Chapter 1
Meeting
Lucas Malden was heading toward his penthouse when flashing police lights and a blocked street entrance forced him to stop his car. His neighborhood was quiet and secure—nothing ever happened there.
He parked by the side of the road and approached the area surrounded by police tape. Under the dim lights lay the lifeless body of a young woman. Even at a glance, it was clear she had been killed in cold blood.
Lucas stepped closer, observing carefully, and then… he flinched slightly.
Elena Denova.
The name passed through his mind, yet no emotion appeared on his face. He had never been close to her, though he had once helped her with her career. Now he stood there looking at her corpse.
Only a few minutes later, he heard a firm, controlled female voice instructing the officers to focus on their work.
Detective Victoria Bennett.
She was demanding that people leave the crime scene. Everyone moved away—except Lucas, who remained standing still.
In the silence between the sirens, Victoria's voice was heard again.
"Excuse me."
Lucas didn't have time to come out of his thoughts before he heard her again.
"Excuse me, you!"
Lucas slowly turned around. Detective Bennett was standing in front of him.
"I'm listening," he replied calmly.
"Aren't you planning to leave the crime scene?" Lucas paused for a moment. "Or perhaps you're related to the victim?"
"No, I'm not related," Lucas answered shortly.
"I'm just her neighbor. I live one house up."
Victoria looked at him suspiciously.
"I see. But I still have to ask you to leave the scene."
Lucas hesitated for a moment. As a writer of detective novels, he had described scenes like this many times. But reality? Reality was always different.
"But I might be able to help," he said. His voice was calm and unreadable.
Victoria raised an eyebrow.
"And how exactly do you plan to help?"
Lucas looked at the body once more. For him, everything was already clear.
"The victim knew the killer."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Victoria stepped closer.
"And what makes you say that?"
Lucas gestured slowly with his hand.
"There are no signs of struggle on the body. Not a single scratch, not a single defensive wound. No attempt to run away. Which means when the killer appeared, Elena didn't feel threatened… until the shot was fired."
Victoria frowned.
"And how were you able to notice that?"
Lucas smiled slightly.
"I've been working on this for years. Just… on paper."
"Meaning?"
"Lucas Malden. Detective novel writer."
An unfamiliar emotion flashed across Victoria's face, but she said nothing.
"Alright, Mr. Malden. Let's try this. But on one condition—you will not interfere with my investigation."
Lucas lowered his head slightly.
"We'll see, detective."