What happened to Finn Aster?

Chapter 8

Clarissa was taken aback by Leo's outburst, but she quickly recovered and hugged him from behind. "Leo, please," she whispered, trying to calm him down.

Leo's body was shaking with rage and a wave of sadness overcame him, and he stifled tears as he managed to stammer, "Finn. Finn, I-"

Leo's chest suddenly heaved up and down without control.

His eyes went wide with panic, and he started gasping for breath. It was too long since his last panic attack, and this time, he might not have anyone to save him.

Clarissa saw what was happening, she cupped her hands on his cheeks. She pulled his face towards hers and gently kissed him.

The soft, soothing kiss caused Leo slowly to relax into the kiss. They just stood that way, wrapped in each other's arms, soft kissing as the tension drained from Leo's body.

The cops, who had been watching in silence, suddenly went into a loud whoop of excitement. "Yes, finally!" one shouted, his fist in the air. "They are official!" another cop jumped in, beaming from ear to ear.

She lifted her arm into the air, a smile on her face, and swirled her finger in a circular motion. The police took the hint, chuckling and nodding, starting to gather up and be on their way. "Time to go home, folks," one of them called out, winking at the couple.

As the last cop disappeared over the dunes, the silence was almost deafening.

The only sound was the lapping of waves against the shore as Leo and Clarissa remained in each other's arms, staring at one another. Her eyes were deep into his.

"This was the only way I've thought of," Clarissa said.

Leo gave her a gentle peck on the cheek. "Is it true that you've liked me for a while?" he asked.

Clarissa nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Yeah, but right now is not the time. I'm sorry," she said, calling an ambulance for the body they'd found.

After calling the ambulance, Clarissa's hands instinctively went to her pockets, where she always kept a small notebook and pen. She pulled them out and began to scribble some notes, her mind already racing ahead to the next steps they needed to take in the investigation. "I'll get the forensics team to process the scene," she said. "We'll need to get the body to the ME's office ASAP." She glanced up at Leo, who was still pouting, and her expression softened. "Hey, don't look so glum," she said, her voice teasing. "We're making progress."

Leo pouted, his lower lip jutting out in a comical expression.

Clarissa chuckled at the sight, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She pulled him close and pressed her lips against his in a gentle kiss. "It will be alright. I'll be here with you," she whispered softly.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms.

Leo's eyes remained closed. But Clarissa's expression turned serious, and she put a hand on his shoulder. "We're here for the case, not this," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "I'm glad I was able to help you, but this is not the time for this."

Leo's eyes flickered open, and he looked at her with a sheepish grin. He pouted, looking defeated, and muttered, "Yeah, you're right. Sorry." Clarissa pulled back, her eyes still locked on his. "You're a bit of a mess, Detective," she said, her voice low.

Leo's face flushed, and he looked away, his grin faltering. "Sorry, I know," he said, his voice rough.

Clarissa nodded. "Good," she said. "Because I think we're just getting started on this case."

Leo's gaze snapped back to hers. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Clarissa's expression turned serious, and she leaned in, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "I mean that we've only scratched at what we only knew of what's going on here. There's more to Noah's story than we're seeing, and I think we need to dig deeper."Leo's eyes narrowed, "I think we should question Noah at the police station," he said. "I want to know everything there is to know about Noah's past, and I want to know it now."

As the forensics team arrived at the scene, they began to process the area, taking photos and collecting evidence. Clarissa, still a bit flustered from her earlier encounter with Leo, stood off to the side, watching as they worked. The team leader, a no-nonsense woman with a sharp mind and a quick wit, approached Clarissa with a curious expression.

"So, Clarissa, what's the story here?" she asked, her eyes scanning the scene. "What do we know so far?"

Clarissa launched into a detailed explanation of the case, from the discovery of the body to the investigation that had led them to this point. As she spoke, she couldn't help but mention Leo's name a few times, and each time, she felt her cheeks grow a little warmer.

The team leader noticed, and her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Why are you blushing every time you mention Leo's name?" she asked, a sly grin spreading across her face.

Clarissa's blush deepened, and she looked down at her feet, trying to play it cool. "Girl, omg, I kissed him to help with his nerves," she muttered, trying to sound nonchalant.

The team leader's grin turned into a full-fledged smile. "Congrats, girl!" she exclaimed, high-fiving Clarissa. "I didn't know you two were a thing!"

Clarissa rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "We're not a thing, we're just...colleagues," she said, trying to brush off the attention.

But the team leader just chuckled and patted Clarissa on the back. "Save it, girl. We'll get the details out of you later."

With that, the forensics team got to work, examining the body.

As they worked, Clarissa couldn't help but steal a few glances at Leo, who was still sitting in the car, waiting for her. She felt a flutter in her chest, and she knew that she was in trouble. She was falling for her partner, hard.

As the forensic team meticulously worked on the scene, Clarissa felt her heart racing—not just from the intensity of the situation, but from her undeniable feelings for Leo.

Leo had always been a dedicated and passionate detective, but there was something more profound within him now.

Resolving to focus on the case at hand, Clarissa turned her attention back to the forensic team. They worked efficiently, documenting every detail of the scene, collecting evidence, and ensuring that nothing slipped through the cracks. Though their conversations were serious, the team leader kept stealing playful glances at Clarissa.

"Hey," the leader said, leaning closer and lowering her voice, "we'll get through this. And by the end of the night, you'll spill the beans about your little rendezvous with your partner, right?"

Clarissa chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It's not what you think," she replied, though she felt a little spark of excitement at the thought. There was something about Leo that pulled her in, and she couldn't ignore it.

Meanwhile, Leo sat nearby, running through a mental checklist. He was filled with concern for Finn's brother and relief that they had finally unearthed the truth about Finn's grim fate. But even with that relief came confusion about his feelings for Isaac and Noah.

As he waited, he scribbled notes in a small notebook he kept with him, analyzing everything he knew so far—even the strange dynamics between Isaac and Noah. Each word felt heavy with the weight of their intertwined fates, and he knew he couldn't lose sight of that as they pushed forward.

Attempting to shake the dark thoughts clouding his mind, Leo finally stepped out of the car, his eyes scanning the beach where Finn's body had been uncovered. He could hear Clarissa speaking with the team leader, their voices barely carrying over the gentle sound of the ocean waves.

"Hey, Leo! Come here, you need to see this," Clarissa called, waving him over. "We found something that might give us more information."