Marshall was sorting out the recent batch of paperwork to admit some new information on the case, a recent batch that was more headache inducing than usual as Maxwell had gotten the evidence through some… non-official channels. Coupled with his inexperience and almost impressive inability to write a report, it was turning out to be a paperwork session for the ages. So while Marshall was stuck with figuring out a wall of words that would only happen if you handed a dictionary to a lawyer who was told to do their worst, Maxwell was rewriting his report for the third time, reclined on the comfy armchair in the corner. As the office door was open, he noticed it when problem extraordinaire Keira Aboret walked into the station tailed by a nervous looking young man.

“Hello, is officer Weil in?” She stopped by the waiting room, gaze only just grazing him before settling on someone out of view. Marshall wasn’t sure whether he was grateful for the distraction or dreading what was coming next. Maxwell made his opinion obvious by slapping the papers that he was going through on the desk and rushing out of the office.

“Yes! Yes. What do you need?” Weil looked a little too eager to talk to the victim again, but Marshall couldn’t fault the man. And any information they could gather would be valuable, but it didn’t stop him from being just that tiny bit jealous. He turned a page and tried to keep the tightening in his expression down, but failed miserably, so instead he decided to take a break and tune into Maxwell and Keira’s conversation.

“Well… I overheard Amelie discussing something concerning… she said that Archer was a part of a larger group and they might… not be done with me. Is it possible?” Marshall heard Maxwell sigh and decided to take the time to clear his throat loudly. Both Keira and Weil turned their attention to him and then she got her answer.

“I realise that this talk of a greater group concerns you, but any and all background checks on Archer haven’t yielded anything. We’ll double check, but for your own sanity, remember that he could have lied, or that he was unimportant enough that no one will come after you.”

“But… I guess you’re right.” It sounded like she wanted to bring up something else, or was disappointed with what she got, but if she didn’t want to divulge much, she wasn’t going to get much. That was one of the few rules that the pair could agree on. There was another quick back and forth before the girl left and Maxwell returned to the office to return to his task of misery.

“She was right you know. We don’t know what the plan is, it could be reasonable to assume that there’s more to it.”

“I was right as well, Marshall.” All Marshall did in response to that was flip over to the next page in his stack, finally done with the previous and frown.

“It says that you need to include reasons for looking into this to avoid bias. I don’t remember you including such things in your report. Was I wrong?”

“He’s a suspect in this case, I feel like the reasoning is pretty self-explanatory.”

“This… incident you’ve reported happened multiple days before Archer’s current excuse and has nothing to do with it. Need I remind you that his current excuse is that the travel times don’t line up? Why look into the security footage at the train station?” This gave the man some paused before he sighed.

“Well I was looking through the security footage and noticed that someone strange approached him at the station. At first I was pretty happy to write it off as some sort of drug deal considering the state of the strangers cloths… but then I noticed the patch sewn quite clearly onto his hoodie. It’s almost as if he was broadcasting the fact that he belonged to the Scholars. Which is very suspicious considering Archer’s suspected alignment.” Marshall hummed and tapped the pen along his bottom lip, reaching for the mess of a report that Weil had filed and sorted through the sheets.

“And that encouraged you to track the man in the patch over the course of multiple weeks? You could have used that time to help with the parasite search that has eaten up all of our resources!”

“I feel like it was worth it, and that you would agree with me if you’d just read further into the files Marshall.”

“Hm. Here you mentioned more security footage showing a group of well-known Scholars and a group accompanied by a well-known Follower of Xanthopan, including Archer, going into the same restaurant, going to the same table within that restaurant, without anything getting set on fire.”

“Which is the second, and third, red flag. Both factions are capable of deleting security footage like that and yet they didn’t, and the Scholars hate the Followers just as much as they hate us, if not more. Must’ve been something impressive to hold them together. Can’t really blame them for their omnidirectional hatred though.” Maxwell emphasised the last sentence with a small wink in Marshall’s direction.

“Watch it.” Marshall growled, levelling a glare at Maxwell who held up his hands in mock surrender. Satisfied, Marshall continued. “And that helps me lead onto my next point. If the two groups have now miraculously decided to work together, why would one go out of their way to sabotage Archer like that? I’m guessing that’s the only way footage like that still exists, and why one would approach him so publicly.”

“That doesn’t surprise me as much. Any alliance between them would have been very temporary, I mean, I’m surprised that it happened at all. What I’m more interested in, is why one would approach him. The only thing it invites is more investigation in the both of them, so it must’ve been planned or the stupid move of a rogue agent. Considering the fact that the security footage is intact though…”

“You’re right… It’s not even a gambit either. If we didn’t investigate this then no one would be at risk and they could have carried on normally. If you didn’t dig deep enough then again, nothing to lose. And if you did, well they’ve just exposed some of the identities of their most fierce rivals. They knew to approach Archer as well… as if they knew that something was going to happen. I wouldn’t even be surprised if I found out that they knew Keira would have survived.”

“Why? We might’ve been called in to investigate if it was a regular disappearance.”

“The chances are much slimmer though; they might not have bothered in that case.”

“Might, eh? Either way, we are getting in heavy speculation territory and I haven’t heard of these sorts of rituals leaving a survivor. Whether it be the victim, or the caster if something goes wrong.” Maxwell said and Marshall tilted his head in mild agreement before looking at the notes.

“Victim. Good word use, as we don’t know whether or not Keira was targeted purposely. If our speculation is correct though, it leaves the question on how the Scholars knew to set a trap like this.”

“Through one of their rituals perhaps?”

“No, that’s not the sort of information that can get from those rituals. I would say a spy is more likely.”

“Mid or high-level as anyone too low down on the chain wouldn’t have heard of this.”

“We’ll… have settle on that for now. The only question is why the Scholars would team up so suddenly only to put their supposed allies at such risk.” After he said this, Marshall rifled through the papers in order to find some hint. He hadn’t needed to, however.

“As I mentioned before, it was probably a temporary alliance. One that might have finished and opened up the avenues for sabotage again.” Marshall looked at the photos provided again and sighed, pulling up the files of those accompanying the Follower, now marked as potential Followers, and a sudden understanding bloomed in his mind.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

“…The Scholars only used their well-known members. Exposing this meeting to us would do them no damage, aside from alerting us to the fact that they are willing to work with the Followers. They didn’t blow anyone’s cover. On the other hand… the Followers had a few people who are quite influential in the world there, their cover is now blown.” Marshall snorted, “they got the short end there.” Maxwell grinned and continued.

“See? This is good news! Ever since Florian and Nikolaus died we’ve been having more and more trouble identifying potentials. This just gave us a big step forward.” Marshall nodded and set aside the huge pile of paperwork.

“Unfortunately we can’t keep using the excuse of suspect to keep Archer in custody, as again, his alibi checks out.”

“We could go for one more round of questioning, especially as some of the fingerprints on the bucket of paint match with Amelie, who he has been spotting spending time with. Then once he’s released, track his movements to see whether we can expose a few more identities.”

“Good ideas, but I’m mostly focused on Keira’s situation right now. Depending on how this goes we could get another arrest in this week.” Marshall shot his paperwork a hateful look and stood up, picking up a smaller stack of papers slotted into a folder instead of the mound that he had been going through. “Let’s go and interview him again then.”

“Let’s.” Maxwell responded and also stood up from his perch, the armchair sighing as he did so. On his way out he turned his head to Marshall. “You remember the plan?”

“Yep.”

The journey to the holding cell was short, as the station was very small. Marshall double checked to make sure that the security cameras were working in the interrogation room as Maxwell split off to fetch Archer. He then walked into the blank room and sat on the far end of the metal table sat in the middle of it. Weil walked into the room after a minute or so and sat Archer down on the chair opposite Marshall.

“Why am I still here then?” Archer didn’t have the handcuffs on, and from his question, was probably more or less up to date on the situation. Marshall shuffled through the files he had brought with him before shutting the folder and leaning forward.

“Because if what you claim is true, and the knife found in your house isn’t yours, then someone must’ve planted it there. Forensics have gone over your entry points and have found no evidence of forced entry or damage around locks, so I must ask you whether or not you’ve lost a spare key or let anyone into your house recently.”

“The only person who has been in and out of my house has been Amelie, but I’ve been with her for most of the time… Are you sure it’s not just and incredibly skilled lockpick?”

“Well… no. From what’s been analysed though, the chance is low. Are you sure that it couldn’t have been her.” Archer hummed and drummed his fingers on the tabletop.

“The chance is low, from what I remember.” Marshall felt the corner of his mouth tighten and instead idly opened the file in front of him again. Maxwell took this as an opportunity to step forward and placed his hand on Marshall’s shoulder, squeezing slightly.

“Why don’t you go and get us some coffee?”

“Oh! I take mine black.” Marshall nodded slightly to Weil and stood up, throwing another acknowledging nod in Archer’s direction on his way out. Once out of the room he headed back to the security room and flagged down another officer to get the coffee instead, then he turned his attention to the screens in front of him. Fiddling with the volume so he could hear the scrape of Maxwell’s chair against the concrete floor. He sat in the chair and gave the files a passive look before pushing them to the side all together. Then he levelled a stare at Archer.

“Look, if you know anything about Amelie that could help… we could offer something in exchange.” Archer snorted.

“You really think I partnered up with her in this? Hate to break it to you, but I’m a changed man. And what could you hope to offer in exchange? I doubt you can just… erase my record.”

“Maybe you didn’t partner with her. She’s your friend right? Maybe you just want to protect her… and in exchange. Well, while I can’t repair the damage that your ex did, I could offer a little protection if this situation ever escalated. Taking you to court was a real bitch move after all, and it would be pretty consistent of your partners if Amelie did the same.” Though the camera offered a side profile of the two, Archer’s displeasure was as clear as day. Marshall drummed his fingers on the table, waiting for the silence to pass and to see whether Archer would cooperate. He was so focused on the scene that he didn’t notice the officer placing two cups next to him. Then Archer burst out laughing.

“Imagine what your partner would say if he was here! Or at least that’s what I would say if I couldn’t see what you’re doing right now. Describing taking me to court a ‘bitch move’ is so obviously trying to ingratiate yourself with me. Don’t pretend I’m stupid. That I can’t see that camera over there, or that one-way glass.”

“No one’s looking at you Archer, I made sure of it. I could make sure of a lot more too, if you let me.”

“You know what. I don’t know anything at the moment but let me go and I’ll see what I can do.” Maxwell nodded and Marshall took that as his cue to move back into the interrogation room holding the two coffees. Archer’s eyes flicked to the cups of coffee and then back up to Marshall’s face, he looked to be thinking. “I’ve asked him a few more questions and he doesn’t seem to know much. We should think about letting him go.”

“Alright.” Marshall placed the two cups down, Archer’s in front of him. “Unless you want to talk more, you’re free to go.” Archer was now staring solidly at Marshall’s face before he looked down at the plastic cup and gave it an experimental sniff. He laughed slightly and set his cup back down.

“Fantastic.” Archer stood up and left the room, leaving his cup steaming on the table and a friendly pat on Marshall’s shoulder.

“Asshole.” Muttered Weil into the room, sipping the coffee that was given to him. Marshall only hummed in agreement and downed the abandoned cup.

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Amelie Cross waited on some random abandoned corner in the dying light, phone in hand as she scrolled through her recent texts with Archer. Honestly she wasn’t sure why they let him go, it was certainly a surprise. But then again, the only way an idiot like him could have gone running around like he had, would be that the law enforcement were even bigger idiots. Either way, she had to make the most of it.

“Ah, you’re already here.” Archer emerged from the growing shadows of the alley, tucking his phone away into his back pocket.

“Yes. I am organised believe it or not.”

“Don’t be like that. I’m just happy to see you!”

“Of course you are. What did you want to talk about?”

“They’re onto you.”

“You fucker- you had one job-“

“Hey, hey. I don’t know how it happened, but it was through no fault of mine.” Archer threw up his hands in a casual mock surrender. Amelie didn’t believe that for a second, he was dense enough to miss what he might have given away. She also didn’t believe in arguing with fools.

“Whatever. Now I just have to think of a way to fix this even bigger mess.”

“It’s a shame I’m no longer with the organisation. They offer protection out to all members…” Amelie snapped her head up.

“I am a member however, and I would be very willing to extend that protection to you.”

“Of course! How could I have forgotten. You’re a genius, and very generous.” Amelie smiled and nodded, but then paused as Archer continued. “But I don’t know whether or not you’re high enough on the chain for them to bother with that… And you wouldn’t be able to contact many people on the outside.”

“You said so yourself. I’m the first person to survive the backlash from a faulty ritual like that. I’m a valuable asset, and all we need to do is show that to someone important enough. And there aren’t that many out here worth contacting anyway.” Archer nodded his head.

“Very true. I am sorry to have given you a faulty ritual like that, I’m very lucky that you’re special enough to have survived.”

“Indeed, and once we get this mess sorted out we can retry the ritual, preferably with the correct runes and materials. Or maybe we could get it out the way while the officers are still running around like headless chickens…” For the first time that night, the placid expression on Archer’s face slipped.

“It sounds risky. We should go with your first plan.”

“Coward. This is our chance to truly prove our worth and you’re backing out because it sounds a little risky? Pathetic.”

“It’s just… I’m concerned after what happened with Keira they’ll be on edge, even more so since they now know the culprit’s still out there.”

“And whose fault is that? It doesn’t matter of course, and targeting Keira again would be needlessly stupid, she’s got too many eyes on her. So maybe someone else would be more fitting… Ah! I have the perfect candidate in mind.” The expression on Amelie’s face could be described as nothing short as savage, and quite a bit determined. Archer paused a moment before he sighed and put that slightly dazed smile back on his face again.

“I’ll trust you to come up with something. In the meantime, I’ll go and get the materials necessary to set up the ritual site again.”

“And set it up correctly this time. I know I can survive the backlash, but we do need the ritual to go through, and it was quite painful.” Archer bowed his head and exited the alley. The fool was good for following orders if nothing else, and if everything went to plan she would have a whole host of idiots just like him at her beck and call. It was an idea that she could feel herself getting used to.