Chapter 286
Aria was a bit taken aback when she realized it was him. “Officer Fletcher, what are you doing here?”
Fryderyk was just about to bolt after the shadowy figure when Aria’s voice rang out. He stopped dead in his tracks and turned instinctively. “Aria?”
‘Why is Aria waiting out here so late at night? Is that thief connected to Aria?‘ Fryderyk wondered, instantly alert.
He’d just been stopped dead in his tracks right as he was about to give chase. If it had been anyone other than Aria, he would have immediately suspected them of being in on it.
Fryderyk explained, “I arrived in Jamelan this evening and am staying next door. I heard a commotion and came out–there’s been a break–in at this house.”
Unable to sleep, Fryderyk stepped into the courtyard for some fresh air. Hearing a suspicious noise, he rushed out–just in time to spot a shadowy figure fleeing.
From the figure, it was a young woman.
Aria glanced at the door to Betty’s room. “Want to go in and check?”
Fryderyk was a bit confused. ‘Shouldn’t we be chasing the thief?‘ he wondered.
It was so dark, Fryderyk couldn’t make out Aria’s expression.
Knowing her, Fryderyk gave a curt nod. “Let’s go in.”
They hurried to the front door. Just as Fryderyk raised his hand to knock, Aria suddenly reached out and gave his shoulder a light tap. “Don’t bother knocking,” she said. “No one’s here.”
Before Fryderyk could voice his question, Aria had already reached the fence. With practiced ease, she vaulted over, unlocked the gate from inside, and
called out, “Come on in.”
Fryderyk was at a loss for words.
On previous missions, he was always the one leading the charge. But this time, he was the one following someone else’s lead.
Fryderyk watched as Aria approached the door. Before he could even react, she had it open in a flash, like she’d done this a hundred times before.
Aria made straight for one of the rooms, Fryderyk following behind, puzzled. He couldn’t help asking, “You live here?”
“Sort of,” Aria replied. “But I’m not staying here at the moment.”
Aria walked up to the drawer, opened it with practiced ease, and lifted out the false bottom. Staring at the empty hidden compartment, a slow, chilling smile curled at the corners of her lips.
Fryderyk saw it all, “Is your stuff stolen?”
Aria nodded. “Yeah.”
Fryderyk blurted out, “Should we call the police?”
Aria shot him a look that was equal parts amused and exasperated. “Aren’t you the police here?”
Fryderyk was speechless again.
“I was going to chase after them-” He paused as it hit him. “Wait, you did this on purpose?”
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Chapter 286
She deliberately held him back from chasing the thief.
The place was empty, yet both doors were locked from within. This was staged to look occupied.
Aria gave him a faint smile. “I’m the victim here, Officer Fletcher, and you’re my witness. I lost a crimson seal, which is really important. Don’t forget to file a report for me.”
In just a few minutes, Fryderyk found himself speechless three times.
Now he got it–Aria had planned this all along.
Aria closed the drawer and headed out. “Let’s go, Officer Fletcher, It’s late–time to call it a night.”
Fryderyk caught up with her. “Let’s talk. There’s a case that involves you.”
Aria said with a smile, “I’ll walk you back to your place. We can talk on the way.”
Hannah tiptoed in, and the lights snapped on the moment the door clicked shut.
She jumped in fright.
The next second, a low, gentle voice came from behind–Liam asked, “Hannah, where have you been?”
Hannah instinctively clutched at her coat, but realizing how obvious that looked, she quickly dropped her hand. Turning around with a nervous grin, she said, “Liam, you’re awake?”
Behind her, Liam took in her every move. “I woke up when I noticed you were gone,” he said.
A trace of guilt flickered in Hannah’s eyes as she hurried over. “Did I wake you up? I’m so sorry, Liam. I suddenly realized I’d made a mistake in a set of data and had to rush to fix it.”
AD
