Chapter 15

The Honeypot bakery lay in one of Hagfords famous tourist spots, a burg. It was built a decade and a half years ago but it was designed to fit curious illusion, modelled like a historical structure; thick solid walls close to 3ft made to look unlike any other, parapets above the roof which can only be reserved and not opened to everyone, wooden frames and lancet windows. The inside was no exception, en blanco barrel ceiling and wooden furniture subtly designed to give modern comforts they also offered bygone cultural service, waiters and waitresses dressed like people long forgotten in death, stereotypical in behaviour and faithful to original meal recipes.

It was renowned in the area, not just for its delicious pastries but also for its saccharine scandal. Shortly after its popularity boom, the shop was reported for suspicious food preparation and sales, it spread like fire downhill, rumours of dirty work environments, illegal ingredients and addictive substances added to the meals, suspicious workers and use of witchery on customers to make them come back. Conspiracy prattle focused on other competitive establishments as the master minds of the bakery troubles. Conversely, after the official investigations the only real offence was use of outlawed building materials, consequenting a fine, the owner had taken 'honouring traditions' a bit too close to heart.

And as if to indemnify the establishment, the propreators daughter; a pronounced critic gave the bakery menu an exclusive article appreciating the tender flavours and true to root recipes. Locals had become weary, but it was still a tourist first stop in Hagford, within a month the scandal was swept away with the wind and became a spicy tattletale when remicence the background of The Honeypot.

Alexus, who had still been new to the area, was childishly taken in with the rumors and had decided he'd have nothing from that place, until he had been politely gifted a box of their pastries. A decade ago, a chubby smile had awkwardly welcomed him into his home and stubby hands extended a decorated box, the bakery logo large on top, all reluctance flew out the window when wide green eyes with a soft pout looked up to his in hope that he'd like her special hand picked gift.

He took the box and he could feel the warmth of the flour snacks seep through, swiftly he opened it and took a bite of a sugar dusted bun. A second after chewing, his system received a shock, the filling had a sweet sour blend with the sourness holding dominance, his toes curled and he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. Alexus had always had pleasant reactions to spasms and tremors, it causes a smile to spread on his face involuntarily. He received a toothy smile with puffy cheeks in return, and since then he became a regular at The Honeypot to occasionally get something for Nero.

Aleus noticed a crowded amount of pneuma at the entrance of his home, it wasn't a foreign thing for journalists to stay around to get a glimpse of him for whatever reasons they think is good enough to do so, and he knew how to deal with that by walking through the enchanting garden, taking a stroll in the small maze with only dead ends to people who couldn't sense pneuma. He spotted the scuttling cat again climbing over the erect tangled vegetation and got a good look at it. The fur was striped white black and brown, and he considered trying to pet it before it rushed away from him and jumped over the maze wall, with a sigh he moved along and came to a part of the iron fence then simply walked through it and emerging at the side of the road a turn away from the main gate.

A man stopped in his tracks startled, he didn't see the count walk through the fence, he wasn't there and now he was, Alexus threw his glance to the side and stalked off casually. While there was still some time till the detective arrived, Alexus entered the bakery and hurriedly scanned the menu and sighed disappointedly. The reformed menu had only two sour treats with the first old pastry simply rebranded. His attention was drawn away when he heard the yell of the local newspaper boy

'EXTRA, EXTRA. JUST THIS MORNING THE CASE OF THE DOCK MAIDEN HAS BEEN PRINTED TWICE!'

From his seat across the window, he looked at the boy open one of the papers still yelling for all to hear.

'MORE MURDERS REVEALED ALONG WITH THE RAID ON THE SUCYRO ORGANIZATION, THERE'S DETAILS ON HOW IT ALL TIES TOGETHER. THE DOCK MAIDEN MURDER, FIND MORE ON THE SECOND REPRINT OF THE DAY!'

Alexus frowned, Sucyro organization raid? That is Mowe the crows organization, his head spun trying to think when that could have happened. He stepped outside towards the newspaper boy, picking out seven krollenes; bronze type of the currency, and gave him in exchange for the informative folded paper prints.

His order had already been set on the table wafting an sensuous aroma that made his mouth water. After two full bites he returned focus to the newspaper, the headlines read "DOCK MAIDEN MURDER, TWO MORE MURDER VICTIMS AND THE SUCYRO COMING TO ITS FALL". He mused, wondering if his death on the headlines will be just as captivating. He had made the headlines a few times after his debut four years ago when a journalist had pointed out that he was taking too many risks for a child and who knows when his death would be headlines instead of another successful case. That statement clung to Alexus, he doubted his luck for how long he could live in his line of work and often dreamt of his unfortunate downfall getting to the news, it stopped being a nightmare long ago, now an odd dream that continues itself from time to time.

He wanted to flip to the important page when he spotted a small picture at the side of the front page with small print underneath. "Picture of the police squad raid" Alexis blinked, an unmistakable head shape came into his eye focus, a bit blurry but clearly identifiable. He got anxious to read the contents but forced his sight to tear away from the picture and flipped to the middle of the paper. He reached it and was surprised to see a lengthy article space with two pictures, he forked a piece of lamb into his mouth and got to reading.

" A woman has been found drowned at the Hagford docks, followed by a raid on the Sucyro organization, and an announcement of two more murder victims in a span of eighteen hours.

 Yesterday, a woman's body was retrieved from the docks and has been identified as Sarah Voluch, the first daughter of a diplomat from Croflorn. Initially ruled as a suicide case until 1am this morning, when the Hagford directory Chief of police released a press statement on the Sucyro raid as an attempt to investigate the murders. Yes murders! Until the press release, Sarah was the the only known death and wasn't classified as a murder but suicide instead. After a startling overwhelming confrontation with the controversial organization, Chief Lucian J. Gordia held an emergency press release and told the media of how Mowe, the head of the organization has been found to be involved in three murders and is now on the run.

 The raid took place after 8pm, a sudden and swift action the moment a suspect had been identified. It was led by the ambitious Investigator Doran who has been reported by trusted sources that he has partnered with Detective Alexus Smith once again. Both were absent during the press release.

 The other victims were Gary Lancaster, Higgins Ford and Ernold Beckham, the only heir to the Beckham company. It was a startling drop when the press was informed that Ernold and Sarah were betrothed. Mowe is accused of murdering Ernold, there's cause of doubt if he is involved with Sarah's death that has now been crossed out as a suicide case.

 The Chief has requested that the public be aware of the suspect and to report on anyone suspicious, he refused to answer any questions from standing journalists ending his speech with "....apprehension of the suspect is top priority, three lives have been taken and to get to the heart of the truth is the core of the Hagford Directory Police. All further statements shall be given when all the facts have been articulately found""

Alexus breathes out with a hum. His mind brought pictures of his last moments with the investigator the evening before. He had thought Mowe had walked scott free from that situation, he should have known that the poison in Dorans eyes wouldn't let such a thing stand, he was hasty to retreat now he was even more behind on information. If he was there, he'd have tried to work on the pneuma around the place, he remembered the person in the car, would he have been able to trace that particular pneuma? He shoved his face into the newspaper and growled lowly, he missed a chance and it was..... not all his fault.

It took two to play, he pictured Dorans carefree attitude and felt his breath turn shallow in annoyance. He wasn't told anything, how was he supposed to magically, telepathically, know that the devious fox had been planning to barge in on Mowe? The newspaper in his grasp crumpled at the edges and Alexus slowly squeezed it into his palms from the middle to release tension till it fanned out top and bottom, a groan escaped his lips before he let the poor newspaper go. He straightened out the wrinkles and read the last words of the Chief, a sneer crossed his face. 'Truths, and facts? Nothing like that in here.'

He closed the paper pages, folded it properly and placed it at the edge of the table refusing to delay his meal any longer. The detective scoffed and remembered the nth reason he stayed in his profession, he couldn't accept to be out of the know, he was acquainted to begin in on the loop and disdain the ignorant half fed public. He was quick to realize things weren't said out loud the way they truly were, the press sugar coats, hides, twists, and lies in their stories. There was hardly any one on one account of events that wasn't censored and it wasn't a solid problem, the behavior trickled down to the masses, eyewitnesses, informants, a collective sense of never being able to say things as they just are. If he found his governess reading an article he would be quick to snatch it from her hands analyse its contents and if it was something he knew the full facts of, he sat her down and explained exponentially what was really going on. Once the soul was awakened there was no way to close the eyes and go along with the crowd shuffling.

He checked his pocket watch, less than an hour until the appointed time. He had finished his meal and considered reading the rest of the newspaper to while away time but he passed up that choice and brought out Ernolds journal to continue reading instead.

When he reads its contents, he glimpses into the mind of the man it belonged to. Ernold never missed a chance to think of something and how to better it, five pages had been dedicated to briefly work out of the neighbouring countries economies flaws and impact on Hagford trading system and how he spread his roots into their territory to fix things that could impact sales also tilting favour towards his shipping company. Alexus read a business man's incredible foresight but he could make out patriotism and loyalty in how he concerned himself about the general working of the states system. The count felt a twinge of respect for the deceased and felt a rising dust of regret that someone useful was lost so casually, he was clearly brilliant but the exclamation of him as a genius by his secretary was still unproven.

Suddenly someone took a seat opposite him and he glanced above the journal and returned back to it but his eyes shot up in realisation. Doran wasn't wearing his trademark hood. 'Pft!'

Doran laughed into his hand at the pure look of confusion on the detectives face. Alexus tried to school his expression but couldn't suppress the feeling of surprise which stayed on his face, the investigator stared back his eyes slithed in humor and he politely still covered his smile not to irritate the tempered youth. Alexus wished he didn't make his reaction so obvious, it was rude and he didn't want the investigator to think he had a problem with his appearance. He felt like apologizing but his mouth sealed shut battling pride.

The detective watched calmly as his partner changed from confused to conflicted, he decided to spare the young chap and break the ice. 'It's good to see you're here already, hopefully your day has been better than mine.'

Alexus didn't meet his eyes and replied with a balmy tone 'This morning was already quite eventful.'

'Really?' Now the investigator looked unsettled. 'Journalists can be overbearing, can't they?'

'Journalists?' Alexus turned to him. 'Nay.' The dismissive reply had him sigh in relief but he still noticed the detective rueful mood. 'So, what happened?'