Criminal Hearts

Chapter 20: The Cunning Mind

The moment the professor stepped into the apartment, the air felt electric. He was tall and impeccably dressed, his dark hair slicked back and his features sharp and refined. There was an undeniable charm to him, an aura of intelligence that seemed to wrap around him like an expensive suit. But beneath that polished exterior lay an unsettling arrogance that made Sophia's skin crawl.

"Ah, Ethan," the professor said, his voice smooth like silk, as if they were old friends. "How nice to see you again. I trust you've been keeping busy?"

Ethan stepped in front of Sophia, instinctively positioning himself as a barrier between her and the man who had haunted her past. "You have some explaining to do," Ethan said, his voice low and filled with authority. "You're coming with me."

The professor raised an eyebrow, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "And where exactly are we going? It's quite late for a social call."

"I'm taking you to the precinct," Ethan replied, his tone unyielding. "We need to talk about Lucy."

At the mention of Lucy's name, a flicker of something crossed the professor's face—perhaps regret, perhaps amusement. "Ah, Lucy," he said, his voice laced with feigned sympathy. "Such a tragic end for someone so full of life."

Sophia felt a wave of nausea wash over her, and she instinctively took a step back. The professor's calm demeanor sent shivers down her spine, and the memories of their shared past came flooding back, igniting the anxiety that had been simmering just beneath the surface.

"Enough," Ethan said sharply, noticing the change in Sophia's posture. "We're not doing this here."

The professor's smile widened, as if he found the entire situation amusing. "Very well, lead the way. But I assure you, I have nothing to hide."

As they stepped outside, the night air felt heavy with unspoken tension. Sophia followed close behind, her heart racing with every step. She couldn't shake the memories of her time at the university, the fear that had festered during those years. The professor had always been brilliant and cunning, but now he felt dangerous.

Ethan opened the car door for the professor, his expression resolute. "Get in."

"Such hospitality," the professor remarked, sliding into the back seat with an ease that made Ethan's teeth grind. "Are you sure you want to be in the same car as me, Ethan? What would the others think?"

Sophia turned to Ethan, her voice barely a whisper. "Are you sure about this?"

"I'm sure," he replied, his gaze unwavering. "We need to get him in front of the chief and figure out what's going on."

As they drove to the precinct, the silence in the car was thick and tense. The professor leaned back comfortably, watching them with an inscrutable expression. "You know, it's quite fascinating to see how much you've both changed," he said, his tone playful. "Though, Sophia, you seem a bit... frazzled."

She clenched her fists in her lap, forcing herself to remain calm. "I'm not the one on trial here."

The professor chuckled lightly, but Ethan's gaze remained focused on the road, his jaw set in determination. He wasn't going to let the professor's charm or cunning distract him from the gravity of the situation.

When they arrived at the precinct, the air felt charged with anticipation. Damian and Harris were waiting for them, their expressions shifting from confusion to shock as they recognized the professor stepping out of the car.

"Why is he here?" Damian demanded, glancing between Ethan and the professor. "What's going on?"

Ethan stepped forward, his frustration boiling over. "We found him at my apartment. He has information about Lucy."

The professor raised his hands in mock innocence. "Ah, but what could I possibly know about her fate? I assure you, my nights have been quite uneventful."

"Then let's find out," Harris said, a hint of anger creeping into his voice. "Come on, let's get to it."