Chapter 380: Leo Karumi [14]

"Detective, huh..."

"Yes." Detective Nolan leaned slightly, trying to peer past Leo into the house.

"If you wouldn’t mind, could I come in?"

Leo shifted, blocking the doorway with his body.

"Unfortunately," he said evenly, "I don’t think you’re invited to today’s birthday party. Are you?"

The detective kept his smile, though it looked strained now—awkward under Leo’s stare.

"I’m not," he admitted.

"But this is important, so—"

"Do you have a warrant?"

"A warrant?"

The sudden question clearly threw him off. He blinked.

"No."

"Then do you have exigent circumstances that let you enter my parents’ house immediately?"

The smile slipped off Detective Nolan’s face.

"No," he said, more carefully now. "Not at the moment. But what I need to discuss is important—about you—which is why I’d like to—"

"I can’t allow that," Leo cut in. "Legally, this house belongs to both my mom and dad. Without their consent, neither of us has the authority to let you in."

Detective Nolan narrowed his eyes slightly.

"You know a bit of law, it seems."

Leo’s face warmed into a friendly smile—one that would’ve made Lea rub her eyes if she’d seen it.

"Just something I picked up from watching a bunch of law and crime movies."

"I see," the detective said, the tension easing a notch.

"Then could you call one of your parents out here?"

Leo’s smile turned apologetic. He scratched his cheek, looking genuinely troubled.

"I would, but I’m sorry, Detective. My parents are always busy with work. This is one of the few times we’re all together, and everyone’s enjoying my little sister’s birthday..."

His gaze lowered, and his smile softened as if he were speaking to himself.

"I don’t want anything to ruin the precious memories being made today."

For a brief second, the detective’s eyes went suspicious—then the warmth returned, and he nodded with understanding.

"Of course," Detective Nolan said kindly. "A detective showing up might be exciting for the kids, but it would ruin your parents’ day with worry. They’re lucky to have such a thoughtful son."

Leo looked faintly embarrassed.

"I hope so."

The detective sighed.

"Then, if it’s alright with you, would you mind if we spoke? Just the two of us."

"Sure," Leo said.

"As long as it doesn’t take too long."

The detective’s expression turned serious.

"I assume you’re aware of the recent vandalism at your school?"

Leo nodded slowly.

"The suspect has been destroying things for the past few years," he said. "Instruments from the music club, chairs in classrooms... and stealing umbrellas from students."

Leo blinked, surprised.

Only one of those sounded like

him.

The moment the detective mentioned vandalism, Leo had assumed it was about the music room. But now it seemed there was an actual vandal roaming the school—someone Leo hadn’t known about.

"I... wasn’t aware of most of that," he admitted.

The detective nodded.

"But you were aware of the instruments, right?"

Leo nodded again, letting his expression tighten into something distressed.

"My teacher—Instructor Kaya—has had to replace instruments a few times because of it."

"I know," Detective Nolan said. "The school is lucky to have a teacher like that—willing to lend so many of her own instruments without demanding extra pay."

Leo nodded once more.

The detective sighed again, heavier this time.

"Unfortunately," he said, "out of these recurring acts of vandalism, I believe the person responsible may be doing the damage with malicious intent toward

you

."

Leo took a step back, feigning shock.

"Against me?" he said. "But why would you think that? Everyone knows I use the music club to practice, but I have nothing to do with the other two."

"I don’t know about the other two yet," the detective admitted. "But the destruction in the music club is the most frequent. When I looked deeper, I noticed the damage tends to occur around the times you leave the club room. Whoever is doing this may be trying to frame you—or send you some kind of message."

’He couldn’t be more wrong.’

Leo raised a hand to his mouth, like he was struggling to process it.

"I... I see..."

Detective Nolan placed a reassuring hand on Leo’s shoulder.

"I know that’s unsettling to hear," he said. "But the school is taking this seriously—that’s why they contacted me. And I don’t mean to boast, but I have the highest solve rate in my department. You’re in safe hands."

Leo looked at him gratefully, then hesitated.

"Does this mean you’ll... be acting as my bodyguard, or...?"

Detective Nolan shook his head.

"Whoever this is, they’re cautious. They avoid witnesses, and they aren’t stupid enough to confront you directly." His eyes sharpened. "Not yet, at least. But I

do

advise you not to be alone whenever you can avoid it."

Leo nodded in understanding, and the detective’s expression softened again.

"You know," Detective Nolan added, "I’ve heard a lot about you. Your name has made the newspaper more than a few times—refusing roles in films directed by top directors and all that. Most people wouldn’t turn down a chance to become famous."

He gave a small, almost fond smile.

"My wife and I have a child ourselves. We go to the theatre often. We’ve seen you perform more than once. Honestly... it’s a shame you haven’t been in any plays lately."

Leo scratched the back of his head and gave an awkward laugh.

"What can I say? I guess my passion for acting has died down."

"That’s unfortunate," Detective Nolan said.

"But you’re young. Someone as bright as you will have plenty of things you can excel at."

"Haha... thank you, Detective."

The detective reached into his coat pocket and handed Leo a card.

"Listen," he said.

"If you get into any trouble, my number is on that card. Call me immediately."

"Thank you," Leo replied.

"I hope I won’t have to use it."

"Me too." The detective nodded.

"For now, though, I’ll leave you to it. Happy birthday to your little sister. Enjoy the party."

"Goodbye, Detective."

Detective Nolan gave one last polite smile, then turned and left.

******

’Maybe my son was wrong. He isn’t so bad after all...’

In all honesty, he’d assumed Leo was some spoiled kid. He’d taken his son’s word for it—trusted what he knew—and it looked like he’d been wrong. The only reason he’d taken this case was because his son knew Leo. Nolan had heard the name a few times, even seen the boy in the theatre. And the vandalism? Probably just a bunch of students pulling pranks. If Nolan wanted to catch them, he could—easily, without much effort.

The kid named Leo was simply—

"Oh, right, Detective..."

Nolan stopped in his tracks as a voice called out behind him.

He turned. Leo was still standing in the doorway, watching him.

’Something is different...’

Leo wore a friendly smile, but his eyes looked colder.

"You mentioned you have a son, correct?"

Nolan hesitated, then nodded.

"By any chance... is your son called Dave?"

Nolan’s eyes widened.

"How do you know that?"

’Did he see me with my son in public? I’ve never really been to the school during opening hours either, so it could be a coincidence, but...’

For some reason, Nolan felt a sharp spike of suspicion. Those instincts he’d built as a detective were flaring up like an alarm. And that smile—somehow it looked more chilling now.

"I think it was two years ago," Leo said calmly. "During a parent-teacher meeting. I passed by Dave and his mother, and I caught a glimpse of your wife’s phone wallpaper. I saw you there—your wife, and Dave in the middle—eating ice cream."

"...!"

’

That was during our trip to Paris.’

Nolan narrowed his eyes.

"You remember something you caught a glimpse of two years ago?"

Leo shrugged.

"Well, I’m sure you know Dave and I butted heads quite a few times. It must’ve stuck because of that."

’He’s lying.’

"By the way," Leo added, "how is Dave? Yesterday he got quite the scolding from our teacher because of his behaviour. I’m worried he’s still upset."

’He’s definitely lying. Does he have a photographic memory?’

"He’s fine now," Nolan said, forcing the words out evenly.

"Thank you for worrying."

"I see. It’s good to hear he’s doing fine."

’...He’s threatening my son, isn’t he?’

"Yes," Nolan said.

"My son can get emotional, but he has a good heart."

’He did it.’

"I’ve noticed," Leo replied, still smiling.

"Don’t worry. I know he’s a good person."

’He’s the one who committed those crimes. Of course. Who would ever suspect the genius child himself...’

Nolan stared into Leo’s eyes, and his gut tightened with certainty. It was Leo. That smile shifted—subtly—into something closer to a smirk.

’He knows I’ve figured it out. Why? He did this on purpose. He wants me to know it was him.’

"By the way," Nolan said carefully, "I’d love to watch more movies related to law and crime with my wife and son. Do you have any recommendations?"

Leo kept his perfect act together and even looked a little apologetic.

"I’m sorry, Detective. I can’t think of any off the top of my head. I watch and read too many things to remember them all."

"Read?" Nolan repeated. "Not many kids these days are into reading. I’m surprised."

Leo laughed, light and easy.

"Well, my father has a study filled with all kinds of books. Sometimes I like to poke my nose around in there..."

’He’s not a normal kid at all. He’s probably read books about the law. So it wasn’t an exaggeration—him being a genius. They just left out the part where he’s a total psychopath. He wants to play cat and mouse with me, huh.’

Nolan’s gaze flicked above the doorframe where Leo stood. A camera was mounted there.

’It probably picks up audio and video. He could be baiting me—trying to get me to falsely accuse him, or say something that could be twisted into harassment...’

"Ah, Detective," Leo said, tilting his head.

"Have you ever killed someone?"

Nolan’s eyes went wide.

"Pardon?"

Leo scratched his cheek, embarrassed.

"As you said, I’m young. I might find my passion somewhere else. Who knows—maybe becoming a detective could be it. But I’m not very fond of harming others, and... that’s part of the job, right?"

He continued, the words flowing too smoothly.

"I’ve read that cops are expected to follow the law much more strictly. And if they break it, the consequences are worse for them than for the average citizen. Also, when they kill someone in a shooting—whether it was the right thing to do or not—they get investigated. But they have their bodycams most of the time to prove it."

Leo’s smile never left.

"But it’s not the same for detectives like you, right? I imagine it must be even more difficult when you’re forced to take a life and then you have to go through an even more brutal investigation than the average cop."

’

...What is he planning?’

Nolan felt his stomach knot. There was something deeply wrong with this kid.

"...We’re trained to never take a life unless there is no other option. Sadly, there have been times when I had no choice. But if you’ve done nothing wrong, the legal system will protect you. You should have nothing to worry about."

"I see." Leo smiled brightly, like the topic hadn’t mattered at all.

"We’re lucky to have such a great legal system."

"We are..."

"Well, I don’t wish to take more of your time, Detective. I’m sorry for the sudden questions. I wish you luck with your investigation, though."

’I should dig deeper into him later.’

"No problem," Nolan said.

"I hope we see each other again—under better circumstances, Leo."

’Taking him in will be extremely difficult. And even if I wanted to, he’s done nothing that would stick.

From what I know, he’s rich—rich enough that his parents can afford the top lawyers.’

Pursuing this would lead to dead ends and put his career in jeopardy.

’But why did he want me to figure it out? Just for his amusement?’

"Goodbye, Detective."

’If so... then I hope this was satisfying enough for him. Forever.’

"...Goodbye."