Investigation begins
1023 Words
Breakfast was taken in silence with Marcus dwelling on his thoughts while the Martinez family kept to themselves.
The magnificent smell of a variety of dishes kept the dining room awash in a wonderful fragrance but this did nothing to change the mood.
Of course, that was until Diego spoke up. "Are you enjoying the meal, Marcus?"
"Huh?... Oh yeah, uhmm, it's nice." Marcus replied.
Noting his response, Diego inquired. "Is everything okay?"
"... Yeah, everything is fine," Marcus replied.
"I see… How are you enjoying things so far?"
"It's good." Marcus nodded before promptly getting to his feet. "I'll be in my room."
With those words, he quickly left, leaving Diego at a loss for words.
Matilda remained silent, her gaze merely trailing after Marcus's back before she promptly shifted her attention back to her meal.
Scratching her head awkwardly, Vera soon excused herself as well and quickly followed behind Marcus.
***
"Sorry," Vera remarked as she stood before Marcus, the latter standing at his window, enjoying the view its positioning afforded him.
"About?" He asked without looking back.
Vera coughed awkwardly as she replied. "I shouldn't have made light of Mira's death. She was a b***h but I guess… she didn't deserve to die?"
"It's nothing of that sort, Vera. You have the right to feel that way, since your experiences are different from mine."
"So what's wrong?... What's with the melancholic air you've had ever since I told you about her death?"
"... Promise you won't laugh?"
"...why would I laugh?" Vera raised a brow in response.
Marcus let out a dry cough before replying. "I'm sad I lost the opportunity to investigate what was happening."
"...What?"
"Mira was a good lead and now… ah s**t, this means we'd have to start from scratch."
"... Are you crazy?" Vera couldn't help but ask while staring incredulously at Marcus.
"Ahem… That's not a way to talk to a prince."
"Then behave like one!"
An awkward air quickly hung over the premises.
***
"What now?" Vera asked, having recovered from her previously agitated state.
Marcus pursed his lips. "Well, what do we know so far?... The masked men have attacked four people… Ethan, you, Deryl, and Mira."
"...That's true."
"So what do y'all have in common?"
"... Well, we are children of super-rich families."
"Okay…"
"We are all part of graduating class 25."
"And?"
"... We know each other I guess?"
"Hmm… It's too vague. We can't assume it's a poor person since Jason looked nothing like someone who would be broke."
"So what?"
"... We need to investigate further. What do you think?"
"Will it be dangerous?"
"Most likely."
"... Will you protect me?"
"... I guess?"
"Alright."
***
After making their plans, Vera and Marcus left the mansion after taking permission from Diego.
They drove around town in a black Toyota, making their way to the reported scene where Mira died.
On getting there, they were greeted by a chaotic scene as yellow tape cordoned off the area with police cars parked around.
Vera parked along the road before the duo got down and slowly approached.
"They should have moved the body by now so why are we here?" Vera inquired.
Marcus casually replied while looking around. "To check the scene of the crime."
"But the cops investigating would have picked up all valuable evidence."
"Doesn't matter. I don't require physical evidence."
"Then?"
Marcus raised his hand, requesting silence as they soon arrived before the yellow tapes.
"Please don't cross the yellow tape. An investigation is currently underway."
"Uhmm…" Vera glanced at Marcus, hoping for him to reply but the latter was in a completely different headspace as he focused on the area ahead.
Narrowing his gaze, he could just about make out minute traces of Qi usage.
"We were right," Marcus remarked as he withdrew his gaze and shifted his attention to Vera who stood beside him silently.
"The same?"
"Mn." Marcus nodded.
"I think we should tell the police," Vera remarked after a brief moment of silence.
".... Would they be able to handle it?"
"It's better than just doing this alone, right?"
"Right."
Seeing reason with Vera's words, Marcus shifted his attention to one of the policemen guarding the scene.
"Hello, I'd like to speak with the person in charge."
"Why?" The police officer raised a brow as he scrutinized the pretty boy before him.
"I need to tell him something."
"..." Sizing up Marcus, the officer soon replied. "You'll have to wait, he is busy."
"Alright."
Taking a step back, Marcus returned to the car with Vera following closely behind.
***
2 hours quickly passed before the so-called detective in charge revealed himself.
Wearing a black jacket with a black t-shirt alongside trousers and a pair of nice shoes, the detective had a necklace with the insignia of the police department etched on the medal hanging from the neckpiece.
He wore a pair of sunshades and his posture radiated confidence.
Seeing such a black haired hunk, Vera's eyes shone for a moment before she quickly restrained herself.
Marcus's eyes shone as well but for a different reason.
It was because he could see what others couldn't see.
The calloused hands, the weathered jawline, and the imposing aura, the detective was definitely a Martial artist.
Marcus scrutinized him briefly before walking toward the scene yet again, with Vera following closely behind him.
"... Any word on the autopsy?" The man inquired as he stood beside another officer.
Just then, a voice drew his attention.
"Over here."
He turned toward the origin to find a white haired man standing there with a girl beside him.
Scrutinizing the boy briefly, he soon realized that he had no connection with him.
With that, he tapped his subordinate, telling him to wait before moving over to where Marcus and Vera stood.
"Who are you guys and what are you doing here?" He asked in a rather casual manner.
Marcus met his gaze and quickly explained what he'd seen, taking into account the fact that the man was also a martial artist.
At the very least, he'd understand what was being said.
- Writer
