Victor tucked his bathrobes tighter before he opened the chain that kept him feeling safe.

The chain hitting the door frame echoed in the dimly lighted store and the door slowly opened. Victor looked at the police officers standing outside without saying anything, and moved aside slightly for the police to come in.

Uncomfortable silence filled the air as the police were quietly observing him and he did the same.

Silently Victor thought to himself why they are so quiet and careful, but decided to not think too much about it.

''Please do come in. Would you like something to drink while you are here? Coffee, tea or maybe plain water?'' Breaking the silence, Victor asked them to come in politely.

Without waiting for an answer, he started to walk towards the kitchen to prepare beverages for his uninvited guests.

Hearing light footsteps resounding and the door closing behind him, Victor reached the kitchen and turned around to wait for their answer. Looking at the woman holding his mug, he smiled lightly.

''It is okay if you don't want anything, just tell me if that is the case. I am making tea regardless.''

After starting to boil the water, Victor walked to the silent officers and offered them to sit down politely.

''I am thankful for your service, but is it not bit late for house calls?''

----------------------------------------

Nicole, Erikson and Larsson stood silently in the store. Looking around themselves, they found that the operation was not as they thought it would be.

Briefly communicating to each other with their eyes, they slowly released their tension and the grip on the weapons they were prepared to use.

Larsson was the squad coordinator with his special talent of telepathy.

He had left special marking on his squad members for seamless communication that enables them to communicate with each other just by focusing their thoughts on the marking itself.

Jokingly this talent was called within the force as the special group chat, but now they were speechless at the unexpected situation.

As soon as the tension eased, Larsson regained his wits and communicated the thoughts to his squad members through the marking.

''This is not what I expected. He seems bit too easy going for a brutal murderer.''

Nicole and Erikson nodded and then the chat group gained some vitality.

''Maybe he is unaware of the special nature of the item and just happened to have it by accident. I mean look at all this junk around here. If I didn't know that this was antique store, I could have mistook this for a flea market.'' Erikson made a guess and was visibly looking better.

''Well anything is better than violent murderer, let's play along and ask what he knows like a normal police would.'' Nicole concluded the discussion and walked forward with a friendly smile on her face.

She looked at the shopkeeper with the typical business smile and began her subtle interrogation.

''Hello Sir. I think we will pass on the drinks. We do realize that it is disrespectful to bother citizens at this hour but we have no choice but to do our jobs for the public.''

The shopkeeper looked visibly relieved at their words and she continued with her subtle questioning.

''Victor Wartell I presume, and you are the owner of this shop?''

Victor nodded his head and indicated to continue.

''We found this mug at a crime scene, and we were hoping to find out if you do know anything about it?''

Victor looked at the mug with a nostalgic gaze, before raising his gaze directly at Nicole.

''Yes, it brings back some memories. When I first arrived in this city, I made it myself. I know it is bit shabby, but painting has never been my strong suit.''

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Hearing the shop owner's words, Nicole felt a cold breeze washing over her as the word ''the Devil'' popped into her mind.

He made it himself? But that means... Thinking up to this point, she felt her blood run cold.

Nicole looked over her shoulder and saw odd expressions on her team, and decided to confirm her conclusion subtly.

''I am curious. What do the symbols mean? I have never seen so many different strange symbols bundled up like that.''

She waited with cold sweat trickling down her neck as Victor looked at her oddly for a moment, before reaching out as if to tell to hand the mug over.

Walking a few steps ahead into an uncharted territory that is the mysterious shopkeeper, she handed the mug back to its owner meekly.

Victor inspected the mug for a while, looking nostalgic. After a moment, he finally opened his mouth.

''The symbols are just a reminder of the olden days... Do you see this symbol here?'' Victor moved his hand in a smooth and calm manner, pointing to one of the symbols Nicole's team already identified.

''This symbol for example has many meanings. It was once used by an ancient culture as a symbol for good fortune and later on it became a symbol of oppression.''

Nicole, Erikson and Larsson watched with daze as the symbol emitted faint light that changed from the original bright gold color into deep red and black.

Larsson watched the entire thing with a suspicious mindset, but soon asked his team for opinions through the marking.

''Did you also feel that? When the color was golden, I could practically sense happiness and good fortune. And on the other hand, when it changed...'' He shuddered ever so slightly and did not continue.

Seeing the grim look on the team, he did not need an answer for his question.

Interrupting Victor with a hand gesture, Larsson decided that it may not be healthy for them to ask about the pentagram.

''Oh sorry we kind of sidetracked here. I am sure that you would like to go back to spending your free time. Nicole here is interested in history, so I believe she was bit too eager to find out about the origins of the symbols.''

Victor could understand the passion for research. Giving Nicole an understanding look, he dropped the subject and was ready to get to business.

''I understand it very well. So how may I help you?''

Erikson glanced around the store with trembling eyes, before finally getting to the main point.

''We found the thief that stole your property. The only problem with it was that he had been murdered. You are not a suspect, but could you recount once again what happened on the day of the theft. Just to make sure we have all the facts.''

Stealing a glance at the shopkeeper, Larsson saw genuine shock in his eyes. Victor was obviously a bit shaken, and was shaking his head lightly.

''Poor fella...Being sick and then cut down at the prime of his life, such shame.''

Looking genuinely sad at the poor man's fate, Victor walked into the kitchen and cleaned up his mug thoroughly.

Pouring hot tea on his old mug after the washing, he walked back to cooperate with the police. Recounting the whole event involving the victim, Victor finally said something that would give Nicole and her team a solid place to continue.

''If I recall correctly, he was going towards the slums. The fella seemed a bit sick on the head, but still he did not deserve what happened to him. You may or may not find this useful, but honestly that is all I know.''

Nicole and Erikson looked at each other and nodded: They finally have a solid lead to continue without offending this shopkeeper shrouded in mystery.

Larsson seemed quite keen on leaving quickly, so he tried to wrap things up quickly.

''All right. Thank you for your cooperation and us taking your time. The Runa-City police is grateful.''

The shopkeeper looked fondly at the team, before nodding his head. Walking back to the front door, Victor said something that stopped them in their tracks.

''If you really are interested in history and symbols, I do have a useful book here for sale. If you are not in a hurry that is.''

Hiding the slight trembling on her arms, Nicole turned around to face Victor and smiled.

''Yes, I am. I don't have too much cash with me on duty, but I would be grateful if you can sell it for credit.''

Looking at the amused shopkeeper, Nicole did not know what he was trying to sell to her. Almost instantly, Victor replied positively.

''It's nothing noteworthy. And it is cheap. Just a minute and I will bring it to you.''

The team observed with reservation as Victor walked past the kitchen and disappeared soon from their view.

Minutes passed in a tense atmosphere. Seconds seemed to stretch for ages, until Victor finally came back with a leather bound book in hand.

''I never would have thought that this book would find a suitable owner so soon. I can give you a discounted price of 30 Remis, seeing that you are serving the public.''

Nicole slowly lowered her gaze upon the leather book in Victor's hand and could not move her eyes from it. Rise and fall: Hope & Doom was written on the cover in bright red letters.

Afraid to show disrespect for the shopkeeper, Nicole slowly reached out to receive the book and trembled.

Seeing this, Victor lightly laughed and comforted her.

''It is a pretty light read. Just take it with a pinch of salt and you will learn.''

Nodding her head furiously, she thanked Victor and pulled out her wallet hoping to find enough money.

''5...15...20...Do you have 15 Remis with you Erikson?''