"And then I tossed the roses in the trash can and came back here for the lesson."

The Brit explained while the detectives listened to the narrative. Ivan needed a moment to process it. So according to the Brit, he saw the shadow of a male that would be the murderer. So the new guy that Michelle was seeing was the one who killed her, which made sense, but how can he be sure that the Brit wasn't lying? The English man did arrive to teach his class but what can assure him that he didn't actually go in, shoot her and then come back out and this story was completely made up. Although since the beginning he did mention stalking Michelle and admitting that, so maybe he wasn't lying.

"Are you really gonna believe that?"

The Chinese man spoke, still handcuffed and visibly annoyed by the fact. He managed to calm down a bit but he was still angry that his partner handcuffed him. This entire testimony given by the Brit didn't make sense to him, he was convinced that Arthur had a hand in the murder, and if the professor wanted them to believe he was innocent then he would have to prove it.

"Do you have any reliable proof for us to be sure you didn't murder Miss Bonnefoy? Because you did admit to being stalking her and this shadow you saw, it could be all made up."

The Chinese man had a point, there was a 50/50 chance of Arthur telling them the truth and since they worked by facts, he would have to prove his innocence.

"Are you bloody serious? Don't you think I'll need more than a half-hour to plan a murder!?"

Ivan shrugged, he wasn't leaving that office or releasing Yao until he had solid evidence that the Brit wasn't involved with the crime. But if he did see a shadow of a man that was supposed to be her new boyfriend, then that was pretty much validating the existence of Emma's love because they were the same person, right?

"You just have to believe me! I didn't get into the house, I swear to god. I loved her, I really did! I know I may sound like some psychopath obsessed with her but I just needed a reason then I would move on, and leave her alone."

The Russian wasn't sure about that, he had been stalking her for some time and honestly, it sounded awfully suspicious. There was no other witness that could prove that Arthur didn't walk inside the house and that he was just yelling from the backyard. Wait, if he was screaming and shouting in the backyard, then surely some neighbor must have heard them, right?

"You're going to have to come with us."

Ivan announced, pulling out another pair of handcuffs from his pocket and quickly attached them on the Brit's wrist. It was just for security, in case Arthur tried to be a smartass and try to make a run for it. Either way, he could stop him from being a stalker and a potential culprit.

"What!? Release me! I'm not going anywhere with you two! I have a class to teach in an hour."

Detective Braginski understood that the professor most likely didn't want to go with them but they had to figure this case out once and for all. So he made one of his intimidating yet passive-aggressive smiles at the English man.

"Mm, I don't care."

The grin sent a shiver down Arthur's spine as he was pushed out of his office and behind him followed Yao, also handcuffed, how ironic that the man that tried to arrest him not long ago was in handcuffs too.

"Well done Ivan, now let me go so I can drive."

The Chinese man hoped that now his partner will let him go. He already learned his lesson, that he shouldn't let his emotions get the best of him, but now they had to continue the investigation and he needed his hands to drive.

"No Yao, you're not driving."

The Asian frowned, what did he mean? Was he gonna take a taxi with the both of them? Or was he going to drive his car? Not technically his but still. Yao was not letting that happen, there was no way the Russian would be driving, he didn't even know the city well!

"Are you out of your mind? I'm the one who drives!"

Ivan knew that detective Wang was going to get feisty about it but there was no way he was going to let the Chinese man drive in that altered state.

"I have a driver's license, you know? Now, where are the keys?"

The Brit was silent as he watched the Chinese man screech and curse when the other detective began touching him around in search of the keys. Seriously, why did these cops had to come for him instead of any other? What did he ever do to deserve such punishment? Well, he had done a lot of questionable things in his life but he didn't kill her, that's for sure. But to have his ex-boyfriend and his ex's new boyfriend try to arrest him just seemed like a cruel joke from destiny. Because they were boyfriends right? The way the Russian was wrapping his arms around Yao's thin waist and sliding those strong hands on the Chinese man's hips while he nuzzled against the Asian's slender neck.

"G-get your hands off me!"

Yao protested, trying to get rid of the forced embrace from the Russian but the man was as strong as a bear. Where was he even touching him? His hands were dangerously close to his crotch, why would Ivan think he had his keys there? They were in his shirt's front pocket not in his pants! He never expected Ivan to be a pervert that now was groping him around, and why was he so pressing against his neck in the first place? Maybe that was normal in his place? He had no idea, all he knew was that the Russians were so weird.

"Keys, where did you hide them?"

Ivan wasn't even aware of what he was doing. He certainly wasn't doing it on purpose, all he wanted to do was to find the keys. Then he spotted them on the Chinese man's shirt, on the front pocket precisely. So he raised his hands up to Yao's chest.

"Found them!"

The Brit was horrified when he saw detective Braginski cup the Asian's breasts when he exclaimed about finding the keys. Good lord, did they have no shame? They were in a university! In an honorable institution where acts like these weren't allowed. He would honestly rather be behind bars right now that witness this clownery and unprofessionalism of the officers.

"GAh!"

The flustered Asian yelped, what the actual fuck!? Was Ivan even aware of what he was doing? Surely he was, that damned pervert! Trying to seize the day just because he was handcuffed. The Russian should really be given a lesson about personal space. And now detective Braginski was going to drive his car? Nothing could make his day worse.

"Let's get going then."

When Ivan said that, Yao realized that his day actually got much worse. He was in the backseat, handcuffed and sitting next to Arthur bloody Kirkland while his partner was driving. This wasn't how he planned things to go, he was supposed to arrest the professor and close the case at once, but no. His emotions got the best of him again and now he had to suffer the consequences of it.

"I swear that if there's even a tiny scratch on my car, Ivan. I'll murder you and no one will ever find your remains."

The Russian chuckled nervously at that warning. He was going to be extra cautious driving the patrol car because he was sure that the Chinese man was completely capable of taking him down and be able to dispose of a corpse. Yao was a homicide detective after all, who knew better about getting rid of bodies?

"Let's see if there's anyone home."

Detective Braginski mentioned parking right outside of the house that faced the Bonnefoy's residence backyard directly. He managed to arrive there without asking any directions because he memorized the route, and so far the car didn't have a single scratch.

"You'll see that I'm completely innocent and this is a waste of time."

Arthur mumbled under his breath now that he was outside of the car with the detectives standing right outside of one of the neighbor's house.

"We'll see about that, stalker."

The Asian hissed back at the Brit but before Arthur could respond, the door was opened. A young man with dark combed back hair parted in the middle answered the knocks on the door. He had pale brown skin with a tilaka on his forehead and wore a puce shirt with a Nehru collar, and matching churidar trousers.

"Good morning, how can I help you?"

The man asked with a friendly smile as he looked at the uniformed detectives and the other man along with them, who seemed awfully familiar.

"Hello, I'm detective Braginski and I'm investigating a case and I would like to ask you some questions."

The Russian asked at the Indian that seems to be very polite and educated, hopefully, the man could give them the information they sought for.

"Why of course, Maharaja Neeraja Patel at your service, detective."

The Asian raised an eyebrow, did the man say, Maharaja? That meant great king, right? Was this man part of the Indian nobility? Or at least a descendent from it? That would explain why he lived in this residential neighborhood right behind the Bonnefoy's.

"Right, Mr. Patel, do you recognize this man?"

Arthur was pushed forward by Yao with his shoulder, making him stumble and almost falling on top of the Maharaja. He noticed the dark eyes fixed on him, observing him carefully. He wasn't sure if he should wish not to be recognized or to be recognized, it seemed like things weren't going to be going his way today either way.

"How could I ever forget those eyebrows? Yes, I do recognize him."

Neeraja responded with a sneer, remembering clearly where and when he had seen the English man. He could never forget those massive eyebrows, they were truly impressive.

"Watch it, chap."

Ivan gave the professor a subtle nudge with his arm before taking out his notebook once more as he prepared to write down the Indian's testimony.

"Would you mind telling us when and where you saw him and what was he doing?"

The Maharaja nodded, recalling the events from the day before, that peaceful afternoon where he was having his tea in his second-floor balcony.

"It was yesterday, I was enjoying some tea in the balcony where I was disturbed by yelling and howling by this sir."

The professor rolled his eyes, he wasn't even being that loud! Mr. Patel was obviously exaggerating.

"Then a girl was screaming back at him from the window about how he was stalking her and disturbing her tranquility. At that point, I was ready to call the cops because he was annoying the lady."

If only he did call the police, then he maybe could have avoided Michelle being murdered with the presence of the police at the place, Yao thought as he continued to listen.

"It was a very nasty lover's quarrel but she stood up for herself and he gave up, tossing some flowers and marching off angrily."

So Arthur did leave, he never entered the house and the Maharaja was an eye witness who had no reason to lie at the police. Which meant that the Brit was not the murderer. So if the English man wasn't the one, it had to be the new boyfriend.

"Did you see another man with the lady? A shadow perhaps?"

Ivan asked, noticing how Neeraja scratched his chin, trying to remember before a glimmer appeared in those amber eyes and nodded.

"Yes, I did see the shadow of another man by the window, right by her side! But I didn't see anything more after the discussion was over because it was getting chilly out here."

Now it was confirmed, the killer was the new boyfriend, meaning that Arthur wasn't involved with Michelle's murder. All that was left for them to do was to find more evidence and continue to investigate until they can find that man, and perhaps even link him with Emma's murder as well.

"That would be all, thank you!"

Mr. Patel made a small nod with his head before closing the door and Ivan immediately got out his keys to let the Brit free, there was no reason to keep the man handcuffed anymore.

"Sorry for the inconvenience, you're free to go, Mr. Kirkland."

A sigh of relief was made by Arthur as he looked down at his now free hands with a sneer.

"Aren't you going to release me too?"

The Chinese man asked now that the Brit was free then he should also get the handcuffs off him too.

"Nyet."

Ivan replied before pulling the Asian away and shoving him into the car again, this time in the front seat while he took a seat at the driver's one.

"Hey, shouldn't you take me back to the university at least?"

The professor asked, looking down at his watch and realizing that he would arrive late for his lesson and if the detectives were to give him a ride then he could make it on time.

"Sorry, we're on investigation duty now."

Detective Braginski replied before slamming the car's door close and drove away, leaving the Brit behind them while cursing.

"Wankers!"

Was the last thing they heard from the raging English man that would have to run back to the school if he wanted to make it on time. Back in the car was the Chinese man, anxious on why Ivan hadn't released him from the handcuffs and wasn't driving towards the station, what the hell was even going on in the Russian's head?

"Ivan, where are you taking me?"