The Bond Between Us (Anastasia and Herman)

What are the odds?

That guy was out on a date with a drop-dead gorgeous woman, sharing hotpot at a little spot downtown. Monica barely glanced over before looking away.

He was average-really average. Nothing about his looks stood out, but the woman with him? She looked like she belonged on a magazine cover. Monica wasn't the only one to notice; Jason found himself sneaking a look, too.

The guy wore no-name clothes—nothing fancy. The woman, though, was decked out: a designer bag that cost more than Monica's car, a dress worth a small fortune. She looked every inch the socialite.

Monica had a knack for spotting knockoffs, but everything the woman wore was the real deal.

She leaned in and whispered to Jason, "That guy? I saw him at the crime scene earlier. He smelled like fish-probably works with seafood. I've got to hand it to him, though. Pulling a woman like that? He must be either incredibly attentive or just really gets women. She's clearly not with him for his looks."

Jason's detective instincts kicked in. "The crime scene is over twenty kilometers from here. The people hanging around there should all be locals."

Monica thought for a second. “So he went to the crime scene on purpose? Why? How would he know there was a murder?"

They exchanged a look. The guy had just become a person of interest.

Jason took another look at the woman with him—she didn't look anything like the victim in the file he'd just gotten. The victim had been an unemployed woman, no steady job, but lived well enough.

The whole thing had Monica's adrenaline pumping. The idea that the man behind her could be a suspect made her restless with excitement.

Clarissa broke the tension. "The food's here! Come on, start eating. Jason, when you're done, take Monica to a movie or go shopping, alright?"

Jason nodded, but kept his eyes on the other table. Midway through dinner, the man and woman got up to leave.

He was attentive, carrying her bag as they walked out. They got into a sleek BMW.

Jason spoke to Clarissa, "Mom, you keep eating. I'll be right back.”

Monica stood up. "I'll go with you."

"No, stay here with my mom. I won't be long."

Jason headed out, tailing the couple.

Clarissa sighed. "Honestly, that boy-can't even finish dinner without running off. It's after work! What's so urgent?"

Monica smiled. "Mrs. Harris, the guy behind us might actually be a murder suspect. Jason's a cop-he can't let a chance slip by. Let's just enjoy our meal."

Meanwhile, Jason followed the BMW through city streets. His phone rang-Hank, his partner.noveldrama

"Jason, we found something on the victim-fish scales in her hair. Judging by the wounds, the killer's probably used to working with knives."

"A fishmonger?" Jason asked, recalling Monica's comment about the fishy smell.

"Could be."

“Alright, I'm following a possible suspect now. I'll keep you updated.”

Jason sped up, pulled the BMW over at the next intersection, and got out, badge and handcuffs ready. "Police. You're a person of interest in an ongoing investigation. Please come with me."

The man looked shocked. "Officer, you must have the wrong person—I haven't done anything."

"We'll figure that out at the station." Jason cuffed him before he could protest.

The woman panicked. "Officer, this is a mistake! He's a good man, really!"

Jason ignored her and took the guy to the station.

He was almost sure he had the right person-until the investigation revealed the man worked in finance, nowhere near a fish market. He'd been near the crime scene for a meeting and stopped to check out the commotion.

Jason let him go, frustrated.

Back at the station, he picked up the autopsy report and handed it over. "Here's

Ruby's file—see if I missed anything."

"Got it," Jason said, flipping through the pages.

Meanwhile, Monica and Clarissa finished their meal. Monica dropped Clarissa at home, then drove back to her place-never noticing the car that quietly followed her all the way home...