---

“You clean up wonderfully…” I said as I looked Kai over, I knew that going to this gala was foolish, but I was like a school girl with a crush and I couldn’t stand saying no to him.

“You don’t look so shabby yourself, Ms. Cooley.” He replied as we walked up the steps towards the main room. I was wearing a long black gown; he’d bought it for me earlier… I felt like a princess.

I knew if Mike knew he would have a fit, I’d already blown him off for this tonight, it was Thursday and that was our normal pub quiz night – he would have to deal, he thought I was at home sick with a stomach bug and I instructed him to stay far away because I was contagious.

“Mr. Kane,” A man said as he approached Kai, shaking his hand and giving me a smile. Kai introduced me, and they began chit chatting away as my eyes scanned the room, there were celebrities here and I was feeling a little star struck, it’s amazing how easy it is to get caught up in all of this.

“Mak is a working on Emelie’s case,” Kai’s voice brought me back to the conversation. I turned and gave him a smile, nodding my head as I sipped from the champagne flute that had somehow found its way into my hand.

“It’s great to meet you, I’m so glad that there are so many great detectives on this case. I still can’t believe it. To think that we had a meeting that night Kai, who knows how long she would have been there if you’d been able to make it.” He shook his head and gave me a frown.

“Kane, get over here, you have to meet someone.” A voice called from behind us, I turned as I watched Kai and his producer walk away.

Kai didn’t meet with him on the day Emelie was murdered, how had that slipped? That had been his alibi, certainly I’d checked that… or was I already too caught up?

It was like a partner connection because as soon as I’d grabbed my phone to call Mike, his name was already flashing on the screen.

“Hello?”

“Giving you a heads up, we’re arresting Jonathyn.”

“What? Why? What happened?” I asked, turning to duck into a corner.

“Found the murder weapon, it’s covered in his prints. Looks like pretty boy wasn’t lying, it was Jonathyn after all.”

“I’m coming to the station” I said as I began walking toward the exit

“You’re sick?”

“I feel better.” I said before hanging up and walking into the elevator, as soon as I’d pressed the one button Kai popped his hands between the doors, causing them to stop closing.

“Where are you going?” He asked, looking perplexed.

“They’ve arrested Jonathyn, I have to go to the station…”

“Oh, what a pity…” He said as he stepped back, looking almost glad he had been arrested.
“See you later, Mak.” He said with a smirk before turning to walk back to the gala.

How peculiar he was acting, I looked back down at my phone – the tabloids were already blowing up.

This was going to be a real shit show and on top of it all, I must figure out why Kai lied.

---

[[MAK POV]]

It wasn’t until I’d made it to the station that I realized I was wearing my dress. There was no getting out of this and they already had Jonathyn inside. I mentally punched myself as I walked up the stairs and got on the elevator.

“Ms. Cooley, you look incredible!” One of my associates said, I blushed and thanked her – but I knew the wrath of Mike was not far off. Plus, I couldn’t shake that eerie feeling Kai gave me back at the gala. He was too calm, scary calm. I know that people deal with grief in different ways, but he seemed almost happy.

“Sergeant, what have we got so far?” I asked as I stepped out of the elevator and walked straight into the office, everyone was busy and buzzling around – the media was having a field day with this.

“You’re a little over dressed.” He said, his thick Texas accent immediately making me feel silly.

“You sure are.” Mike said, giving me a mean stink eye and walking around me and stopping at the sergeant’s desk. He plopped the file down, it was murder scene photos and pictures of the bagged gun.

“He pistol whipped her.” Mike said, looking at me with disappointment ever present in his eyes.

“What? That makes no sense…” I objected.

“Oh, now you doubt him. Now that we have evidence to convict him, you’re suddenly seeing the light.” Mike was clearly annoyed.

“Do I need to separate you two?”

We both stopped and stared at him, we were acting like children – and we had work to do. Mike shook his head and exhaled, obviously collecting himself.

“All right, Makenzie – you need to change before we do anything. It can wait until tomorrow, we have the hearing in the morning and I want you there. We’re going to try and get bail thrown out. Bring your a-game kid.” Sergeant Gill said with a stern nod.

I didn’t say goodbye to Mike, I left as quickly as possible. Everything was wrong, nothing made sense.

I walked down the steps and hailed a cab, I had to get home as soon as possible. My phone was blowing up with texts asking me if I knew anything. Of course, I did and they knew I couldn’t discuss it.

There was one text from Kai: Makenzie, I’m sorry our time was cut short tonight. I would love to take you out to dinner to make up for this. I’m so glad they caught the monster that killed Emelie, I couldn’t thank you anymore.

It left a foul taste in my mouth, where did these feelings come from?

Why did I suddenly suspect Kaiser Kane?

---

[[Kaiser Kane POV]]

My condo was pitch black when I got home, I could have sworn I left a light on. When I opened the door, I fumbled and dropped my keys, frustrating me even more. Why did this feel like I had just walked into a horror movie? And where the hell was the light switch?
I slowly moved further into the house, my hand on the wall as I searched for the switch, the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up.

I finally found the light switch and flipped it on, almost jumping out of my skin at the sight.

“You all right mate?” Keegan said, jumping up out of the chair and clutching his heart as if I’d scared him.

“What are you doing here Keegan?” I asked as I sighed and began walking toward the kitchen.

“I heard the news, wanted to come check on ya’” He followed me and sat down at a bar stool while I opened the fridge and pulled out a beer for me and one for him.

“So, you sit in complete blackness and wait for me like a stalker? Very wise.” I said sarcastically.

“I was having a nap I’ll have you know and your lights are blinding.”

“Sure.” I opened my beer and had a nice long chug before looking at him.

“What is the news saying?” I asked, leaning down to look at him.

“Jonathyn is a cold-blooded murderer, he killed her for not leaving you, that you’re a heartbroken victim who found her – blah blah blah” He said with a roll of his eyes before taking a chug of his beer.

“Good.” I said before walking over to put my hand on his shoulder.

“I can’t thank you enough brut for all your help. I couldn’t do this without you.”

“Of course, Kai, it’s what friends do, I’d take a bullet for ya’ lad” Keegan said with furrowed brows.

“As would I. C’mon, let’s get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a wild ride.” Kaiser replyed

Notes