Tracing traces (2)

The old butler steps forward and drags the tray towards Lawrence's usual dining table beside the window.

Lawrence was quietly watching him. His hands were softly scratching Nala's chin.

"For lunch, the chef in charge prepared steak - "

The old butler wasn't able to finish what he had to say. Because when he looked over his shoulder, he saw Lawrence holding a small glass bottle in the air, the liquid inside barely amounted to one gulp but it was there. Clear as a gem.

In an instant, the old butler was frozen. His expressions were a mix of surprise, horror, and dread. He faltered on his feet and barely managed to stabilize himself.

"How - where… You - young master what -"

Lawrence ignored the stuttering old butler and placed the small glass bottle above the cabinet beside him. He took out the book he had been reading earlier and placed it beside the small bottle.

In Lawrence's pocket, he uncovered a folded piece of paper.

Kevin, who have no idea what's going on chose to trust his smart protagonist and silently jumped into the sofa, next to the sleeping police officer.

"William," Lawrence's eyes that were downcast looked straight into the old butler. Despite his youthful and frail feature, his sharp eyes came out pretty strong. The old butler can't help but feel that he is like a prey being stared at by an eagle. 

Such a strong gaze can penetrate any window and uncover any secrets.

"William, this is your book isn't it?" 

The old butler was too stunned to speak. 

"This book contains real life experiences of a man named Frederick Mason." Lawrence casually said. He flip the book to the last page and showed the old butler the H big letter with CVII written beside it in smaller font.

"Frederick is not a well-known man. He was a mercenary who had undergone military training and after he retire from military service he became a mercenary. He's getting paid killing people. And it was a year later after he became a mercenary that he encountered these things."

"Vampires, right?"

The old butler recollected his expression. He took a deep breath and his eyes gazed gently at the precious young master.

"What vampires? Young Master, I do not know who or what you are talking about." 

Lawrence knew he would deny it at first, so he found the page that made him understand the case and started to read out loud.

"In 1979, I met a family of vampires." 

"The client was a middle aged man, he have a beautiful young wife but she was killed. He knew the people behind her death. He had money, but these people were very powerful. No matter how much he hires lawyers to push the case to court, he cannot put the people behind bars. He cannot win due to the lack of evidence."

"The client knew the people behind his wife's death were people that were beyond the law, so he hired me to kill them."

"I ask no question and directly infiltrated the house of the said family. And what I witness is beyond words."

Lawrence stopped reading here. He glanced at the old butler and observed his expression.

"William…Frederick, in his journal, described the scene he witnessed the night he infiltrated the family. It was a coming of age ceremony of a young vampire. That night, he did nothing but watched. A day later, ten bodies of women in their mid twenties were found in different parts of the city, all have their blood sucked dry and seemed to age fifty years, making their skin old and withered." 

The old butler's expression changed dramatically. His expression that only gazed at Lawrence gently is now filled with frost layer.

"And I also see this." Lawrence finally revealed what's inside the piece of paper. It was a picture. Kevin, the irresponsible author who had dumped this plot into the trash bin of his computer, leaped excitedly at the cabinet where the book and bottle were to see the picture clearly.

He saw the faces of two people. It was the old butler and a younger woman. The woman was clearly in her mid twenties who have a beautiful features. And it was evident this woman is the first victim who died last week. 

"Is she your daughter, William? I remember you mention about having a daughter a few times before,"

The old butler gazed at the photograph with difficult expression. His lips were sealed shut. 

"William, I grew up under your care. I know you are very kind and you took care of me like I'm your son, and I am very grateful for that."

"But after reading this book, I also understood that you bear deep hatred against my family. Although Frederick did not mention it directly, I know the client he referred to was you. And the family of vampires you were up against was my family."

"They killed your wife thirty years ago, now it was your daughter next. I can understand - "

"You don't understand anything." The old butler looked at Lawrence with anger and sadness in his eyes. 

"You are just a child, what do you know?"

"Just because you find this book, doesn't mean you know the entire truth. It's more… It's…"

"More complicated? I know." Lawrence let out a small smile.

"It was 1979 that your wife died. I also know that you never married ever since. But your daughter, who was a jewelry store owner, was only in her mid twenties. The gap between years did not match. I considered she was adopted or you really are not blood related but that's not the case. Your medical records shows 99% matches. The only explanation I could think of… is your wife is still alive after 1979. Incidentally, I ran her blood test to the police files and found a match. Your daughter's blood shows 99% matches to one of the maids here. I double check that maid's medical records and found a match as well."

"William, that maid matches with the blood test that was left in the crime scene where your wife reportedly died."

"And that very same maid killed herself in the sleeping quarters with this vial hidden under her closet."