ANASTASIA:
ANASTASIA:
Mia's death wasn't an accident. It was a premeditated murder.
Just as the truck ploughed into Mia and sped off, I caught a glimpse of a figure in the sideview mirror of the truck. I couldn't make out what the person looked like, but I could tell that the culprit had a mask on his face as he took a quick look at Mia's body with a small smile on his face before making his turn.
"Lara, just give me your car keys," I said, still staring at the speeding car.
"What?"
"Just give me the keys!" I snapped, grabbing them from her hands and running toward the truck. There was no time to explain her right now. There is a major possibility that this could be the Devil.
I'd never been a big fan of car chases or drifting, but sitting behind Lorenzo's bike had somehow made me feel brave enough to do it today. I turned on the engine and hit the gas as hard as I could. The road passed by in a blur—trees, buildings, people—all left behind as I pursued the killer.
Maybe Oliver is behind this murder or is it the Devil? Or the She-Devil perhaps?
My eyes remained glued to the road, tracking where the truck made its turns, and I swiftly manoeuvred the steering wheel accordingly. I cannot lose the killer. This could solve the case. Maybe If I catch the killer this time, I can get a witness to reveal Oliver's real face.
As I was thinking all the possible things to catch the culprit, my phone rang, disrupting me from my thoughts. Lara's name was on the display. I quickly swiped right to answer, keeping it on speaker.
"Hello?"
"Where the hell did you go, Ana?" The voice from the other end roared.
My eyes remained fixed on the truck ahead. The driver was reckless, evident from the way the vehicle swerved. "Uh, Lara, I'm chasing the killer!"
"What?" Her voice held a surprise, and at that very moment, the truck veered left, almost running a red light. Thankfully, I was quick to follow. "Why did you go alone? It could be incredibly dangerous! Do you even know how worried I am, and—"
"Lara, don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm about to catch the culprit," I replied, my determination unwavering. Today I will get the killer. "Just do me a favour and call Dave, tell him to bring his team towards Magen Square. The truck is headed for the Southern Expo Highway." I continued, "The truck's number is BT6234."
"Ugh—okay," she replied with a mix of worry and urgency. "Just be safe, okay?" She said before ending the call.
With my focus back on the road, I whispered, "Where will you run to? I'll catch you today, for sure."
It was possible that this was a hired assassin or someone Oliver had hired to put on this act. I remember the fight just before her accident. Oliver and Mia had a heated argument for sure.
Was it the reason he had planned to kill her? What was going in between them? Is it in any way related to previous cases? There were so many questions in my head to ask. None of them answered yet.
But then again, it was clear that Mia had once been a member of his group. Was this someone else, trying to frame him? I wasn't entirely sure, not until I caught this person and extracted answers about why he killed Mia.
Nevertheless, that was what I had to find out.
Peering out of the window, I could see that we were approaching yet another traffic signal, and I was determined to catch the Devil this time. The signal turned red, and the truck ahead began to slow down, presenting an opportunity. I floored the accelerator, closing the gap between our car and the truck. I was almost level with the truck's door when something astonishing caught my eye.
In the side mirror, the image became clearer, and I realized it wasn't the Devil after all; it was a girl. I could just make out her face, partially concealed by a scarf, with her unruly hair dancing in the wind and her eyes blazing fire. The She-Devil!
I had seen her somewhere before but couldn't remember it.
Before I could fully process this revelation, the signal turned green, and the flow of traffic resumed on the road. "Shit," I muttered under my breath as I watched the truck unexpectedly veer right onto a secluded road.
The blaring horns of impatient drivers momentarily deafened me as I forced my way through the traffic to follow the truck onto that road. By the time I reached it, the truck had gained a considerable lead.
RING RING.
Another incoming call interrupted my thoughts, and this time it was Lorenzo. I answered, still in a state of surprise. Perhaps Lara had informed him, but I had no time to explain. Lorenzo's response, however, caught me off guard.
"Piccola, don't worry, I'm right behind you," he said calmly from the other end of the line. It took me a moment to register that the blue Chevrolet tailing me was indeed him. "Just slow down the car and I'll get you."
"What? What are you doing here?" I asked, my surprise evident. I had no idea how long he had been following me. Had he possibly seen the culprit? "I-I can't get off right now, Lorenzo. The killer... I am just about to catch him. You need not have to worry about me, I'll be fine."
Before he could respond, a loud burst and the screeching of tires filled my ears. Thankfully, I managed to steer the car just in time to avoid a major accident and ended up in a collision with a tree trunk nearby. The airbag deployed instantly, and I yelped and gasped simultaneously.
"Fuck," I cursed under my breath, frustration coursing through me. I had lost the killer. From the window, I saw the car fading into the distance.
For a few seconds, my senses were overwhelmed by a sensation in my head, rendering me both sightless and nearly deaf. But gradually, a voice broke through the fog.
"Piccola?"
"Can you hear me?"
"You okay?"
"Ana? Ana? Can you hear me?" Lorenzo's voice, tinged with concern, became increasingly audible now.
I forced my eyes open, blinking up at him as he cradled me in his arms, his worried gaze locked onto mine. I groaned softly as I regained my senses. "L-Lorenzo?"
My head was throbbing, and I had no idea if I was injured or bleeding.
"Ana, are you okay?" Lorenzo inquired once more, offering me a water bottle. I accepted it gratefully, giving him a nod of thanks. I noticed his sigh of relief as my condition improved.
"The... the killer..." I finally managed to say, my voice shaky. "I missed."
Lorenzo hushed me soothingly in his deep, alluring voice as he knelt down before me, bringing himself to my eye level. "Shh... don't worry about that right now. I'm just glad you're safe."
I was relieved too, but a surge of frustration welled up within me. The frustration of getting so close and yet missing out. I remembered vividly how close I had been until...
Quickly exiting the car with a limp leg, I scanned the surroundings. To my surprise, I discovered iron nails scattered on the road. It was a deliberate act, and I wasn't certain whether the culprits had acted alone. Someone had assisted the killer in escaping by spreading these nails on the road just as I was about to apprehend them.
Lorenzo stood behind me, his deep breaths echoing in the tense silence. My eyes remained fixed on the road ahead as I whispered, "I think I know who the killer is."
****
David appeared just after the scene, and I quickly briefed him on the case. The beautiful Lady officer stood beside him and beside her another portly figure. The name tag on his chest denoted he was the chief Hampton. His gaze drilled into me, making me feel somewhat uncomfortable. Thankfully Lara and Lorenzo remained by my side as David took my statement.
"Thanks, A. I'll look into the number registered in the name and update you then," David said, his eyes filled with worry and concern. "Just promise me, you won't be so reckless next time."
I let out a sigh. "I'll be fine, Dave. We need to catch the killer as soon as possible."
"I'd suggest you listen to Detective David, Anastasia," the portly officer interjected. "We are here to take care of the matter. You need not worry about it anymore." He attempted a tight smile that seemed more like a grimace. "I've informed your father; he should be here any minute now."
The tone in his voice indicated he'd rather I wasn't here, helping David solve the case. So, I chose to remain silent.
My father arrived shortly afterwards, a frown etching his brows. "Ana, what was going on?" he asked as soon as he stepped out of the car.
I sighed. "Dad, I'm fine," I replied. "It's just a minor injury. I'll be okay. I promise."
But he wasn't convinced by my words. I could tell by his expression. Before I could explain further, Sheriff Hampton intervened. "Mr. Brown!"
Turning back, my father welcomed Sheriff Hampton with a smile and a handshake. He then went off to have a conversation with the chief officer. I seized the opportunity to call David over in a hushed tone.
"David?"
He immediately approached me, concern evident in his eyes, subtly checking if I was okay. Lara and Lorenzo stood nearby.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, but listen, I have to tell you something."
David furrowed his brows. "What is it?"
Glancing at my father and Chief, who were still engrossed in their conversation, I whispered, "I think the person who killed Mia is Miley Smith."
A/N: It is often said that when we are pushed beyond our limits, we transform into someone we never imagined we could be.
Thank you for reading this book. See ya next week.