Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

The folks around here were all his father’s colleagues, and Stella was practically setting him up for social suicide.

“What are you hollering about?” Robin yanked her inside, casting a glance at me and Colin, and he quickly ran his fingers through his disheveled hair, “Well, this place is a bit of a mess.”

Colin and I stepped in, surveying the sea of beer cans and cigarette butts. A bit of a mess was an understatement.

“You’re just gonna let this case go?” Stella prodded.

Robin lit a cigarette, took a drag, then realized I was pregnant and hurriedly snuffed it out.

Colin frowned and pulled my head into his chest, “Secondhand smoke, it’s toxic.”

Robin rolled his eyes.

“Don’t beat yourself up about it. You’re smart but not that smart. Not being able to handle it is normal; it’s a matter of talent.” Colin said, trying to offer comfort.

I opened my mouth without uttering a word, feeling awkward. Colin’s idea of comfort was a bit too blunt.

Robin’s lips twitched as if he wanted to kick Colin out, but his good manners held him back. “Even though I’ve stepped down, it’s not all bad news. The higher–ups have sent down an expert, a real wiz in criminal investigations. Heard he’s from the Genius Class too, probably crossed paths with your man.” Robin glanced at me, “Name’s Finn, supposed to have an extraordinary memory. He doesn’t miss a thing once he’s seen the crime scene.”

I looked at Colin with surprise. Could this guy really be that impressive?

Colin just snorted softly, muttering under his breath, “Useless, I give you that.”

I was like, “?”

Although Robin didn’t catch Colin’s mutter, I did. It was clear he and this Finn didn’t get along.

“Genius Class – they’re one in a billion, truly exceptional; hope he can crack the case as soon as possible.” Stella whispered, hopeful.

“There’s a world of difference between geniuses,” Colin disproved Stella’s words.

*For geniuses scoring over sixty, those with a thousand are different from others scoring sixty–one. There’s no limit to excellence.” He clearly wasn’t impressed with Finn, “And this guy. he’s as annoying as Dexter.”

felt helpless as Colin had now made “Dexter” synonymous with annoyance.

Stella looked at Colin, surprised, “He’s talking a lot today.”

1/2

11:08

The folks around here were all his father’s colleagues, and Stella was practically setting him up for social suicide.

“What are you hollering about?” Robin yanked her inside, casting a glance at me and Colin, and he quickly ran his fingers through his disheveled hair, “Well, this place is a bit of a mess.”

Colin and I stepped in, surveying the sea of beer cans and cigarette butts. A bit of a mess was an understatement.

“You’re just gonna let this case go?” Stella prodded.

Robin lit a cigarette, took a drag, then realized I was pregnant and hurriedly snuffed it out.

my head into his chest, “Secondhand smoke, it’s toxic.”

Colin frowned and pulleder

Robin rolled his eyes.

“Don’t beat yourself up about it. You’re smart but not that smart. Not being able to handle it is normal; it’s a matter of talent,” Colin said, trying to offer comfort.

I opened my mouth without uttering a word, feeling awkward. Colin’s idea of comfort was a bit. too blunt.

Robin’s lips twitched as if he wanted to kick Colin out, but his good manners held him back.

“Even though I’ve stepped down, it’s not all bad news. The higher–ups have sent down and expert, a real wiz in criminal investigations. Heard he’s from the Genius Class too, probably crossed paths with your man.” Robin glanced at me, “Name’s Finn, supposed to have an extraordinary memory. He doesn’t miss a thing once he’s seen the crime scene.” This is from NôvelDrama.Org.

I looked at Colin with ‘surprise. Could this guy really be that impressive?

Colin just snorted softly, muttering under his breath, “Useless, I give you that.”

I was like, “?”

Although Robin didn’t catch Colin’s mutter, I did. It was clear he and this Finn didn’t get along.

“Genius Class – they’re one in a billion, truly exceptional; hope he can crack the case as soon as possible,” Stella whispered, hopeful.

“There’s a world of difference between geniuses,” Colin disproved Stella’s words.

“For geniuses scoring over sixty, those with a thousand are different from others scoring sixty–one. There’s no limit to excellence.” He clearly wasn’t impressed with Finn, “And this guy. he’s as annoying as Dexter.”

I felt helpless as Colin had now made “Dexter” synonymous with annoyance.

Stella looked at Colin, surprised, “He’s talking a lot today.”

1/2

11:08

Colin really must have disliked this Finn.

“He’s not even in your league,” Colin gave Robin a meaningful look. It was his way of telling Robin not to give up.

Robin didn’t respond, pouring himself a beer.

“You’re gonna drink that? How old is it?” Stella tried to snatch the bottle away.

“Cracked it open last night.” Robin dodged her, “Don’t want to waste it.”

Before long, Robin was clutching his stomach and bolting for the toilet.

Stella sighed and started cleaning up the mess.

“Melody went ballistic at the hospital today.” I mentioned to Stella as we left Robin’s place, “She knows now that Dexter’s out of the picture, she’s unprotected.”

I wanted to cheer Stella up a bit. Melody’s downfall felt like karma.

Stella paused her trash–picking, looking at me, “This is just the beginning. She deserves to feel even more despair.”

I smiled and took Colin’s hand as we walked away.

“Colin, were you and Phoebe ever an item?” I looked up at him seriously.

Did he really recognize me as Phoebe, or was he treating me as a replacement of her just like what they said? What would happen when he came to his senses? Would he lose it, maybe even lash out at me?

Colin stood before me, his gaze intense, “My love. You are the one I love.”

He said it with such conviction. The word “love” made my heart ache.

Stella and Robin scurried out from the room upstairs, “Someone from the hospital called. Melody attempted suicide next to Dexter’s hospital bed. Dexter’s awake!”