"I'm telling Ludwig about this."

The Chinese man mumbled, still upset with what happened to the cameras and with the Italian who didn't even remember what the postman looked like. Now, what were they going to do? Yao needed a moment to think and analyze the new information they just obtained.

"I don't think telling the chief will solve anything."

Ivan replied, knowing how angry his partner was getting. Maybe it was time for them to go for another therapy on ice like last time. Despite Yao saying he wasn't meant for skating, he did seem more relaxed afterward, and it was fun as well, at least for Ivan.

"Perhaps, but I'll tell him sooner or later. Now we have more important things to do. Who the hell was the guy who ruined the camera? Do you think it was the killer himself? If only Feliciano could remember any resemblance of the postman so we could compare it to that man."

The Chinese man complained, tucking the diary under his arm again before walking out of the camera room with his partner following him out.

"But would it make any difference? The man in the camera was completely covered up and at a distance where we can't see his face. All we got out was his height and that he's a male."

The Russian pulled a chair in front of Yao's desk to sit down. The chief hadn't provided him with a desk for himself so he had to share with his partner in the meantime. At first detective, Wang wasn't too enthusiastic about it but he didn't seem to mind having to share with Ivan anymore.

"Right, but at least if he remembers the postman's face then we would have at least a clue on where to start, to at least start looking for a potential killer."

The Asian sighed, opening up the diary again, flipping the pages until the part where evidence of the ripped pages was.

"But can we even be sure that the postman himself was the murderer? I mean, it's a pretty risky move to dress up as a postman and come to the station to deliver the package himself."

Ivan question, his view fixed on the diary again before Yao closed it up after examining it for a couple more seconds.

"It is a bold move, what if we were here by the time he came by? Unless he knew that we were going to be out."

Detective Wang's fingers began tapping the table as he looked up to Ivan, hoping that his partner was thinking the same thing as him.

"It is a possibility, we're sure that he had something to do with the damaged cameras. Everything was part of his plan, he has been meaning to give the diary back."

The Russian suggested, he was almost certain that the killer has more surprises planned for them on the way, and the diary is just the start of it.

"He's a clever bastard and he's not afraid of us. He's trying to get our attention by sending us Michelle's diary. Worse than that is this killer might be closer than what we think."

Yao wasn't liking this at all, shaking his head before crossing his arms. Whoever this killer was, he had everything planned out, all the murders were perfectly orchestrated and now this game he was playing is also under his control.

"What do you mean? Is he someone we know?"

Ivan didn't even consider that, he lowered his voice when asking despite that they were alone in the office, not wanting to risk other officers hearing them.

"It could be. It's a lot of coincidences, don't you think? Only our co-workers know when we're out for lunch. The damaged camera hasn't been reported either."

The Asian man didn't like jumping to conclusions, but a certain someone in the station was starting to raise suspicion.

"Gilbert? The chief's brother? He's a serial killer?"

Detective Braginski who initially was trying to keep his voice down couldn't hold it anymore, gasping as he reached that conclusion, but he was silenced immediately when Yao stomped on his foot.

"Owe!"

Yao rolled his eyes, before shushing the Russian and looking to his sides, making sure that they were alone in the meeting room.

"You scream like a little girl. But no, don't jump to any conclusions yet. Remember we don't have any solid evidence."

The Russian scratched his chin, he wasn't too convinced about Yao's theory. He didn't want to think that his partner was just implying it because he dislikes Gilbert, even though the same thing happened with Arthur.

"But how? He was in charge of Lien Chun's case, the first victim."

Ivan was too naive, at least Yao thought so before his fingers returned to tapping on the table.

"That's exactly why. The report he gave us was a mess. Maybe it was on purpose, to cover up what he did."

Detective Braginski nodded, well that did make sense. Still, he wasn't too sure about it because in the first place, why would Gilbert even want to kill all these women? He didn't seem like the kind of person to commit violent crimes, and was he even capable of perfect murders without messing them up? It was hard to believe that Gilbert was the mastermind behind the murders. But most importantly, Ivan didn't want to take a risk and follow Yao's lead on this, what if he's wrong? Like what happened to Arthur where they almost arrested him and he had to handcuff Yao, he didn't want to do that again. Well, he did but in a different scenario.

"If he's a suspect then Vargas should be one as well. How is it possible that he opened the door and received the package, even signed the paper and he can't recall how the postman looks? Isn't that weird too? What if there was no postman? Maybe he placed the diary here on your desk, we can't be sure about that either."

Yao was impressed, his partner sure was learning fast. Now they were finally having real detective conversations, much like the ones he used to have with Kiku. However, the Chinese man didn't think that Feliciano could be involved in this mess.

"You're not wrong, it's a valid point but...Feliciano? He can't even hurt a fly. I agree that, strangely, he can't recall the face of the postman, and yes it's possible as well that he left the diary here, but him murdering three women in cold blood? Maybe he's involved with the killer, but I don't think he did the killing."

Ivan scratched the back of his neck as he listened to his partner's hypothesis. He didn't know Feliciano nor Gilbert for a long time so he couldn't be certain, but it would be very out of character for the Italian to brutally murder these women. It did make more sense if he was just helping the killer, but why would he even be helping?

"Why would Feliciano collaborate with a serial killer? Unless he is being threatened to do so?"

The Chinese man was about to answer when he heard the door being opened, followed by steps approaching them. It was officer Vargas, holding two mugs of coffee and placing them on the desk.

"I'm sorry about before, so I made some coffee for you two. Yao, I made yours with no sugar, and Ivan, I added one spoon of sugar."

The Italian grinned, hoping that they wouldn't be mad at him, especially Yao who got angry so easily.

"Um, thank you."

The Russian replied, taking the mug before sipping in the coffee.

"Thanks, Vargas."

Yao grabbed his mug as well, he needed a coffee, perfect timing. This whole case was bigger than what he thought and it was only getting more and more complicated every day.

"Maybe Feliks and Feliciano could swipe places."

The Asian mentioned once the Italian had left the room and placed his mug back on the table, noticing a grin appearing on Ivan's face, seeing the Russian biting down his bottom lip trying to hold back his laughter.

"Seriously, Feliks would have remembered the postman's face damn well, and knowing him, he might even get the killer's phone number."

Ivan was chuckling now, his violet eyes glimmering and his lips forming a wide smile. Just for a few seconds, Yao was amazed by that view. Detective Braginski had the face of an angel, without a doubt he was a very pretty man, and Yao wanted to see his partner laugh more often. He quickly snapped out of his gay thoughts seconds later, picking up his mug again and taking another sip, glancing at the watch surrounding his wrist.

"It's getting late and you must be exhausted, let's call it a day and I'll drive you home."

Ivan glanced down at his own watch, time really went by flying and it was almost eight. This was the first time he would be leaving his job on time. He has been working overtime since his first day but at last, the day of him leaving right on time came.

"Da, sounds good. I'm exhausted too, it's been a long day."

The Russian said, picking up his things while Yao did the same and they got ready to leave the station.

"It has been, and tomorrow will be the same. We're going to talk to Mona, just to double-check that this is in fact Michelle's diary."

Yao pointed at the diary again before opening one of the drawers in his desk and putting inside before locking it up with a key then placing it back into his pocket. That diary was important evidence and they couldn't risk losing it.

"So no lunch tomorrow?"

Ivan asked with a small grin as he followed his partner out of the station to where the car was parked.

"You make it sound like I don't feed you, didn't we go to Felik's today for lunch? Seriously, if you keep complaining then I'll get rid of lunch breaks completely."

Once again that soft chuckle from the Russian made Yao's heart skip a beat. What was this reaction? The Chinese man tried to ignore it, focusing on starting the engine and driving.

"No please, lunch is the only time we get to talk about non-work related things."

Ivan knew that wasn't entirely true, they talked about work all of the time because they were partners, but at least during lunch, Yao will be willing to talk about his personal life and open up some more.

"Whatever, it's not like I have a lot to talk about anyways."

The Russian shook his head, that simply wasn't true. He could tell that Yao had a lot to tell, like last time when they went for a slushie after work, he still was impressed by that anecdote.

"That's what you think."

The Chinese man raised an eyebrow, still not looking away from the road as he heard Ivan.

"And what do you think about it?"

Ivan smiled, glancing at his partner as he thought about his reply for a second before answering.

"I think that you're a very interesting person, and I would like to get to know you more, but you're very secretive about your life."

Yao was silent for a few seconds. No, he was not interesting at all, he was a very ordinary man addicted to his work with no significant connections to people in his life. He lived with only the goal of solving crimes to fill his emptiness and often pushed people who tried to get close away, which may be why Ivan thought he was secretive.

"I'm not secretive, what are you talking about? Ask me whatever you want, this is your only chance to do so before I change my mind."

The Russian had no idea what Yao was getting defensive about but now he had the opportunity of a lifetime to ask whatever he wanted, and he had just the right question.

"Are you single?"

Yao almost crashed the car against the lampost when Ivan asked that. Why did he want to know? That wasn't even an appropriate question to ask his superior! Well, he did tell the Russian that he could ask whatever he wanted, so now he had no choice but to reply.

"Yes."

A giggle came from Ivan, turning to the side to see Yao looking slightly flustered, a light pink shade appearing on the apple of his cheeks.

"Just as I expected."

The blushing only increased more with that. This bastard, what was he trying to say with that? The Chinese man kept his view on the road since they were getting close to their destination.

"You ass, what were you trying to say, huh?"

Ivan just kept laughing, already expecting this reaction from his partner. He looked out the window noticing that he was getting closer to home.

"My turn to ask a question now, are you single?"

Yao had no idea why he asked that, he could have asked anything but he just had to return the question. Maybe it was just his natural curiosity taking over, but he needed to know.

"Da, I've been single for a good while now."

The Chinese man wasn't expecting that extra little detail but he did feel more relieved to know Ivan hadn't been dating for some time. Why was he feeling that way? Maybe he was starting to feel attracted to Ivan, but of course, he would never admit such an embarrassing thing.

"We're here."

The Russian picked his things up, opening the car door before stepping out of the vehicle.

"I'll see you tomorrow, good night!"

He waved goodbye at Yao before turning to the building, unlocking the door to start climbing up the stairs to the third floor where his department was. He was already holding his keys in one hand, ready to go inside when he noticed a gift-wrapped package placed right in front of his door.

"Nyet, not again."