Alia knew that Pyotr had started casting the bait, especially after Vasili was pulled from duty by order of Commander Kozlov. Pyotr hadn't hidden his interest in her from the beginning, and now he was testing her reaction.
Was he truly interested in the case? Or did he simply want to know why the federal security was interested enough to send one of their agents to a humble police station?
Whatever his true motive was, she wouldn't let a thing slip.
Alia leaned gently on the dining table, brushing her fingertips over the soft fabric, her voice dropping like a breeze:
"You mean the pet killer? My God… He looked terrifying as they wheeled him away for treatment."
She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and smiled faintly at him:
"I'm sorry to disappoint you… Even if you ask nicely, I'll have to say no."
"Really?"
Pyotr raised his eyebrows in surprise, then said:
"First of all, just to clarify he's still a suspect until proven guilty. Second, isn't this a golden opportunity? Imagine… a chance to prove yourself and get a fast promotion. The headlines would scream: The woman who subdued the terrifying suspect."
Alia chuckled softly and raised an eyebrow:
"To me... accusation and conviction are the same. And anyway, forget it. I prefer the title of the fragile creature I want to be under your protection, Officer Pyotr."
She smiled innocently as she gently requested his protection, and Pyotr responded with an even wider smile, then laughed, clearly enjoying the unexpected turn in the conversation.
At that moment, the waiter arrived and interrupted their fun, carrying a tray with their dinner plates. He carefully arranged them on the table, while Alia and Pyotr exchanged silent glances… each one holding a secret, and each one eager to unravel the other.
Pyotr gestured toward her plate:
"Please, Alia, enjoy the finest, most delicious spaghetti in the city."
Alia looked at the plate with appetite and commented with a smile:
"Just looking at it is enough to know it's the best. Thank you for the invitation… You're being very kind today."
Today?.
Pyotr raised an eyebrow and replied as he picked up his fork:
"My pleasure. Now, let's eat before it gets cold."
They both began eating in silence for a moment, which Pyotr broke with a light tone:
"I regret the absence of wine from our table."
The table was alcohol-free for obvious reasons, but in Pyotr's eyes, that's what was missing to make the evening perfect.
Alia answered softly, with a faint smile:
"Please, no need to say that… Actually, I prefer it this way."
Drinking alcohol, in her view, would've been a real disaster especially with her needing to meet the deputy commander and Commander Kozlov later.
She lifted her eyes and added gently, a trace of worry shadowing her beautiful features under the romantic dinner lights:
"By the way… about the interrogation, were you hurt in there?"
Pyotr looked at her in surprise and said:
"Hurt? Why would that happen?"
Alia smiled and said lightly:
"Rumors don't stop. Someone said the interrogation room was soaked in blood… not to mention the terrifying screams, and how the suspect looked being wheeled out."
Pyotr raised an eyebrow and replied with a forced smile:
"Really? Then you should have checked on me first thing."
"Huh?"
As if a silent slap hit her awareness, Alia just smiled while playing with her fork.
"I don't mean to be rude... but you really should've asked how I was the moment we met."
Alia quickly recovered her smile and defended herself:
"Maybe... but seeing you well was enough. Still, I wanted to hear it from you."
Pyotr lowered his gaze and said calmly:
"You're very kind. I think I wouldn't mind having dinner with you every night."
Every night?
That was more than she could handle.
Alia forced a smile and leaned forward slightly:
"Nor would I. In fact… I just discovered that Officer Pyotr has a unique charm. Careful, you might become my type~"
Pyotr laughed softly, and winked with eyes that said more than words:
"Surprising, isn't it~? And who knows… maybe I already am, and more."
He slowly lifted his glass of water like a silent toast to victory, then took a sip while watching her. Alia lowered her head and pretended to focus on her plate… but she couldn't swallow a single bite.
Endure.
All she had to do now was endure. Smile, stay silent, pretend to be comfortable… just until the night was over. After that, she could escape.
"Anyway, I'll ask seriously... You weren't harmed, right?"
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine."
Pyotr pointed to himself with a smile, then went back to eating quietly.
Alia watched him for a moment, then asked, frowning in suspicion:
"So… all that blood was from the suspect? Officer, did you assault him?"
"Of course not."
Pyotr answered quickly but this time, with a serious look, far from the usual fake kindness he wore.
"That suspect... smashed his head repeatedly on the edge of the wooden chair. Desperate behavior, nothing more. Let's forget about it. Work matters stay at work. Now… let's have an unforgettable evening."
"You're right."
Alia agreed, then returned to her meal in heavy silence, battling the lump in her throat and trying to pretend that everything… was fine.
The walls were slowly closing in on him.
Leonid stood beside the table, slightly close to his father, staring into the void.
Since entering the meeting room, all he had received from his father was a dull glance, followed by a cold indifference as if his presence didn't count.
Kozlov was fully absorbed in analyzing the notes with precision, trying to delve into the depths of Charlotte Smith's words, as if the text held a mirror to her soul.
He paused at one of the notes, studied it carefully, then said in a calm voice:
"It seems to me that she truly loves you."
"Excuse me?"
Leonid raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden break in the long silence.
"I'm talking about Charlotte Smith. It seems to me she's in love with you."
Kozlov repeated his words in a flat tone, devoid of clear emotion.
Leonid narrowed his eyes for a moment, then turned his gaze to the screen in front of him, trying to hide his unease.
"Maybe she is."
He wished he could say it aloud with certainty. Charlotte's love for him knew no bounds just as he was beginning to lose himself in her.
One day, he would tell her everything... and leave this place, with a resignation befitting a man like him.
"Maybe? Is that humility I'm hearing? Despite six notes, maybe more praising you and your looks? I never knew you to be humble."
"And I've never claimed to be."
He turned toward his father, who was now glaring at him with a look soaked in disappointment, then asked in a stony voice:
"I didn't intend to bring this up now, but tell me... what exactly were you doing during your stay with Charlotte Smith? No dodging."
"Everything? Please... I'm a gentleman. I don't take advantage of women I'm meant to protect."
Leonid raised his hands and adjusted his jacket, then confessed with mock formality:
"We talked a lot. I bullied her a little. We exchanged glances... sometimes we hugged.
Then there were kisses, not too many, I promise. And finally... I saw her body, bare. But don't worry, I was noble enough, I didn't touch her. I just looked... with gratitude."
"Noble? What kind of twisted nobility is that? You're worse than trash!"
Kozlov shouted, then grabbed the nearest object on the table and hurled it at his son, who dodged it with ease.
A pencil or was it a pen? Leonid didn't care, and replied coolly:
"Ah, how many times do I have to tell you to keep calm... I wouldn't want you having a heart attack before my wedding."
"Are you serious?!"
Kozlov roared again, a burning desire rising within him to rise and discipline this insolent son,
who not only exploited the feelings of an honest woman, but desecrated the sanctity of the entire case.
"Allow me to drive you. Please, I insist."
Pyotr stood in front of the upscale restaurant, gently blocking Alia's path with a polite but persistent tone.
Alia offered a faint, forced smile to mask her discomfort and replied calmly:
"Officer, that won't be necessary. I've already called a cab. You should head home and get some rest... it's late, and you won't be able to take me."
"That's not true."
"It's absolutely true."
She delivered her final words while walking steadily toward the approaching taxi.
"See you later."
She gave him a quick wave, then got into the car without looking back.
"Hm... good night."
Pyotr murmured, staring through the window that now separated them. Then he raised his hand and waved with a mysterious smile.
Alia returned the wave, but the moment the car pulled away and Pyotr disappeared from sight, she finally let out the heavy breath she had been holding.
"Finally..."
She whispered in relief, then turned to the driver and held her phone up to him:
"Please, head to this address."
"Sure thing, ma'am."
The driver began heading to the destination, unaware that another car was following them at a calculated distance… silently tailing them.