Autopsy of a Mind

He scrutinized my expression and grimaced. "I can see the determination. I won't force you to stop or anything. But I hope you can confide in me if you are having a hard time."

"I have Sebastian and Dr. Knight for that."

Harshit smiled sadly. "Dr. Knight is a professional and not your friend. Sebastian is your significant other and you may not be able to tell either of them certain things. But you can talk to me."

Ah, yes. My friend. 

"I also have Nash," I told him. 

He chuckled. "But he is your supervisor and colleague. If he thinks your judgment will impede the investigation, he will kick you out. You have secrets from everyone in the world, Evie." I rolled my eyes. 

"And that matters because I have no stakes when it comes to you?" I blinked. "I take your classes and you offered to write me recommendation letters. That means that I have something to gain from this relationship and you are on the losing end."

Harshit mulled over the words carefully. "There is no pure relationship in the world. But I am the person who you have the least to lose when you are talking about something." He shrugged. 

"I was wondering how Sebastian is such a smooth talker. It seems that people in the field of criminology have a way with words." I glared at him. 

- - - - -

I knocked on the apartment door bright and early. A bleary-eyed Sebastian opened it and his eyes widened when he realized it was me.

"You're early!" he cheered and pulled me into a hug. 

"Are you upset?" I chuckled. 

"Of course, not. How, though?"

I shrugged. 

"The pilot was in a rush to get home, I think. He landed the flight earlier than expected. Everything went smooth so I am home early." I got on my tiptoes and pressed a kiss on his chin. "Did you sleep well?" I asked softly as my fingers made their way into his hair and massaged his scalp. 

He hummed and leaned in to nuzzle my neck. "Ah, Evie is home," he emphasized. I snickered as his breath tickled the juncture between my shoulder and neck.

I pulled away and the kiss started out softly. 

"I haven't brushed my teeth yet," he groaned against my cheek when we pulled away for a second. 

"I haven't either," I assured lightly. He arched his brow and leaned in once again.

We heard a cough behind us and grumbling followed. I snickered as we pulled away and Sebastian gave the elderly woman who lived across from me a bland look. 

"You two need to learn some decency," she complained. "I'll call the company manager and get them to kick you out for public indecency." She continued to grumble, her arms still full of groceries like last time. 

I bowed my head to hide my smile and made my way to her side.

"I'll take those," I offered and pulled the bags off her hand. She looked at me with distaste, but I knew she appreciated the gesture. 

"Youngsters these days are living together without getting married. Having all the fun but not taking any responsibility for your actions." Her voice was low and disgruntled. 

"You don't need to worry about us living in sin. I already proposed and she accepted," Sebastian said from behind us. I turned my head to glare at him. He was grinning at me. 

I wondered how long he had been waiting to tell everyone he met about his success. 

"Good. Finally did the right thing," she said before huffing. "Also, why does everyone give me your mail? I have more mail for you." She squeezed through the door and came out a minute later as we waited in silence. 

"Sorry. We told everyone who frequents that this is our door, but they keep bothering you," I offered.

"No one works well these days. Go inside. I won't give you your mail anymore," she warned and shoved the envelope into my hand. 

I turned it over and saw no return address. Just my name in cursive.

"Ma'am, do you remember who gave this to you?" I asked cautiously. She turned with a bewildered expression. 

"There are loads of people who come and go on this floor. How am I supposed to know? This had your name on it so I gave it to you," she said. It was like she was scolding me. 

"Please think carefully. Do you remember when it came?" I asked. 

"What is it?" Sebastian moved forward and placed his hand on my shoulder. I turned to him and showed him the lettering. His eyes widened before he ran back into the room for something. 

"Why? Is this a bad thing?" she asked in confusion. 

I shook my head. "You don't need to worry about it. It's just someone I am trying to find who has been sending me presents recently," I kept the explanation short. 

She blinked. "It must have been a face I see regularly," she muttered under her breath. "Was it the delivery guy?" she wondered. 

I tried to think of a way to jog her memory. "Anything about him that stood out to you?"

Sebastian was back. He was wearing rubber gloves. "Give it to me," he commanded. I looked at him and handed it over without a question.

He pulled the envelope close to his nose and wrinkled it in distaste. "Sanitizer," he confirmed. 

I jolted and then pushed my hand away from my body. 

The guy knew where I lived. 

"Is there something wrong? Why do people wear gloves while handing out things?" the older woman wondered. 

"The man was wearing gloves?" I jumped on the opportunity immediately. The woman nodded. "Did he look about Sebastian's age? Or older?"

"He was… young. Didn't see him properly… not a face worth remembering. But I have seen him deliver stuff before."

I nodded. "Thank you. Would you mind if I asked you a few more questions?" I tried to control my emotion. Sebastian took out a paper-knife and sliced through the top.

He peered in and I saw his eyes harden. He didn't say anything and I didn't ask. 

"Who sent you that?" the woman asked, now mildly scared. 

"Don't be afraid. He will not hurt you. He's someone related to our work," I told her. 

"You work for the police, don't you?" she asked. "Is this some crazed killer stalking you?" She frowned. We didn't know how to answer. "Oh! He delivered your food, too…"

Sebastian's shoulder sank. "He delivered food?" he asked softly. 

"Yes. He wears that red uniform from the restaurant!"

I blinked. We only ate from one restaurant. And he had delivered this letter himself. Like he was revealing himself to them personally.

"Thank you. If you remember anything else, would you mind giving me a call? We don't stay at home much," I confessed. 

She looked worried but nodded still. "I'll think about it." She stayed around until I gave her my number and then we politely retreated back into the apartment. 

After depositing my luggage in the bedroom, I came back into the living room to find Sebastian sitting on the floor. He had placed plastic on the ground and the envelope and its contents were laid out in front of him. 

I could see a picture and walked forward curiously. 

"What does it say?" I asked. 

He didn't respond and looked down at it. I was towering over him and the letter when I realized what the picture was. The twinkling lights and the forest were familiar. The two figures cuddling and smiling at one another was familiar. If it had been taken by anyone else, I would have smiled at it.

This demon had been hiding in the forest watching us the whole evening. He'd seen everything. 

I sank to my knees and stared in horror. 

"How did he…" 

Sebastian inspected my expression carefully. "Don't panic." He turned the letter towards me. 

[I thought you would only date me. I feel betrayed. Maybe I should bring forward our meeting.]

That was what was written in the letter. 

I sucked in a breath. 

"Stop blanking out. Analyze," he demanded. He had already figured it out. 

I shook my head to clear it and started to struggle to think properly. "It's the man in the white shirt. The envelope is made from generic paper and the glue looks to be the same. The script is definitely the same and the style of wording the same, as well."

I stopped and looked at him. 

"Good. What else? What do you know that is new?" he demanded. 

I closed my eyes shut and let out a small sob. "He's been following us… no… me. I was wrong. Completely wrong. He was not after you. He was keeping an eye out on me." 

Sebastian shuddered. "What he said to Carol was about you. The files he provided leading to the Magician cases was his work too."