WhenTheCold Pounds on the door

小寒 [6] / [20]

Alexander searched the address through his phone. The apartment complex was a 2 km distance from the place where where Carlos was victimized. Alexander had no idea about this place as he only concentrated on the alleys.

“Is something wrong?”

she observed his face, asking. But he didn’t say.

Is Lucas related to these cases?

“Were you with him the whole time during Christmas?”

he asked.

“I was with him from Christmas eve until the evening of Christmas day. He went back home in the early evening.”

“How can he have his own house, since he is jobless?”

“Some money left him through wealthy donors at the orphange, government aid etc. Cheap deposit and rent. It’s not his own house though. Apparently, the apartment will be demolished in a few years.”

“Just to be sure, have you given him money or anything?”

“Shouldn’t I?”

Jeez. If Lucas was really the criminal he was searching for, that means, it’s doubtless that he would stoop so low as elicit sympathy and money from older women, and used kids to satisfy his own perverse sexual desires. Moreoever, he may have been with her before and after committing his crimes. The passion of wanting to solve this case surged to the fore in his heart.

“Does he smoke?”

“He does.”

“Any cigarette butts left?”

“There’s an ashtray outside. Why?”

Alexander took out a random plastic bag and, instead of replying, went outside. Fortunately the ashtray had yet to be emptied, and there was a heap of cigarette butts in there. He swiped them all into the bag.

“What are you doing? I will clean them, just let them be,”

Kiara followed him, trying to stop him, clueless as to his purpose.

“Did he leave a toothbrush behind?”

he asked her to make sure. Alexander was determined to catch this violent predator, and, though not 100% certain of his guilt, he was highly suspicious of Lucas. He needed to be subtle.

“What on earth is going on? If you don’t tell me, I won’t cooperate.”

Kiara folded her arms. He didn’t know how to explain this, and just stared at her face. It wasn’t just the dark and insidious nature of these crimes that made him reluctant to tell her more. If Lucas was indeed the person he was looking for, he didn’t want to risk him finding out too much, by accident or through manipulation, from his sister. He couldn’t be sure how he could effectively threaten Lucas. What if he figured out Alexander`s actual job? Of course the possibility was very slim, that this could happen. So, the less she knew, the safer she’d be.