I confess that though this case, from the beginning, had some very unexpected events occurring, I had never stared at someone open-mouthed. But that's what I did, when the man introduced himself.

I looked at Blazing, he was staring hard at the man himself, as if trying to figure something out. The man himself was calm, with that evil smile of his.

'Why should we trust you? You could be lying about your identity.', I objected.

'You're Charlie Bolt, I guess. Yeah, I expected such stupidity from you.'

I clenched my fists.

Cheeky bastard.

Matthew Hood was around Blazing's height. He was lean, with brown hair and blue eyes, and had a very cruel expression set on his face. He had a tattoo of a scorpion on his left hand.

'I don't think YOU believe I'm lying about my identity too? Even if you don't know a thing about me, aren't you getting that gut feeling which tells you I'm being brutally honest?', he asked Blazing.

Steven Blazing nodded.

I now realized what Michael Turner had meant. It's true, no one could really explain how they felt around Matthew Hood, he altogether made people very uncomfortable, that's true. But the finer emotions, those could be understood ONLY by talking to him, or being in his close proximity, although it was HIGHLY NOT RECOMMENDED.

'How did you know we were looking for you?', asked Blazing.

'I know EVERYTHING.', he replied.

'I knew you were gonna say that.'

'So, are we gonna do this?' he said, smiling, while stretching out his arms.

'Do what?'

'Won't you interrogate me?'

I noticed even Blazing had his fists clenched. This man was too incorrigible.

'Sit down.'

Matthew Hood complied.

'Where are you coming from?', questioned Blazing sharply.

'I was abroad. So no, I couldn't possibly tell you where I was on the night of the 5th.'

'Seems like you know a lot already, Mr.Hood.', mocked Blazing.

'More than you, yes. But A LOT, no.'

'What do you mean?'

'I mean that we're only just getting started, Mr.Blazing. I can present irrefutable evidence of my absence to you- Plane tickets, hotel bills, that sort of thing. But we both know those can be faked. So its useless me trying to prove my innocence. You will be on my trail anyway. Not that you'll find anything, though. '

'You still didn't answer my question.'

'Good, you're observant. I expected nothing less. I've heard about you.'

'Flattered. What do you want?'

'Me? Not much. We'll talk about all that later.'

'Why are you here, then?'

'I didn't want you to struggle to find me. So I came myself. And, I also wanted to meet you.'

'You may not cooperate with our interrogation, but if you're guilty of the crime, we WILL put you behind bars, be SURE of that.'

'I have no doubts about that. But no, you need not worry about that.', said Mr.Hood, his face slowly turning grave.

'What do you mean we needn't worry?', I asked.

Matthew Hood was silent for a minute. He didn't speak. He was supporting his head with his fingers. I saw his whole body shiver. I also thought I saw a single tear-drop escape his eye.

'Cassie... was everything for me. I had sworn to protect her forever. She was always low-key terrified of me, but I had thought she loved me atleast. I WAS WRONG. She found me repulsive. I needed her, I wanted to marry her. She just didn't feel the same way. But that didn't mean I would back away from my commitment. '

Both of us were surprised by this sudden change in his demeanor. This man was so Dangerously Confident of himself. Yet, at the thought of his ex from more than 15 years ago, he turned into a more humane character. And THAT'S what made him even more dangerous at that point.

'What are you trying to say?'

' I'm saying, whoever took my Cassie from me, will pay dearly.'

'I don't know what you're planning, Mr.Hood, but DO NOT take the law into your own hands. It will not bear well.', I said.

'Oh, don't worry. I won't do anything WRONG.'

'Then what exactly are you going to do?' asked Blazing.

'I am going to assist you in your investigation.', he replied, promptly.

'How?'

' I'm gonna find Cassie's killer. BEFORE YOU.'

And with that, he stormed out of the apartment.

Hey Blazers! How did you like the chapter? Lemme know!

Yeah, this chapter was short, I know, but NECESSARY! There are a few chapters coming up, starting from Chapter 13, which will be narrated from a third-person POV.

I hope you're as excited as I am. Don't forget to read the next chapters when they drop!

VOTE. COMMENT. FOLLOW.

Alright, it's time to go. But the mystery will resume again soon! Till then, HAPPY UNSCRAMBLING!

-S. B.