Chapter 24

BANG!

Nova's mouth dropped open when the gunman suddenly fell down. Now, real blood was flowing from his shoulder. Neilson complained of pain and let go of the gun he was holding. When Nova looked at the man behind her --- the man who saved them --- she was even more surprised to see Lelouch there.

His own pistol glimmered under the faint moonlight.

"I figured you needed my help."

"P-How did you find out?"

Lelouch averted his eyes. "I followed you. I don't trust that partner of yours." And it walked away. At the same time, police suddenly arrived and arrested the wounded gunman.

Inspector Ortega glanced at the mess and shook his head, "You're really ruining our public image."

Nova glared when they didn't even bother checking up on Nico. But before he could speak, his companion preceded him.

"Late as always. Stupid police."

Nova's eyes widened, shocked when Nico sat up and smiled at her. His dimples showed off, and that boyish smirk never left his face. The girl just stared. "B-But how ...? He shot you earlier! Didn't you even get hurt ?!"

'And I just wasted my concern for you!'

"I'm always prepared for these kind of things. If you'll notice, I'm now wearing the latest technology imported by DEATH. A bullet-proof tuxedo." At the same time it teaches clothes. Nova noticed that the bullet didn't even scratched the material! But if he was wearing a bullet-proof tuxedo and he wasn't even hurt ...

"What was your drama before ?!"

Detective Nico Yukishito was already bandaging his hand when he spoke. The young man didn't even look at him, "You're not the only one with superb acting skills, Nova. I'm a fine actor myself. Sorry to worry you." And it winked at him.

"W-Who the heck said I was worried ?!"

"Stop being defensive. Up to this point, will we still quarrel?"

"Gosh! You're really annoying."

"Thank you."

The two detectives stood and watched Inspector Ortega take care of the mess. Nova frowned. "If Lelouch hadn't come earlier, we might have stayed overnight."

Nico's expression was serious. It turned on the gunman already being held by the authorities. "I had to keep quiet before. We had to let him speak. I've recorded what he said ... a demon ordered him to do it, and from the looks of it, we're a step closer to the truth. " Simultaneously pocket mini-recorder that he had earlier held.

Nova nodded. Sometimes really, he doesn't understand his partner. But she was willing to take risks. He's a professional in this field --- crime is Nico's passion.

"Is Lelouch still our suspect?"

As if on cue, Nico's ringtone ruined the mood. He answered the call quickly and frowned. It was Scorpio.

"Nicodemus, the bloodstain of the polo shirt did not match the blood of the victims. In fact, it was only animal blood, possibly from a reptile species."

'What in the name of Sherlock's grave ?!'

Nico clenched his hand, even though it still hurt from the bullet penetration. 'Damn it,' he mentally cursed as a few wisps of memories resurfaced. He remembered Atty. Lelouch. Why did he just now notice that he had a wound on the side of his tail? And from the looks of it, it looks like the lawyer treated the python. Probably injured because it "always breaks stuff" as Lelouch said when he saw it.

It all makes sense. Nico sighed.

"Thank you, Scorpio."

"Are you all right, Nicodemus?"

Nico gave a weak smile, even though the old forensic scientist couldn't see him. "Yup. I just need to confirm something. I'll call you again tomorrow. Good night." And it turned off the call.

Nico turned to Nova. Her face was painted with curiosity. "What did you say?"

Nico nodded. "Lelouch isn't the Heartless Killer ... and I feel like it's also not a copycat crime like we think."

"How can you tell?"

"Instincts."

Nova frowned at this. "You told me earlier that a detective shouldn't rely on his instincts."

Nico grinned and took the white envelope pocketed inside his tuxedo. He carefully opened the envelope and took the letter inside. He momentarily glanced at Nova, a grave expression on his face. "Like I told you before, I have a strong suspicion of our previous suspect. The man who killed his wife then and fled the mental hospital. I have a strong suspicion that he himself paid the gunman to attack us. Possibly he was just turning us around to do so." We will not suspect him. If my instincts are right, then this letter is our key to confirm it. "

And they read the contents of the letter together. There, printed in black letters, words were organized into a poem:

Poor, pretty Gwendolyn,

rotten underground

She cannot break the silence,

no trace, no sound.

She wasn't good with names

nor with their number

for she never liked the way

I am obsessed with order.

Keep quiet, detectives

Gwen can still see me.

She is the heartless killer,

who caused my insanity.

-H.K.

Nova sighed at what she read. Fear was evident in her expression, "G-Gwendolyn? H-Aren't you the ..."

"... Cassio Salvador's wife. The wife she burned alive. A crime of passion." Nico nodded. His eyes narrowed at the piece of twisted poetry.

"But why 'she is the heartless killer'?"

"In the files I read of Cassio, he lost his sanity when his wife died. After he saw Gwen's body turned into ashes and bones, he lost his sanity. But the problem is, he still blames her for everything."

"Do you think it has anything to do with his choice of victims?" Nova asked, clearly disturbed by this new theory.

"I think he's killing women like Gwendolyn; women who cheat and cheat on relationships. We need to do a background check on our victims, just to make sure." Nico returned the letter in the white envelope. His mind is running wild with possibilities again. When his eyes widened at Nova, he caught her deep in thought.

"He's playing with us, isn't he? He's planning something, so he's prolonging our investigation."

"Well, he's a psychopath and an intelligent person-a bad combination for any serial killer. I don't know how he can hide from authority without showing or leaving evidence, but only one is sure so far ..." Nico took in a deep breath and met Nova's eyes.

How the killer had successfully orchestrated this bloody string of serial killings --- is a mystery they will soon figure out.

"... Cassio Salvador is the Heartless Killer. It looks like he's about to introduce himself to us."

---

Neilson Tolentino took a deep breath. He tried to struggle with the handcuffs that bound him. His wrists were already bruising with the metallic pressure and the gunshot wound on his shoulder felt like shit. 'How do I get into situations like this?' he pondered as the police escorted him out of the event hall.

He didn't even look at the two detectives. He was just thankful and only got a wound on his shoulder. If anything, he was surprised he's still alive. He did everything he commanded. He even delivered the letter the Heartless Killer told him to --- even though, he himself didn't know what was written inside 'non.

That's probably what Neilson was wondering about. He was given orders to trap and kill the detectives. But why did he give a letter to Detective Yukishito first?

'I really don't understand what that man's plan is.'

He looked around. Gradually, the visitors returned home while some uniformed policemen took care of the disturbance. Neilson was harshly pushed outside, almost stumbling on his feet. Moments later, he was confronted by the chief of the Heraldic Eastwood Local Police Department, Chief Inspector Placido Ortega.

The stout man frowned at him.

"Thank you that Atty. Lelouch just shot you in the shoulder. You'll be treated back at the headquarters, then we'll have the interrogation. If you don't want to and you want to, you'll answer our questions."

Neilson was speechless. He doesn't like this man. In the news reports he watches on TV, Inspector Ortega always mentions the good things the police did --- not the bad things they did. No wonder he needed the help of two of Eastwood's greatest detectives.

"Gesture! Slow down. Tsk." And a policeman stabbed him. The gunman complained of pain especially when they touched his broken hand. 'Damn that detective!' HK wasn't joking when he said it would be hard for him to knock that one out. Detective Nico Yukishito really deserves his title.

The dazzling lights of the police cars waiting for him shone on them. Blue and red siren lights flashing in the dark. A rowdy policeman opened the door for him and violently pushed him inside.

"That's what suits Eastwood plagues like you! Hahaha!" The police officer said. But just as it was about to enter the car, the door automatically slammed shut in the officer's face. In the blink of an eye, the car pulled up and left his police escorts. Neilson was shocked by the events.

"W-What ...?"

When his eyes went outside, he saw that the police officers left behind were confused and confused by what had happened. He couldn't make out their expressions as the car drove away, farther into the streets.

'What the heck?'

A cold and baritone voice broke the silence that enveloped the interior of the vehicle.

"You delivered the note, and yet you failed to kill them."

'Shit!' Neilson turned angrily to the driver. The driver had his cold eyes fixated upon the road. He was wearing civilian clothes and had a tight grip on the steering wheel. Neilson Tolentino felt a chill run down his spine as the man's eyes stared at him through the rearview mirror.

The Heartless Killer.

"You know that would be the price of a mistake, don't you, Neilson?"

His voice sounded calm, laced with poison. Neilson's hands were already shaking with fear. Damn, who wouldn't be scared of this demon ?!

"P-Please, I-I didn't know that the lawyer would follow them! I-I managed to shoot D-Detective Yukishito! Have mercy on me!" Her voice broke in pleading. His breaths came in shallow patterns. Sweat dripped from his forehead.

Fear.

That is exactly how Neilson Tolentino feels today at the hands of this murderer.

The vehicle stopped opposite the dumpsite. Even before Neilson could speak, he already felt a knife thrust into his chest.

Heartless Killer pushed it fast. In a fraction of a second, the man expertly twisted from his position in the driver's seat and repeatedly stabbed the gunman.

"T-THAT'S RIGHT! HAVE PITY ---!"

Blood gushed from Neilson's mouth. Her white dress turned red.

Heartless Killer repeatedly stabs him.

"DIE, YOU USELESS BASTARD! DIE! DIE! DIE! HAHAHAHA! SAYANG ANG BAYAD KO SA'YO! HAHAHA!"

Neilson could feel every thrust of the knife on his body. Gradually her heart stopped beating. Warm blood splattered in the back seat, as he can feel his body go numb. Now he knows the feeling of being killed.

'Daisies.'

That was the last thing Neilson thought before the bloody knife stabbed between his eyes. The darkness has completely swallowed him ...

And there, in the backseat of a car, Neilson Tolentino atoned for his sins --- and died in a pool of blood.

*

'Useless.'

That's all Heartless Killer thought after he dumped the body of his rented gunman in the dumpsite. Fortunately, this place is secluded.

"Nonsense. I just wasted money on him."

He took a deep breath and shook the dress. He cleaned his knife and sliced ​​off the cords of the fake police lights ontop of his car. 'Those idiotic police officers didn't even notice it,' he comforted his mind. It was really good and he planned it all. He had a strong suspicion that Neilson would fail to kill the detectives, so he prepared to evacuate him.

It's hard and it might even gossip to the police.

The Heartless Killer of Eastwood made sure that wouldn't happen. No loose ends. Not until he gets his revenge, that is.

"Now, for the finale."

Heartless Killer returned to the driver's seat and picked up the folder in the adjacent seat. He previewed the profile of his next victim. A demonic glint in his eyes as he stared at her picture.

"Poor slut. Just now, confess. You're my last masterpiece, Feralda."

---