Epilogue

He slammed Nico's head on his desk, making the detective gasp for air. When Nico looked into Cassio's eyes, it was as if he was staring into the eyes of a demon. The intestines are merciless and obstructive. The man had cold and lifeless eyes, and that was enough to make a chill run down Nico's spin. Gradually, he felt fear of this creature.

It choked him.

Nico could barely breathe.

"Your passion will soon poison you, detective. You'll be like me too. You will fucking hate the people you protect, and I'll sell my soul to the devil to witness your downfall! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Nico could hardly breathe with the intensity of the stranglehold on him. His body is losing oxygen and he can't fight back. He tried to struggle, but the Heartless Killer was just stronger.

'I can't die!'

The drawer of his desk was weak and trembling. He finally grabbed the object and thrusted it at Cassio Salvador's face. "TANGINA! ARGH!" Cassio cried out in pain at what Nico had done, blood dripping from his eyes. Nico stared weakly at the pencil he was holding and forced a smile.

"In times of need, a pencil can be as deadly as a knife."

Detective Nico Yukishito weakly gasped for air, his lungs expanding with oxygen. Panting and tired he turned to the serial killer who was now raging with anger and pain. Blood dripped down his face. It almost seemed like his one eye was crying bloody tears.

Nico threw the bloody pencil and smiled softly at Heartless Killer.

"Go to hell, you heartless devil."

Cassio Salvador roared in anger. Even before Nico could move, he quickly picked up the gun and aimed it at him. Detective Nico Yukishito's eyes widened as he pulled the trigger. Her body grew cold.

BANG!

Nico frowned. Instead of being hit by the bullet, he realized that Uncle X was blocking in front of him.

"U-Uncle ...?"

Xavier turned and gave his nephew a small smile, his shoulder bleeding. In a flash, Xavier Alcantara rushed the Heartless Killer and violently pushed him against the glass wall of the office. "GAAAAAAAH!" Xavier's shout echoed, and the noise of the destruction of the large mirror. He included in the plunge down the serial killer and former friend.

"UNCLE!"

The impact was enough to send both men crashing out the window. Pieces of glass were scattered in Nico's office, and he almost stiffened in his stance when he heard the body fall to his chin.

They are on the 17th floor of the building.

And no one can survive a fall that high.

'Shit. No ... '

Nova approached him immediately. Weakening, they both went to the shattered glass. A hundred feet above the ground, Nico can see the police lights flashing below, and the cool breeze that accompanied the night air. Nico took a deep breath, clenched his fists and closed his eyes.

'This is my fault ... Bullshit! N-I failed again, Uncle X. '

"Nico?"

"...."

"Nico!"

"...."

"Damn it, Nico! Help me here! Your uncle isn't easy ha!"

'Huh?' Detective Nico Yukishito immediately opened his eyes and observed what Nova was doing. He was stunned to see the girl helping a man get up from its contact with the glass of the building --- Wait! "U-Uncle X ?! You're wearing Spiderman gloves!"

He helped his uncle up and back inside the office. He still couldn't believe it. He was wearing Spiderman gloves so he was glued to the windowpane, instead of constantly falling!

Xavier Alcantara smiled, "You're not the only smart guy in this story, Nico. Have you forgotten that I used to be a secret agent too?" But it also immediately cried out and was grabbed by his bleeding shoulder.

Nonetheless, Detective Nico Yukishito smirked. It was as if a thorn had been pulled out of his chest! "I'm glad your safe, uncle."

Xavier smiled sparingly and peeked below. He frowned when he saw the scene. Cassio Salvador's body hit the roof of a police car. His head bursted and his body twisted in an awkward angle.

It's over.

Xavier Alcantara took a deep breath and turned to his nephew, "The reason I had to hide back then was ----"

"Because you're receiving death threats from Cassio," Nico nodded, "I figured that out, uncle. I know everything."

A sad smile flashed on Xavier's lips.

"Do you know why Gwen met me before Cassio killed her then?"

Nico and Nova looked at each other, both confused. Then, Xavier Alcantara answered them, "Gwen met me then because she wanted to end our relationship. Gwen clarified to me that she was going to be resurrected for Cassio --- because she really loves him. Cassio didn't 't know that Gwen broke my heart that night .. He didn't know that she loved him with all her heart, too. Moreover, Cassio Salvador didn't know that his wife, Gwendolyn, was pregnant with his child. "

Nico's eyes widened at the realization. "I-I mean ..."

Xavier nodded, "... the night he killed Gwen, he had also killed their unborn child."

---

S U N D A Y

---

Night Raven's Park

9:15 a.m.

"Sister, your boyfriend?"

Little Nirvana tugged at her elder sister's sleeves once again. She was holding her vanilla ice cream cone as she peeked at the man next to her Ate Nova. It was a fair day in the park, and you wouldn't think there were serial killings last week.

On the other hand, Nova glared at her little sister. Earlier he was really ashamed of what he was doing ---- 'Gosh! When did I learn to be ashamed of a man ?! ' The pink-haired girl shook her head and smiled at Nirvana. "No. So stop bugging me if he's my boyfriend. He's just my partner."

Nirvana messily ate her ice cream. She blinked at her sister. "Isn't it the same? Ayieee! He's not your boyfriend, sister! You're a girl!"

Nova's cheeks blushed at the brother's teasing. Even before he could say it, Nirvana ran towards Nico's side of the bench.

"Brother chinito! I'm whispering to you!"

"Really? Does this have something to do with your sister who looks like a tomato again?"

The boy laughed, "Yes, Kuya chinito!"

Nico smiled angelically and let Nirvana whisper to him. The little girl whispered and giggled. Nova shot a sharp look at the two. He frowned as he ate his strawberry ice cream.

When Nirvana finished what she was saying to Nico, she giggled and ran off to the playgrounds. When Nirvana left, Nova immediately pinched Nico's arm.

"Aray! What was that for ?! Tsk." Nico frowned at her.

"What did Nirvana say to you? Oh! That boy is really reprehensible!"

Nico grinned and brought his face closer to Nova's. The girl was speechless and seemed to be having difficulty breathing. Her heart pounded wildly when Nico's dimples showed, a boyish smile that can make any girl swoon over the young detective. Their eyes met, and Nova felt her brain go blank.

Nico whispered, "He told me to crush me."

Nova's heart almost went crazy. He swallowed and avoided looking at his arrogant and irritated partner, "H-That's not true! Why would I have a crush on an air-headed emo like you? Gosh! I don't have time for that."

"Stop being defensive, Ms. Carlos. You're noticeable."

"A-What's defensive ?! Damn you! Shut up, okay ?! I don't have a crush on you!"

With the strength of Nova's voice, other people looked at them. Detective Nico Yukishito chuckled at her behavior and winked, "Fine. You DON'T have a crush on me. You said so." But its tone obviously suggests otherwise.

Detective Briannova Carlos just sighed. "Thank you for joining us Nirvana. I never thought high-ranking emos like you have time for ice cream --- at all! No offense."

Nico shrugged and stared at the chocolate-flavored ice cream he was holding. He frowned. 'Why couldn't they make a black coffee flavored one? I will be even happier. '

"Well, the greatest detective of Eastwood also needs a break sometimes."

Nova nodded and watched the children play. His arm is still sling, but it is in better condition than yesterday. "The Heartless Killer case lasted a week. It's amazing how much can happen over a week's time."

Nico nodded, and stared at his hand still bandaged. The gunshot wound he got from Neilson will take time to heal. But it will definitely leave a mark as well.

"Chiefs saw Gwendolyn's heart in the passenger's seat of Cassio's car. It was well-preserved in a jar."

"That's a little less crazy. I hope it's more creepy."

"The jar in which he put Gwen's heart had a drawing of a smiley face. They also saw a roll of money inside. There was a note inside that jar, Cassio instructed him to use the money to bury him next to his wife. . "

"Err .. Okay, that is just plain crazy."

Nico smiled and closed his eyes. He deserves some rest, too. "I think Cassio was just a victim too. He only did that because he loved Gwen so much. He was a victim of his own passion. Slowly, it poisoned him and made him into a remarkable serial killer."

Nova nodded. "We can all be poisoned by passion sometimes."

A few moments of silence prevailed between the two detectives. It was comfortable. Who would have thought that they would ever get along? Well, not entirely, that is. They still have their constant arguments, but this time ... Detective Nicodemus Yukishito and Detective Briannova Carlos learned to trust each other. They've learned to set aside their differences --- even if they come from different and rival companies.

When because of the Heartless Killer case, their paths meet.

Gradually, the two of them are gaining a foundation. Nova smiled at the thought. "So, I guess that's a closed case. Do you think the two of us will still be combined in another case?"

Nico smirked, his eyes still closed as he leaned on the bench.

"I have a feeling that our cases together have only just begun. This is just the beginning of our criminal adventures, Nova. Expect more of it, because the best mysteries have the worst twists."

Nova nodded. "This is just a temporary goodbye, then? All right .. Umm .. See you next time?" Nova stood up. They had to leave Nirvana. They will have a family reunion later.

Nico didn't even open his eyes when he answered.

"See you next crime, partner."

Nova felt her heart flutter. He was unaware of what happened next. She bent down and kissed Nico's cheek. "See you next crime, partner." And he walked away.

Moments later, Nico opened his eyes. He touched his cheek and smiled.

"She's tea. I'm coffee."

'We have our differences, but I think that doesn't matter anymore.'

--- END OF BOOK ONE ---