There was no reason for Dave to apologise on behalf of his work colleague. Even so, he felt the need to do so. Fortunately for him, Kael was not bothered. He was invited to do a job, and that was the only thing that mattered.
"So what now?"
Kael asked after they returned to Dave's office. This time they were joined by Riley, Aria and Elara, who all had their victims based in Westmere City.
Unlike the playful and mischievous Riley, Aria and Elara were more reserved. After all, they were married women. Aria Reyes was a strategic and practical person.
This woman preferred to have a solid plan of action before she made a move. Her life wasn't just hers; she had people relying on her, after all.
Elara Voss, on the other hand, had a patient personality. She was someone capable of waiting till others got fed up. She wasn't in a rush to solve the murders. The deeds had occurred already; rushing to find answers wouldn't change the outcome.
While she thought this way, she was by no means going to hold her companions back. She had every intention of giving her all; she just wouldn't push when a wall wouldn't budge.
"Nothing, actually." Dave replied, causing Kael to raise his brows. "What I mean is we have subordinates gathering intel on our victims, making arrangements for interrogations of those connected to the fallen chosen heroes."
"Aren't you going to carry out the interrogations yourself?" Kael looked at the gathered commanders. "Doing the interrogations yourself would allow you to see what your absence wouldn't."
"Hehe, don't worry, Mr. Neren." Dave chuckled slightly, liking how his mentor took his job seriously. "We'll be handling the interrogations ourselves. Just not today."
The others nodded in agreement.
"He's right," Elara chipped in. "This isn't your typical case. The investigations could last months or even years. We can't rush through this and risk missing something."
"But if we don't move fast, we risk giving the mastermind(s) time to cover their tracks." Kael countered with a serious expression.
"Maybe," Aria nodded in agreement. "However, as Dave mentioned, our subordinates are following the due process. That also takes time, time we can use to prepare ourselves further."
"Relax, Mr. Neren," Dave revealed a small smile of assurance. "We will get to the bottom of this."
The look he directed at Kael made him realise that he was implying his case in the mix. Naturally, this wasn't missed by the women in the room.
"You two are hiding something, aren't you?" Riley looked at the two men with squinted eyes. Directing her gaze to Dave, she added. "Bringing Mr. Neren here and involving him in the case isn't random, is it?"
Dave looked at the woman who was too observant for her own good. While Kael's situation wasn't a secret, he didn't know if Kael wanted to share it with everyone. Looking at Kael, he noticed how uncaring he looked.
"Dave invited me here to help him with the case. That is all you need to worry about." Kael replied to Riley's question. "My personal matters are for me and Dave to deal with."
"We can accept that," Aria didn't have any issues with Kael's words, unlike Riley, who had a frown on her face.
"Well, since we have nothing else to do, Mr. Neren and I will be leaving." Dave got up, prompting Kael to do the same.
Since ARISA said there was nothing else to do for the day, it was only right that he left. Additionally, although he was eager to continue investigating, more than half the day had already passed. It would be dark in a few hours; it was best if he got on the road.
"Wait," Riley rose to her feet, quickly catching up to Dave, who was almost at the door. "Are you free tonight?"
The woman glanced at Kael almost pleadingly, as if Kael was stopping Dave from being free. Fortunately for her, Kael caught the meaning of her look.
"Since there's nothing else today, you can do whatever you want. There's no point in escorting an old man like me." Kael looked at Dave meaningfully.
Moreover, he was being generous by referring to himself as an old man. He was only thirty-five this year. As awakened beings, they didn't age like they did once upon a time. He still looked in his late twenties, except for his haggard appearance, which was likely due to his drinking.
"Sorry, Riley." Despite the look he received from Kael, Dave had to refuse. "I'm taking Mr. Neren somewhere."
Riley lowered her gaze the moment she heard Dave apologise. On the other hand, Kael was confused as to what Dave meant.
"We're going somewhere?" Kael muttered.
"Yeah." Dave nodded, but his attention was on the woman before him. "Riley, how about we do this another time?"
His suggestion swiftly brightened the woman's expression. "I'd like that, I'd really like that."
Riley didn't expect Dave to take the initiative this time around. She glanced at Kael, knowing it was most likely because of his suggestive gaze.
With a smile showing her thanks, Kael nodded as he and Dave left the office, leaving the three women behind.
"Looks like your efforts are finally paying off." Aria commented from the sitting area, prompting a smiling Riley to look over.
"Yeah…" the woman nodded, turning her gaze back to the door. 'I don't know where you came from, Mr. Neren, but I'm glad you're here.' The woman could finally see a path ahead of her.
"I'll be heading to my office, girls. See you later." Riley waved at the two women and left.
Left alone, Aria and Elara exchange suggestive looks, glad their friend was winning some. They could count the number of times this woman had chased after Dave.
Honestly, it was a bit strange seeing a woman of her calibre follow a man around in such a manner. Then again, Riley knew exactly what she wanted, and she wasn't afraid to go after it.
"Come on, we have some things to share with our subordinates as well."