The revelation of Mia's relationship with that officer hit me hard. And knowing the fact that they were… they were siblings hit me harder. Because now I am having thoughts that what if Mia also got involved in all these messed up positions.

Leone Marshal suddenly disappeared one day, leaving his only family member– his sister to someone's hand. Mia is his sister. And the woman is… I don't need to say anymore… it's Gloria.

But I have to say that when I was walking away from them, the way Gloria was looking at me– it seemed like she was adoring me. Maybe I am wrong and I mistook that, but I am having a strong feeling about that.

Well, now only these two women can tell me the truth about why he disappeared. Only if they were included in that before it happened.

This is so exhausting. Really.

What is my purpose here, anyway? What am I even doing? Not like just because of acting like an investigator I would really become one.

Huh. Come on.

How foolish of me to think that I will be able to solve it.

I started to walk on this track only because I wanted to find out the other person who was behind my parents death. Search for Domenico's acquaintance… and then I started to run behind whoever this psychopath killer is.

So where do I stand?

Because Domenico was out of the picture.

Leone Marshal turned out to be Mia's brother.

And Luciano was with the killer.

Unfortunately, because of the power he held currently from his wife's name, I could not even follow behind him to search for the killer.

Then what should I do? What am I even trying to find? Everything was getting more complicated the more I was going ahead and finding truths. And I was able to find it only because luck had been with me or it wouldn't have been possible to even come to this conclusion.

I have no idea what I should do now. Once again I am feeling lost.

Dad would have felt disappointed at his daughter if he saw me like this. Adam Gray was such a positive, responsible, and determined officer at his work. While his daughter… she doesn't even know what determination actually is.

After coming back home, the first thing Enzo did… oh, he made me rest for some time in my room. And I accepted it. Then he went out to deal with some of his remaining work which was pending only because of me. Meanwhile I called Tim and explained everything to him and assured that me and Enzo are completely fine.

As I flopped on the soft mattress of my bed, even the softness is not relaxing me at the moment. Feeling exhausted, I aggressively lay down on the bed… and something came in contact with my back.

Oh right. The envelope.

I completely forgot about it. Hurrying, I sat straight and pulled out the envelope from my hiding space.

This might lead me somewhere. I hope this helps.

I carefully opened it. I pulled all the money out. And the happiness of realising that now I might see my path… it vanished.

Because there's nothing else besides the money. Still I searched through the notes for anything, but nothing was found.

To be honest, the moment I found it there in the officer's house I thought it might play an important role in this. And the fact that this envelope wasn't the two which were given by Luciano.

I am infuriated. Really, really infuriated.

I don't know what happened to me. I suddenly threw all the money on the floor. The notes splattering fell down now making my room looking messy.

I rubbed my face with my palm. Nothing had come to show me the link to all these affairs.

What must I do? What am I supposed to do? What am I even doing?

Now, I have no target set for taking the next step. Some of the important questions left unsolved.

Who is this serial killer?

Who was the mastermind behind my parents death?

Back then, it was only Domenico whom I thought was my enemy. Because only he had come into the picture. I didn't know then that there was a second party who agreed on some certain matter with him and proceeded to make an alliance.

I am definitely missing a huge point in that. Or missing a big someone.

At first I was suspicious of Luciano for some thoughtful reason because Sandrino was his man who told me the name of the victim my Dad was investigating.

There were some facts… some strange facts which were making me clarify something else. That wanted me to come to a conclusion.

The strange facts were that Mom and Dad were murdered exactly the time Dad was investigating the first murder case.

Okay.

Then… Leone Marshal vanished right when he was investigating the second found case.

And today, this officer… got murdered right away. Everyone who had stepped into this killer file, unfortunately, their existence has been removed from the world.

Today after finding out about Mia and her abandoned story, if I assume that… the reason behind the sudden disappearance of Leone Marshal from the world was that killer– then… then behind my parents death… no way.

Could it be that… the alliance Domenico had back then– it was with the killer?

God, no way. It can't be… I gasped out loud, covering my mouth.

Does it mean that my parents were murdered… by this psychopath serial killer.

An unfamiliar feeling burning my chest.

Suddenly, the blurred vision has gone away. Now making me see it clearly.

Perfectly.

I felt my hands shaking, lips trembling as another sudden gasp released my lips. Tears started to gather in my eyes as that terrible memory of my home burning in fire, the burning feeling of my own screams and the unbearable pain in my chest… flashed before my eyes.

Oh God.

This is not a made up assumption… this is the truth!

It took me some time, but I am finally starting to put the pieces of the puzzle of this game.

For the past four years, I thought my only enemy was Domenico and that he killed my loved ones… only to find out in the end that he wasn't my actual enemy. Domenico wasn't the main villain. It has been the killer.

Everything started from him and it led me to this certain revelation that all of this is some made up maze. A created game of someone who is enjoying every moment of playing it with innocent girls and women.

So this is the truth MARS wanted me to find out. It meant that he knew all of this.

I exhaled, tears streaming down my face as I clutched the mattress below my palm.

Who is this MARS? How is he connected with everything anyway?

Not knowing how to react to this unimaginable revelation, I clenched and unclenched my fist.

A clicking sound of from my phone made me jolted. I hold it from the bed stand with shaky hands, absent-mindedly. The message I received caught my attention while the name of the person made me furious.

MARS: Are you working hard?

Does he think he is my guardian or something. Because he is not. He betrayed my trust.

Me: Who are you? You must tell me today, who are you and what's your motive?

I blurted out as well while typing the words. Good for him that we don't meet or I can't guarantee what would I have done to him for doing this to me.

I waited for his reply. Impatient.

MARS: Someone who will guide you to the truth.

Me: I know the truth, okay? I found out the truth.

I typed again quickly.

Me: I know that there was someone else's hand behind my parents death.

Telling him is necessary. I need to clarify the thing if it what I think is true.

I waited for something. Anything. The fire in me increasing per second whenever those certain flashbacks come back.

There was a pause before he finally responded.

MARS: Well?

Inhaling deeply, I quickly typed my reply.

Me: Domenico wasn't the only one in that murder. The serial killer I am searching for was also included in that.

A beat moment passed.

One second.

Then another. Then another.

MARS: That's right.

I felt my breath caught. So he knew it. I can't believe he…seriously?

Me: You knew that this whole time!

My vision blurred the more fast my fingers moved.

Me: You even knew that I was after him for revenge yet you didn't let me know the truth in the first place. Who are you really?

Me: Are you the killer?

His reply came almost immediately.

MARS: Quite the opposite.

Seeing the words, I couldn't help but scoffed.

MARS: Don't let anything mess with your head. Focus on the leads you are getting.

How concerned he is for my messed up head…huh!

Me: You know him, the killer?

Silence. No reply came.

However it was enough to let me make the answer myself.

Me: I am right. You do know him. Still neither are you stopping him from taking more innocent lives nor are you helping the police to arrest him.

My lips trembled although I am not saying it on his face.

MARS: Don't get emotional, Alora. This is not the time for it.

Huh. Seriously?

Me: You know what, you are worse than him.

If he is trying to get to my bad side then be his wish granted.

Me: I know you are involved in this. I don't know how but mark my words, MARS… you will not be able to escape.

I know these are some big words, however, my words do have enough weight. And I am looking forward to acting on it.

Infuriating, I aggressively put the phone down before even seeing the other received message. My eyes shifted to the empty white envelope lying beside me.

For some unknown reason, it made me more furious. Because I expected something to come from it but it is useless. All my hopes drown in vain.

Just like me. Loser. Useless. Easy to defeat.

Clutching the envelope in my fist, feeling both disappointment and wrath…without understanding the pit in my stomach, I started to tear it into pieces.

Pointless. Pointless. Pointless.

My chest is heaving up and down. I exhaled from my mouth. I don't understand the actual reason for my sudden outburst. I don't understand anything.

And that's what my issue is. That I actually understand nothing. Huh.

The tightening sensation in my throat increased as I gazed at the now in pieces envelope. Looking at the blue colour in the white paper, I swallowed.

Something… something seemed written on it. I immediately crawl on the floor, only collecting the particular pieces in which the words were written.

Yes. Actually. It had a message.

Only because it was written on the inside out of the envelope, I couldn't see it while taking the money out of that. Thankfully, I can see it now. Inhaling deeply I joined the pieces and… it showed something.

Origin of your investigation– Six fingers.

The implication of those two words made me weak by the knees while my entire body stiffened as I completely dropped on the cold floor.

That wasn't expected.

‘I felt an extra finger on his left hand.’

Betty had said those words…those literal words came back in my memory. While I, finally, came back to my right senses.

Origin of my investigation, it says. Yes.

It is what it is. It's a clue. An actual clue for the next step. Now I understand.

Okay, then.

Now I know what to do. Yes. Thanks to God. And to the person who helped me with that.

The person whom I know very well yet not really.

I opened the message box and the last message from him popped up that I received just a few moments ago but didn't read it.

MARS: Seems like we need to meet.

Of course. I would like to see who you are, after all. And what will you get for helping me… I will figure it out soon.

The killer was the one who assaulted Betty. Right?

The psychopath man with black leather jacket, the same man who drank with Domenico after hurting Betty. Maybe that's why he informed me about her position in the first place. Because the killer was connected with it.

The psychopath criminal with six fingers.

Interesting.

It also shows that this person has every detail about this criminal whether he goes out or does something in secret. MARS knows every single thing about him. How?

Me: When?

His reply came in just a second. It looks like he was anxiously waiting for my message. Did he think I would not keep taking his advice any longer?

MARS: Will tell you soon.

Me: Eagerly waiting to see you… Leone Marshal.

Two seconds passed.

I bit my lips, eyes not moving from the space where I will be receiving messages. Only if he sends any…

MARS: Likewise.

My lips curled up into a smile as I stared at the word, silently mouthing that over and over again. So my guess was right.

If someone knew almost everything about that criminal, it would be Leone Marshal as he was in charge of the investigation. So if I suppose that the criminal made him disappear then…it means that the officer had got something important in his hand about the criminal.

Moreover, MARS provides important details as if he has been reading the whole life book of that criminal– it's evident that they are the same person.

So it has been revealed now.

MARS is none other than Leone Marshal.

Oh. Amazing.

~~~~~~

As Enzo was quite busy with his own work– I didn't want to stress him more either. However, I did update him about the revelation of MARS, the root of the investigation that he extended to me, everything.

Though Enzo was constantly insisting so much to join me today, I told him that he should keep his eyes on his responsibility as a boss rather than get messed up with my issues.

Apparently, he couldn't argue more because I didn't let him say one more thing as I instantly pecked his cheeks and left him speechless. He was blushing so hard. Even I blushed at the thought of my bold personality before him. Maybe it came out because he was not just any man to me anymore. It is because he and I are going to be partners for life.

So, I decided to take Arthur's help with the further search. Although I didn't tell him about the six fingers details. I feel like I should keep this to myself.

Okay.

As we entered the club– ‘Club Icon’– the same place where Betty got assaulted a while ago.

I still remember the terror in her face when she was speaking about him. She even said that he seemed to be a psychopath. Indeed. He is a psychopath.

Fortunately, he didn't get further with hurting Betty or… what if she would have ended up in the same place like those three victims. No, God no.

She is safe now. Yes. And to keep other girls and women safe from being his target…I will do anything possible to stop that psychopath.

Arthur gestured to me to follow behind him as he walked over to the manager. He then politely asked the man for the names files of the almost regular visitors of the club.

I don't know what he told him but the aggressive behaviour of the manager completely vanished. Now the manager is making some phone calls.

Oh, as Arthur came today without wearing a uniform, looking like a random man who is just here to grab a drink. The way he is looking even when he is being himself, I can't help but find his personality quite funny.

“Sorry sir, but it will take some time to bring all the files.” The man passed an apology look to us.

I sighed. “No problem. Until then, we will be waiting here.”

“Yes, Ma'am. Sir, why don't you enjoy the arrangement till then. Please.” He gestured to us to come with him.

Then he made us sit in couches in one of the corner spaces from where the way to the VIP chambers were visible.

I glanced at Arthur, to my surprise, I found him desperately staring at the glass of whisky placed on the table.

Suddenly, his gaze shifted to me while I immediately turned my face to the other side. I felt a rush of embarrassment covering my face. Why would I be embarrassed anyway? He should be the one to feel that way as he seemed to imagine having a drink.

Nevermind.

“Why were you staring at me like that?” I turned my face and found him raising an eyebrow.

“I wasn't.”

“Of course.” He chuckled, making me frown. “You were actually judging me.”

Feeling embarrassed once again, I shook my head. I really wasn't judging him. It was just…the way he was gazing that was so funny, that's why.

He then leaned in and said, “Look, I am not on duty right now.”

Well, I didn't say anything about him being on duty or being irresponsible.

“So, you know, it won't be a problem.” He flashed his signature smile.

I gave a smile back, nervous. “Yeah. Do whatever you wish to.”

Just like that, he hesitatingly grabbed the glass, a smile that seemed like victory appeared on his face as he chugged it down in one go.

I am still not judging him but he really was desperate for that. Suppressing a chuckle, I turned my face to the other side so that he wouldn't say that I am judging him again.

Only then my eyes spotted a figure covered in darkness standing above the stairs of the VIP chambers. I blinked again, and she came below the dim light for a second.

I wouldn't have believed it was actually her had she not called someone else to come from behind. The person stood beside her. It was that bodyguard.

Patricia stood with her arms crossed, and a bitter expression covered on her face. That's the reason why I couldn't believe it was her in the first place. I never saw– not those times we came face to face, anyway– her look always amused me.

During this time, right now I am seeing some strange kind of look on her face…it's like I am watching a whole different person.

Even her bodyguard looks tense. For the first time, that man is actually looking like a normal human with normal expression.

Look, even thinking about him caused me to shiver with goosebumps erupted in my skin.

I watched them going back to the way he came from. And suddenly felt like following behind them. For some reason, my instincts told me to see what is actually happening there. In those chambers.

“I will be back in a second.” I hurriedly told Arthur and got up.

He gave me a concerned look. “Is there any problem? Where are you going?”

“I am just going to the washroom.” Only then he took my answer in a positive way.

Passing through the crowd, eyes still searching for any of them to come out from there– I hurriedly walked to the stairs.

Fortunately, there's no security in the staircase, however, I think I might find some of them above there, maybe outside their room.

As I reached the long hallway from where now it starts the way to all the rooms. There was a pillar-like thing situated in between every chamber.

At the same moment, I heard some chattering of more than two people coming from the other side of the hallway. Their voices became even more clear– God, no. They were coming this way.

I quickly ran behind one of the pillars. Thankfully, it helped me to hide my entire figure. I pinned my entire body to that as long as they were passing through the hallway.

I am not a coward. I am absolutely not. I just can't afford to get on their suspicious eyes if they catch me wandering in their personal space.

Suddenly, the area had gone dead silent as if everybody's existence just vanished from there. I looked over my shoulder, and my eyes slightly widened at the masculine figure that appeared at a distance from where I was hiding.

Luciano stood right in the middle of the hallway. His gaze fixed ahead, forward– maybe on the people coming in our way.

Standing still, not daring to even breath, I kept my hyping emotions stable.

Not right now, Alora. I can't get weak at the moment. Stay strong.

I removed my eyes from Luciano and peeked through the gaps to scan the situation. Four men came in my view, all in black leather jackets, wearing the same types of gloves in both their hands.

Swallowing the dryness in my throat which just appeared thinking about the position I got myself into– maybe I should fight if that man tried to be smart.

It's evident that Luciano noticed my presence even if he didn't see me once. He must have spotted me fighting to stand still and not collapse in the enemy's present.

I watched.

I waited.

Silence.

Luciano stayed silent as well as those men. Not moving from his place nor even signalling those men that someone had entered in their personal territory. I watched him with confusion.

What was he planning to do?

“Go and watch over the other side.” They didn't waste any more seconds before acting on his given command.

That wasn't expected.

Luciano didn't let his own men know that I am, someone he has issues with, is here for some reason. Why?

Confused, I again glanced over my shoulder. Now I found him staring at me with some kind of look. He was attempting to intimidate me, I could see that he was still trying to make me afraid of him.

For some reason, I didn't feel anything like that. Maybe because I despised his acts, or maybe because I knew his true self and what a coward he is.

“You,” I flinched as he took big steps toward me.

The look on his face made me step back to the space beside the wall. To my surprise, I didn't fall backward but instead I entered inside some kind of a store room. I had no idea that this room was present just beside from where I was hiding. But he did.

Therefore, it meant they must come here on some regular basis. Noted.

Staring at me with an intense and maybe disappointment too, Luciano closed the door behind him. I kept my raging emotions off my face because I have to get out of here without letting him sense anything strange.

“You are not supposed to be here.” He said so softly that it sounded like a whisper. “And don't you remember that I had told you to stay away–”

“To stay away from your wife?” I completed it instead.

Seemed like he was afraid that his wife might find out about everything that he does, from me. There was something this man was thinking, planning, and doing.

Also for the first time I was actually taking him all in. He looked… younger than my Dad would have been if he was…anyway. And his presence was different. So different.

“What were you doing?” He breathed out.

I stayed silent.

“Why are you here?” He asked again.

I didn't respond.

I should not have encountered this man no matter what… it was a mistake. I admit it.

Although he might know that I know about him having an alliance with the killer, I won't let him confirm this. Who knows, he probably took me to his men and everyone else, including Patricia, and showed them that I was spying on them.

It's best for me to play innocent right now. Okay, then. If he asked me once again or threats me to spit out everything, I will–

My thoughts stopped as Luciano took a steady step in my direction. For some reason I felt literally scared like a kitten in front of a cheetah the way he was now acting.

At the moment, I realised that I didn't know this man. Honestly, I have no idea how far he could go to keep his name clear. After all, he had a great power of his wife's surname.

Did I make a mistake by not answering his question?

I stood still for a moment, fisting my hands beside me– I kept my face neutral. To not show him any kind of fear. I couldn't step back from here no matter what happens.

“Be sure to be secure before taking such a step next time.” He gave a curt nod.

Before I could even process the words, he turned his back to me, making me speechless. Then without a care in the world, he got out of the room, leaving me shocked and surprised in my place.

What was that?

*****