Soon, a couple of servants return, carrying several small gold bars. They’re similar to the ones from Dr. Keyser, but much smaller—about one-hundredth of the size. There are about thirty of them, though.

“Great. Any info on the number I gave you?” I ask, casually stuffing the gold bars into my pockets like they’re chocolates.

“We… we still need more time,” one of the servants stammers. “The number… it was disconnected two weeks ago.”

I lower the obsidian knife from Lawrence’s throat. He immediately seizes the opportunity and bolts. I sigh, and fire a beam into the floor behind his heels.

“Ahhh!” He yelps, freezing mid-stride.

“Just sit tight,” I say calmly, casually aiming the gun in his general direction. He nods vigorously and scurries back to his seat.

We settle in for a long wait. Lawrence eventually drifts off, as do many of his servants. Then, just as the first rays of blue moonlight threaten to peek through the windows, a servant bursts into the room, jolting everyone awake.

“M-Master Lawr… Lawrence… we found where the number connects…” the servant stammers, eyes wide with terror.

“Well, where?!” Lawrence demands, his voice cracking with anxiety.

“I-it’s…” the servant continues to struggle, his eyes darting between Lawrence and me.

“Spit it out already! I’m going to get killed here!” Lawrence nearly sobs, glancing at me as I raise the gun again.

“It’s Master… Master Caesar’s mansion…” the servant finally manages, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Uncle Caesar?!” Lawrence blurts out, then clamps a hand over his mouth, his eyes widening in horror.

“Oh… it’s your uncle. How about that?” I say to Lawrence with a cheerful grin. “Small world, isn’t it?”

“D-distant uncle…” Lawrence corrects, forcing a weak, awkward smile.

“So, where is this mansion?” I ask politely.

“It’s just… in the other… part of town…we just came from there…” Lawrence stammers, looking thoroughly miserable.

“Well, I guess I’ll have to pay your uncle a visit. Let’s go then.” I grab Lawrence by the scruff of his neck and start ushering him towards the door. “You’re coming too,” I add, gesturing to the host of the restaurant. He’d been about to breathe a sigh of relief, but now his face crumples. “You’ve seen too much.”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“B-but…”

“Or would you prefer I end your life right here?” I interrupt, casually pointing the gun at him. He quickly falls into step behind us.

We got into Lawrence’s vehicle and I direct the driver to return to Caesar’s mansion. The ride is short and tense. “This is your uncle’s place?” I ask. After a closer look at the building, it’s less ‘mansion’ and more ‘heavily fortified compound’.

“Yeah… but whatever business you have with him has absolutely nothing to do with me,” Lawrence mumbles. “I’m only here because of… because of Raven.”

The moment we step out of the vehicle, we’re surrounded. Again. This time it’s a small army, with dozens of laser guns and other futuristic looking weapons all pointed at me. Of course, they’re hesitant to fire with Lawrence still glued to my side.

Hostage shield strategy 101.

“Master Lawrence, please remain calm!” an older servant calls out, his voice strained. “Master Caesar will be with us shortly. He’s returning as soon as he heard of your… situation.”

I casually raise my gun and point it at the older servant. The instant I do, four beams of light shoot out from the surrounding guards. I don’t feel a thing, but I see faint scorch marks appear on my arm, and probably other places I can’t see.

Everyone stares in stunned silence.

Yes, newsflash: those things don’t work on me. It’s getting a little repetitive, honestly.

“Was there a chubby man who entered the mansion two weeks ago?” I ask the older servant.

His eyes widen for a fraction of a second before returning to their previous neutral expression. He remains stubbornly silent.

Bailey was definitely here. That reaction says it all.

I pull the trigger, the shot grazing his cheek. He doesn’t even flinch.

Ignoring the assembled guards and servants, I gently nudge Lawrence forward, guiding him towards the mansion. “Rexy, can you search for Bailey? There has to be a secret room or holding cell somewhere in this place,” I whisper. She gives me a quick nod.

We reach the doorstep, only to be met by a human wall of servants. I holster my gun and draw my obsidian knife. “Alright, listen up,” I announce to the human wall. “Every time I count to ten, Master Lawrence here loses a finger. One, two, three…”

“Get out of the way, you imbeciles!” Lawrence yells, cutting me off before I even reach five. The servants exchange uneasy glances, then reluctantly part, clearing our path.

“Smart choice,” I tell Lawrence. He gives me another one of his awkward smiles.

I kick the door open, revealing an interior that could rival any palace. Glistening artwork adorns the walls, plush carpets stretch across the floor, and not a single speck of dust.

Rich people really are the same in every world… maybe it’s just a human rich people thing.

As we step inside, Rexy seizes her chance, melting into the carpet and disappearing once more. I begin to explore the mansion.

“Is there a basement? A cellar?” I ask Lawrence, who promptly leads me to a staircase descending below. We reach the bottom, finding a few rooms. One appears to house a small army of robots. Otherwise, nothing seems out of the ordinary.

I tap and feel along a few walls and floor tiles. Nothing. Nothing sounds hollow. It’s all solid. We head back upstairs.

When we return to the entrance, we’re once again surrounded. This time, a well-dressed, extremely fit-looking middle-aged man stands at the center, himself surrounded by bodyguards.

His eagle-like eyes lock onto me as he twists his mustache.

Classic comic book villain look.