One Hundred and Fourty Four

CHAPTER 144

Alicia looked at the crime scene. The field forensics team had already removed the body of the man Nicholas was talking about, he had found nothing but the location of the body which had been circled by a yellow police line. Nicholas asked Alicia to pull over because it was a dangerous place and Alicia agreed to wait for Nicholas on the other side.

The crashing waves on the beach momentarily filled the void in Alicia's chest. It had been a long time since she had felt the fresh breeze of nature. But being on the beach when the air was cold, made Nicholas worried about Alicia's condition. Nicholas quickly caught up with Alicia, then took off his warm coat to cover Alicia's outerwear.

"You should use this, it's cold outside, you'd better wait in the car," Nicholas said, then invited Alicia into the car.

They sat next to each other as Nicholas began to rub his cold palms together. His face seemed to be still wandering around looking at the surrounding scenery from inside the car. The police and other forensic teams began to get into the car and leave the crime scene. It was an order from Nicholas. He asked the two policemen to wait at the crime scene until tomorrow, while the other officers and the field forensics team would return to the office for an investigation meeting.

"How was it? Was there anything specific about the man's corpse?"

Nicholas muttered under his breath, he tried to wet his dry lips before looking at Alicia who was sitting beside him. She looked hesitant, before opening her mouth. "I didn't want to tell you about this, Alicia."

Alicia's eyebrows raised, and she looked surprised. "Why?"

"Because you've seen enough death. I didn't want you to get involved."

Alicia felt offended. Nicholas' attitude of not involving her in the case of the discovery of the man's corpse made Alicia feel neglected. Alicia's ego was hurt. She felt Nicholas wanted to keep her away from what Alicia wanted, finding Ace's involvement with all the murders in the city.

"What is it, Nicholas? Didn't you say... I could help you?" Nicholas was about to speak, but Alicia quickly cut him off without giving him a chance to speak. "You even came to me so I could help you. Why suddenly ask me to stop? I want to know if Ace was involved, if all these murders were made by Ace, I want to know if-" "Alicia!"

Nicholas' raised voice left Alicia stunned and silent for a few moments. She was quite surprised by Nicholas' attitude that day. Nicholas was not usually angry or upset. So, what made Nicholas say that to Alicia?

But Nicholas soon realized the change in Alicia's face in front of him. Nicholas wiped his face, then spoke in a lowered voice as he said, "Listen, Alicia. You can get involved in the case of your parents' death. I'll help, we'll find the culprit together. But this man's death... let the police take care of him. You have nothing to do with it."

The girl sitting next to Nicholas did not answer immediately. She looked at Nicholas' face seriously. Snow began to cover the front of Nicholas' car, so the man felt the need to end their conversation there.

"It's getting cold. I'll take you home before I go back to the police station. Do you still have anything to ask, Alicia?"

Alicia gave a short snort, she turned her gaze in another direction. "You sound like you're limiting me, Nic. Are you angry that I want to get involved?"

"It's all for your good." Nicholas ended their conversation, not wanting Alicia to argue anymore.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A tapping sound came from the car window, making both Nicholas and Alicia turn their heads. Nicholas pressed the button, and the window came down automatically. Noel was there, standing in the snow that was raining down on him.

"I'm going with the forensics team to check the DNA samples on the victim. Are you going with me?"

Nicholas glanced at Alicia, then nodded. "Sure. I'll go after taking Alicia home. "

Noel looked at Nicholas and Alicia in turn, before saying, "Okay. See you at the hospital."

The tapping of snow on the car window echoed the tension inside. Alicia's frustration smoldered beneath the surface. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this case, something connected to her past, her family tragedy.

As Noel retreated into the snowy night, Alicia turned to Nicholas, her eyes looking determined and vulnerable. "Nicholas, I can't just sit and watch. I know you're trying to protect me, but this feels personal."

Nicholas sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Alicia, this is dangerous territory. You've been through a lot. I can't afford to see you get hurt."

Alicia's voice wavered slightly. "I can't sit back while this case might have something to do with my past. Ace may be involved, and if he is, I need to be a part of this. All of this was caused by me, it all centers on me. Isn't that right, Nick?"

But Nicholas was adamant about his stance, he stopped the car and stared straight ahead. The landscape of New York City was already filled with snow. The rain didn't want to stop and Nicholas sighed as the air around him felt cold. He turned around and spoke to Alicia after letting out a breath that sounded disgusted.

"Alicia, you can fight me for many things. But not this one. You can't be involved in another person's death again." Nicholas held his breath, before finally continuing, "This could all be harmful to you. I don't want you to face this danger alone again."

A flash of frustration flashed across Alicia's face. "I cannot continue to live in a golden cage, sheltered from the truth, Nicholas. My past is linked to this. I firmly believe that the man's corpse has something to do with my parents' death. I cannot ignore it."