"Detective Wang, we need you back at the station, over".
The chief's voice came from the radio of the cop car and Yao immediately pressed it to respond.
"Chief, I'm investigating the Abelsson case now, over".
The Chinese man replied while driving as Ivan carefully listened to the following message from Ludwig.
"There are two Mr. Abelsson here to meet you, over"
Ivan was interested now, two of them? They were most likely the brothers.
"What? We can't-".
Detective Wang was interrupted by Ivan who took over and replied first
"We're on our way chief, over and out".
The transmission ended and the Asian slammed the breaks in anger. Once again, Ivan and his idiotic behavior had enraged him, this newbie really had the balls to mess with his radio despite warning him of not touching it and even daring to reply to the chief's call.
"Ivan, don't ever lay your fingers on my radio again, ever!"
He screeched as the Russian bobbed his head, hitting on the ceiling because of the sudden stop made by the car
"Those are Lars and Lux, Emma's brothers".
The Chinese man was still mad about the Russian meddling with his stuff that he wasn't even listening.
"Shut up, you can't just mess around with the stuff in my car and take calls for me, learn some manners, you brat".
He was once again scolding the young detective while Ivan was starting to lose his patience.
"Please, Yao, listen to me! The brothers want to talk because they know something, it is important!"
He was yelling at this point, and Yao remained silent for a few seconds, no one except the chief had raised their voice to him.
"First, don't yell at me and fine, we'll go. If I'm right and you're just wasting my time then you're buying me dinner".
Yao was still convinced that the brothers just wanted to know what they were up to in the investigation instead of being actually helpful.
"And what if I'm right?"
Ivan asked with a sneer across his face that freaked the Asian out a little bit. Why was he thinking that he would be right? That couldn't be, he was just an amateur, what did he know about investigating a homicide?
"Not gonna happen, but if you are right, dinner is on me".
That was the final word until they arrived at the station. As soon as they entered, Feliciano signaled them to the private rooms where the brothers were, sitting there waiting for the detectives.
"About time you two arrive".
Lars hissed at the detectives who grabbed a chair and sat down in front of the siblings while the tall intimidating one with spikey blonde hair spoke.
"We apologize for the tardiness, but we tried to come here as soon as possible. I'm detective Wang and this is-".
The Chinese man was cut off by the eldest brother who impatiently tapped his finger on the table.
"No need of introductions, we already know all about you, detective Wang and Braginski".
The two puzzled detectives simply nodded before the smaller silver-blonde male spoke up.
"Detectives, please excuse my brother but this is a matter of utmost urgency. We think that Antonio Fernádez Carriedo murdered our sister".
The Russian froze, this sure was an interesting situation. The brothers came to the station desperately looking for them as they were just about to look for Antonio to confront him about some inconsistencies in his version of the events.
"If you don't mind elaborating on that".
Yao tried to remain calm although in his many years of experience he had never faced a situation like this.
"We never approved of Emma marrying that greedy bastard from the start. I made myself very clear unlike Lux who tries to put on a facade of politeness".
The smaller brother was visibly annoyed by the comment made by Lars, rolling his eyes, but he decided to continue with the conversation.
"Antonio is rich because of us, his wine business would have never succeeded if he didn't marry Emma and had her financial support".
Ivan already had his little journal out as he began taking notes diligently of the testimonies given by the Abelsson brothers
"It wasn't until about half a year ago that they began having problems in their marriage. Emma told us that he had been acting distant and returning home later than usual. I told her that he was most likely having an affair but she got very angry at me after that and avoided me for 3 whole months".
Yao, having a sister himself knew that Lars had good intentions but it definitely didn't come out the right way.
"I still had contact with her, however. She revealed to me that he had been trying to make it up to her by buying luxurious gifts, but she still thought that there was something off. After those 3 months, she started talking to Lars again because since Lars is a lawyer, she was thinking about getting a divorce".
Detective Braginski heard the explanation and so far everything made sense and pieces were being put together. Although he didn't know that Lars other than owning the jewelry shop was a lawyer.
"Was it because he was cheating that she wanted a divorce?"
That's when Lars shrugged before speaking again while Ivan picked up his pen again to take notes
"She never told us the exact reason but we assume that she was embarrassed to say that she was being cheated on. She only told us that their relationship wasn't the same anymore and she would be better off alone. Emma discussed it with Antonio about a month ago after meditating on it and she said that he went completely mad, rejecting the divorce, he was very upset".
Lux nodded as well. Yao was beginning to think that perhaps it was because of the money that he rejected the divorce.
"Emma didn't explain why but she said that she will insist once more. We think that Antonio didn't want the divorce because if so, his entire company practically would belong to Emma since she was the real owner behind it, she paid for it all!"
The Chinese man was correct, so it had to be about the money, there was no proof of it yet but it made a lot of sense.
"But if Emma died, that sneaky bastard would be able to keep the company, the apartment, and all of her wealth".
The Asian nodded, but the Russian shook his head, putting the pen down to ask a question.
"That doesn't mean that he killed her, what makes you two believe that he did it?"
That's when Lux pulled out a pager from his pocket to reveal his latest message coming from Emma's phone number where it clearly said: Talking to Tonio again about the divorce today, wish me luck.
Yao reached out his hand to take the electronic device and Ivan got closer to read from it as well.
"That was from yesterday, in the morning".
Lux concluded while putting the beeper back into his pocket.
"Antonio had several inconsistencies when we compared his testimony to Emma's goddaughter, Lily".
The Chinese man explained while getting up from the chair and the Russian doing it too.
"We thank you for your collaboration, gentlemen. Let's get going, Braginski".
Ivan waved goodbye at the Abelsson sibling as they rushed out of the station towards the car to go track down the lying husband.
"I can't believe it! Antonio had been lying to our faces this entire time. Trying to fool us by weeping and playing the victim".
The Asian frowned as he began driving while Ivan tried to accommodate himself to not bump on the ceiling.
"Da, I guess you owe me dinner now".
Ivan snickered while Yao remembered that silly bet he made before talking to the brothers. He hated to admit it but the newbie was right, the Abelsson brothers had great things to say and since he was a man that kept his promises, he would take the Russian for dinner.
"Fine, but don't expect anything fancy".
With a happy nod and a small grin, the Russian was satisfied as they drove back to the apartment.
"Why did you lie to us, Antonio?"
Yao asked as soon as the Spaniard opened the front door to find the two detectives standing there.
"Que? What are you talking about?"
Antonio was just at home cooking in peace after taking a long while to calm down, but now the cops were back and accusing him of lying. Outrageous, to say the least, and he wasn't ready to go through the questionnaire again. Last time they asked if Emma had any enemies or someone who could be willing to harm her, that question itself had offended him and the memory of his wife. He would not deal with the two inconsiderate officers again.
"Why didn't you tell us you were going to pick Emma up at 8 after her reunion with Lily?"
The Chinese man persisted with the questions, he had dealt with liars so many times before and Antonio was definitely one. Perhaps he could fool everyone with that innocent smile and charisma, but not him. He knew that confronting him and creating pressure was the best way to make the Spanish man confess. Antonio's body language would also show whether or not he was involved in Emma's murder.
"I have no idea what you're talking about! I'm done with this, done!"
The exhausted husband shouted, about to slam the door close when Ivan stretched out his arm to keep the door open. He fought Ivan's force and tried to close the door but the detective was stronger, pushing the door further and Antonio lost his balance, falling back on the floor.
"Well done, Braginski".
Yao praised, knowing that if he was alone then the door would have been slammed on his face but Ivan was like his tall and strong bodyguard that could easily push doors open and making possible suspects fall on the ground. Perhaps, having a partner wasn't so bad.
"You will answer our questions now, da?"
A frightening grin appeared on Ivan's face as he entered the apartment and picked the Spaniard up from his shirt's collar with one arm.
"Si, I will"
Antonio replied, nodding over and over before the Russian threw him to the couch and the other detective walked in, locking the apartment door.
"You've been making us waste time by not telling the truth, so we expect your full collaboration now".
Yao explained before pulling a chair for him to sit right in front of the suspect while Ivan stood in an intimidating manner.
"Did you or did you not pick Emma up from the pastry shop the night she was killed?"
Detective Wang pierced his eyes on Antonio, carefully analyzing his every gesture, even the slightest reaction could give them clues.
"I did not! I never said I would pick her up".
Ivan scratched his chin while his view was still fixed on the nervous Spanish man that had a leg shaking, he was most likely hiding something from them.
"Then can you explain why you told us you called Lily at 8 when you in fact made the call at 11?"
Antonio inhaled sharply, his legs were trembling and his hands were sweaty. He was anxious and scared, he wasn't expecting things to go south for him or that the detectives would target him. He paused for a moment trying to come up with something when he heard steps coming from the hall that was approaching the living room.
"What the hell? Why didn't you tell me there would be people coming over? You fucking bastard".
A small male cursed with a heavy Italian accent. He was only wearing a red speedo, revealing his thin and delicate figure.
"Lovi, no!"
The Spaniard shouted as soon as the Russian pulled out his gun and pointed it at the half-naked Italian that gasped immediately, raising his hands up in the air.
"Ivan, what are you doing? That man is clearly unarmed, you don't have to point at him!"
Just when Yao was thinking that detective Braginski's company wasn't so bad, the Russian had to do something stupid and mess things up. Thankfully, he listened and placed the gun back into his place.
"Why would you do that? I don't know how you did things in Russia but in here, that's not how we roll".
Yao continued with the scolding as Lovino stood there still with his hands up in the air, visibly shaking.
"I'm sorry! Last time a coworker got shot because a man had a gun inside his underwear. Since then, I'm extra cautious".
Ivan explained with a shrug, while the Chinese man had a very confused look.
"What? Is that even possible? I'm going to need the full story later".
The Russian nodded with a small grin, happy to share his creepy police experiences and stories with his new partner.
"Chigiiiii! You bastard! What the fuck is even going on?!"
The Italian cried out, still with his hands on the air while Antonio quickly jumped out from the couch to hold Lovino in his arms. Kissing him all over the face while he whispered caring words in Spanish to calm Lovino down.
Both the detectives exchanged puzzled looks as they watched the lover's embrace. Could it be that they were…? Wasn't Antonio married? If he was then why was he caressing this Italian?
"I-I'm sorry that I lied, I'll tell you everything but please don't harm Lovi!"
Antonio held the smaller male in his arms in a protective way while compromising to reveal it all to the officers.
"Go on then".