"Oh, I shouldn't."

When Seonghwa batted his lashes in disappointment, trying to read Hongjoong's expression, the detective guised himself with a strategic sip of tea.

"I couldn't dishonour the late owner of this place like that. But may I suggest you keep it as a memento for Mister May? You could prop it next to a picture of his and offer it to his spirit." Restlessly, Hongjoong shoved his palms under his thighs. Seonghwa's intense stare made him squirm.

Pondering, Seonghwa spread marmalade over his roll. After a beat, he hummed.

"You are right. I shouldn't let my grief get the better of me. Actually, I should commemorate it in his room right now as a signal of my loyalty. If you will excuse me?"

Hongjoong sent him a blinding smile.

"Of course, take your time."

Graceful, Seonghwa lifted from his seat and retrieved the bottle from the kitchen. He cradled it against his chest in an embrace of yearnful melancholy. As his dull steps left up the carpeted stairs, Hongjoong sprang into action.

This was the only window of time he had to run free in the widow's gaff. While Seonghwa reconsidered his guilt, Hongjoong launched himself towards the table and the many documents splayed about. Surely, there was something here. Seonghwa didn't have a lot of visitors during his mourning, and he would be assured anyone basked in his charm. Too distracted to search the room.

As Hongjoong rifled through drawers and addresses, he kept one ear on the noises above and the steps stilling in a room overhead as Seonghwa conveyed his prayer.

He acted so suspiciously. Dodged so many questions. Was it truly just his remorse towards his late husband for flirting with a gee younger and more vigorous than him? Or was this the very secret Hongjoong tried to unveil? So far, the widow's case looked like a clean sneak, but there was more behind his deceptive pan.

Useless well-wishes, letters of admirers, bills and dailies. Hongjoong tried his best to put everything into the place where he found it, but he was in a hurry. His blood rushed in his ears and his trembling hands felt as if he were the criminal.

Another letter caught his attention. Its writing was hasty and jittery as if the author didn't pay attention to the words or glanced elsewhere while in the process. Hongjoong strained his eyes to figure out the scrawled cursive.

Seonghwa.

Your recent anger outbursts set my teeth on edge. I already told you I cannot offer you more money than I already do. 

I am too old to work, so please stop pushing me. This is getting scary.

I'll call the coppers and tell them what you did.

"Well, well, well," Hongjoong grinned in disbelief. "What do we have here?" With the letter of threat clutched in his left, his right hand searched for some other document the late Mister May had signed on. Though scrawled as if in a panic about his wrathful spouse, the handwriting was undoubtedly the same.

Hongjoong had his evidence. Seonghwa had been threatening Albert May for cabbage and killed him when he couldn't offer the desired sum. Cutting apples at such an angle that they would get lodged in an old throat wasn't such a grand act of murder. It was a simple end. Bloodless.

With his heart hammering, Hongjoong straightened. He needed to lam off. Needed to show Yunho these documents and come back with a warrant. Now, he was positive every motive of these four dead husbands surrounded Seonghwa.

But the second he whirled around, he caught sight of the figure leaning into the doorframe. Seonghwa attended him with a patient smile and his arm poised elegantly to support his elegant body.

The stare of his eyes was ice cold. Hongjoong hadn't heard him come back down.

"Ah, someone looks caught in the act." Seonghwa chuckled. Hongjoong's shoulders squared in defence. Seonghwa stood between him and the door. Surely, Hongjoong could shove him off? The widow was taller than him, but slender in build. Hongjoong's hasty once-over couldn't spot a roscoe.

He gulped. Sweat tickled on his hairline.

"What are you searching for so hurriedly? You could have had some wine first before getting into the judicial folly," Seonghwa tutted and Hongjoong gritted his jaws.

"I know what you did, Park. Your crimes are painfully obvious, and this is the evidence I needed." He flicked up the paper in his hand and Seonghwa's eyes followed the movement. His sinister grin broadened and his beauty had never been so terrifying.

He had killed four men. If Hongjoong wanted to get out of here alive, he needed a bloody great distraction.

Though Seonghwa seemed to have joy in his games.

"You know what I did and you face me head-on? How brave of you." The purred praise stirred in Hongjoong's stomach and he cursed his own body. This was the ploy of the gorgeous vamp.

"I cannot be gentlemanly about this. If you want a lighter jolt, cop it sweet and confess," Hongjoong hissed. Invested, Seonghwa caressed his chin.

"John Law, aren't you? I've dealt with you people before."

Once more, Hongjoong's blood chilled. Seonghwa's perpetual smile was ever so self-assured.

What? 

Others had already investigated Seonghwa? Then how didn't they find evidence about the obvious? Did Seonghwa... murder trained professionals?

No, the apathetic smile on his face didn't need to fend with weapons.

A snap of his fingers and any egg was at his feet. 

"What shall I offer you, hm? My body could be yours, Officer Kim. I am flush. We don't have to make things ugly." Tempting with his siren voice, Seonghwa played with the thin strap of his dress on his left shoulder. Tugging on the bow just lightly enough not to unravel its knot.

Hongjoong cursed at his natural instinct. His body hollered at him to take the invitation and show Seonghwa how someone young could do him. 

But he had to resist. He couldn't.

Trembling hands clutched around the letter that would solve all his problems. 

"Alternatively, we could play your way, of course, but that's no fun. So many papers and cell bars and trials... No one has to know what you saw, darling. It can be our dirty little secret." A sensual hand traced over Seonghwa's neck, offering a hell of lust and deceit.

When Hongjoong stood like a log, Seonghwa's pout disappeared and his eyes hardened.

"What will you do now? Will you burn me?"

Hongjoong had no time to think.

Choose now:

Expose the evidence to the police -> Go to chapter 17

Keep quiet -> Go to chapter 16