Chapter 28

"'bout time you got here," I shifted on my small feet, looking left and right down the street as if expecting someone would rob me. I was alone with Andre. No bodyguard followed us to this desolated part of Paris.

In the distance, the soft chimes of church bells sounded. "Of course. I am always on time," Andre greeted an old man in front of a restaurant, but I was tired, terribly tired and it was almost midnight.

The old man had a respectable demeanor but casual. He behaved as if Andre was his own son, tapped on his back like a child, hugged him and smiled widely at his face. It made me curious about that man. My hands clasped my bag tightly. It was the first time I felt this nervous from meeting someone.

The old man turned to me smiling. I extended my hand with a warm smile, the one I give mostly to Elodie when I see her. "I am Cleopatra of the Cross… I mean Anais od the Cross. My friend called me Cleopatra sometimes and I got used to it. Nice to meet you!"

"And who is this Lady, Andre?" My legs almost gave up as he shook my hand energetically; he was one hell of an old man. I eyed the building behind me as I retracted my hand shyly. It was a house but under it was a restaurant, as if the house was rearranged to allow a restaurant's existence.

"This is my wife," I eyed him as he smiled warmly, an arm slipped around my waist pulling me closer. I flushed feeling his eyes on me again. I thought he meant it as a joke but he was serious. No, I mustn't waver. I am not a human.

"Oh!" the man exclaimed. "Then you must call me Uncle as well. Come in, come in. I am happy to see Andre's wife in my restaurant. I will give you a free meal and the best one of tonight. You came at the right time."

Andre cursed as someone familiar approached us. I remember him from the last time at the bar. There was Claude, Andre, Samuel and this one who didn't introduce himself. The stranger's grey eyes flashed both amusement and enjoyment.

"Planning a bit of fun without me, Rousseau?" a smug smile painted on his lips.

"And you ruined it, Bourcier," Andre said. "then yes, I was planning to have a wonderful time with my wife." My cheeks flushed again shyly like a young bride at her first night.

"Eh! You are married, since when? You ruined our gang. No wonder you don't come often to the gathering. Isn't this the young Lady I saw the last time? No wonder you were protective of her to the point you fisted Claude for creating troubles for someone. Is this the Lady who suffered from Claude's prank?"

"You say unnecessary things. Keep your mouth shut if you can't be as helpful as she is. Right, my dear? Let's go in! This man isn't someone you need to pay attention to, just keep your eyes on me."

"Nice to meet you! I didn't have the chance to introduce myself… I am Mathieu Bourcier. If you want to dump him, consider me," he said as we went inside.

I sat down waiting for Andre to do the same but he sat next to a man who was smoking a pipe. He wasn't far from me so I had the privilege to listen.

"I thought I wouldn't be able to see you, inspector," Andre said, deadpan. The smile I saw in his eyes that extended to his entire demeanor dissipated and he was in work mode.

"I heard you are married, boy. It's a good idea to settle down. Women have the super power to tame even the sturdiest beasts. Do you have any news about the last case?"

"I heard a ruckus has broken the quiet of the night in the chemical material depot The whole place was burnt to ashes."

"It is indeed. I was there when it happened. I thought I had a lead but it turned out it was lost within the fire. While the workers were busy remotely controlling the freight robots, loading barrels of raw materials onto a truck, we were hiding observing them. However, everything caught fire suddenly."

"And you couldn't save even one worker."

"That's right! Everything vanished into the night, forcing us to start from zero."

"That's bad! Aside from that, don't you know anything about the murders happening around town? I heard citizens were found killed and raped, mostly women."

"Then you must take care of your lass. Considering your position, someone must be aiming for her."

"She is clever. She won't put herself in danger because she feels like it."

"But she married you."

Spot on! Spot on! I don't know who you are but I feel happy knowing you even without meeting you. Tell him how much I suffer because of him… Wait… Why do I suffer? The silence grew heavier between them and someone had to break it. I attempted to do it but the inspector beat me to it.

"I think it's someone from your kind. The bodies we found were all destroyed. The skin took a greenish hue, clean cuts, five placed in row, the muscles, the flesh, severed in one neat swipe. Claw marks. I don't want to classify this inside the normal norm. So better take it to the secret agency. I already sent the file."

"Then you gave up on it. As expected from you, doing the best decisions that could put you out of danger. However, I feel like something is missing. We turn around seeking the truth but this isn't enough. Anais," he turned his head to me. "Come join us. Your head will fall from leaning too much."

I turned my head acting like I didn't listen to their conversation but I was a loose actor. I gathered my courage and walked towards them; I had to take responsibility for what I did.

"I am sorry for listening but you made it obvious, Andre. You didn't even control your voice and you blame me here. And who leaves his wife behind and move to someone else without a word?" I put my hand on my hip, seriously grimacing. I mustn't lose against him.

The inspector laughed and Andre's eyes widened in surprise. In these moments, my personality was better than Anais. I always laughed and eased the tension in the air, turning the ridiculous and the fault into a joke.

"I am Anais of the Cross," I extended my hand to the man and he took it smiling.

"Nice to meet you! I am Ian Dambert. I note you guessed my profession."

Andre pulled my hand, retracting it from the inspector's grasp. Why was he acting like a jealous husband? Wait, he previously said we had to keep the act of the loving couple. Oh my God! I thought I was… My heartbeat quickened and I scowled.

"I am a jealous husband. I don't like my wife touching other men."

He hugged me but I didn't feel good. I was disappointed in myself. I don't know what made me feel happy for a few moments but it clearly dissipated.

"My love, do you want to stay with your friend? I noticed a shop near here and I need to buy an important object."

"I will do it for you."

"No, I feel shy about it," I smiled but my smile didn't reach my heart.