Chapter 13

Special Agent Briannova Carlos just frowned as Nico drove the vehicle. From the corner of her eye, she can see the triumphant look on his face. 'Sly detective! If he thinks he can charm his way with me in this case, then he better think again! ' He sighed in his mind. Oh, how will they ever get along?

"Remind me to punch you the next time you smile at me like that," he said annoyed as he watched the passing mansions in Eastwood Heights.

"Why should I remind you if I'm the one who's aggrieved? Very unprofessional, Ms. Carlos."

'Very unprofessional ?! Gosh! Can HK be targeted with a 'to ?!'

Nova took in a deep breath and tied her long pink hair up in a ponytail. They are close to Lelouch's mansion. He tries to put aside what he feels. Is he nervous because they will be trespassing or is there some other reason?

Nova pushed all those irrelevant thoughts aside and hoped that the young attorney wasn't home. The work would have been easier.

But when will fate agree with Nova?

Nico parked the car, a few meters away from the mansion. He frowned when he saw the garage inside a white Mercedes-Benz. "Damn Sherlock. It looks like the devil just got home."

Nova's eyes widened. "We don't know if he's really the serial killer. It's not a good idea."

Nico looked at him reluctantly as if he was losing his mind, "Then what else do you suggest? If we can't get any evidence that San Andres is the Heartless Killer, the investigation will have no destination. Are you gonna wait until we find another one. victim with her heart ripped out? " He may look calm and composed, but Nova can see impatience in his eyes.

It was crazy. He's crazy!

'But he does have a point,' the girl sighed and silently got out of the car. "Let's go."

He immediately grabbed Nico's arm, "We have to do this discreetly. One of us will need to distract him while the other looks for evidence."

"I know. And I also know that I'm the bait you're going to use. Am I right?"

The young detective sighed, "If you're going to disguise yourself now as a client of Atty. San Andres, you'll be able to distract him while I'm gathering evidence. You're the expert with disguises, after all." It says it seriously.

"Fine. Tara na." Because can Nova do anything else?

The companion frowned, "Aren't you gonna transform into someone else or wear a disguise to distract him? He might face you."

This time, it was her turn to smirk. "Believe me, detective. I don't need a disguise in this situation." And he let go of Nico's hold on him.

Detective Briannova Carlos walked with confidence, even though her heart is pounding nervously in her chest. 'Grace under pressure, Brian! You can do it, 'he encouraged himself before ringing the doorbell on the large gates of the mansion.

'I can't believe I'm doing this!'

After a while, their assistant appeared to Nova. The elderly woman smiled at her, "Ms. Brian, it's you! It's been a long time since you last visited here." It was a happy greeting to him. The pink-haired detective smiled sweetly, "Man, is Lelouch there? I just wanted to say hello to him."

The maid's eyes were mixed with shock and teasing, "Oh, Ms. Brian! Exactly. She just came home."

"Where is he from?"

"I don't know either. I think I talked to a client earlier. Come in," and he opened the gate for her. The maid grinned teasingly as Nova stepped inside the area. She wasn't really comfortable in this situation and she knew Nico was probably confused at how she managed to get in so easily.

Yup. She has an advantage.

He took a deep breath. 'I hope the situation doesn't get complicated.' She momentarily glanced over her shoulder and caught a glimpse of Nico walking around the perimeter. Fortunately, there are no CCTV cameras here!

"Sir Lelouch? You have a visitor!"

Manang called as Nova sat down on a couch. Now he just stared intently at the living room. Although she had just been here yesterday (during the interview with Vincent Antonio), Nova never had a chance to study the living room as a whole. He smiled when he saw that almost nothing had changed here, even though Lelouch had been missing from the country for several months.

'Sasha is taking good care of their home.' Nova thanked the heavens that Lelouch's sister isn't here. Otherwise, his task might have become even more complicated.

'And how long will Nico take to gather evidence?'

She forced herself to remain calm despite the anxiety crawling up her chest.

"Brian?"

Nova looked up. There, she saw none other than the famous district attorney, a shy smile on his lips. Her hair was messy and wet as if she had just taken a shower. Nova noticed him wearing his favorite white polo shirt again, buttons undone. He was swallowed. 'Get a hold of yourself, Brian!'

Lelouch sat across from him. "It's good that you thought of visiting. I was worried you didn't miss me."

He forced a smile, "Of course I missed you! How is your life in New York?"

Atty. Lelouch San Andres gave her that warm and heart-stopping smile again. The same one that constantly haunted her in her dreams. 'I really don't want to believe he's the Heartless Killer! How can anyone so sweet be a cruel monster? '

Nova was shocked when the young man gently reached for her hand and held it tightly. The sincerity never left his eyes, "My life in New York was terrible and lonely. Not a day goes by that you don't cross my mind, Briannova Carlos. Anywhere feels like hell without you by my side ..."

Nova was stunned by what it said. And even before he could avert his gaze, his eyes hit the small wound on the lawyer's left cheek.

---

In the few years that Nico has been a detective, the mystery of how Nova got through the gate so quickly will remain in his mind. 'It seems like she knows him more personally than I thought she did,' he thought as he watched the maid close the gate.

He yawned reluctantly, "Bisaya, 41 years old, has two children, he's teasing my roommate with his boss, and he had just finished doing laundry when Nova arrived." Detective Nico Yukishito shrugged and pocketed his hands. Looks like it's time to use his hidden skills in climbing houses. He grinned at the thought. 'If you thought you could handle me, attorney. You are mistaken.'

He was stunned when his cellphone rang. When he looked at the caller ID, he lost his appetite even more when he saw his uncle calling again --- the CEO of DEATH. It seems that it makes him carve more often.

"Damn Sherlock. How many times do I have to tell them that I don't take calls from anyone while I'm working on an important case ?!"

And he threw in where his phone was. Where it fell, he no longer knew. He can't afford any distractions.

Nico narrowed his eyes, rolled up his sleeves and glanced left and right. Making sure no one was watching him, Nico quickly calculated the distance of a trash can and the height of the wall. It was a 20-feet climb, like a fortress separating the San Adres mansion from the other houses. The young detective took a deep breath and took something out of his pocket.

A pair of black gloves.

'But these aren't ordinary gloves, of course.'

Nico smirked and wore the gloves. He pressed a small button on the side of the gloves and quickly ran towards the wall. The trash can rattled under his shoes. He used the trash can to launch himself in the air, his dark locks gracefully swayed by the motion.

When his palms rested on the wall, Nico smiled as the gloves quickly clung to it --- or the "Spiderman gloves" as he likes to call them.

Yes, Nico is now climbing up the giant wall like Spiderman himself. Using specialized gloves that source thousands of suction holes in its design, he was able to cling to the brick wall.

'If only house-climbers were used like this, I would probably have more interesting cases to handle.'

He effortlessly reached the height of the wall and sat on the security fench. He smirked, "There are only two things I love in life: a steaming cup of coffee and awesome technology." He slowly climbed down the other side of the wall, slowly and maybe someone would notice him. When his body was only a few feet on the ground, he pushed himself off the surface and landed gracefully on the lawn.

He removed the Spiderman gloves and quickly pocketed them.

He rolled his eyes around. He can sense no one in the nearby vicinity. Nico smiled, "Well, this is easy." And he whispered to the backdoor of the mansion. But even before he could get inside, a sound stopped Nico.

It was hissing sound.

And when he turned around, he immediately identified the source of the sound. That giant boa constrictor isn't too difficult to identify. Nico swallowed as the big snake crawled closer to him. It looks like she has already decided on her next snack.

'Damn Sherlock!'

He tried to recall all the info he knows about these creatures, but the information released by his mental storage cabinet is not good! The young man sighed weakly and sighed.

"Who said it's easy to be a detective? Tsk!"

---

"Where did you get that?"

Nova immediately asked while pointing at the young lawyer's cheek. Her eyes never left the odd scratch on his left cheek. Lelouch frowned. When he remembered the wound, he just gave the person a small smile. "My client's pet cat scratched me last night. Cats never liked me, as you can remember."

'I really don't want anyone to remember, you're still reminding.' The female detective sighed and took her hand from his grasp. "Lelouch, I'm just here to say hello." He said emphatically.

"Really?"

'Well, I'm actually here to distract you while Nico is stealing your personal items to gather enough evidence if you're the crazy Heartless Killer,' but of course, Briannova Carlos can't tell him that. He swallowed once parting the hair on his face, "Yes. And if you're thinking of any other reason why I'm here, then stop. W-We shouldn't even entertain that option." Not anymore.

But Lelouch San Andres was still looking at him seriously. Nova tried to avoid his intense and loving gaze, but it was too much.

"You haven't had a boyfriend since we broke up. You never entertained any of your suitors, Brian. Why is that?"

"I don't want to talk."

"I'm an attorney. You need to give me a better defense than that."

Is this what Nova is afraid of. Why is the past still bothering him? 'Shouldn't when you've turned the page of a book, you shouldn't go back?' He boldly met the lawyer's eyes. But before he could speak, they heard a noise coming from the back of the mansion.

Nova's eyes widened. 'Damn it, Nico!' And confused looked at Lelouch's expression.

He also seemed surprised to hear, his eyes turned suspicious. "Looks like someone dug ---"

"It's probably just cats. You don't like cats, right?" Nova said quickly before the young man even stood up.

Atty. Lelouch San Andres narrowed his eyes at her. It seems to be suspicious of what is happening. "I should go check on it. I'll be back, Brian."

'Gosh! Who said it's easy to be a detective ?! ' Nova's mind screamed before she pulled Lelouch by the arm. He can't catch Nico! They'll both still get into trouble when it happens!

"Brian, let me go ---"

"No! I-I mean, when you leave, I'll be sad." And Detective Briannova Carlos put on her most innocent face. He gave the lawyer a sweet smile as he still held his handsome arm. It may sound cliché, but I hope the earth swallows him because of the shame.

'Gosh! It's embarrassing! '

But it seems to be responding.

Lelouch sighed and smiled softly at her. "Is that true?"

Nova nodded and pulled the lawyer to sit next to her. 'I just hope my acting skills work with him!' Nova took a deep breath and spoke, "I haven't had a relationship since we broke up because you're still important to me, Lelouch." If this is the only way to get the lawyer's attention and save the reputation of the two of them and Nico as detectives, Briannova Carlos is willing to give it a shot.

She cupped his cheeks, his eyes were magnetizing.

"Do you still love me, Ms. Briannova Carlos?" He smirked.

Nova will definitely confess later!

"Yes, attorney. I'm still in love with you." She whispered and sealed it with a kiss. 'Damn, Nico! Hurry up and find the evidence! ' She mentally screamed even though her lips were busy with the lawyer. Lelouch stiffened in his seat for a moment before responding to his kisses. He groaned in pleasure before devouring her lips.

Nova just lay down on the couch, her plan was already working complacently. The perfect distraction? Yes. That's the sassy and talented Detective Briannova Carlos. I think he should be given an Oscar's Award for his acting skills.

Don't get her wrong, she no longer has feelings for the handsome attorney. He's just doing it for justice.

But just when Lelouch started kissing her neck, it was only then that he heard the faint "click" coming from nowhere. "What the ---?" Nova's eyes widened when she realized that her hands were handcuffed on the side of the couch!

Attorney Lelouch chuckled and got off her. He adjusted his polo and smiled playfully at her. "Unfortunately, you are not a good liar, Brian. Have you forgotten that I am the district attorney of the Heraldic Eastwood Local Police? Seeing through lies is my profession."

It shook more and stood up. His eyes showed a hint of disappointment and amusement, "Earlier I knew you were just distracting me, Brian. I know you. But I guess I'm still a love-sick fool to assume that you have sincere intentions."

Nova's gaze deepened on her but the girl immediately smiled. She forgot that he could also be as sly as a thief. "Are you going to hire me, attorney?" Nova asked this for two purposes: first, to give Nico more time; second, because he wanted to know.

A part of her still wanted to know, even though it's a bit selfish at this point.

Attorney Lelouch San Andres shrugged and smiled, "I'm not the kind of man to give away what's mine, Nova."

And it walked away in the direction of the backdoor. Nova just sighed as she struggled to be bound to him. 'I only hope that air-headed emo doesn't get caught!'

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