Chapter 402 - Larson (2/2)
”Thank you for the concern,” giving a firm handshake, ”-so, Director, the details of why I'm here must be known I presume?”
”Please follow me,” he avoided the question, ”-the scene will speak for itself.” Past the elevators and down into a subterranean wing; they walked across multiple glass-windowed rooms with deranged individuals sitting.
”I do apologize for such an awful display,” the hallway kept on stretching, ”-ignore the subjects. Past villains, criminals given the death penalty, they were given to us graciously by the Empire to conduct research. Please, don't misinterpret, tis for the sake of knowledge – what is practice here is humane, in no way do we wish to be seen as the evil.”
”Shouldn't this wing be secret, why have me walk, I could easily reveal the information to the public,” by insinuating a possible threat, Staxius wished to see the reaction, testing the waters as one might say.
”I doubt it would do much,” grinned the Director, ”-the wing isn't going to be detrimental to the public. The information is already there for them to see, all one needs is to have a good eye,” the steps steadied, ”-and here we are,” he pointed at a room, ”-the cryogenic chamber. The pod I should say was developed to house people with a fire affinity. To help them calm the flames, in retrospect, it's basically a massive fridge.”
”And Aceline is in there, frozen?”
”The body is untouched and left as was found. I hope this is sufficient?”
”Yeah,” he nodded, ”-the cold is going to preserve her as we take her to Hidros. She should return from whence she came, you know, Aceline is our pride.”
”I understand,” came a sympathetic smile, ”-I'll have the pod be readied for transport.”
”Good, how long will it take?”
”A few hours.”
”Good, do give me a call afterward.”
”Very well.”
The clutter of patients waiting at the reception couldn't have been any worse. In said crowd, two peculiar men stood with badges, ”-Larson from Division Eight, I'm here to see the body one last time.”
”Sure, down the corridor, sir, the director should already be there,” said the receptionist. People were subconsciously trained to obey to public safety. The badges were powerful tools.
”How did you do that?”
”Listen, kid, our badges hold more weight than people realize. The moment we show one of these, they are afraid for themselves. In a way, it makes us repulsive. The feeling of wanting to have us go away is like fight or flight.”
”I see,” he nodded.
”Director,” hailed he across the hall.
”Investigator Larson,” returned a rather uninviting voice.
”Come on, don't be that way,” an obnoxious smile had the director physically distancing, ”-to an old friend no less, how very much rude.”
”Old friend or I should say acquaintance,” exhaling, ”-what do you want now?”
”A tiny little favor,” he came in close, ”-let me take a look at the body. The autopsy was canceled; still, having a look inside wouldn't bother anyone,” conniving in nature, the words came across awful in the young investigator's mind.
”Have a look inside what?”
”You heard all that?” laughed Larson, ”-I guess gossiping isn't suited for my line of work.”
”Trying to alter the subject isn't sufficient,” glared an impressive man, ”-the investigation has been dropped per my request. Mr. Larson, don't make this a matter of state.”
”Per your request?” he frowned, ”-who in the hell are you?”
”Such an insolent tone.”
”LARSON, mind thy tongue,” shouted the Director, ”-this here is the King of Arda. Any more from that filthy mouth of yours and I'll have thy tongue cut and plastered onto the trash outside.”
”Director,” interjected Staxius, ”-please, there's no need for such crude words. Mr. Larson was doing his job. It did come across insolent, however, we forgive and forget. Now, if you'd excuse me,” he left with a nod.
”Damn it Larson,” facepalmed the Director, ”-why the hell did you come?” the tone lightened.
”I honestly didn't know royalty was involved, thanks for covering for me,” said he apologetically.
”Don't worry about it,” he gave a friendly pat, ”-go and check on the body, don't do anything that can get me in trouble,” they parted.
A few minutes later, ”-Sir, who even was that? How can a man be so imposing, just looking at him felt wrong.”
”I know,” they walked down the same hallway, ”-he's suspicious and dangerous. There was the look of a man who has killed, no, never mind, let me rephrase. A man who has slaughtered countless innocent lives – a man who's the pinnacle of what is considered to be powerful.”
”How can you say that he's powerful?”
”Didn't you listen, 'the investigation was canceled per my orders,' his very words. Do you even realize how much influence a person must have to force the hand of our General. Not even that, I'm sure it's linked to the Emperor.”
”T-the emperor, w-what then?”
”Nothing really,” he laughed, ”-we wait and see. Tis a big ass fish, let me tell,” the footsteps went mute deeper inside.
”Éclair,” stood outside, ”-have a look into Larson. He might prove to be problematic in the future.”