NOVEL NEXT Chapter 77: Failure.
While Alexander prepared himself for the battle with the war hound, the search for him had taken a drastic turn a few weeks ago.
The lead suspect had just been shot dead in the head, his headless corpse lying limp on the ground.
Panic had infected the streets, causing chaos and fear among the bystanders, providing the perfect cover for the murder to fade away.
Following the chaos, were squads of MPs flooding into the area, blocking off the street and alleyways.
It took some time, but eventually, the streets were cleared of civilians and Tanya was taken back with the military police, as she was locked in shock from the loud blast that ended the suspect's life inches in front of her.
With the chaos now settled, Antoinette sat at her desk with her hands clasped together and forehead resting against them. Her mind raced with thoughts and questions about what transpired.
Ben, for his part, quietly sat on the floor beside her, not uttering a word since their kiss in the basement.
But what could he say?
Even he, with his burning desire and determination to find and rescue Alexander, knew there was very little he could do against a black market group who had the power to kill someone in broad daylight.
The Clamori…
"How did that happen?" Antoinette muttered under her breath, finally breaking the silence. "What the hell are we dealing with?"
Ben looked up and over at Antoinette, his expression lost and conflicted. "A-are you talking to me?" He asked softly, a slight stammer in his voice.
Antoinette sighed as she raised her head, her eyes meeting with Ben's. "Who else?" She replied, her tone lacking its usual firmness.
Ben hesitated as he pressed his lips together firmly, unsure of how to respond.
His eyes darted around to avoid Antoinette's gaze until they eventually landed on her desk. "Dangerous people." Ben finally answered, his voice low. "A group called the Clamori," Ben then shook his head as he rubbed his chin, "from what the suspect said, these people are powerful and are typically employed by powerful people, nobles, large corporations, people of high society…"
Antoinette frowned as she crossed her arms, falling into a contemplative silence.
After a brief moment of silence, Antoinette kissed her teeth. "The Clamori…" she muttered, "sounds like this is more complicated than what Béatrice originally thought." Antoinette sighed, "did the suspect say why they wanted Alexander specifically?"
Ben shook his head, "kinda," he replied, his tone filled with hesitation and defeat. "He said that it's more likely that someone employed the Clamori to take Alexander than the group wanting him themselves."
"So it goes deeper?" Antoinette asked.
Ben nodded, "someone paid them to take Alexander, and if I had to guess, it's a noble from back home."
Antoinette nodded, "And do you have a reason for your suspicion?"
Ben shook his head again, "no, just a gut feeling."
Ben bit his bottom lip, a clear sign he was lying, a habit he developed as a child.
The truth was that he was highly suspicious of Béatrice at the moment.
She was the only one who knew Alexander in any capacity, she had both the money and means to allow the kidnapping.
The only problem was that it was Béatrice who alerted everyone of his disappearance and had arranged the search party for him. That, and the fact that there wasn't a reason for Béatrice to kidnap Alexander.
She already had him in the palm of her hand…
Antoinette sighed as she turned her attention towards the door which was still open, revealing the headless corpse that remained twisted on the doorstep.
"I'll send a report to Lady béatrice," Antoinette said as she watched two members of the MP finally place a tarp over the corpse, "this is far beyond our pay grade."
Ben gritted his teeth at Antoinette's comment, but he held his tongue, as he knew there was nothing else to be done, not in this situation anyway.
All he could do was hope, and pray that Alexander was safe.
— — —
"A new report from the demon continent." Said in a calm and firm tone as he stepped into Béatrice's study, "It's from Antoinette's team, and…" the pathfinder's gaze flickered slightly as he gripped the telegram, "…it's bad, to be frank, my lady."
Béatrice looked up from her desk with an irritated expression, her eyes narrowed as her lips pressed together firmly.
She was surrounded by dozens of papers related to her husband and daughter's upcoming funeral in two days.
Guest lists, guard schedules, staff, transportation, and venue.
Not to mention the royal family coming to show their respect, the most important among them being Queen Charlotte.
Béatrice knew no matter what, the queen could not learn of Alexander's disappearance, it would be disastrous, perhaps even the end of house nova.
It seemed she simply couldn't catch a break.
With a deep sigh, Béatrice reached out her hand for the report.
The pathfinder stepped forward, and the sounds of his boots hitting the floor were muffled by the carpet.
The paper crinkled as it switched from the gloved hand of the pathfinder to the delicate and soft hand of Béatrice.
She moved to unfold the report, her fingers trembling slightly as her cold gaze waited anxiously to be greeted with the news.
Examining the telegram, Béatrice's expression expression immediately darkened upon reading the first line, and it only grew worse with each subsequent one.
The words in the report were concise and professional, yet they were also blunt and pulled little punches when revealing the grim situation.
A shadowy organization, a headless corpse, loss of suspect, and little progress made with finding Alexander.
After reading the report, Béatrice gently placed it down on her desk. Before closing her eyes and taking a moment to compose herself.
Taking a deep breath, she pointed her finger towards the door to her study. "Leave me, and lock the door on your way out." She ordered the pathfinder, keeping her eyes closed.
The pathfinder momentarily hesitated, noting the tension in Béatrice's voice. "I-" he opened his mouth to question her, but quickly shut it.
He then bowed, before turning on his heel to quietly leave the room, the door clicking on his way out.
With Béatrice now alone in her study, she opened her eyes to reveal her icy cold stare.
A calm, before what could only be described as a very violent storm.