Chapter 19

The powerful explosion shook the ground as some police and ECU members ran away. Fire, smoke, and scattered debris filled the entire alley. From his seat, he watched the swift action of the two detectives, sheilding the witness away, trying to escape the wrath of the explosion.

'It took them long enough to discover the bomb,' the man thought and pocketed the bomb detonator.

Heartless Killer leaned against the wall and watched the chaos. Although only a few were affected by the explosion, he reminded himself he had not done it to kill. The bomb was merely a precaution, intending to "clean" the crime scene. He knew the forensic lab could get DNA if they looked under Miss Thami's nails. His skin particles would still be there, thanks to the filthy scratch he got from her.

So he dissolved his fingers in muriatic acid.

'But I need to make sure. Especially since I tortured her alive. '

Because he was paranoid that he might still get DNA samples from the victim's body, he thought of adding an "accessory" to his masterpiece.

A small explosive device, implanted inside her chest. It was behind his lungs and covered in blood, so it was not noticeable.

Well, he did this because he wanted to clean any trace of evidence, but a part of him also did this to buy him some time. Plus, he enjoys watching the chaos. Who doesn't? Thami Esteban's body was in a state of disarray, scattered all over the alley. He can even see a few of her intestines on the sidewalk.

A mischievous smile flashed on the lips of the Heartless Killer. His sharp and demonic eyes never left the crime scene. He saw Nico and Nova again.

'I'll keep playing with them until Saturday.'

---

"Damn, Sherlock!"

Nico acted immediately and quickly walked away from the explosion. Unfortunately, the impact sent them flying a few feet away, debris along with them. Minnesota was engulfed in smoke and dust that enveloped the surroundings, a few ashes fell ontop of their heads. Heraldic Eastwood Local Police responded in a daze and took care of some injured personnel of the Eastwood Crime Unit. Nico stood up and narrowed his eyes at the area.

Thami Esteban's body joined the explosion, her insides splattered on the walls of the alley.

'Sly killer. He made sure we didn't get any evidence from the victim, 'Nico thought as he examined the surroundings. Despite the disturbed silence, he forced himself to grope the culprit.

"He's here nearby. Watching us." Disgusted language of the detective and approached the road. If his suspicion is correct, such an explosive device would have to be detonated at close range. Bombs like that have a limited range.

Heartless Killer is just around the corner, probably excited about what's happening. Nico just clenched his fists.

'Where are you?!'

His eyes scanned the neighborhood. The vehicles stopped and their occupants were interrupted. The police tried to calm them down, while managing the traffic. Nico was almost deaf to the noise around him, but in the midst of the commotion, he noticed the bulk of a man watching from the other corner. It was too fast. The man vanished.

"You're not getting away that easily, you heartless bastard!" And Nico quickly ran the distance. He jumped on the hood of several cars and almost collided with everything that was blocking his path. His pulse raced, adrenaline kicking in his veins. He quickly dodged some civilians and ran to the place where he saw the mysterious man.

He saw the man, running away. He can't go wrong! The devil was using the crowd to his advantage, trying to blend in.

"Darn it!"

Nico grabbed his gun and ran faster. "STOP THAT MAN!" He yelled over the noise, but no one seemed to want to get involved in the mess.

BANG!

The chase led him downtown, until the man turned into an alley. Breathless and obviously tired from running. The mysterious man stopped and was weakly shocked to see a high wall at the other end of the alley.

"Dead end, bastard."

Nico grinned and pointed his Smith and Wesson at the man's back. Nico firmly gripped his revolver, eyes narrowed upon the man. Why does this man seem familiar? "Game over, Heartless Killer."

The man sighed and faced Nico. A nervous smile on his face. 'What in the name of Sherlock ?!' Nico's eyes widened when he saw the look of the man he was chasing.

"How are you, Nico?"

Detective Nico Yukishito cursed all the origamis in the world.

"U-Uncle X ...?"

He expects Attorney Lelouch to catch him. He was their suspect! But now, the case seems to be getting more complicated.

"Nico, put that gun down."

He did not listen.

Nico almost lost his grip on the handgun. Almost. He took in the appearance of the man standing in front of him. The gentle face of his uncle Xavier Alcantara, the CEO of DEATH, registers with him. A man in his midforties, Uncle X looked as harmless as anyone. Nico's gaze deepened on him, "What are you doing here? I thought you were in another country?"

Uncle X smiled at the nephew and stepped closer, "There was an emergency. I had to rest first. I should have told you yesterday, but I know you're busy with paperwork."

Nico pointed the gun at his forehead. "How long have you been fooling me? Damn it, uncle! You left the company with me for a month, and now I'll see you at the crime scene ?!" Nico's breathing deepened. He could not believe what was happening now.

"I never left the country."

The detective felt angry and shocked. He expertly masked his anger. "What were you doing at the crime scene earlier? For the love of Sherlock, don't tell me you're the serial killer ?!"

"I don't know what you're saying ---"

"HOW THE FUCK CAN I EVEN TRUST YOU ?!"

Uncle X sighed, "I was just passing by. When I heard the explosion, I immediately peeked. I had to hide because I knew you'd eventually figure out that I didn't leave the country. I'm sorry, Nico. . " But Nico noticed something else in his uncle's eyes. He was lying. He felt that. His own uncle was hiding something from him.

He's not telling the whole truth, and that pissed him off.

When he tried to approach him, Nico immediately pulled out the gun. He was inches away from pulling the trigger when a female voice pulled him out of his hazed state.

"NICO! Gosh! What the heck are you doing ?!"

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Nova stop beside him. Trace the astonishment in his expression. She glanced at the man standing before them, unaware of who he is. That is no longer surprising. The CEO of DEATH has never introduced himself to the public.

"That bomb was detonated by someone near the crime scene. Unfortunately, I caught my own uncle observing us from afar."

Nova was surprised by what he said. "U-Uncle? You mean, this is the CEO of DEATH?" He said softly and stared at Xavier Alcantara again. She is old, but there is still a hint of luxury in her dress. Nova frowned and placed a hand on Nico's shoulder, "Are you sure? Maybe it's just a coincidence?"

"Tsk! Lelouch wasn't even near the crime scene. Who else can we suspect ?!" Its salty to the girl. Nova just glared before replying, "That's exactly why I followed you! I saw Lelouch at the nearby jewelry shop where Thami's body was found."

Nico was stunned to hear.

Nova sighed, "If you're right, then Lelouch was in a location close enough to detonate the bomb. He's still our prime suspect, after all." If there was any sadness that Nova was hiding, it was not revealed. She met his eyes again, this time, her intense gaze held him. "Don't be impulsive. We need to reconcile the evidence. That's what we're going to handle. You can't just shoot someone just because you think he's the Heartless Killer! Think, Nico. That's what you're famous for."

Moments later, the young man averted his eyes. He lowered his gun and took a deep breath. Nico tried to compose himself. "Fine. We'll continue with the plan."

When he looked back at his uncle, he noticed Uncle X was deep in thought. 'How the heck could he leave me alone to handle his fucking company ?! He even lied to his own nephew! ' Out of anger and frustration, Nico walked away quickly. But even before he could turn the corner, Nova quickly grabbed his arm.

The pink-haired detective turned serious.

"HELP and ECU are already handling things. With the victim's body gone, there's nothing much we can do. We can spy on Lelouch later at the party, if we spy on him now, he'll notice."

Nico frowned. "Then, what are you planning to do now, smart-mouth?"

"Taking you to the nearest coffee shop, detective. You look like you haven't even slept last night and you've been grumpy all morning! You need to have coffee."

And Nico didn't fight anymore.

---