“Oliver!”
“Han? My apologies sir, I got lost for a moment.” I apologized, breaking my trance after captain called me out.
“Don’t forget we are still at the crime scene, don’t let your emotions judge you. Vincent, take over my spot and guard the scene.
“Aidan, first arrest the waitress and handcuff her hands and feet and keep her under the guard of Vincent and Martin, then go through the scene and look for clues.
“Oliver, continue searching Morgan, see if you can find anything. And give the card to James for handling. It could be critical evidence. After you’re done, go to Morgan’s family and inform them that Morgan will have to spend the night at the office, as well inquire about any animosity he held with others, and also interview his neighbors.
“Martin continue guarding the scene and be on the lookout for anyone who tries to enter the scene. Don’t hesitate to use force if anyone tries to interrupt the investigation.
“Aline, go over others and note their information, including but not limited to their personal address and other ways to contact them, as well as the address of their relative in case.
“I’ll contact the church as well as the wennies, this might be a much bigger mess than we can handle on our own.”
Barking a string of orders, captain walked in a hurry towards the nearby telegraph office. Very fascinating how no one approved highly of the Mad Emperor’s decree for establishing better communication measures and the establishment of more telegraph offices in major cities under the ‘Information law’.
Still remember how people felt it was a waste of money and could be spent on subsidies and zero-interest loans for farmers dying every day in the countryside.
For obvious reasons, no one dared to protest publicly. All the sentences were said in the safety of their home.
While thinking that I walked towards James and handed him the card. As part of our job requirement, we have the habit of wearing gloves at all times, except when we eat or at home, but others can make do without one. But James being a professional, knew the importance of wearing gloves while dealing with evidence kept an extra pair in case, and wore them immediately when I moved towards him.
Handing him the evidence, I went back to searching the body. It was a delicate process cause I couldn’t afford to move him too much in case the wound deepened or damaged more organs and lost more blood, resulting in a longer healing period.
So fascinating it felt, how we were immortals, and yet one of us is lying dead in front of us. Of course, we know he’ll wake up eventually, but from a case as bad as this? It might just take him an hour or two to get the healing process started.
Using my donax - knife, it was a customary specially made weapon for multiple uses, I cut through the coat, vest, and his shirt carefully, making sure not to damage anything. After 5 minutes of careful work, he was left bare-chested. In fact, half chested since the other half was just a bloody mess with a cone poking out of it.
Going through his pockets, all I found was a bloody keychain with 3 keys dangling on it, presumably to his house and some cupboards, and a blood-soaked wallet with 26 pounds, 3 silver, 8 bronze, his badge, and some folded up fliers for a show at the Grand Theatre.
There was another silver and 2 bronze in the back pocket of his pants, presumably for the carriage drive back home.
The silver and bronze being coins were still usable, but the pounds were notes and hence his 26 pounds were unusable.
Not finding anything else, I went back to James with the wallet and extra change to safeguard it while I make a trip to Morgan’s neighborhood.
Reaching back, I found James with a copper box.
“What’s with the box?”
“It was to safe keep the evidence from any kinds of contamination, and copper wouldn’t oxidize easily under the blood.”
I nodded at him and carefully placed the evidence in the box, and departed towards the main road to find a carriage.
It was around 10 in the night, but due to the recent years of migration, the population has grown and the number of brougham carriages has seen an increase with many preferring night shifts to earn more with less competition.
Very quickly I found one.
“To the Essame St., block 8. Try to make it quick.”
With a nod, the driver pulled the reins and the carriage sprang into motion towards Essame Street.
I preferred taking a carriage ride in the night. It was so much quieter, and although the nightlife has gotten a little richer these years, comparatively it still couldn’t hold a candle to the true big capitals.
Moving through the night under the illumination of lamplights, listening to the soft murmur of people walking past me, looking at some middle-class families taking a late-night stroll around the residential areas, it filled my heart with a serenity that I missed due to my job.
Closing my eyes, I felt the touch of cold air caressing my face, felt the light pass through my eyelids a little and the gentle rocking of the carriage as my thoughts drifted.
Then the light disappeared and winds silenced.
I opened my eyes slowly, already having an estimate of where we were. The slight turning of the carriage confirmed my guess.
As I opened my eyes, I saw the majestic statue of the Mad Emperor.
He stood there with all of his grace, nobility, and madness. One hand on a cane and draped in a royal attire, a dark robe on his shoulders freely flowing behind him and his symbol, a candle on his other palm, forever burning as the emperor gazed at it with his dark deep eyes.
The Mad Emperor ordered for there to never be another source of lighting in the turnaround but his candle. ‘My candle is the only light that shall pave the path for my people.’ As the Mad Emperor often said.
It has been 15 years, and not once has the candle stopped burning.
The candle itself was a special material as it could keep burning for months without a change, but I still often wondered, why would the wind never blow it away. But of course, I have never felt a single draft of wind in this area.
I have known people are employed to change the candle when it’s the due time, but what about the wind? This is a very open area, yet the wind never dared to cross these regions. What was this mystery?
When I came back to myself from my thoughts, we were already past the statue and almost near the location.
After another 5 minutes of the ride, I finally reached Essame St. Block 8. Getting off the carriage, I paid him a silver 2 copper and asked him to stay for a while since I had one more place to go. Usually, it’d have cost less, but a premium was due for taking private carriages at night.
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Fixing my hat, I walked towards house no. 23. Opened the gate to the garden and stepped through the concrete pavement towards the main door.
Ding Dong
Pressing the doorbell, I silently waited on the porch. From inside I can hear the sound of footsteps. They sounded slow and tired.
Opening the door was an old lady with a flock of white sparse hair. Her face was covered by wrinkles and she needed a stick to walk and a heavy glass to see properly. She wore a white nightgown which covered her entire neck and had flowery patterns on them.
“Oh hello Oliver, how are you dear? It’s been so long since you’ve last visited. Are you still not married? You shouldn’t learn such bad habits from Morgan. Talking of him, where is he? Did he not come with you?” The woman was old but had an upbeat attitude as she barraged me with a string of questions, including the one about my marriage. Hahhhh
“I’m doing just fine Mrs. Pierre, thank you for your concern. Yes it’s been a while since I was busy with my work, I would try to come by more often next time.
“As for marriage, you know I’m still young Mrs. Pierre, how could I already think of marriage?”
“Oh you, all you people from Inquisition are the same. Calling 32 young, I had 3 kids by your age young man.”
“I guess it’s a job hazard, don’t worry Mrs. Pierre, you won’t die before seeing my kids.” I made some small talk with the old lady. I’ve known her for many years and knew she really missed some company as all her kids work in different states and even Morgan only comes by sometimes, hence I always found myself swept by her rhythm for a while.
“I’m sorry Mrs. Pierre, I’m here on official business and won’t be able to talk. Please accept my apology.” I sincerely apologize, already planning on visiting her once with Morgan when this all blows up.
“I understand, is it related to Morgan? Did he do something again?” Mrs. Pierre being the understanding woman, nodded and invited me inside with her hand while asking.
“I’m sorry I’m in a bit of a rush so I won’t be able to come inside. But yes it’s related to Morgan. He was attacked by someone unknown using unknown mysterious methods and we are still midway investigation.
“Morgan was a little hurt but he’ll be back to his feet in a while, you don’t have to worry about him.” I gave away some details but withheld some about the severity of his injury. Although he’ll recover, there’s no need to burden the old couple right now.
“I don’t worry Oliver, under the watch of the god, how can anything happen to him? You must also have some questions if you came here right?”
“Yes, I would like to ask has Morgan revealed any strange actions during his last visit? Or maybe expressed any kind of grudge he held with anyone over something?” I asked my already prepared questions.
“Hmm well you know Morgan, he just likes to act a little here and there, but there was nothing strange about it. Nothing more stranger than a man in his 70s acting like a kid. But no, I don’t recall him exhibiting any kind of weirdness in his last visit. As for grudges, I don’t suppose I know of any. Even if he had some he wouldn’t trouble me by talking about them.
“His neighbors will perhaps have a higher chance knowing about that.”
“Hmm, any loans he had taken? Maybe something from loan sharks or such perhaps and couldn’t pay in time? Did he come to you guys for help?”
“Heh, he just likes to act petty sometimes, he’s not the kind to get in trouble with loan sharks. And if he ever truly needed money, me and his dad are still alive to help him through some tough days.”
“Any love affair turned sour you know of?”
“Heh, he just tries but never got into one. No, none I know of. Even though his past relationships ended, there was no such animosity between them which can result in such violent acts.”
“That’s all for now Mrs. Pierre. Thank you for your time and give my well wishes to Mr. Pierre, I’ll visit you soon enough. Good night!”
“Good night to you too dear. Do come visit.”
With that, she closed the door and I walked back to my carriage. The next destination was Morgan’s house and a one-by-one talk with his neighbors. This night was not gonna end so quickly.
Traveling through the night again, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the peace. My destination this time was the Wallen St., named after Saint Wallen, Block 2. That was where Morgan lives in a double-storied house with a small garden. He often complained how the whole house was too big for just him that’s why he’s trying to find a partner so quickly.
After another 20 minutes of the ride, I finally reached my location. Alighting from the carriage, I paid him a silver 3 bronze and told him not to wait for me as this might take me a while.
I decided not to start my search from his home but first interview the neighbors, as searching the house might take me longer.
Ding Dong
Standing on the porch I bought out my wallet for the ID and waited for the door to open. A minutes passed and yet no response, so I decided to press the doorbell a few more times.
Ding Dong Ding Dong Ding Dong
“Who b’e ‘here? Jeez are your bu’hocks on fire? Wai’ a second.” A voice grumbled from inside as I heard footsteps getting close to the door. And then I saw the “gentleman” who greeted me from behind the door. What a picture of cleanliness and nobility he was with his alcohol stench, hair ruffled up, holes in his shirt, and standing on the gate in his underwear.
Deciding not to hear any more of his vulgarities, I showed my badge and that shut up the man. I can see clarity rising in his eyes again as he asked with a shaky voice “Go- good evening’ Sir, how can me be of help to you?”
For a moment I didn’t answer and just look at him. Internally I was considering if it was even worth taking any statement out of this…. man.
The man must have gotten extremely nervous under my gaze, as he quickly explained himself while avoiding my gaze “My wifey, she chea'ed on me and left wi’h her lover af’er robbing me clean. I was jus’ too hear’broken, how could she have don - “
“I’ll stop you right there, I understand. Go and file a complaint to the police department tomorrow morning, and,” looking him up and down again, I said, “and wear something proper.
“But I’m not here for your woes, do you know the gentleman living next doot? Morgan Pierre?” I questioned before he could go off on a rant.
“Sir Morgan? Why yes, i’s have been a pleasure of mine to be neighbors wi’h an es’eemed Inquisi’or. I often brag to my friends how -“
“That’s enough, have you seen any suspicious individuals snooping around here looking at his house? Or known about any grudges Morgan had with anyone?”
“Someone snooping around? I’m nah sure wha’ you mean by tha’ Sir, I usually have to be ou’ of the house for my work, but I don’ recall any mention of someone like tha’ in this block. As for grudges, who will have any grudges against Sir Morgan. He was the most amicable person I’ve known. If only my wifey was like -“
“That’s it, thank you for your time. You can…. continue your business.” Stopping him just before I hear something I’d rather not, I turned around and walked out of his garden.
For the next 30 minutes I went through many more houses and a few even across the block. All I found was that Morgan had an overall nice reputation around the neighborhood. Not just because of his position, but as a neighbor, he was very helpful and wouldn’t disturb others much and preferred to keep it to himself most of the time.
Done with that, I finally decided it was time to search his home. For this I decided on bringing the house key instead of breaking in like a thief.
Click
Opening the gate quietly with my holster in my hand, I carefully stepped inside and it opened up to a long hallway with a shoe rack to one side and a flight of stairs to the upper floors on the other. The hallway opened to the living room on the left, a kitchen at the front, and the washroom at the right.
The house was quite dark since the lamps cost a nice amount for the gas. Not caring about that, I turned on every lamp in the hallway and beside the stairs I can.
Making sure to take care of my back, I walked inside and first entered the living room. Turning on the lamps in there, I carefully looked around. It was a little messy room with a few pieces of clothing sprawled on the couch and a few unclean dishes on the table. Looking around all I found were some mail about his electricity bill and water bill.
With that, I searched the other two rooms on the ground floor but couldn’t find anything substantial. Surprisingly he had a very clean kitchen.
This house was certainly a little big for a single man, but such houses were given on lease to the Inquisition by the church and not rented by us, and they considered the possibility of a family before allocating them.
Having searched the ground floor, I moved to the upper floor. The first floor had two bedrooms and one washroom.
Knowing he uses the left room as his own and the other as a guest room, I went inside and found a messy room. Towel on the bed and blankets unfolded, it looked like he had left in quite a hurry.
As I looked to my right, I saw his telegram with an…. unread telegraph sticking out of it!
Calming myself, I went and picked the telegraph out of the machine and slowly read it.
> “Oliver if you are reading this, do not come back to the site alone. I repeat, DO NOT come back alone.
>
> Head to your nearest police station as quickly as you can and stay there for now.
>
> Captain has gone missing!”
>
>
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