Season of Sunlight

Fifth Month

The Trylla Detective Bureau

The City of Trylla, The Cronia Region

2325

Henri left the forensics lab side by side with his companions.

"Finally, we are getting somewhere," he said with a hint of excitement. "We know that Abaddon is responsible and that the female victims were poisoned rather than brutally strangled, unlike the men. Abbott, what do you think?"

Abbott rubbed his forehead. "Sir, one killer is at the heart of these slayings."

"Alright, explain."

"People kill differently, sir. Not even an imitator knows how to execute another's handiwork exactly."

Henri smiled. "It makes perfect sense. The consistency from victim to victim is uncanny. Miss Parks, care to share your thoughts?"

Elza grinned, her red hair bouncing playfully off her shoulders. "Constable Abbott makes a fair point. However, I'll take this opportunity to name the killer."

Henri's eyes flashed with surprise, and he stopped abruptly. "Name the killer! What else are you hiding from me? Their address?"

Elza smirked. "Detective, I wasn't sure that it was the truth. I have made many assumptions over the last few months. I needed a professional assessment and a new perspective. That is why I came to you."

Henri frowned, clearly displeased. At this rate, he could hang up his hat and take the rest of the day off. Give it a few hours, and Miss Parks might drop another bombshell so big that it could solve the entire investigation. What did she need him for?

"Alright, who is it?"

"While my talent for spying has been somewhat successful, the information I have gathered on Abaddon has all led to one name." Elza paused. "The Red Lady. I don't know who she is or what she represents, but her name was often spoken with respect and fear. She seems vital to the cause."

Henri turned to Abbott, reading the constable's face. It was both confused and cautious.

"The Red Lady," he said, rolling the R sharply off his tongue. "I want to know more."

"I have a few notes I made at my aunt's house. Perhaps the answers we seek are hidden within them," said Elza.

"Splendid," Henri said, gripping Abbott's shoulder. "We'll ride with you."

***

Henri opened the door of the Celeste and guided Miss Parks into her seat.

Abbott prepared to climb into the motorcarriage from the other side, but Henri raised a hand in protest.

"Just a moment, Constable."

"Sir?"

Elza looked at Henri with confusion. "Aren't you coming?"

"I need a quick word with Abbott."

She nodded. "Okay."

Abbott joined Henri, who smiled at the young woman before he turned and walked back towards the bureau.

"Sir, what is going on?"

"Abbott, I understand this is your first assignment."

"And?"

"I suspect this is all extremely overwhelming..."

Abbott stopped mid-stride.

"Sir, are you kicking me off the case?"

Henri could feel his disappointment.

"I am suggesting you consider stepping away. This investigation is not just about murder, Abbott. Dark forces are at play, and I do not want you to get caught in the crossfire." Henri laughed. "I am not so sure I am ready for what comes next."

Abbott smiled. "Respectfully, sir, you will need all the help you can get."

"If you get into that vehicle, you become a target."

"I know," Abbott said thoughtfully, "but it's my job."

Henri grinned and gave the constable a pat on the shoulder. "Alright then, let's go."

Click clack. Click clack.

Henri's spine tingled.

Click clack. Click clack.

"Do you hear that?"

Abbott frowned. "Sir?"

Henri looked over his shoulder. The green Viper pulled up behind the Celeste. Its sharp yellow headlights dimmed and were somewhat foolish in the daylight.

Click clack. Click clack.

The engine ceased to hum with a pop, then, to Henri's surprise, a tall, slender woman got out, dark hair pinned up, wearing a blue tailcoat with a white blazer and black trousers.

"Who is that?" Abbott asked.

Henri said nothing. He followed the woman with his gaze as she walked alongside the Celeste, bent forward, and leaned her elbows on the roof. She stared down Miss Parks and muttered a few words.

Elza's face remained calm until the woman snatched her wrist and prepared to pull her out through the window.

Henri approached with haste. "Excuse me!"

The woman released Elza and stepped away from the motorcarriage. When Henri arrived, she extended a hand.

"Detective Inspector Henri Fraser, it is a delight to meet you. I am Detective Irene Forester with KSB."

Henri ignored her welcoming gesture.

"What is the Kaleno Security Bureau doing in Trylla?"

"I cannot divulge all information with you, but we are pursuing an investigation."

"This woman is under my protection, and you are interfering with mine," Henri said. "What do you want with her?"

"Miss Parks is a person of interest. I have been dispatched to bring her back to KSB."

"What do you want with me?"

"You?"

"You were outside my house last night. What has the KSB troubled enough to watch a comrade in arms?"

Irene smiled. "You were spotted with the woman, and we assumed you could lead us to more information."

"At my house?"

Irene shrugged. "Perhaps. Nothing came up."

"Yet a dead man showed up in my motorcarriage hours later," Henri said. "You weren't looking hard enough."

Tension filled the air.

Finally, Irene raised her hands in surrender.

"Fine. I apologize for any inconvenience we caused. We both chase the darkness, Inspector. The KSB's interest lies with Abaddon, and this woman links everything. We should be working together."

"If you want access to our files and sources, you can go inside and request them from my commissioner," Henri said. "I have work to do, Detective Forester. Stay out of my way."

Irene smirked and walked back to the Viper. She climbed inside and started up the motor.

Click clack. Click clack.

"I will get what I want," she said. "Do not mistake my kindness for weakness."

The Viper drove off and soon disappeared.

Henri sighed and dropped his head.

"You were incredible, sir!" Abbott said.

Henri smirked.

Elza leaned her head out of the Celeste and rubbed her wrist.

"What did she say?"

A public tram rolled up to the bureau and stopped, releasing steam from a copper pipe as passengers disembarked onto the sidewalk. Among them was Lilith Fraser, holding a thatched basket with a grey scarf around her neck.

Henri squinted.

"Lilith?"

She looked up from the pavement, meeting his eyes. "Henri! Have I caught you at a bad time?"

Henri gave her a quick embrace.  "I am just on my way out. I've got a lead on the Abaddon case."

Lilith frowned. "Oh, you do?"

Henri could hear the disapproval in her voice. He turned to Abbott. "Join Miss Parks. I'll be with you shortly."

Abbott nodded and departed his presence.

Henri brushed his sweaty hands against his trousers and lowered his voice. "What's wrong?"

Lilith raised her chin, spreading her feet apart into a confident stance. "Why are you still pursuing this case?"

"It's my job. I catch criminals."

"Do not vex me, Henri. I'm being serious. Can't someone else oversee it? There was a dead body at our house. They know where we live."

"I can send a constable home with you to keep an eye on things until we make an arrest."

"I do not want a constable. I want you to stop this!"

Henri smiled, hearing the tremble in her words.

"I promised myself after mother and father were killed that I would keep you out of trouble," Lilith said. "For once, stop trying to be the hero and think about someone other than yourself."

Henri chuckled. "You do know that a detective stops criminals from hurting innocent people, right?"

Lilith sighed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that."

"I've been in this fight for eight years, Lilith," Henri said. "You know the risks. People's lives depend on it. Why chastise me on the matter now?"

"Because Abaddon's idea of a warning is a corpse!" Lilith said.

Silence plagued the air. Several bystanders lowered their newspapers, intrigued by the conversation, but severed their growing curiosity and resumed reading to avoid being exposed.

Lilith looked around and lowered her tone to a whisper. "A grim fate awaits you at the end of this web of secrets, Henri Fraser. Trust me, I can feel it. Turn back while you have the chance."

Henri crossed his arms. "Evil does not scare me."

Lilith clenched her jaw. "Maybe it should."

Henri went to leave.

"It's ironic," Lilith said, clearing her throat. "I would have thought the Prophet Society would be the last people you would offer your aid. We both know they're nothing but murderers."

"No," Henri replied, shaking his head. "I know my enemy, and nothing you can say will change my mind."