It is not clear to Detective Nico Yukishito the motive of Cassio Salvador. Gradually he was able to piece together the story, but a few details are still vague to him.
"--- so Cassio Salvador is our Heartless Killer, inspector." He heard Nova end in explanation. From the passenger's seat, Inspector Ortega nodded, seemingly deep in thought. "We didn't make a mistake with the suspect then. Tsk! But I hope you told me before you messed up our masquerade. Do you know how many businessmen fled the scene because of the commotion you made? Alas."
Nova didn't say a word. She couldn't think of anything to answer him.
Nico glared at what the boss said. 'Typical. He only thinks of his own benefits. ' He looked at his watch, 1:15 a.m. it was way past Detective Nico Yukishito's bedtime. They had just fixed the crime scene at the dumpsite. They even had to sort out some legal concerns with Neilson's son left in the hospital for his remaining therapy sessions (with the expertise of an annoying attorney) and transport his body to the forensic laboratory.
When Detective Nico announced that he needed a coffee break from all the stress, the chief immediately offered to take them to Night Owl's Café --- but in return, they were immediately summoned and asked what was the "progress" of their investigation into Heartlesss Killer. It was rare that the inspector asked questions and reports about the case but, of course, they couldn't decline. HELP paid two detective agencies for this case. Even though they know HELP will only take all the "credits" eventually.
"Are we there yet? This seat is making my butt itch, chief. Have mercy on me." Nico complained with a straight face. Nova was just shaking beside him.
But even before Inspector Ortega could answer, his cellphone suddenly rang. He frowned when he read the caller's name, but nonetheless, he answered the call, "What's the matter?"
Nico didn't bother eavesdropping on their conversation. He looked outside and surveyed the surroundings. His eyes took in every single detail, his keen senses kicking in.
Inspector Ortega sighed and turned to the driver, "Let's go back to the precinct later. There's an emergency there."
"Yes, sir."
"What happened?" Nova's inquiry. She noticed the way the inspector shifted uneasily in his seat, "There is a case of kidnapping. A nurse was taken yesterday."
Nico's attention was briefly aroused. His eyes narrowed outside as he listened to their conversation. 'A nurse?'
"Does anyone have a lead on who the kidnapper is?" Detective Nova curiously inquired.
Inspector Ortega nodded, "I don't know all the details of the case yet. The complainant also said he couldn't describe it because of the speed of events. I only know so far, a Minnesota Gervacio was kidnapped."
When the inspector mentioned that name, the two detectives looked at each other. A look of understanding dawned upon them. Nova's expression was worried, "Minnesota Gervacio? H-Isn't he the one who saw Thami Esteban's body?"
Nico nodded. He could not be wrong. His memory is as clear as daylight during a crime scene. The inspector immediately turned to them and obviously only now remembered the connection. "Could this have something to do with the Heartless Killer case?" He asked nervously.
For a moment everything was quiet. They do not know what to answer. Was it just a coincidence, or is the Heartless Killer attacking again?
'Damn, Sherlock!' Nico was weakly depreciated. For the first time in his detective career, he felt himself slowly loosing his grip on the case. Another innocent life could be affected. "Bullshit!" He slammed the car door, causing Nova to panic. He hates this.
Nova tried to calm him down, "Nico, calm down ---"
"How can I calm down if it's possible to die again ?!"
He looked away from the girl when he saw her expression. Nico took a deep breath and looked back out the window. His fists clenched and he nervously thought of the possibilities. Will they find another corpse tomorrow? Will anyone die again in the case he is holding?
Fuck this guilt.
"If I only knew Cassio's motive, we could have stopped him."
"STOP THE CAR!"
The policeman driving was startled by Nico's sudden scream. He immediately stepped on the brakes. Even Inspector Ortega and Detective Nova were surprised by what the young man did. They almost fall over with the force of the sudden stop. Nova glared at him, "Nico, what's wrong with you ?! Gosh! You're acting like a total jerk again!"
Nico ignored her and hurriedly ran out of the car. It was pitch dark outside. The first day of March paved way for a more humid feel in the air. The cool night breeze was gradually fading away as summer slowly approached. Detective Nico quickly bent down and picked up something that glittered on the sidewalk. You can barely spot it at first, but the nearby lamp post made it visible. A faint glint amidst the darkness.
Nico picked it up and examined it carefully.
Nova and Inspector Ortega approached him quickly. When they saw the object Nico was holding, they were even more confused.
"A necklace? What does that have to do with the case, Yukishito?" The old man asked in astonishment.
"Not just any necklace, chief. This is the necklace Minnesota Gervacio is wearing." Nico smirked and scanned the silent neighborhood. He can't go wrong, his memory takes in every single detail. And there's also a good chance it wasn't just "coincidental".
Nova's eyes widened at what she heard and she quickly pointed her gun hidden inside her jacket. It's dangerous and the kidnapper might suddenly appear! Her sharp eyes narrowed, "Do you think HK had anything to do with this kidnapping?" She asked as they started scouting the area.
Nico searched the ground for any footprints. He noticed ground. 'Something dragged here.'
"I don't know ... But it looks like we'll know, Nova." Simultaneously teaching in an old warehouse. It was outside an empty house that had a sign "bank property" plastered in front of it. The two detectives took a deep breath and cautiously headed to the warehouse. Nico grabbed his gun from its holster and observed their surroundings.
When they were sure there was no danger lurking, Nova carefully began to open the lock. She cursed under her breath, "If someone's gonna leap out and attack us, I'm gonna blame you for it." He was dragging the young man.
Nico smiled and pointed the gun. "Sure. If we survive a surprise attack, I'll even let you blame me for global warming."
"Because you're polluted?"
"No, because I'm hot." Nico's answer was weak, which annoyed the girl. But even so, he carefully felt around them. He felt no danger. It looks like the kidnapper has left.
A faint "click" they both heard, accompanied by the release of the lock. The door opened with a creak, and the two detectives became alert. The inside of the warehouse was dark, but its cleanliness was remarkable.
It was too quiet.
Nico's eyes widened when he noticed blood on the floor. A trail of blood stained the wooden floor, inching towards a corner of the room. He immediately flicked the light switch and when the light flooded the whole room, Detective Nico Yukishito was shocked.
"What in the name of Sherlock's grave?"
From behind them, he heard Inspector Ortega calling to them.
"Found anything?"
"We've found him, chief," was Nico's only reply, not taking his eyes off the body. His eyes studied the entire room. Everything is well-organized. He spotted several pairs of shoes and potential murder weapons neatly aligned near the wall, "and it looks like we also found Cassio Salvador's cave ..."
Nova quickly approached the girl lying in the corner. "INSPECTOR! TOO MUCH BLOOD HAS BEEN LOST FROM HIM!"
A pool of blood on the floor. Exsanguination. Loose 20% of your blood and you'll suffer a hemorrgahic shock; loose two-thirds of your blood and it's enough to kill you. A slow and painless death.
Just then, Inspector Ortega rushed inside. Confused by events.
"Son of a----"
"Her wrist is weak!"
"We need to get him to the hospital!"
Minnesota Gervacio's face was pale and the barb wire was still tied to his hands and feet. Nico clenched his fists again in anger. His hands started shaking as guilt and anger fueled him.
'Have I failed again?' Damn it.
"This story won't end without you being held accountable for what you did, Cassio."
Nico pocketed his gun and was attended by Nova and Inspector Ortega. They tried to stop the bleeding and freed her arms and legs. Minnesota's life is now slowly escaping her body --- like the blood pouring out of her wound.
---