The Reference, Not the Suspect

The word “witness” felt forced and unfair. It had irked Kayla the moment the chief used it. Asking cooperation at dawn already felt like treating her as a suspect. The sheer insistence that she accompany them without any explanation had her temper flaring.

*Father always said the line between witness and suspect is crossed in a single instant.*

She met the librarian’s accusing stare and forced the words out. “I’ve come in for my shift. I don’t know what kind of investigation this is, but if you could spare me for lunch—”

“No one’s going to borrow a book on a day like this.”

The librarian’s quiet voice sliced off Kayla’s sentence.

“Exams are coming, so drop by again before then. Don’t forget to file your report.”

The librarian clamped a pipe between his teeth, his expression openly displeased, and flipped open the file on his desk.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

The chief gave the man a curt nod without looking at him, then rested a heavy hand on Kayla’s shoulder as he stepped closer.

The icy press of that touch sent Kayla’s gaze darting toward Owin in panic. He stood ramrod straight in his police uniform, the hat shading his eyes so no one could read them.

As she trailed the chief toward the squad car, Owin stepped aside. Kayla hesitated, dark eyes searching his face, but he only tilted his head slightly and whispered, “Nothing will happen. Just do what I told you.”

Irritation flared hot in her chest. She turned, voice sharp. “What is all this?”

Owin’s brows drew together in confusion, then he locked his jaw and opened his mouth—

“Extra! Extra! Famous actor Basil Vlab has been found murdered!”

The boy’s shrill cry punched through Kayla’s ears. At first she thought she’d misheard. Then she realized she hadn’t. The words refused to sink in.

*Man idol, lover, Basil Vlab… dead? Extra!*

She spun to look at the boy, who was waving the tabloid high. The crowd surged around him like a tide. When Kayla moved, Owin blocked her path instantly. His gaze—sharp, knowing—already carried the weight of the news.

Something sparked behind her eyes. *Could it be…*

Kayla’s wide gaze locked on the boy for one heartbeat, then slid to Owin.

“He was your classmate.”

Owin’s tone was gentle, almost soothing, as he tapped the back of her hand where she still clutched the bag. “Just a witness. Nothing more.”

The arm around her shoulders urged her forward. He opened the car door and helped her inside.

Kayla only managed to watch Owin climb into the driver’s seat.

The room labeled “office” held little more than a desk and two chairs. Kayla sat on one, her gaze fixed on the window as though she could summon Owin from thin air. The longer she stared, the more the scene felt unreal.

The phone kept ringing. Officers moved in chaotic confusion. Reporters shouted outside. Duncan City had become an arena.

Basil Vlab—beloved for his beauty and talent—had been the empire’s shining star and, for many, its favorite lover. His death should have sent the entire city into chaos.

*But why me?*

A thick curtain of darkness fell across her vision.

“Kayla Moss, twenty-two. National Library librarian.”

She looked up at the detective who had slipped into the room unnoticed. His voice was flat as he read her file.

“Your father, former Chief Superintendent Boris Moss. Mother, Gemma Darin Moss. Interior decorator and real estate manager.”

“…Both.”

The detective nodded, then tossed the file carelessly onto the desk.

“I respected your father. He proved that a commoner without noble blood could succeed on nothing but integrity. I never imagined he would become chief. How tragic.”

He placed both hands on the desk and leaned forward, his green eyes shifting to a deep, somber shade.

“He completed his term but retired early due to illness and passed away two years ago. Correct?”

It was a question she hadn’t been asked to answer, so Kayla didn’t correct the part about illness.

“Your mother relocated for business, so you’ve been living in the flat in Panahan.”

The detective pulled up a chair, introduced himself smoothly, and offered a practiced smile.

“Under Chief Seymour’s orders, Owin has been removed from this case. The two of you are close friends, aren’t you?”

*So that’s why he’s not here. He told me to trust only me.*

Heat rushed to her cheeks and scalp. The betrayal burned.

“What was your relationship with Basil Vlab?”

The first question lodged in her throat. *How do you even describe it? The only commoner classmate? A decoy partner? Or the bait?*

Even after seven years, Basil’s voice still echoed in her mind, along with the memory of his deceptive charm. *How had she fallen for it?*

She blinked hard, shaking the thought away.

“Royal Academy classmates, right? You managed to get into an academy that accepts only nobles.”

“We were the same grade. Basil was two years older. And since I never graduated, we’re not quite alumni either.”

“I see. Neither of you graduated.”

“Then why drag me in? Are you calling every classmate in for questioning?”

“If necessary.”

The sarcastic tone grated. *Strange. Usually they start with how he died. They said the two of you were close.*

The detective’s question was pure reverse psychology.

Kayla’s pulse quickened at the man’s knowing smile.

“Then I’ll play along. We grew up in the same class because we weren’t nobles, after all.”

She and Basil had both entered the Royal Academy on the same day—sponsored by their respective backers. Two commoners. That was the truth she couldn’t voice.

“You weren’t the only one Basil favored. He was popular with everyone.”

The last word lodged in her throat. The detective’s sharp eyes caught the flicker of her hand and the way she bit back the rest.

“After you graduated, what did you do?”

Kayla squeezed the bonnet and bag on her lap, lifting her chin. “Explain first why I’m here.”

The detective’s voice stayed bored. “The body was found near Char River—very close to your flat.”

“Meaning… that’s why?”

He shrugged, unbothered. “Word reached me that the Duke of Maderson’s sponsorship switched from you to Basil. True?”

Silence stretched.

“A witness claims to have seen you arguing with the late man at the gate. I understand. You couldn’t graduate, so resentment is understandable.”

“It was when we were children. We were close, then we fought. Calling it hypocrisy is ridiculous.”

“Is it?”

The detective’s eyes narrowed.

“Basil’s chest was stabbed with a thin, delicate paper knife. And here’s the most interesting part.”

Kayla swallowed hard, eyes fixed on the bag resting on her knee.

“There’s a witness. They saw you with a man that night.”

Her pupils blew wide.

*The eyes I saw in my nightmare… could it be real? If that man is the killer… wait—did he recognize my face?!*

A chill crawled down her spine.

“A… man?”

Her voice cracked as she spoke. The door burst open before she could finish.

“Sorry I’m late.”

A young man in a sharp suit entered, black hair perfectly pomaded. He looked successful despite his youth.

The detective shot to his feet. “Where do you think you’re going? You can’t just barge in!”

The newcomer began to introduce himself, but Kayla couldn’t focus. Through the open doorway she glimpsed Owin.

Owin held a paper bag containing her blood-stained pajamas.