Ten

CHAPTER 10

Nicholas took note of all her testimony and now looked up. His eyes meeting Elena's, the investigation continued. "May I know, when was the last time you saw James?"

Elena frowned for a moment, she rubbed her forehead lightly and the emerald bead glanced to the right. "When I came back to the room, I saw him standing in front of Ace's room." she bit her lower lip hesitantly. "He seemed nervous and in a hurry. I thought so."

Nicholas frowned, then looked at Alicia. Asking her to do something about Elena. And quickly, Alicia nodded;giving a code that Nic didn't really understand.

But Alicia took over and spoke soon. She cleared her throat and asked,

"Elena, did you use Azature nail polish for your nails?" Elena raised one eyebrow. She felt confused, then looked at Jake who was also looking at her with the same expression. But Alicia pointed at Elena's nails. "Those nails. You used that brand of nail polish I just mentioned, didn't you?"

Everyone in the hall suddenly looked at Alicia with a confused look. Nic especially, he was very upset. How could it be that, during the interrogation of a murder case, Alicia was busy dealing with 'nail polish'. Nicholas wrinkled his nose and scratched his neck awkwardly. He didn't know that Alicia was busy discussing women's business in this serious investigation.

But not Elena, who raised her eyebrows high. Her expression turned amazed and enthusiastic. She nodded quickly and smiled. "This is diamond black, limited edition." The green-eyed girl thrust her fingers polished with the world's most expensive nail polish proudly. Elena allowed Alicia to clearly see her colored nails. Meanwhile, Nicholas just observed Alicia's movements without saying anything. "Look, they're sparkling! Beautiful, isn't it?"

And that was exactly what Alicia wanted. The ash-haired girl accepted Elena's hand and (unwittingly) fingered the surface of Jake's lover's palm. Her guess was right, Elena's hand did feel moist from sweat. Alicia then looked into Elena's emerald eyes. "Very beautiful. You're so lucky, huh," Alicia complimented, lowering Elena's hand.

Elena grinned proudly and ran her fingers through the air, waving her hand so that the black glitter nail polish could be seen by everyone in the hall. "I spent two hundred and fifty thousand dollars on these. I look pretty with these nails, don't I, Jake?" Jake nodded and Elena smiled with satisfaction. Elena then crossed her arms over her chest. "Your hair is beautiful, by the way. It's just missing something, I guess. Well, I don't know what advice to give you."

Nicholas and Jake could only keep their mouths shut as the two women in front of them were busy discussing 'girl stuff'. Nicholas and Jake didn't know how to join the conversation. But Nicholas trusted Alicia. He let her continue with her plan. And Nicholas seems to understand that Alicia's goal in approaching Elena is for Elena to feel comfortable around her. Girl talk is always reliable. Alicia twisted the ends of her gray hair that fell to her chest and said, "Yeah. You know, I'm going out with someone. I think my long hair needs something."

Elena raised both eyebrows. "Is that so? Maybe you need the latest hair accessories to look modern and cool."

"Do you think I should tie my hair up or pin it up with something?" Alicia looked curious. She seemed to be taking Elena's answer seriously.

Elena muttered under her breath as she rubbed the tip of her pointed chin. Her eyes narrowed, she was really thinking about giving her best advice there. "I think you should put a hairpin on the top of your head." She pointed at the top of Alicia's head with her chin. "She needs something that sparkles but doesn't look overdone or anything."

Alicia nodded in agreement. "I think so too," she again played with the ends of her gray hair. The blue eyes looked at Nicholas, then back at Elena who still seemed to be considering her words. "I really like silver things. My ash hair would go well with something silver. What do you think? Do you agree?"

Elena rounded her mouth. "Ah, I agree with you. And the good news is that I have just the one barrette you want," she said, and she managed to leave Nicholas dumbfounded in his place. "It's a silver hairpin. I think it's a pretty silver one. It will suit you."

Now the detective understood where Alicia was taking them. NIcholas secretly smiled proudly.

Alicia rounded her eyes. "Really? You have the silver hairpin I need?"

Elena nodded. "But a few days ago, my friend borrowed it. Maybe I'll get you one that--"

"No need!" interrupted Alicia. Elena was frozen in place, as Alicia startled her. "Ah, that... I mean... let me meet your friend. You don't have to go to the trouble of buying another barrette for me." Alicia smiled awkwardly and glanced at everyone in turn.

Elena looked at Alicia quizzically before finally mumbling and smiling faintly. "Alright. I'll give you the name and the room."

She asked for a piece of paper and borrowed a pen from Nicholas, writing a name on it. "Go see her and ask about the hairpin," he said, handing the paper to Alicia. "You have good taste, I think we can be friends."

Alicia nodded in understanding. "That's very kind of you, thank you."

Elena chuckled and glanced at detective Nicholas. "Your date must be very lucky," she teased.

Alicia and Nicholas exchanged awkward glances. "Ah, not her," Alicia denied later, then laughed bitterly.

Elena rounded her mouth and asked permission to return to the room since she had already given her testimony to detective Nic. And after a moment's consideration, Elena and Jake were finally allowed to leave the hall like everyone else.

"So?" Nic looked impatient.

Alicia read the name on the paper Elena had given her carefully. "Amanda Greenie, room 21, hallway 001--"

"Hey?!" Alicia rounded her eyes, seemingly realizing something.

Nicholas frowned in confusion. "What is it?!"

Alicia paused and bent her forehead deeply before continuing.

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"He's right next to my room apparently."