Chapter 13

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Raul Aita, the Italian billionaire, and Nick's neighbor lived in one of the most luxurious and prestigious places in the state. He owned a series of car brands along with other different electronic companies, in fact, he had recently taken over a famous smartphone company. He was like Mark Zuckerberg, buying whatever he could lay hands on.

As of now he had his own Wikipedia (not made by a fan) and was the sole owner of 6 different car brands, four 5 star hotels, quite a few acres of land, and was interested in investing in the textile industry until he was murdered.

His house was more like a mansion, and apparently, it wasn't his permanent residence he only came here to relax and when he needed some humans surrounding him. His actual home was on top of a hill away from the dangerous Homo sapiens and pollution. Rumor had it that just the furniture in there cost around a million dollars. Pity he was dead and I wasn't his close relative!

We stared at his big white house from Colton's car which was now parked many feet away from the three police cars in front of his house. The mansion screamed rich and was ridiculously modern. There were a few walls to support the house but other than that it was all glass, making it possible to see inside if it weren't for the one-way glass at the front and upper floors.

Colton whistled softly, clearly impressed. "I want a house like that."

I turned to him with a frown. "I thought you might already have one."

He shook his head. "I don't, my parents do. I want to earn it."

I stared at him in mild surprise. "Wow Hastings! You are going to actually work? A sight to witness."

Colton scowled at me. "I have all A grades okay."

I snorted at that. Who was he fooling? "Of course you do. You are the copy master."

"Am not. I study." He huffed.

I patted his arm soothingly. "It's okay Hastings everyone knows you cheat."

"But I do not!" He exclaimed irately, throwing his arms in the arm.

"Now now." I shook my finger at him while shaking my head. "Do you not know that denial is the worst form of truth?"

Colton's scowl deepened. "You get on my nerves, Smith."

"That's the only place I'll ever get on you." I bit out, laughing at my own declaration.

Colton seemed shocked at my words but then he smirked evilly, waving his finger at me, imitating my previous actions. "Now now Smith, do you not know that denial is the worst form of truth?"

This time I was the one scowling.

.

.

"I'm Colton Hastings, Andrew Hastings son. My dad had lent some books to Mr. Raul Aita and we were hoping you'd let us take them back."

The fat policeman looked up from the hot dog he was eating. He wiped his mouth on an already dirty tissue and nodded, seeming completely disinterested. "Give the book names to Pete." He pointed to a young policeman who was inspecting the car garage. "He'll go in and get those books for you."

Colton shook his head. "You see I don't remember the book names but I do know the covers."

The fatty shrugged. "Draw them and give it Pete."

Colton fisted his hands and I could see the fatty policeman was just five seconds away from receiving a deadly punch. So deciding to use my woman charm, I pressed my lips and licked them, making them look glossy, and gently slapped my cheeks to redden them. Setting my hair properly and lowering my top just a tiny bit leaving plenty for imagination, I stepped forward.

Colton almost grabbed my arm to pull me behind to scold me but I sent him a glare and he receded disapprovingly.

I glanced at the badge and gave him my come hither smile. "Ricky-" I drawled. "-you see he's very bad at drawing. And I would have drawn but there are too many books. I think it would be easy that we just go in and get the books, don't you think so too?" I bit my lip and internally flinched when his eyes raked my body.

"Ricky." I spoke, trying not to sound too harsh and drawing his attention to my face rather than few inches below it. "So can we go?" I batted my eyelashes.

He blinked, his eyes going further down and focusing on my legs. What made me wear shorts today? "Uh yeah." He muttered distractedly and I instantly grabbed that opportunity to pull Colton with me inside the house throwing a fake thanks at the fatty.

"Ricky allowed us." I told the policeman who was guarding the door, he nodded and let us enter. "Don't touch anything." He warned.

"For something that is believed as an accident, there is too much investigation going on." I whispered, looking at the two other policemen, who were inspecting a wall.

Colton didn't reply and I frowned, turning to him. His face was hard and his eyes dark. I lightly touched his arm. "Hey what happened?"

Colton gritted his teeth. "That asshole, he was staring at you like he'd have you for his six-course dinner."

I bit my lip, a blush growing on my cheeks. "Leave it, at least we got inside."

Colton turned to me angrily. "Leave it? Hell no! I'm going to make sure his eyes never stray where they aren't wanted. And you-" he pointed at me accusingly. "-next time don't pull a stunt like that. I don't want anyone staring at you like that."

I blinked at nodded, biting my lip. He was jealous, a blind man could see it and somehow that excited me, enticed me. The urge to grab his head and smack his lips with my own was so strong that I had to look away and think of a huge fat cactus. I heard him sigh heavily from beside me. "Look I know it's your life and you should be able to do whatever you want but he was just-"

I patted his shoulder, smirking up at him. "Green looks good on you." And I walked into a room, leaving the door open for him to follow.

His house was elegant and lavish. Rich paintings hung on walls and vases with artificial flowers at every corner. The curtains were thick and mattresses extremely soft. The few walls that were there had delicate designs on them. With every step, you could feel yourself getting hypnotized in the aura of wealth.

"I want a house like this." I whispered, staring at the huge glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

"So do I." Colton muttered, gawking at the long bar room. Every drink in the world seemed to be present in the wooden and glass cabinets.

I rolled my eyes, grabbing Colton's arm and pulling him the other way. "Concentrate Hastings. We have to solve this case."

"What if Rodrigo is the killer?"

I frowned but shrugged. "Then we find out if that is actually true."

We walked into a room where a policeman rested on a couch with his legs on the table in front of him. He was grinning and texting to someone as he sipped a drink humming a tune.

"Those are Raul's wine glasses. I just saw them at the bar." Colton whispered.

"Wow." I spoke, shaking my head. "No wonder the rate of crimes is increasing."

Sighing, we entered the next room which was similar to the previous one minus the policeman. The next door was the bathroom and then another room and next to it were stairs.

"What do you want to do in the future?"

I shrugged, turning to Colton as we climbed upstairs. "Why the sudden curiosity?"

"Can't a boyfriend know what his girlfriend wants to do in the future?"

I rolled my eyes. I wanted to add fake but held the itch. "I don't know. Nothing holds my interest for long."

"Nothing?"

I shook my head. "Nope."

Colton smirked. "Not even me?"

I gave him a flat look. "It's just been two weeks. Give it some more time, soon I'll find you boring too."

"Is that why you broke up with Kevin? He became boring for you?"

I scowled at him. "No, he isn't boring."

"Cool."

The very next room had a huge yellow ribbon around it. 'Crime Scene. Do not cross.' We looked at each other before rolling our eyes and promptly stooped low, entering inside.

The bedroom seemed lifeless, the thick white and blue curtains were pulled stopping any light from entering. The bed was left crumbled and I figured Raul had been on it before going to the bathroom and fixing his light. The table next to the bed had another long vase and flowers in it. There was a revolving chair nearby with a plastic bag on it.

I walked towards it, using my handkerchief to lightly open it. Inside was a packet of Doritos and Oreos with a can of coke. "Looks like he planned to have a movie night." I muttered, looking deeper to see if the bed had any receipt of the food he bought but there was no paper inside.

"Check this out." I turned to see Colton holding open a large white cupboard. I went closer and blew a surprised breath at the variety of woman's clothes. There were long gowns, short dresses, an overcoat, two denim skinny jeans, and a few tops. Colton opened a drawer and whistled softly as he plucked out a red lacy D cup bra that could barely hide anything.

"Colton!" I hissed. "Keep that in and use a hanky. We don't want our fingerprints here."

Rolling his eyes, he kept it in and removed a hanky from his packet, promptly using it to pull out another black thong. "Do you have these? Please tell me you do."

I turned crimson and turned my back to him without answering him. Let him ogle over a woman's undergarments. Creep!

I went to the bathroom and turned on my phone flashlight as the light was dim. There was a white chalk figure drawn just below the switch, the placement of Raul's dead body. His right hand was spread out while his left hand was near his twisted legs.

I looked around and saw a display of rich shampoos and lotions. Two toothbrushes, one green, and one purple, this woman clearly lived here a lot. I opened a cabinet on the staring at beer shampoos, shaving creams a few razors, a scissor, a medical kit, a bottle of aspirin, and sleeping pills. I was just about to close the door when something shiny caught my eye. I removed the shampoos and was greeted by an unopened packet of two Venus razors and next to it was a bleaching box.

"Found anything?"

I closed the cabinet, turning to Colton who was taking pictures of the bathroom. "Done drooling?" I mocked.

Colton simply brushed me off, opening the cabinet and taking pics. "I didn't see much okay. I was taking photos, hopefully, they might help."

"They might unless the only photos you took were of bras and thongs."

"Why would I take photos? I have Google."

I wrinkled my nose. "Pig."

"Ass. Anyways found anything?"

"Women razors and some more girly stuff. She, whoever this she was, clearly stayed a lot here and it wasn't just an on-off thing."

"He has no portraits of himself or anyone else." Colton notified, exiting the bathroom, I followed him. "Just paintings which seem worthless but are probably priceless."

"He must have an album or something. The police have probably taken his phone so we can't find out his last contact or pics." I sighed, walking towards the window.

I slowly opened the curtains, the windows reached from the ceiling to the floor, I could see everything that happened outside. A policeman was leaning on a car, staring at his phone and then laughing occasionally. A few blocks away I could Colton's car and right in front of the window was another half window that looked straight into a room.

"Do you suppose that's Nick's room?" He asked, pointing at the room.

I shrugged, leaning and squinting my eyes to have a better look. "Maybe."

Colton went closer to the window, zooming and taking a few pics. "That's Nick's room. There is a white chalk figure on the floor."

"Do you think Raul saw something?" I inquired. "You can clearly see the door of his room. Raul must have seen someone come inside or heard some voices."

"Or better yet, seen the whole murder."

I nodded slowly. That was a huge possibility, Raul must have seen Nick's getting murdered and when Raul threatened to confess at the court, the killer killed Raul too. This case seemed trickier day by day. I squinted my eyes to get a better look at the house opposite. "See anything interesting?"

Colton shook his head. "The police seem to have cleared a lot."

"You can even see the front door and the kitchen from here." I pointed as a policeman drank water in the kitchen.

Colton snapped a few more pics. "Seems like all the policemen are here."

"This is a huge case. If they solve this the chances of getting a promotion are high."

Colton nodded slowly and backed off, looking at the pics. I closed the curtains, walking to the right, and knocking on the wall.

Colton raised an amused eyebrow. "Are you seriously searching for a secret exit?"

I scowled at him. "Such big houses usually have."

"Yeah in the 19th century this is 21st and 2016."

"When I get my own house. I'll have plenty of secret passages."

Colton snorted at that. "I'll warn your future husband to not marry you."

"He won't listen to you. He'll love me anyway."

"He already sounds mythical." And Colton started laughing at his own joke.

I narrowed my eyes at me. "He isn't mythical." I folded my hands. "You can come and see for yourself on my wedding day."

"Oh, I will be there." Colton promised, still chuckling.

"Good because I won't be there for your wedding day."

"And why not?"

I stared at his face and then slowly at his whole body as I let repugnance show clearly on my face. "Because that day won't come. Who would even marry you?"

I bathed in glee as Colton's jaw dropped and his eyes turned hard and lips formed a straight furious line. Just when he opened his mouth to retort we heard footsteps climbing the stairs.

"Shit!" I cussed. "The books!"

"Get out." Colton ordered and within seconds we swooped down and exited the crime scene entering a random room.

"Where the hell are these books?" Colton asked in a high voice, making sure whoever was coming heard it.

"I don't know, we have been searching forever." I replied, glancing at the door for the person to enter. Just then a shadow fell and the fat policeman – Ricky - entered.

I distinctly heard Colton mutter profanity under his breath.

"What are you two still doing here? It's been over 20 minutes." Ricky shouted, glaring at us.

Before Colton could spoil our plan I cleared my throat, smiling at Ricky. "This house is so big and beautiful, I couldn't help but admire the architecture. Also, we couldn't find where the books are but now that you are here, you can help us." I fluttered my eyes at him innocently.

Ricky grinned, clearly excited at the prospect of showing me something. His grin soon widened, showing his crooked teeth and a dab of sauce left on his teeth. I bit my lip to stop from laughing but Colton didn't care to do that, he burst out laughing, snorting when he looked at the teeth again.

I elbowed him. "You will help me right?" I asked Ricky, biting my lower lip.

He slowly nodded, his eyes focusing on my lips. "Of course. I always help pretty girls like you. The library is that way." He pointed at the other side of the staircase, signaling for us – me to follow.

"Behave." I hissed at Colton, pulling him with me.

"You will help me right?" he muttered in a girly voice, flapping his eyes at a high speed and pouting like a pig at me.

I rolled my eyes, fighting a chuckle at his face. "Don't do that, you look funny."

"Great, you just saw how you always look." He retorted.

I turned to my left to face the clean glass wall where we could see ourselves. I pointed at us. "Do you see that?"

He furrowed his eyes, probably thinking I found a clue. "What?"

"That-" I pointed again at our reflection. "- is someone who is amazing, talented, stunning, and freaking awesome." Then I let out a small surprised shriek. "Oh look and you are there too!"

Colton gave a blank look. "Funny."

I grinned and followed Ricky into the library. "Wow." I breathed out, turning in a circle staring at the huge library. There were too many long bookshelves and each filled with books ranging from fictional to educational.

I removed 'The Wishing Chair' by Enid Blyton from a rack. "Wow, didn't think he would have these."

Colton turned a book at me, The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. "Or these."

"His niece probably reads these." Ricky answered, staring at the books with disinterest.

I swallowed the new information. "His niece stays here?"

"Naw, she's on a vacation in Berlin with her mom but they came back this morning after hearing about his death."

I nodded, walking beside Ricky. "So he has any girlfriends?"

Ricky turned to me with a frown. "Why?"

I shrugged casually. "Just asking. He was rich and pretty good looking from what I heard, he would have had a wife or a girlfriend."

"His ex-wife died two years ago, in a car accident. Since then he has had flings but no one serious." Ricky paused, thinking for a few seconds, and then lowered his voice, making sure Colton who was a few feet away wouldn't be able to hear it. From the corner of my eye, I saw Colton stiffen when Ricky neared my ear but stayed there.

"We found woman stuff in his room, lots. Which means there must be a woman living here right? We thought there were his ex-wife's but the sizes don't match. His ex was a B but these clothes indicate a D." Ricky whispered. "And we found no albums or photos or anything. Not even his wedding CD."

I nodded slowly, discreetly leaning back when his face came closer. "Do you believe this is an accident?"

"No. The main switch was fiddled with." Ricky answered.

"So all the lights were off?"

Ricky shook his head. "No, just his room's, he just happened to be in the washroom at that time and got a shock. Died on spot. I think he was supposed to be murdered like Nick and that's why the lights were off, but it was the murderer's lucky night."

I gulped before asking. "Do you suspect anyone?"

"Not really but-" he froze at the sound of incoming footsteps. His eyes widened and he took many steps away from me, his eyes turning hard. "Get whatever you want and leave."

We turned as another policeman entered, this one clearly with too much superiority because Ricky looked ready to shit in his pants. He saluted him, his hands shaking and I felt a tiny bit of pity for him. "Sheriff."

"Why are you here?" Sheriff's gruff and loud voice rang through the long silent library.

"I uh-they had- I mean they wanted- uh books." Ricky shuttered, blinking nervously.

"Hey, Sheriff." Colton cut in, taking a step ahead and grinning at the stiff face of the Sheriff. I stared in wonder as the stiff face was soon replaced by a small smile. "Hey Colton, what are you doing here?"

"Dad had lent books to Raul and needed them back, I just came by to collect them."

"Investigation sight, you aren't allowed." Sheriff scolded though it seemed only half-heartedly.

Colton chuckled. "I know but you know dad if he wants it then he wants it."

Sheriff nodded. "I am sure he'll understand this case. You can take the books in another two or three days. Now go."

"Yes sir." Colton mock saluted, gesturing me to follow him. I gave a small smile to the two policemen and ran out behind Colton, breathing a sigh of relief. "Phew, I thought we were going to get caught."

"Not with me around." Colton answered, winking at me.

I rolled my eyes but didn't reply knowing he'd start another debate. We settled into his car and he started the car, driving me home. We didn't speak much during the ride back, just bought two packets of Doritos because Colton claimed 'Poor Raul didn't get to eat them, made me realize how important eating Doritos is.'

By the time we stopped at my house, it was already 7 in the evening and I had texted mom and Josh I would be back for dinner. Josh had replied with a long list of foodstuffs he wanted and I had obviously replied back with a 'Move that fat butt and get it yourself.'

"Hey, Smith." Colton spoke as I got off his car.

I tilted my head looking at him. "Hey, Hastings."

He started fluttering his eyes and puckering his lips and spoke in a high pitch girly voice. "You will help me right?"

I rolled my eyes. "My middle finger so wants to salute you."

Colton flicked his imaginary hair back, imitating a Sorority girl. "I'd rather have something else of you salute me."

I let out a loud laugh, shaking my head. "You would make a bad girl Hastings."

He laughed with me, pointing at my definitely not invisible chest. "You would make a great guy Smith."

I made my middle finger happy by promptly shoving it in Colton's face. "Get lost asshole."

"Gladly." His cackling laugh was the last I heard as I banged my front door shut.

Oh Colton Hastings, the things you do to me.