Adelmo turned to Nik with a curious expression, his eyebrows raised in amusement. "What was that?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Do you have a thing for the waitress?"
Nik chuckled, shaking his head in response. "No, it's not like that," he explained. "She actually likes me, so I enjoy teasing her a bit to get a reaction out of her. It's all in good fun."
Adelmo couldn't help but laugh at Nik's explanation, though he couldn't deny that it was a little mean-spirited yet undeniably funny. "Well, you certainly know how to keep things interesting," he remarked, still chuckling. "But remember, don't take it too far."
As their laughter subsided, Adelmo's curiosity got the better of him, and he leaned in closer to Nik. "Alright, spill the beans," he said, his voice filled with anticipation. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
Nik's expression turned serious as he glanced around, making sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversation. "Earlier at the office, I had to follow official police procedure," he began, his voice low and confidential. "That's why I couldn't discuss it there. You know how it is."
Adelmo nodded understandingly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "So, what's the deal?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. "What did you find out?"
Nik took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts before explaining. "Well," he started, "the thing the paper mentioned is pretty much what we had already figured out. There's no other evidence pointing towards any alternative explanation."
Adelmo's eyebrows furrowed as he processed the information. "So, it's just as we suspected," he mused, his voice filled with a mix of relief and concern. "But if there's no other evidence, how are we going to prove it?"
Nik shrugged, a determined look in his eyes. "We'll have to dig deeper," he replied confidently. "We can't let this case slip through our fingers. We'll find the evidence we need, even if it means turning the whole place upside down."
Adelmo nodded, a determined smile forming on his face. "I'm with you all the way," he declared, his voice filled with unwavering support.
Adelmo responded, "So, have you discovered any information regarding the blood found on the ground?" Nik hesitated before replying, "How did you come to know that there was blood present on the ground at the store?" Adelmo quickly mentioned that he had read about it in the newspaper. Nik nodded in understanding. "All they managed to determine was that the blood belonged to the raw meat packages that had been torn open."
Adelmo inquired about how they had managed to ascertain that, and Nik explained that they had sent the blood samples to the laboratory for DNA analysis. This revelation seemed to intrigue Adelmo, who then asked if they had been able to identify the culprit through the DNA analysis. Nik shook his head, indicating that the results had not yielded any conclusive evidence pointing towards a suspect.
Adelmo then pondered aloud about the possibility of the blood being planted at the scene to mislead the investigators. Nik considered this theory before responding that the lab results had confirmed that the blood was indeed from the torn meat packages. The conversation then shifted towards discussing potential motives behind such an act, leading both Adelmo and Nik to delve deeper into the mystery surrounding the bloodstains found at the store.
Both men sat in silence for a moment, their minds racing with thoughts about the break-in at Adelmo's apartment. Adelmo, feeling the weight of the situation, decided it was time to divert their attention to a different topic. With a slight hesitation, he asked Nik if there had been any progress in the investigation.
Nik sighed, his frustration evident in his voice. He admitted that they hadn't made any significant breakthroughs yet. "We're still in the dark, Adelmo," he confessed. "Whoever did this was no amateur. There were no fingerprints or any traceable marks left behind. It's as if they knew exactly what they were doing. We rarely encounter criminals who are so meticulous in covering their tracks. Usually, we can at least find some sort of evidence to lead us in the right direction."
As the night wore on, the two friends delved deeper into their conversation, discussing not only the break-in but also various other cases that Nik had been working on. Adelmo felt a sense of trust and comfort in Nik's presence. They shared stories, theories, and even some lighthearted banter, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere that had settled upon them. Despite the lack of progress in the investigation, Adelmo found solace in the fact that he had someone like Nik by his side, someone who was willing to listen and support him through this difficult time.
Nik had always been amazed by Adelmo's knack for solving puzzles and coming up with innovative ideas. Growing up together, Nik had witnessed Adelmo's brilliance firsthand. As the clock struck 4 AM, both Nik and Adelmo realized it was time to call it a night and head back to their respective homes for some much-needed rest. Adelmo quickly made his way to his house, prepared for bed, and settled down, his mind still buzzing with all the things he and Nik had discussed earlier. However, exhaustion soon caught up with him, and he decided it was best to let sleep take over.
Lying in bed, Adelmo couldn't help but reflect on the stimulating conversations he and Nik had shared. Their discussions had been filled with intriguing puzzles and thought-provoking ideas. Adelmo's mind was a whirlwind of possibilities as he contemplated the various solutions they had explored together. The late hour and his weariness began to take their toll, and Adelmo realized it was time to surrender to sleep's embrace.
With a sense of satisfaction and anticipation for the next day, Adelmo bid farewell to his thoughts and allowed himself to drift off into a peaceful slumber. As he closed his eyes, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the friendship he shared with Nik. Their shared passion for puzzles and their ability to inspire each other was a constant source of joy and intellectual stimulation. As sleep enveloped him, Adelmo knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges and exciting adventures, and he eagerly awaited the dawn of a new day.
As he settled into bed, he tugged the warm covers up to his chin and drifted off into a deep slumber. In his sleep, he found himself once again in the midst of a dream that seemed to seamlessly continue from the one he had experienced the night before. This time, Adelmo found himself navigating through a dense forest, with towering pine trees looming overhead.
Desperately trying to escape from an unseen threat, Adelmo zigzagged through the maze of trees, hoping to shake off whatever was pursuing him. However, no matter how hard he tried, the ominous
presence seemed to follow his every move, sending shivers down his spine. Suddenly, he tripped over some gnarled roots protruding from the forest floor, sending him sprawling to the ground in a panic.
With his heart pounding in his chest, Adelmo scrambled to his feet, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he pushed himself to keep moving forward. Crawling on his knees, he fought against the overwhelming sense of dread that threatened to consume him. Finally managing to stand up, he broke into a sprint, his feet pounding against the forest floor as he raced through the trees, the haunting presence still hot on his heels.
Approaching what appeared to be the end of the dense forest, he felt a surge of relief wash over him. The trees began to thin out, allowing more sunlight to filter through the canopy above. As he made his way through the final layer of trees, his heart raced with anticipation of finally escaping the claustrophobic confines of the forest.
However, his hopes were quickly dashed when he stumbled upon a solitary house nestled among the trees. The sight of the house sent a shiver down his spine, as if it were an ominous warning of what was to come. Determined to seek refuge, he approached the house only to find all the doors securely locked. Panic began to set in as he frantically tried to force his way inside, but to no avail.
Desperation mounting, he turned his attention to the windows, hoping to find a way in. With each window he tried, his frustration grew as none of them budged. Suddenly, he awoke in a cold sweat, the remnants of the dream still vivid in his mind. Sitting up in bed, he wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart still racing from the intensity of the nightmare. Another restless night had passed, leaving him yearning for a peaceful night's sleep.