Chapter 11 - First Tale XI

Walking into the building again during the day was not that different than doing it during the night. At least it was not different for me. The same guards at the reception... Don't they sleep at all?. There is also a low number of people going around the hall. Pretty much the same as yesterday. This time they did not take me to Mr. White office like before. They took me to an empty meeting room. A long table was placed in the middle with the corresponding amount of chairs surrounding it. There were also a couple of chairs near the windows. I decided to sight see while I waited so my seat was one the chairs near the window.

While looking outside I almost forgot that Miss Maid did not come with me to this room. She came with me to this building, but as I was being brought to this room she was escorted by other guards somewhere else. Is it because whatever is going to be said here is not something she should hear? No, that can't be right. If it were like that there was no need for her to be allowed to come here. Perhaps I might be overthinking it, but I think it is a possibility that there is something else to it.

Now then, let's put that aside for now. Right now there is a more important issue at hand. Why would I be called to come here? Also... if I kept being summoned this often how I am suppose to investigate what I came here to find out. Darn, I have the feeling that this will happen to me again. The first issue will be revealed soon. I don't recall doing anything particularly bad... except climbing that statue. I did not damage in any way so I should be safe, I think. Besides, even I did something to it... so what? I doubt I could pay them if they ask for it. There is the fact that I entered that library before and now there was a fire so this might be about that. I forgot about my rather unique way of entry to this property. Even if I had that invitation letter with me, the way I came can be rather strange, not to mention that those signs are most likely there so they will find it weird that I decided to follow that road. That certainly could be a reason to call me here, although it feels weird. It is like I am being called to the director office at school because I did something bad.

Despite the nonsensical of my situation, I know nothing and that is really troubling. I take another look around the room. A meeting room that has only the esencial thing on it. Does not seem like they use it often. Hmmm, there is really nothing special here. Could this place be always like this or maybe it is recently that it is not being used?.

A little distracted with those thoughts it took me a while to hear the knocking sound coming from the door. After answering that person to enter, a familiar figure came inside.

It was that guard I met when I got here. Anthony.

"Mr. Grayworth, my boss is waiting for you in his office"

"No need to call me 'Mister' when you are much older, besides... It feels strange if you start acting too respectful after your initial actitude"

"I was slight rude because I thought you were a intruder, I apologize for my actions at that time. I can act like that anymore"

"Don't mind it, You were doing your job"

"But still..."

"Enough, I said I don't mind it. So you shouldn't either. Let's leave at that"

"...Very well"

"Tell me, they called me here and then guided me to this room, but no one came until now. There is also the fact that they want to go somewhere else again"

"...That, well, the true is that I don't know anything about what you said. I was just ordered to come looking for you during my rest time"

"That sound tough. They did not tell you anything about why they had you come even when it was your rest time?"

"No... maybe, I am not sure. But considering we are both here I can only recall what happened yesterday. You mentioned something about how you got here. So maybe it is that? Other than that I can not think of anything else"

"I see, that is certainly a possibility. Then, we should go now. Since you came here looking for me, then they should be waiting"

"Follow me, they are this way"

With that he just started walking in the direction he was told to take me.

Hmmm, he was not told a thing. The topic he mentioned is a good possibility. But I don't think is all there is to it. Since he does not know, it does not matter how much I ask. Then I should may as well go to see what this is about. I was tempted to continue asking questions but... they are waiting for me. What a shame. That guy is friendly enough so talking would be easy, but the situation did not allow a long chat. So I would not be able to learn more from him. Well, he is a serious person so I feel slightly bad for trying to use him to learn more info. But, I have not many choices.

********************************************

Without much surprise I was taken to the same place as last night, Mr. White's office.

After the common ritual of knocking and waiting for permission to enter, which I think should always be followed unless there is an emergency, we were granted permission to enter.

Inside the office, you could see Mr. White sitting behind his desk without much expression on his face, just like last time. I expected that, it is his office so he would obviously be there if he is the one that called me but... there was someone else there. A wild maid was there too. Miss Maid was at one side of the room preparing coffee. I actually had my doubts about continue calling her maid, she did nothing maid-like since I met her. I was beginning to wonder if was actually given this job because she likes to cut corners too much. Although that would be awful, to have a lazy maid serving a guest, that could spell troubles.

Now then, What will happen now?.

"Have a seat Mr. Grayworth"

The first to talk was the old man, Mr. White He instructed me to sit.

"You... Anthony, right?, there was a mistake in the order I had you called, so you will have to wait for a while longer. Go and wait in the hall, near the reception. I will call you back when I finish here"

He also gave instructions to the guard that brought me here. A mistake when he called him? So he did not call both of us at the same time. Could this not be related to what happened last night?.

"Go, the faster I finish this the fastest be will to finish your business as well"

I could see that Anthony had a few thinks to say but with the last thing Mr. White said he gave up and went out. He looked slightly pitiful. To be called during rest time, and then also find out that there was a mistake and he was called earlier than what he was needed to, now having to wait for who knows how long. That seems tough.

"Now then, How are you doing Sir? I apologize for making you come here"

Sadly your expression does feel like you are actually sorry when you are expressionless. If I could control my expressions as good as him then I could act much better. I wonder if he took classes. Maybe I could get information about the place where he learnt, then I could go and raise my acting skills. I feel like the people here can see through me easily so... better skills would help me do a better job.

"There a few things I would like to discuss with you right now, a while ago my people finished checking the perimeter of the fence you mentioned you used to access this property. They also could confirm the damaged fence. Currently they are slowly widening the search area to look for any kind of clue of what the person that opened the 'entrance' could've been going or doing. As you were earlier confused as an intruder, I think it is only right that I give you such explainations"

That does not sound right, but it can make sense that he is doing it.

"With that, we can conclude that topic for now. We will do our best to solve the problem. If there is any news we shall inform you"

"Oh, no. There is no need. The misunderstanding has already been dispelled so I don't think you need to trouble yourself and go out of your way to inform me about it. I just came here for a short amount of time and I do not wish to increase your workload with something like that"

That is no joke, it is not my business how they solve their problems. Besides, if they inform me everytime they find something doesn't that mean I would be called here every single time? Not like it takes such a long time to reach here from the manor, but... I don't want to spend my time traveling from one place to another. I also find it odd that he did not mention about the signs. Maybe they only focused on the perimeter of the fence and did not checked the road? But, Did I not let that guard lady know about my car? Am I remembering wrongly?.

"It is nothing to worry about it, we are only doing our job. Since you said so then we have no choice but to follow"

No choice huh. Hopefully they will really stop calling me here for that.

"Well, truthfully the real reason we had you come here was for something else. Miss Allison informed me something earlier, that something was told by you. She said your belongings were stolen, Is that correct?"

That explaination is lacking.

"That is a rough summary of what happened, but yes"

"That is why as soon as I was informed of that I started looking into the matter"

I wonder if he found something already. I feel that such a situation is weird. I arrived to the manor pretty late. The number of people I interacted could be counted with my fingers, yet someone still tried, no, that bastard did steal my stuff the same night? I find that extremely unlikely to be someone from outside the manor. The timing makes that possibility almost impossible. It makes much more sense to think that some insider did the job. There is also the detail that... a real professional wouldn't have awoke me. I have no reason to assume that my light sleeping habits are enough to detect someone with ample experience and skills. Besides, my stuff was definitely not worth the effort from such a personaje. Wait, there is something else... yes, I almost forgot just now. Although the monetary value is not necessarily high, that invitation could be considered a 'rare item'. I am not trying to say that it would attract any skilled thief, but in this manor there are people that are interested in such a 'rare item'. Now as-

".... Grayworth, Mr. Grayworth"

My thoughts were cut short as I heard someone call me. I started to think to deeply and forgot my surroundings... again. I am current in Mr. White office in the middle of an important (?) conversation.

"Are you feeling unwell Mr. Grayworth? We could delay this for a later time if you are not feeling well"

Damn, I also forgot whatever I was thinking next. No choice but give up thinking about it for now. Better end this now than later.

"No, you don't need to worry. Let's continue"

Maybe a litte unconvinced he asked again.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure. Now, never mind that. What can you tell me about that situation?"

"Very well, if you insist there is nothing else I can say. First, I regret fully inform you that we have not found the culprit. There aren't any leads we can actually follow"

Since that person skills were not that good, I can say that this further strengthen my earlier idea. It was done by someone from the inside. Not leaving leads can also mean that the person new the internal layout of the manor good enough to not 'trip'.

"Of course, we will strengthen security around the manor. We are not going to allow this to happen again"

I wonder why, but when he said the last part I think I saw Miss Maid nodding at every word. Maybe it is her work politics? Could it be that she is actually a good maid that takes her job seriously? I could've been mistaken before, she actually cared for the manor guests and their safety. I am sorry Miss Maid for thinking that you were a no-good-maid.

Hmmm, she started to stare me again. Those are not friendly eyes. I did not say the last part out loud... right?.

One look at the old man dispelled that thought, he is looking at Miss Maid too with a raised eyebrow.

Maybe finally noticing Mr. White's mood, Miss Maid turned aways and kept doing... what ever she is doing. That is a coffee machine but she seems to have trouble to use it. I wonder if it is because it's damaged that she is still there trying to make it work.

"You say that you will strengthen the security to prevent it from happening again, Has this happened before or this is the first time?"

This question seems to be hard to answer since he did not answer immediately. He closed his eyes and seemed to start thinking for a moment before he said.

"This is the 'first' time we were 'informed' about it"

Hmmmm, this is quite interesting. It could mean a couple of things. Whether or not it happened it is not the main point, but the fact they were informed about it. I wonder if it is like with the police. They can not start certain investigations unless they are let know before hand of certain circumstances. I did not expect this kind of answer from this person. He seemed the type to hide such a time from others... or maybe it is not such a 'secret'.

"What is it? Why the surprised face?"

Perhaps I let my guard down after I heard such an unexpected answer that it showed on my face.

" I apologize, but... I did not expect such an answer, Isn't that something you would usually want to hide?"

"Want to hide? Perhaps, but... you see. Many people already know about it. Maybe you would not find out the first couple of day you stay here because that information is technically not meant to be spread. But gossip is hard to stop. Stay long enough and there will be an opportunity you will hear about it. In your case you were quite cautious and only mentioned about it to Miss Allison... but do you think everyone did the same?"

"I see... but still, Isn't this being too 'open' about it?"

For the first time there was a significant change of expression on his face. Now a playful expression was on that formerly expressionless face.

"If not one here says anything about it, who will know I said this much?"

Shock, I really need to find out where he learn to keep his espresso in in check.

"Anyways, I think we got side tracked a lot right? I would like you to give me a description of your phone"

Part of that was your own fault. A description huh. I recall that I already gave Miss Allison one when I told her about what happened.

"Don't look at me like that, just tell me again. I would like to confirm something"

Since the conversation will not continue unless I tell him, I start describing my phone to him. He was nodding during my explanation and took an small box from his desk when I finished. He presented me the box.

"Take a look"

With those words and the silent urging of his gaze. I opened the box and found and interesting thing there. No, not a birthday present. Not money either (although that would be nice I think).

What I found was...

My phone? Also... this look like my invitation letter.

I start inspecting them under Mr. White gaze. He says nothing more and calmly awaits that I finish inspecting them.

This is indeed my phone. But... as I turn it on and start inspecting it. Hmmm, it 'looks' normal. But... I don't recall installing any kind of program or adding new numbers. The only person that knows this number is her and I am sure that I did not had a conversation with her with this phone. Now, there are a couple of messages in here. Also, there is a considerable extra weight in the memory, but I can not find any extra programs or applications. How... troublesome. If they did not present this as my phone I would not considered it as such, well, I did leave a mark on it but it is hard to notice unless you look hard enough. So I checked and indeed it is mine. But with the messages and the memory issue I can't help but to doubt it.

Now then, let us take a look at the invitation too. If my phone was like this, I have the feeling that it will be the same as my phone. And... yes, this certainly is not the same letter as before. At least that was not there before. What was not there before? Those big words that say 'I KNOW'.

"Well, then Mr. Grayworth. This is actually the reason I had to have this conversation in person and in my office. What does this mean? What did the person who wrote this mean with 'I KNOW'? What is it that he or she knows?"

That is what I would like to know.