Chapter 17 - Detective meets administrator

Two weeks had passed before the detective managed to take a day to visit that place. Or better saying, that he would get a day to talk to someone from the place, after all it was already the third time he visited Dreamland World in that time period.

The other two visits were just to observe how the place worked. It was inconceivable that four people could disappear without a trace or be seen inside a crowded park until the last hours of the day.

In the middle of his wanderings from one place to another, the detective came to the conclusion that the case was more complicated than he imagined. No employee seemed suspicious in his eyes, besides there was a security team patrolling the park. There was no way anyone could act suspiciously without getting a sharp look from the red-uniformed security guards.

The detective himself had received such glances, but had not been approached thanks to the badge attached to his belt. Even if he had chosen casual clothes to not call attention, he needed to avoid problems with security guards by going from one place to another searching the places and observing the visitors.

His third visit, however, required a different approach. His luck had run out when he had been in a souvenir shop where he had heard the employee treat a young boy as her manager.

At first she had thought it absurd that such a young boy who looked like he was just out of high school could be considered a manager, but watching him solve some of the shop's problems with the payment system she had to forget her astonishment.

He waited for the strangely dressed boy to leave the shop before approaching him.

― Excuse me, I couldn't help overhearing that you are the manager here. Is that true?

The boy turned to the detective suspiciously, though he smiled politely at him.

― Yes sir, do you need anything?

Picking up his wallet to show his licence, the detective had noticed that the boy was not shaken by his identity. He was being cautious apparently.

― I am a detective and I need to talk to the park manager. Could you take me to him?

― The park manager? ― The boy crossed his arms thinking for an instant, until he faced the detective directly again. ― I believe that is impractical, Detective.

The detective's instincts made him shiver at the boy's appraising look. As if he was analysing him despite the childish mask he wore. They wouldn't let him talk to the person in charge so easily, he imagined, since a mere instinct and licence wouldn't be enough to prove he was police.

The boy was keeping his guard up as he gave him attention.

― I have a warrant if that is what you wish. You can trust me, I just wish to ask a few questions.

The boy had held out his hand in silent request. Without blinking the detective took the folded paper from his jeans pocket and handed it to the boy, who read the contents. He had noticed that he had been evaluated a second time, over the paper, and then had the warrant returned.

Even if it was irritating to be the target of such mistrust, the detective kept his composure.

― I'll call someone who can help you better. You can meet at the coffee shop near the merry-go-round, what do you think?

― That's fine.

The boy had not expected an answer from you when he turned his back and continued to walk down the street. But his evasive answers were duly registered in the detective's mind.

The cafeteria mentioned by the boy worked on the concept of nature. Made of wood and with plants all around, the intention was a relaxing moment with the right of cats walking from one side to the other. The immense window with its coarse glass allowed customers to see the merry-go-round in the foreground, with the roller-coaster in the background.

Sitting at a far table with his back to the door, he waited while watching the intense movement of visitors going from one side to the other. That place definitely didn't look like it belonged in a disappearance despite the fact that it was propitious. Just because there were so many people, it was easy to lose sight of a child.

Taking advantage of his coming to that place, the detective allowed himself to enjoy a small cup of coffee. Completely different from the instant one he always had at the police station. The coffee's taste was more accentuated and natural, its aroma strong enough to make him want to drink more.

It was definitely different.

He liked that coffee.

While he was analysing the coffee in that small cup, a guy in Victorian robes appeared beside him with a cordial smile on his face. He had been amazed at how quiet he had come. He boasted of his attentive ears and sharp instincts that left no loophole for him to catch a suspect.

― You're the detective, aren't you?

Peering into the brown eyes, the detective merely nodded in agreement as the subject sat in front of him crossing his legs. He raised his forefinger as he looked at the clerk without needing to say anything to carry out his order.

Judging by his clothes it must have been another park employee. He had already noticed that everyone there needed to be different to gain the customers' attention. Although he was the only one wearing clothes with frills worthy of a Jane Austen novel.

― Do you own this place?

― Oh certainly not, Mister...

― Monteccello. Giovani Monteccello.

― It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Vicente, the Dreamland administrator and secretary.

A young woman approached the table carrying a well-rimmed porcelain teacup. Polite without seeming frightened by the coming of a supposed policeman. At the same time he didn't seem to disbelieve Giovani and his supposed identity.With an elegant posture the fellow had taken a sip before raising his amber eyes to the detective.

― I take it you didn't come here to enjoy yourself, Detective Monteccello. What can I do for you?

― I'd like to have a chat with the owner of the place, but this guy seems to be pretty hard to get to.

― A thousand apologies about that, but you may have heard on the news that our Master Evilian had recently passed away. Administrative matters are slowly returning as we organise our new team.

Well, he had heard about it. Who wouldn't? Despite the fact that not a single note had come out about the current owner of the park, the place seemed to be running just fine. As if nothing had ever happened.

― So they are out of business, it's the ideal scenario for people to disappear.

Vicente had stopped his cup, raising the amber to the detective. It took a lot of composure on his part to keep his face neutral, for Giovani wanted to throw more and more bait until he caught the desired fish.

― Well, it seems we have a problem about to fall into our hands.

― And a big one. Can we talk somewhere appropriate?

Sipping the rest of his tea, Vicente dried his mouth with a paper napkin and rose from the table.

― Certainly, please come with me.

Leaving the coffee money on the table, the detective escorted the administrator out of the cafeteria. In the middle of the silence he watched the back of the subject without stopping paying attention to where they passed, keeping in his memory the places they considered ideal for a suspect to sneak. However, they were heading towards Dreamland Circus, where only employees were allowed to enter.

As far as he knew, the circus usually worked only at night.

Vicente guided him through the entrance of the huge tent, where they reached the stage. For the first time the detective had entered a circus tent and was impressed to see the huge structure. The stage contained a few dancers who rehearsed in a coordinated manner, completely ignoring the administrator and the detective.

Passing the stage and heading to the back, Giovanni was impressed for the second time.

― Forgive the mess, we use this space to organise our sets for the shows.

The detective said nothing in reply, he was stunned to see the enormous amount of people who worked there so concentrated. In the middle of the night, he said to himself, "I have to go back to my room," he said, "I have to go back to my room.

You could hear the sound of saws, music, hammers and the smell of metal. That was their workshop, apparently.

A completely enviable focus.

Passing through a corridor with several rooms, Vicente entered the last one, which was isolated from the rest. The door was closed as soon as the detective entered the room, noticing the elegance of the place.

― Please, sit down.

Sitting on the reddish upholstery, the detective assessed the environment. On the walls there were posters similar to the one he had seen at the entrance, containing all the shows ever produced by the circus. A bookcase of files was on the opposite wall, having in the centre a wooden table full of folders and scattered sheets.

― Very well, what did you wish to discuss?

Taking the mobile phone from his pocket, the detective opened the photos of the four missing persons and showed them to Vicente. The administrator leaned slightly looking at the photos, not seeming surprised to see them.

― These people disappeared, being that they were last seen here in the park. The girl was the last report we received, from a fortnight ago.

― This is worrying. Although we have a strong security team, it seems that something slips through our fingers. ― Murmured the administrator as he squatted on the front seat upholstery. ― Are you suspecting someone in the park?

― All the employees are on the suspect list. I brought the warrant to start investigating them.

Again the detective showed the warrant he carried, with Vicente reading it intently.

― I understand. I must warn the heir about the matter, and his permission to collaborate with your investigation is likely.

Giovanni arched his eyebrow.

― So you already have someone to play the boss around here.

― You will not talk to my master, Mr. Monteccello. ― warned the administrator, casting a furtive glance at the warrant paper.

― You are acting like a suspect, Mr. administrator.

Leaving the mandate on the coffee table, the administrator let out a sigh. There was something in him very similar to what he had felt in that boy earlier. Like a three metre wall made of metal preventing him from meeting the owner of the place.

― Our new master is still getting used to the Dreamland activities, since Master Evilian's death was sudden. For now I was assigned to be the bridge between the park and the heir.

It was no use. Giovanni noticed that the administrator didn't leave any clues about the heir. However, if he was the person closest to the heir and who still had control of the entire park, it should be enough to start his investigation.

― Is there a time when I can bring my colleagues to start?

― I believe it is best to avoid weekends, as we do not want our customers to be frightened by seeing police officers walking around here. A little bit before the circus opens, around eighteen o'clock, you can talk to the employees who have already closed their activities. ― Vicente pulled out a sheet of paper making notes on it ― Anything else you want from us?

― I want access to the security cameras as well, and I need my men to sweep the perimeter.

― Certainly. Do you have a card with a phone number I can call if I need to?

The detective had handed over the police station card, with his private mobile phone number written on the back. Noticing the number written on the back of the pen, Vicente stared at the detective.

― I prefer that you call me directly. The case is being kept secret from the media, but it won't be for long. Considering the fame of this place, it is common for phones to be tapped.

― I understand. You are very astute, Mr. Monteccello.

Leaving the circus tent a few minutes later, the detective made a call. Being answered quickly, the boy turned to look at the tent behind him.

― Need something, detective?

― I want a team to investigate the park tonight. Get ready.