormed out, furious. I had insisted on seeing the CCTV footage of James last night, but Mrs. Jones refused, saying the case was closed and James was innocent.

My fists tightened. James could fool them, but not me. He was hiding something.

Outside, James was still lingering by the office. I shot him a glare and walked past.

“Ariel,” he called again, but I ignored him, heading to my desk.

Just then, my phone rang. Grateful for the interruption, I answered and walked outside.

“Hello, Detective Ariel.”

Annoyed, I didn’t even check the number before picking it up. I glanced at the screen mid-call—unknown number.

“And who are you?” I asked sharply.

“No need for introductions. What matters is what I’m about to tell you.”

“You can come to the station and file a complaint. Stop calling me.”

I was about to hang up when his next words froze me.

“It’s about James.”

I stiffened.

“I have useful information.”

I smirked bitterly. “And how does that concern me?”

“It does. James lied to you yesterday.”

My brows furrowed. How the hell—

“Who the fuck are you?” I snapped.

“Meet me at the store down your street. 8 p.m.”

“How did you—”

The line went dead.

I stared at my phone in shock. He knew my name. He knew my street.

Who the hell was this guy?

Could it be SK? Or was I being stalked?

Pushing open the door, I returned to my office.

\~~~~~

Later that evening, I packed my bag to leave. James suddenly stepped in my path.

I sighed and turned toward the other exit, but he rushed to block me again.

“Ariel, please.”

I exhaled sharply. “What?”

He sighed, frustrated. “Do you still suspect me? You heard the investigation, I’m clean.”

I looked at him. “I’m just worried, James. SK could be after me.”

He leaned closer, his voice low. “Did SK say anything else?”

I hesitated, then admitted, “He said something about loving me. He insisted, and when I kept rejecting him… he pulled the trigger on the woman.”

James clenched his fists. “That psycho.” He groaned. “It’s dangerous for you to be alone.”

“I’ll be fine, James. I’m a detective,” I cut in.

He nodded reluctantly. “Just… call me if you notice anything strange. Don’t hesitate. That guy’s a lunatic.”

I gave him a faint smile.

His lips curved wider, and he leaned down, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Take care of yourself, babe,” he whispered.

I nodded and walked out.

But instead of going home, I stopped the cab at the store, the very one the unknown caller had chosen.

Three minutes had already passed. I was still standing outside the store.

Where the hell is he?

Is this some kind of joke?

I muttered under my breath, scanning the place.

Then a message popped up on my phone, drawing my attention.

I sneered after reading it and slipped the phone back into my bag. My fingers brushed against my gun, making sure it was within reach in case I needed to pull it fast.

Then I walked thirty steps, just like he said.

At the thirtieth step, I stopped. Out of nowhere, someone appeared behind me. Before I could pull my gun, I felt cold steel pressing into my waist.

“Don’t bother pulling it out.”

I groaned, shutting my eyes tightly, raising both hands in the air.

“What do you want?”

My back was against his, I couldn’t see his face.

He slipped an envelope into my bag.

“Looking forward to working with you, Mrs. Ariel.” His voice carried a grin I couldn’t see but could feel.

In a swift move, he withdrew the gun. By the time I turned, he was gone.