Eight

CHAPTER 8

Alicia didn't know how long that handsome detective had been there, finding her like a squirrel caught stealing human food. Nicholas didn't call out immediately, just stayed behind her while observing. From day one, Alicia had caught his attention. But today, Nicholas felt even more curious about Alicia.

Nicholas gave a small grin, then pointed at Alicia's hand that was hidden behind her body. "I know you're taking pictures."

Alicia tried to act as normal as possible as Nicholas' eyes looked at her suspiciously. "I'm just taking pictures like the other students, it's for social media."

Nicholas knew Alicia was lying. Alicia's expression said it all. But Nicholas chose not to discuss it and instead changed the subject. "I saw you talking to Ace in the main hall. That jerk didn't say anything bad, did he?"

Alicia shook her head and closed her mouth tightly in defense. But when Nicholas diverted their conversation, Alicia already felt relief. At least she didn't have to answer Nicholas' very pointed questions.

"It's a relief that he's being nice." Nicholas stuffed his hands into his pants pockets, then continued, "He was brave enough to fight with me yesterday."

"It seems so."

To Alicia's ordinary eyes, Nicholas was just a young detective with jet-black hair, tanned eyes, handsome features, and intellect (as evidenced by his track record of solving complex cases on his own). Unfortunately, Alicia sees him in an even narrower way. Nicholas is just a detective enslaved by the state's money.

Until a crazy idea in Nicholas' head is finally heard by Alicia.

"I want you to help me with the James case," Nicholas said to the point.

Alicia's brow furrowed. "What?" she pretended not to hear Nicholas' question. "What do you want me for, you say?"

"Old man Wilson wants me to find the culprit immediately. But investigating dozens of students at a time is no easy thing, is it?" He chuckled mockingly. "I think I need a miracle."

Alicia fell silent, choosing to listen to Nicholas.

Nicholas took a step forward, both hands tucked into the pockets of his khakis. "Or... People like you."

Alicia frowned in surprise. "I...," she paused her sentence and glanced to the right and left of the hallway; making sure there was no one in the main hallway. It was just the two of them now. "What do you mean?"

Nicholas grinned slightly. "I know you have that ability. An ability that could help me solve this case more easily."

The ash-haired girl pushed her long hair back and crossed her arms over her chest. "I--"

"Aren't you also curious about James' death?" interrupted Nicholas. "You came to this place because you knew that there was something in this place, didn't you? There's something to hide in this school."

Alicia bent her forehead deeper and snorted. She pretended not to understand what the thick-browed detective was talking about. "I don't--"

Nicholas took another step, approaching Alicia with that (intimidating) gaze again. "Why do you think James was suddenly killed on the day you moved in?"

This time, Alicia froze, not only did Nicholas ask an offensive question, but he also made an impression of an accusatory nature. Now, Nicholas sounded like he was catching a criminal in hiding. Alicia scowled and took a hesitant step back. "You're-you're accusing me of killing James? I really don't know anything about James. I didn't know him."

"But you knew Brittany, James' girlfriend," Nicholas said.

"We only knew each other when we were in the main hall."

Nicholas shrugged his shoulders dismissively. He then continued, "You were the last person to pass through the hallway, right? I saw it clearly on the security camera. This is indirect proof that you were there on the day of the incident, the time of your arrival and the time of James' death are also only a few minutes apart."

"I didn't kill James!" Alicia shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. "You can't just accuse a new student like me and look at me as if I were a criminal. That's called a misunderstanding."

Nicholas smiled wryly. "There is only one way to prove that you were involved with James' death or not." He paused his words, until Alicia turned her head with one eyebrow raised. Alicia was quite curious about what Nicholas would say next and she waited.

"I'll give you two choices," Nic said.

Alicia girded her loins with both eyes staring irritably at Nicholas. "I'm telling you again, I didn't kill him! You can't threaten me that way for all you know."

"One...," Nic raised his index finger in the air, as if ignoring Alicia's defense just now. Alicia bit her lip angrily. But Nicholas continued, "You have to help me solve this case."

"I'm. not. Kill him!" retorted Alicia irritably.

"Or two..." Nic raised his middle finger, forming a V in front of Alicia's face.

"You shut up and I'll prove everything, that you were involved in this case." Nicholas raised one eyebrow;urgently.

Alicia snorted harshly. "You don't believe me, huh? I really didn't kill him!"

"Unfortunately, your arrival at the dormitory, the time, the place, everything is interconnected. Of all the days, why did James have to die on the day you arrived at this school. Isn't it?" Nicholas mumbled for a while, then narrowed his round, brown eyes. He found a look of annoyance on Alicia's face. But Nicholas didn't want to stop, he had to find out more information about Alicia and this was the only way he could get close.

"But it's not like I came to this school to kill James. I don't even know him."

"No criminal admits his crime honestly."

Alicia let out a long breath, she was really angry at being accused of being such a murderer.

Nicholas raised both eyebrows high and crossed his arms over his chest. "Now it's your turn to decide...." He took a breath before finally saying,

.

.

.

"So are you going to help me uncover who killed James or am I going to uncover your involvement with the killer?"