Chp 2 : Beneath the surface

---

Grace Harper sat at her desk, the dim light from her small lamp casting long shadows across the piles of case files surrounding her. The precinct was eerily quiet this time of night, with only the faint hum of voices from the night shift and the occasional clang of a phone ringing in the distance. Grace rubbed her temples, trying to ease the growing tension lodged deep within her skull.

She should have been used to nights like this. Late hours, minimal sleep, the strain of balancing an impossible workload while navigating the delicate intricacies of high-profile investigations. But this case was different. The murder of Serena Hale wasn't just another case. It was a storm waiting to unravel everything around her.

Serena Hale-the name seemed to echo in the silence. Her face was still fresh in Grace's mind. Beautiful, radiant even in death, but hiding layers of pain, deception, and, most of all, fear. Grace had seen fear in victims before, but this was different. There was something deeper, something that told Grace Serena had known this day would come, like she had seen her fate looming, but couldn't escape it.

Grace leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. Her phone buzzed on the desk. It was a message from her younger sister, Emily.

"Haven't heard from you. Dinner this weekend? I miss you. Please don't bail again."

Guilt settled in Grace's chest as she stared at the screen. Emily was always reaching out, always trying to bridge the gap between them. Grace wanted to be there for her, she really did, but her life didn't leave much room for anything outside of the job. Emily, with her perfect life as a lawyer, her social circles, her steady relationship-it all felt so foreign to Grace now.

Before she could respond, her office door creaked open slightly. Michael, her partner, peeked inside.

"You still here?" he asked, stepping in and leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. He had that look on his face-the one that said he'd told her a million times to take a break, to go home, but knew she wouldn't.

"Yeah, just going over these files again," Grace said, her voice heavier than she intended. "I can't shake the feeling we're missing something."

Michael sighed, stepping closer and dropping a fresh stack of papers onto her desk. "Well, this won't help. Serena's bank records. They're clean, for the most part.

Except for a few large transfers made a few months ago. Payments to some shell companies, but they're hard to trace. No real leads yet.

Grace's eyes scanned the paperwork, her brow furrowing. "What about Farnese? Any movement on him?"

"Nothing. He's slippery, that one," Michael replied, his tone laced with frustration. "I've put out feelers, but no one seems to know where he is. He's gone off the radar. Either he's hiding or he's smarter than we gave him credit for."

Grace clenched her jaw, feeling a wave of frustration wash over her. "He's involved in this, I know it. He's the key to understanding what Serena was caught up in. We just have to find him."

Michael studied her for a moment, his expression softening. "You sure this isn't getting too personal for you? You've been on edge ever since this case landed on your desk."

Grace shot him a sharp look. "I'm fine, Michael."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. Just looking out for you. You've got a lot riding on this one."

Grace leaned forward, her elbows resting on the desk as she let out a long breath. "It's not just about the case. There's something about Farnese... something I can't put my finger on. He's holding back, but I don't think he's our killer."

"You're trusting your gut on this?" Michael asked, his tone skeptical.

Grace nodded, though doubt flickered in her mind. "I have to. It's all I've got right now."

Michael shrugged. "Just don't let him get too far under your skin, okay? Guys like Farnese-they know how to manipulate people. They thrive on keeping you guessing."

Grace stared at the stack of files before her, her thoughts racing. "I know."

Michael lingered for a moment longer before heading toward the door. "Get some sleep, Grace. This case will still be here tomorrow."

But that was the problem-sleep wouldn't come, not with all the unanswered questions swirling in her mind. As soon as Michael left, the silence of the room felt even more oppressive. The weight of the case pressed down on her, suffocating.

She turned her attention to the photos laid out in front of her. Serena Hale in the prime of her life, smiling at some glamorous red carpet event. The next photo was the crime scene-Serena's lifeless body, sprawled on the cold floor, her beauty twisted in death. The stark contrast gnawed at Grace. Serena's rise to fame had been fast, almost meteoric. And just as quickly, it had all been snatched away.

The more Grace delved into Serena's life, the more it seemed like she had been living in a gilded cage. On the outside, she was adored by the public, celebrated by the media. But inside, it was a different story-secrets, lies, blackmail. Grace could feel it. Serena had been trapped, and she'd been desperate to break free.

Grace's phone buzzed again, interrupting her thoughts. This time, it was a number she didn't recognize. Her heart skipped a beat as she swiped to answer.

"Detective Harper," she said, her voice steady despite the sudden surge of adrenaline.

There was a pause on the other end before a familiar voice spoke. "You've been looking for me."

Grace straightened in her chair. "Farnese."

"Meet me," Alex said, his voice low and controlled. "You want answers, don't you?"

Grace's pulse quickened, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Where?"

He gave her an address, a bar on the edge of the city. Somewhere quiet, out of the way. "Don't bring anyone. Just you. If you want the truth, you'll come alone."

Before she could respond, the line went dead.

Grace sat there for a moment, staring at the phone in her hand. Alex Farnese had reached out to her. After all the chasing, all the dead ends, he had finally made the first move. But why now? What had changed?

Part of her knew it was dangerous, that meeting him alone wasn't the smartest move. But she also knew that this might be her only chance to get the answers she needed.

---

The bar was dimly lit, the kind of place where shadows clung to the walls and conversations were kept in hushed tones. Grace walked in, her senses immediately on high alert. She spotted Alex at the far end of the bar, sitting with a drink in his hand, his posture relaxed yet alert, as if he'd been expecting her.

She approached cautiously, her heart racing despite her best efforts to keep her emotions in check. He looked up as she neared, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Detective Harper," he said, his voice smooth, almost too smooth. "I wasn't sure you'd come."

"You gave me little choice," Grace replied, sitting down across from him. "What do you want?"

Alex swirled the liquid in his glass, his eyes never leaving hers. "I want the same thing you do-the truth."

Grace narrowed her eyes. "You're not exactly known for being truthful, Farnese."

He chuckled softly, but there was no humor in it. "Fair enough. But that's about to change."

Grace leaned forward, her eyes locked on his. "Why should I believe anything you say?"

Alex met her gaze, his expression serious. "Because Serena was being blackmailed. And I think you already know that."

Grace's heart pounded in her chest, though she kept her face neutral. "What was she involved in?"

Alex took a slow sip of his drink before answering. "Serena was in deep with some very powerful people. She thought she could play the game, but she was out of her depth. When she realized how dangerous it was, it was too late."

"Dangerous how?" Grace pressed, her voice hard. "You're being vague, Farnese."

"I don't have all the details," Alex said, his voice quieter now, almost reflective. "But I do know that Serena had something-information, maybe-something valuable. And someone wanted to make sure she never used it."

Grace's stomach twisted. "And you? What's your part in all this?"

Alex's jaw tightened, and for a moment, Grace thought he wasn't going to answer. Then, he leaned forward, his eyes darkening. "I tried to help her. But she didn't trust anyone-not fully. Not even me."

Grace could hear the pain in his voice, and it caught her off guard. She had expected lies, manipulation, but not this raw vulnerability. It threw her, made her question everything she thought she knew about him.

"Why should I believe you?" Grace asked softly, her voice betraying the uncertainty she felt.

Alex held her gaze, his blue eyes intense. "Because I cared about her, more than you realize. And now, I need to make sure what happened to her doesn't happen to anyone else."

---

Grace sat back, her mind racing. There was more to Alex Farnese than met the eye, and it was hard to ignore the commanding presence he exuded. As she studied him, she couldn't help but take in the details that made him stand out, even in the dim, gritty surroundings of the bar.

Alex Farnese was striking, in a way that drew attention without him even trying. His dark hair, cut neatly and with a natural wave, seemed like it belonged on a runway, not in the middle of a murder investigation. It framed his face perfectly, emphasizing his sharp jawline and high cheekbones. His stubble was just the right amount-effortless, yet calculated, adding a rough edge to his otherwise polished look.

But it was his eyes that held Grace's attention. Deep blue, almost sapphire in color, with a gaze that could shift from unreadable to piercing in an instant. Those eyes had the power to unsettle her, to make her feel as if he could see right through her defenses. It unnerved her, and yet, there was something disarming about him, something that tugged at her curiosity.

His attire only added to the intrigue. Alex was dressed in a tailored black suit, the kind that spoke of wealth, with subtle luxury details that only someone familiar with the upper echelons of society would notice. The fabric clung to his athletic frame perfectly, the lines sharp, the fit impeccable. Beneath the suit jacket was a crisp white shirt, unbuttoned just enough at the collar to reveal a glimpse of smooth, tanned skin. There was an ease in the way he wore it, as if suits were second nature to him-far from the stiff, corporate types Grace often encountered.

Even his accessories whispered of money and taste. A sleek, minimalist watch glinted from his wrist, undoubtedly expensive but not ostentatious. His shoes, polished and gleaming, were the kind that someone might buy for the craftsmanship alone, far beyond the realm of necessity. He had the aura of a man who was accustomed to wealth, but without flaunting it in the usual garish ways.

And yet, despite the undeniable attraction, there was a darker, more dangerous undercurrent to his appearance. It was in the way he carried himself-confident, yes, but with a sense of caution. As if he was always one step ahead of those around him, always calculating his next move.

Grace was no stranger to men who used their looks and charm to get what they wanted, but Alex was something different. He didn't need to try. His presence alone demanded attention, and Grace found herself grappling with the pull he had on her. There was a magnetism about him, a subtle invitation to step closer, to uncover the secrets he kept hidden beneath that polished exterior.

"Grace?" Alex's voice broke through her thoughts, low and smooth, the sound almost pulling her in. "You're thinking too much again."

Grace blinked, trying to refocus. She couldn't let herself get distracted, not by him, not by the way he looked at her like he knew something she didn't. "What makes you think you know me well enough to say that?" she shot back, her tone sharper than she intended.

Alex leaned back in his chair, a slow smile curving his lips. "Because I know people, Detective Harper. And I can see that you're not just here for the case. You're trying to understand me, too."

Grace's jaw tightened. "Don't flatter yourself, Farnese."

"I don't need to," he said, his voice soft but confident. "You already are."

For a moment, they were locked in a silent exchange, the tension between them thick and electric. Grace hated the way he got under her skin so easily, the way his mere presence seemed to stir something in her she wasn't prepared for.

But she couldn't deny that he was right. She was intrigued by him, drawn to the enigma he presented. It wasn't just about the case. It was about understanding who Alex Farnese really was-and why, despite everything, she couldn't help but feel like he was holding back something vital. Something that could change everything.

"I came here for answers," Grace said, finally breaking the silence, her voice firmer now. "Not to play games."

Alex's smile faded, and his expression turned serious. "You'll get your answers, but trust me when I say you won't like all of them."

His words sent a chill down her spine, but she refused to back down. Whatever secrets he was hiding, Grace would find them. She had to, for Serena's sake.

"Start talking, then," Grace demanded, her eyes narrowing.

Alex held her gaze for a moment longer, then leaned forward, his voice dropping low. "You want the truth? It's a lot darker than you think."

Grace's heart pounded in her chest as she braced herself for whatever revelations were about to come. This was the moment she had been waiting for-finally, a crack in the mystery that had surrounded Alex Farnese from the beginning.

But as he began to speak, Grace couldn't shake the feeling that she was about to be pulled into something far more dangerous than she had anticipated. Something that would test not only her resolve as a detective but her ability to keep her emotions in check.

Because in that moment, as Alex's deep, rich voice filled the air between them, Grace realized something she hadn't allowed herself to admit until now.

She was already in too deep. And with Alex Farnese, there was no turning back.

---

To be continued...

(Spoiler)

In the next chapter, Grace begins to uncover the darker layers of Alex's involvement in Serena's life. At the same time, her emotional conflict grows stronger.