The House of Allen

Ten

The week went by so fast, and tonight they are taking Jaxon to the same bar where Levi had his outburst weeks ago for his welcome party with the House of Allen employees. Throughout the week, Levi observed how Jaxon has adjusted to the environment which, compared to him, was an easy task for the outgoing and friendly male. During their Monday rounds, Jaxon met the workers who received him as warmly as he greeted them happily, asking them to take care of him during his training. 

The next day, he could already be spotted at the cafeteria having coffee and breakfast with the workers, unlike Levi who generally kept to himself and Erwin’s group of friends during his first week at the factory.

“Where are we going?” Jaxon asked as the trio walked out of the facility after clocking out to head to the pub where the others were waiting for them.

“Pub Boris. It’s pretty popular with the workers.” Levi answered flatly. He still has not visited that pub ever since the night of his outburst and frankly, he does not want to visit it again mainly because he does not like the food. 

Yes, food. There’s no way he’s going to let it be about how embarrassed he will be to see the owner of the pub again after causing a scene at his establishment.

“Ooh, looks like Levi did not like it there. Is it any good, Alex?” Jaxon asked Alex who was walking behind them all this time. 

Alex was a bit startled to be included in the conversation, moreover when Jaxon slowed his pace so he could walk side by side with her instead.

“Well, the workers really like it because the price is cheap and the owner would always give them extras.” Alex answered politely, but Jaxon shook his head and pressed on.

“But what do you think about the place?” Jaxon asked again.

“I don’t go there unless it is with the workers, honestly. I don’t think much about the food, but don’t let them know about that.  Give it a try, though. Maybe you will like it.” Alex answered, blushing as she admitted to not liking the food. Levi would have thought she actually enjoyed the place, given how she acts with the workers, but maybe there are still some things left from her lavish past such as her taste in food.

“Wow, you’re really being too polite to these people! I will take your advice and give it a chance. After all, I have a pretty different taste from Levi. Maybe I will like it.” Jaxon winked as he rested his hand on Alex’s shoulder, making the female giggle at the older man’s antics. 

Levi felt his chest tighten at this but ignored it as nervousness as the three of them entered the pub.

Just as Levi expected, Jaxon was able to fit in with the workers as they exchange stories and jokes with each other over drinks and food. The atmosphere was generally more relaxed unlike the first night Levi was here. 

Jaxon was indeed a different person than him and maybe that was why he chose him to be the one to study in England with him. Jaxon was so good with people that he can make friends anywhere without trying too hard while he is a socially awkward person who has been sheltered for most of his life. Taking a glance towards Jaxon whose hand never left Alex’s shoulder, Levi felt a pang of jealousy though, over Jaxon’s friendliness or the newfound closeness between Alex and his cousin, he was still not sure.  

---

“Ah s**t, you have got to be kidding me.” Charles rubbed his temples as he stormed out of the station and towards his car, Jake running close behind him.

“Right when we were about to clock out, too,” Jake added, chuckling nervously as Charles muttered profanities under his breath as he started up his car.

“Yeah, but like I always tell you: it is part of our job. You must take part in stuff like this during your training. That way, you can handle the situation more calmly when you are an inspector yourself. Now if only this car would heat up faster so we can go on our way.” Charles explained, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. Cars are a really convenient invention, in Charles’s opinion. 

He likes being behind the wheel and being able to go to different places faster without the need for him to ride the crowded trams and buses. It was one of the happiest days of his life when he was able to purchase this Jeep from his savings and a whole lot of help from his parents who insisted on giving him money as a present for him being promoted to a senior investigator. 

Charles loves cars and could call himself knowledgeable on the topic. There was only one thing that Charles hated about cars and if he could improve one thing about them, he would gladly do it and that is how expensive the maintenance could get. However, it is a small price to pay for the convenience of owning a car and always having a sure way to get home, in Charles’ opinion.

Charles and Jake made their way to the other side of town where they were summoned to investigate another crime scene. During their drive, Charles noted that this has been the highest frequency of crimes in the town ever since he became an inspector here. His assistant gulped nervously beside him as the younger inspector let his imagination run wild. Maybe he should take it easy on the mystery novels because they are starting to give him an idea that maybe they are faced with a serial killer or maybe even the mafia if this town even had one.

Charles parked the car along the curb as they reached the place indicated by the report over the phone. Steering away from the busy main road, the two made their way towards a side street which was known to have lesser foot traffic. What they saw made Jake’s stomach turn and he almost threw up his meager lunch all over the pavement. There on the ground was a man whose face was barely recognizable from all the dried up blood that came from his wounds scattered all over his body. The assistant investigator blanched as he watched his senior crouch down to observe the corpse, a gloved hand extending to inspect the wounds as a police officer briefed them about the crime scene. Charles hummed in response to the officer as he continued to inspect the corpse, turning over the pockets of his coat and trousers to see if there could be any identification attached to the body while trying his best not to disturb it before the police could take photos of the scene.

“Let’s see what he’s got here,” Charles muttered more to himself as he beckoned Jake to come and take notes as he fished the corpse’s wallet from the coat pocket. Jake wrote diligently as Charles dictated the contents of the wallet to him – a couple of bills, coins, a couple of receipts, and his identification paper.

“Name, sir?” Jake asked as he watched Charles unfold the paper that had been partially stained by blood.

“Paul S – ok this is unreadable because of the blood. But look here at the top, it is issued by the Gibson Vineyard” Charles said as he pointed at the top of the paper where the name of the vineyard was clearly printer. 

“It looks like the victim may be a worker from the Gibson estate. We should pay them a visit tomorrow. I’ll go and call Robert first thing in the morning.” Charles said as Jake wrote everything said to him, wondering who in the world could this Robert be.

---

“Good morning! Why don’t we use my car instead of flagging down one?” Jaxon bounded through Levi and Alex’s office door, a bright smile on his face as he greeted his colleagues who looked up to him tiredly through their mugs of coffee.

“Are you sure? I can pay for gas if you’d like.” Alex answered which was met with a disapproving wiggle of Jaxon’s finger.

“Nonsense. Besides, the Gibson estate is just a few minutes from here. There is no need to be worrying about gas prices, dear.” Jaxon said disapprovingly, as Levi stared amusedly at the exchange before him. Jaxon may flirt most of the time, but he sure knows where to draw the line and be a proper gentleman as expected from a man of his status.

Jaxon’s Audi Quattro was a gift for his 20th birthday. As a young boy, Jaxon has already shown interest in automobiles which was why his father commissioned their family chauffeur to teach him how to drive one as soon as he turned sixteen. He was driving around one of the old family cars before during college (something that he and Levi took full advantage of to avoid the crowded trains in the city). Levi regrets not learning how to drive earlier especially after hearing the news that his younger brother Erwin got the brand new Mercedez ordered for him as a gift for making it into med school. He sometimes feels embarrassed over how he has to have somebody drive him around whenever he needs to go somewhere. It was especially embarrassing when he wanted to spend some time with his fiancé Bea, but always got reminded of the fact that the driver is waiting for them nearby.

They were greeted by the guards at the Gibson estate as their group that was led by Alex passed through the lobby. They were there for external relations which is why Jaxon should be present as it is his first hands-on experience of how things are handled for the department he was supposed to take over in. They were met by the manager who introduced himself as Robert. Levi did not miss how this manager placed his hand around Alex’s shoulders as he steered them towards the office for their meeting.  What’s with everybody wanting to put their hands around Alex’s shoulders?

---

“Thank you so much for making time for us today, Robert. I really appreciate it.” Jaxon said as the group exited the meeting room. The man extended his hand out for the other man to shake.

“It is no problem. It was due to Alex’s help that we were able to strengthen the relationship between our estates.” Robert bowed as he shook Hoseok’s hand.

“If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you known Alex?” Jaxon, ever the social person he is asked without missing a beat as the group made their way to the cafeteria for their lunch.

“Oh, should I tell them?” Robert giggled as he looked at Alex.

“Sure, I guess.” Alex shrugged, eyeing Robert suspiciously as he smirked at her in return, making the other two look at the back and forth in confusion.

“We have known each other since we were children. My parents used to be employees at the Clifford estate and they have been there long enough that we actually lived in the estate.” Robert explained.

“So were you like playmates?” Levi asked curiously.

“Kind of? Alex does not play around that much when she was younger because she was very sickly. We usually just go to her family’s library and read books from morning until her nanny has to go and look for us, right?” Robert shared fondly as the group found a table for them to eat.

“Yeah, that was really fun. We were total bookworms back then. We still are, just with fewer books.” Alex laughed.

“Robert, do you have time?” A voice called out as the group turned their heads to see who had spoken up.

“Oh, hey man. Sorry I was told you called earlier but I was in a meeting with Alex.” Robert said as the smaller man approached their table.

“Hey, Charles. What are you doing here?” Alex asked, surprised that her neighbor was stopping by the Gibson estate while on duty.

“Official business, Alex. But I don’t think I can do it right now.” Charles answered, eyeing the other people on their table wearily. “Rob, can you stop by the apartment after work instead? I’ll explain everything there.” The investigator then turned to Robert who was looking just as confused as the other people on the table.

“Sure, man. If it is an official business, then it must be important, right?” The Gibson estate manager answered.

“Thanks, man. I’ll see you there. Alex, you take care going back, alright? I’ll get going, then.” Charles said, bowing to the group collectively as he exited the cafeteria.

“What was that, Rob?” Alex asked once the short man was out of sight.

“Beats me. I’ll have to stop by his apartment later to find out.  And since I’ll be going there, would you and Mrs. Clifford like some Shine Muscat?” Robert offered as they continued eating their lunch in peace.

“Sure, mom would love that.” Alex smiled.

---

“So, what do you want from me that was so urgent?” Robert asked, closing the door of Charles’s apartment behind him.

“First of all, you have to promise me that anything that we will talk about inside this room should only be between us and should not come out anywhere else,” Charles said as he motioned the taller man to sit down.