CHAPTER II

JAKE SET a leather-bound notebook in front of him. As he opened it, Abigail could see that it was filled with names and details of potential suspects.

Jake cleared his throat, his eyes focused on Abigail. "Abigail, our suspects have one thing in common—they all have a motive, a reason to eliminate their competition. Let me introduce you to each of them."

Abigail nodded.

“This is Ramona,” said Jake. “She was a former champion, but her star had dimmed in recent years. She's known for her ruthless ambition and her desire to regain her former glory. Her career is on the line, and she'd do anything to win.

“Nikolai, a charismatic skater, is an enigma. Behind his charming facade, he's rumored to have a shady past, with possible connections to organized crime. His winnings could be a way to launder money or settle old debts.

“Elise is the youngest of our suspects. A rising star in the skating world, she's immensely talented and dedicated. But the pressure to succeed and live up to her family's legacy might have pushed her to extremes.

“Victor, a coach and former skater, has always lived in the shadows of the skating world. He's been known to hold grudges against some of the top skaters, seeing them as arrogant and unworthy of their success. He might have a vendetta.”

Jake paused, allowing the weight of the information to settle in. "These are the four potential suspects, Abigail. Each one is driven by their own motives, and any one of them could be the murderer. We need to watch them closely, gather evidence, and unveil the truth."

Abigail nodded, her determination clear. "We'll keep our eyes on them and find out who's behind these acts of sabotage. We can't let their sinister plans cast a shadow over the beauty of ice skating."

“Let’s start with Ramona then,” said Jake. “I know you’re about to go to the girl dorms and meet her. See what you can find out.”

Abigail took a deep breath. “I’ll try my best.”

# # #

Abigail’s heart was pounding as she approached Ramona. "Hi there," she said with a friendly smile. "Your skating is incredible, and I've always looked up to you as an inspiration."

Ramona's icy blue eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and suspicion as she paused in unpacking her suitcase. "Thank you, dear. I appreciate your kind words," she replied, her voice laced with the remnants of her past charm.

Abigail continued, trying to maintain an air of casual conversation. "I've heard you're really determined to win this competition. It must mean so much to you."

Ramona's expression tightened for a fleeting moment before she replied, "Oh, it's everything to me. I have to prove that I'm still the best."

Abigail's gaze shifted to Ramona's skates, the blades seemingly pristine and unaltered. She took a subtle step closer, inspecting them more closely. "You must be very attentive to your skates. Keeping them in top shape is so important, especially in a competition like this."

Ramona's grip on her skate tightened, her knuckles turning white as she **** a smile. "Yes, you're absolutely right. I take great care of them."

Abigail's curiosity grew, and she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "Have you noticed anything strange or any tampering with your equipment recently? It's just that with everything at stake, some competitors might resort to sabotage."

Ramona's gaze darkened, and for a moment, Abigail saw a flicker of something that sent a shiver down her spine. "No, dear, I haven't noticed anything like that. But thank you for your concern."

As Abigail walked away, she ran through Ramona’s responses in her head. Her reaction had been intriguing, a mix of desperation and defensiveness. It was clear that the former champion was hiding something, and Abigail couldn't shake the feeling that she was at least one step closer to unveiling the truth.

Her thoughts soon turned to Jake, the rugged stranger who had appeared in her life like an unexpected plot twist in the midst of her skating competition. As she sat alone in her room, her thoughts whirled like a snowstorm in her mind.

Jake had an air of mystery and danger about him, yet there was something intriguing, even captivating, in the depths of his dark eyes. His presence was like a stormy sea, unpredictable and undeniably alluring.

Abigail couldn't help but wonder about his true intentions. Why had he approached her in that steamy bathroom, and what was the secret mission he had mentioned? Was he truly there to uncover a murderer in their midst, or was there more to the story?

As she stared out the window, the ice-skating arena looming in the distance, Abigail's thoughts drifted back to their initial encounter. There was an undeniable chemistry between them, a connection that had ignited with a simple conversation and had grown into something electric, something she couldn't ignore.

But could she trust Jake? Was he a savior or a saboteur, a partner or a pretender? Abigail had always been an expert at reading the ice, but Jake was an enigma that defied her usual instincts.

She knew that in the days to come, she would need to navigate the treacherous terrain of secrets and danger alongside Jake. As she pondered what to think about him, one thing was clear—this partnership was a journey into uncharted territory, and she had to be cautious, yet open to the possibility of unraveling a mystery that could change their lives forever.

The sound of footsteps broke Abigail’s thoughts, and she looked up to see Jake approaching.

“Did you talk to her?” he asked.

Abigail nodded.

Jake looked both ways, then gestured towards the ice-skating rink.

They walked into the rink and found a secluded spot away from prying eyes, the air around them seemed charged with unspoken tension. Abigail couldn't help but feel the electricity between them, a current that had been building ever since their paths had crossed.

“So?” asked Jake.

"Well," Abigail began, her voice soft, " I asked her about any possible tampering with her skates. Her reaction was... strange."

Jake's eyes bore into Abigail's, the intensity of the moment causing her heart to race. "Tell me everything."

Abigail took a deep breath and recounted her interaction with Ramona, every word laced with a sense of intrigue. "When I mentioned sabotage and tampering, she reacted defensively, but I caught a glimpse of something in her eyes—a flicker of unease, perhaps even guilt."

Jake leaned in closer, their faces just inches apart, the tension between them crackling like a live wire. "You think she's hiding something, Abigail?"

Abigail nodded slowly, her breath hitching as their proximity heightened the sexual tension between them. "I'm not sure, but it's possible. We should keep an eye on her."

Their gazes locked, and the unspoken connection between them became almost palpable. It was as if their shared mission had brought them closer in more ways than one, and they were drawn together by a magnetic **** neither could deny.

Jake's fingers brushed against Abigail's cheek, his touch gentle yet electric. "You’re very beautiful," he whispered.

Abigail's heart raced as she met Jake's intense gaze. She leaned in, closing the gap between them, and their lips met in a passionate, lingering kiss. In that stolen moment, the world outside ceased to exist, and the only reality was the electricity that surged between them.

When they finally pulled away, breathless and flushed, Abigail knew that their connection was more than just a shared mission. It was a spark that had ignited into something far more profound, something that had the power to bind them together in the icy labyrinth of secrets and danger.

“Sorry,” muttered Jake. “Couldn’t help myself.”

Abigail said nothing, but stared at his lips, wishing for more.

“Talk to Nikolai next?”

Abigail nodded slowly.

Jake smiled at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning then. Good luck.”

He turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, wet and turned on.