CHAPTER 18 :

“This royal throne of king, this sceptred isle...This blessed spot, this earth, this realm, this England.” — Richard II (Act II, Scene I)

Once he stepped out of the office, Winter was nowhere to be seen. A part of him wanted to thank him due to this, and the other part? Well, the other part didn’t know how to react in this situation.

He hailed a cab, and went straight home. He slumped down on his bed without even feeling the need to change into fresh clothes, and in the intention of napping this day off.

He was woken up from his dreamless sleep by a phone call. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, trying to decript the caller name flashing in the screen. It was Walsh. Ray Walsh. He received the call, as Ray's voice came booming from the other end of the line.

“Jase, oh my god. Thank heavens that Winter came was said you were with him.” 

“Yeah, I know. It was really surprising and hectic for me. Today, I mean.”

“I mean, why is this killer helping you?”

“He is not a killer, Ray. He is innocent, I believe it.”

“What? Has he fucked you?!”

“What the fuck? No! Why would you say something like that, Walsh?”

“Not even a week ago you were all about how he was the manipulative killer, and now you're saying his innocent!? I can’t see anything except his dick which could change that judgement of yours.”

“What the hell, Ray? He and I have nothing. How could you assume something like that? And it wasn’t even assuming, it was declaring for fuck's sake.”

“Whatever, Klein. He’s manipulative. I've seen it in his eyes. His thirst to murder. Your bullshit about how he’s innocent doesn’t change any fucking thing.”

“Can you stop this right now? It’s about 9 at night.” He could hardly believe that he'd been sleeping all day.

“Have you asked him about the cause of his expulsion?”

“Umm..no.”

“What a bitch! We're going to his penthouse now. You and me. And, there are no updates on Amanda Roger case and neither on June Winter case. We're doomed. Now, be ready.” The call ended.

Flashback starts :

Ice blue eyes were fixed on the television screen as they saw a brilliant young man facing the media. His hazel eyes flickered from the camera, to the media men, as he licked his lips.

“So, you really are the top selection among the cops for a murder case, Jase Klein?” A reporter asked, as the man facing him gave him a shy smile.

“It's nothing like that. The department has marvelous officers. Working together makes us solve the case, and not me alone.” His deep voice was hesitant, as he flushed red and coughed, to clear his throat.

Eyes as cold as icicles, studied the man on the TV, as he sized him up. “Jase Klein.” Winter breathed, trying to imagine the taste of the name on the tip of his tongue.

“You deserve all the respect for cracking the William murder case and all other murder cases. You make us proud.” The reporter beamed at the young cop, as Klein made a dramatic bow.

“This is my job. I aim to keep the city safe. Every time there is a serious murder case, I'll be assigned to solve it with my top notch team. And that would, damn well decrease the crime going about here.” Klein announced, standing his ground as he finally walks away.

“Serious murder case, hmm.” Winter mused, switching off the TV. Ah, he had to get this man now. He wanted to see how brilliant of a cop he was. Now, all he would do was wait.

Flashback ends.

After twenty minutes, they were standing infront of the CEO's penthouse, as Walsh knocked on the door after ringing the doorbell.

Soon after, the door swung open, revealing a Xavier leaning against the doorway. He was wearing a white button down shirt, which was completely unbuttoned, a leather pant that clung to his legs, and a tie that horribly hung loose against his neck.

“Ahem.” Walsh interrupted, breaking the eye contact between the other two men.

“To what do I owe the pleasure, officers?” He asked, giving the two cops a lop sided grin. Klein wanted the ground to swallow him up. He could barely control his body's reaction when Xavier was around him.

“We are here to ask you a few questions, Mr. Winter. If you don’t mind the intrusion, ofcourse.” Walsh replied, astonished at the fact that his colleague didn’t utter a single word till now. Generally Jase was always the one who initiates a conversation.

The CEO ushered them into his study, as he and the other two men seated themselves on chairs, facing eachother. The tension in the room was high. Winter's eyes were on Klein, as if stripping off every clothing material he wore. And Jase, on the other hand, hadn’t seen this good eye fucking ever before.

Even though the young cop wasn’t in the mood to speak to him, keeping in mind about what happened the night he came to Xavier's and saw him with his ex wife of all women. But, a part of him was grateful to Winter for giving a false witness. Because, at the reported time of murder, Klein went about wandering in the streets. Winter visited Jase about two hours later.

“Ahem.” Ray coughed again, jolting the two men out of their wayward thoughts.

“Yes, officer?” Xavier questioned, leaning against his chair. His white shirt parting in two directions, exposing his beautifully toned chest, and chiseled abs.

“Why were you expelled from medical school?” Walsh questioned, his eyes flicking back to his colleague, who was dead silent.

“Hmm..” Winter hummed, letting a fake frown take over this flawless face.

“It was because I tried to slit a boy's throat with a scalpel.” He mused, looking unbothered. Walsh nodded, as Xavier's hand reached this pocket, retrieving a scalpel.

The two cops were stunned into silence, as he rose the scalpel to his lips, slashing it, “Like this.” Jase leapt up from his chair, running towards Xavier, whose lower lip had a big gash, and was profusely bleeding.

(A/N : A long chapter because of the late update. And, big news! I'm officially in senior year now!! I passed junior year with flying colours!

The flashback is quite intense, isn't it? What does that have to do with the serial killer on loose? Don't ask me ;p

Your Dominant, GREY.)