I laughed on the inside. I guess Marlowe was quite clever- But nobody beats my intelligence. I had already come up with a daft story to fool him- Just like my Father did so when he murdered my Mother.
"So you suspect me?" I questioned, not once breaking eye contact.
"I've gone around and questioned everybody- it's not as if you're the only one. It's funny how that's the first thing you asked... It's as if you want me to suspect you." Marlowe answered, looking me up and down.
I chuckled softly. "Of course not, detective. Now before we have a chat- Coffee or tea?"
"Tea. A teaspoon of sugar too, thanks."
(Marlowe's perspective)-
Ryder left the room, and I immediately looked around- it was filthy, except for a small ring on the ground that glistened slightly. I got up and walked over to the ring, picking it up. Examining it carefully, I noticed 4 small letters engraved in the back-side of the cheap metal, which was now covered in rust. They read: 'Nico.' I stared at the ring in disbelief and turned around slowly to see Ryder standing in the doorway, a cup of tea in his hands.
(Ryder's perspective)-
I shuffled into the kitchen, sighing loudly. That Marlowe always got on my nerves; I see he's still the same. I put on the kettle, and grabbed a mug from the cupboard. Making sure he wasn't looking, I took a small jab from the drawer and filled it up with 'rat poison'. I slipped it into my pocket. The kettle let out a high-pitched whistle, and I poured the hot water into the mug, along with a teabag. I mixed the sugar into the tea and went back into the room, where Marlowe was sitting. Or at least I thought he was- Marlowe looked back at me in horror, something in the palm of his hand. "What's the matter?" I said.
"Oh, N-nothing." Marlowe stuttered, placing the object in his pocket.
"Here's your tea." As I walked towards Marlowe to hand him the tea, he leaned back, as if he was afraid of me.
"Leave it on the table." He said, letting out a nervous chuckle. I placed the cup on the table and sat on the chair opposite him.
Something was wrong. Marlowe seemed agitated, which was a good thing of course, but I didn't know why.
But then I realised Nico's ring was no longer on my finger. It took me a while to comprehend that it must've fallen off and Marlowe had found it. I studied him. As he picked up the cup of tea I left on the table, his fist was closed. There was something in his hand.
Marlowe placed the half-drunk tea on the table.
"Why didn't you finish it? I might not be great at cooking but I can make tea properly." I asked, chortling.
"No, the tea was great," Marlowe said, shuffling forward onto the couch, "I just have a few questions."
"Go ahead."
"Well...Where were you last Friday night?"
"At a bar." I said, calmly.
"What bar?" Marlowe said, placing his hands on his lap.
"Stag Nite Bar." I answered, with a smile.
Milo exhaled slowly. "Right, let me get straight to the point- I saw the CCTV of the victim walking home with another man and that man...That man looked like you."
I have to remain calm. "Yes, I did go home with Nicholas that night- but it isn't what you think. I was helping him mend a broken printer."
"A printer?" Marlowe questioned, frowning, "I'm sorry but I find it hard to believe that he would go home with a stranger to fix his printer."
"Nobody said we were strangers," I lied, "We had already been acquainted- He's an old friend from High school."
"Ah, so did you plan to meet or?-"
"I just met him by chance," I interrupted, "We had a chat and he said he needed help with his computer."
"Computer?" Marlowe said, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.
"N-no I mean printer." I said. 'I messed up'. I thought to myself.
"Alright...Well where did you go after you helped?"
"After I fixed it I went home, it only took about half an hour."
"I see, and was Nico acting strange in any way?" Marlowe asked.
"Wait a minute..." I started, "How do you know his nickname is Nico?" I inquired. (Of course I knew how he knew- the ring. It had Nico's name on it, I just wanted to give him a little taste of his own medicine).
Marlowe gasped quietly and clenched his fists.
"How do you know his nickname?" I said again, this time my voice was more commanding.
"Well, a-as you see, I have a co-worker named Nicholas but we all call him Nico. Bad habit, sorry."
It was so obvious he was lying, but I played along as it was entertaining seeing him flustered. Marlowe looked at his watch. "I just realised the time- I've got to get going."
I clenched my fists. I couldn't let him leave or he'll take that ring back as evidence and it'll be over for me.
"Is there an issue?" Marlowe said, frowning. I didn't answer but instead slowly walked towards him. "Uhm...Is there a proble-" Before he could finish his sentence, I grabbed his wrist and snatched the ring from his closed fist. Holding the ring up to his eyes, I said, "If you're going to steal evidence from my apartement, try to make it less obvious."
Marlowe's eyes widened, a clear expression on his face.
It was the expression I loved most, you see. Fear.