A PECULIAR EVENT

Adrian turned his attention to the news channel on television, a choice that soon proved unwise.

"We've just received a report from our correspondent at the crime scene, and the killer is currently evading capture. For those who may have just tuned in, I'll reiterate: please make every effort to return home early this evening for your own safety. Just last night, in a quiet alley within the food street, a gruesome discovery unfolded. The remains of three individuals were found, their bodies so brutally mutilated that even the authorities are struggling to identify them," the news anchor grimly narrated.

"But due to their distinctive attire, some onlookers managed to identify them as the magic troupe that was lingering in that street last night. Law enforcement is currently in search of potential witnesses or any evidence. So, if you—" Emilie abruptly switched off the television, her wide-eyed gaze fixed on Adrian, a sense of urgency in her expression.

Adrian spoke calmly, as if he'd anticipated this twist. "I believe they are a step ahead of us," he remarked, maintaining an air of composure despite the unfolding situation.

Emilie, ever the rational thinker, expressed her thoughts. "I would've been skeptical, but I noticed there were no bloodstains on your attire, unless you had a swift change," she pointed out, refusing to jump to conclusions solely based on strange coincidences.

Just as they were attempting to decipher the bewildering events unfolding around them, a sudden knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

This time, Adrian took it upon himself to investigate the source of the interruption, having an instinctual feeling that it wouldn't bring good tidings. Picking up his cane, he went to the door and swung it open. His gaze met Alan's disconcerted expression. Behind Alan stood Selena and Finn, the latter resting his hand atop his holstered gun on the right side.

From the entrance, Adrian called out, "Emilie, I'll be stepping out with Sergeant Alan. Feel free to watch some TV, and please don't indulge in too many chips," he advised before closing the door and proceeding toward Selena and Finn. The expressions on Selena's face elicited an inward, rueful chuckle from him.

As he neared the car, Adrian couldn't help but think, "Could you at least make an effort to conceal the fact that you're not already branding me as a murderer?"

"Calmly taking charge of the situation," Adrian inquired. "Alan, are you here to apprehend me, or is your purpose merely to gather information?"

"Adrian," Alan spoke sternly, "we've reviewed the CCTV footage from the store right by that alley. I'll require an explanation; otherwise, you're in a rather precarious situation." He signaled for Selena to join him in the car. Adrian, without waiting for an invitation, made his way to Alan's vehicle and settled into the back seat.

Adrian was acutely aware that, without a comprehensive understanding of the events of the previous evening, he had little to substantiate his innocence.

Glancing at Adrian through the rearview mirror, Alan couldn't suppress a deep sigh. He maintained his belief that Adrian wasn't the culprit behind the murders, yet the incriminating footage was undeniable evidence, compelling him to delve deeper into the mystery.

However, Selena couldn't shake the memory of Adrian's eerie demeanor the previous night. His altered state had been unsettling, and the intensity of his gaze had left her sleepless. In the back seat, Finn shared similar feelings of unease, having witnessed the condition of the bodies.

"Did you witness me committing the murders?" Adrian inquired abruptly, eager to expedite the process. He was already burdened by numerous other concerns and had no desire to be entangled in a protracted investigation.

"We'll have a conversation when we reach the station, Adrian. Our suspicion is primarily due to the footage," Alan assured, opting not to invoke fear of flight in Adrian.

With no further discussions, they arrived at the station. Adrian, as a suspect, had to be cuffed. Sometimes you have to follow protocols, and this was one of those moments.

In the interrogation room, under the watchful eyes of Alan and Emilia, Adrian was presented with the damning footage. As he watched the video, a surge of astonishment coursed through him. The footage displayed him standing beside the grotesquely mutilated bodies of the victims, a silent and eerie presence, seemingly doing nothing to intervene.

Firing a rapid succession of questions at Alan, Adrian probed, "When did I arrive there? Who was the perpetrator behind the murders? Why is there no footage of that crucial moment? Did the killings occur in that very alley?" Amid his inquiries, Adrian couldn't help but be somewhat impressed by the entity manipulating his circumstances.

"That's precisely what we're trying to figure out, Adrian. Continue watching," Alan responded, his voice tinged with uncertainty regarding the entire perplexing situation.

Adrian continued to watch, and it didn't take long for him to comprehend why he was under suspicion for murder. In the footage, as he stood there with his back to the camera, Adrian turned his head, revealing deep, impenetrable black eyes. 

They seemed even darker than the shroud of night itself. At that moment, there was an undeniable wrongness about him. The video then showed him moving in the direction of the store, whose camera had captured these disturbing events.

Adrian's experience allowed him to infer the implications of Alan's hints. "So, you're suggesting that someone deliberately edited the footage, removing the other parts and leaving only this portion, correct?" Adrian inquired, settling into the chair, although it didn't offer much comfort. With folded arms and his hand beneath his chin, he began contemplating a mystery that remained concealed from Alan.

"Yes, and that's precisely why we're curious about the intent behind editing the footage in such a way. Why bother tampering with it, knowing full well that it would inevitably spark an investigation?" Alan questioned, fully aware that Adrian wouldn't undertake something as unwise as this. He was a seasoned detective, and his instincts told him there was more to the situation than met the eye.

Selena, her unease still palpable, questioned, "What brought you to that place in the first instance?" Her confidence in Adrian had been shaken, making her wary of his presence.

Adrian replied slowly, maintaining his signature inscrutable expression. "A mere coincidence," he repeated. His unwavering gaze bore into Selena, who, feeling somewhat uneasy, couldn't help but avert her eyes.