9th of November 1925 , 1:35 a.m. London, United Kingdom.
"We have been expecting you, chief Starling" spoke chief superintendent Albert Evans while walking in the rain towards a black Rolls Royce Phantom as the driver opened the door to a nice lady in her early thirties. It was the one and only the famous Scottish detective Cameron v. Starling, before she got out and she got her wand out which made an invisible umbrella that blocked out the rain "I came as fast as I could, I couldn't miss a case about our favorite killer that's on the loose" admitted Cameron calmly before Albert started leading her to the crime scene inside the building "The victim's name is Arthur Murphy, age thirty one, a no maj but believer" stated Albert while reading the information he had on the man "A half Caste born, not surprised, continue" replied Cameron to Albert's information before he nodded and continued as they reached the room where the body is at, laying there face down "Status Married to an asian pure born named Kanako Minamoto a known koto player currently out of town, as for his work place,he worked in the bakery down street" continued Albert while reading the information and struggling to say the victim's wife name as Cameron wore her gloves before she crouched down to investigate the body "Did any neighbor hear him scream or…struggling..? He seemed to have died in a new way tonight.." asked Cameron quietly , Albert was about to continue reading before he repeated "died in a new way?" Muttered Albert, not catching what Cameron meant "come and see this.." she murmured as he crouched down next to her to see what she meant "see this…that's not from a spell…" trailed off Cameron as she turned to Albert before he also did "that's a bullet.." responded Albert in a voice below a whisper before they looked down back at the victim.
After their investigation and checking evidence. "Tell Doctor Cresswell to do an autopsy on the body.." Ordered Cameron, one of the rookie officers who replied "Yes ma'am!" Before going off to report, Albert approached "Did the ripper ever used a gun before, Cameron.?" whispered Albert , she nodded "nae..that's a first time for em to use one..he usually kills his targets with spells…" acknowledged Cameron before she turned to look at Albert.
"Have you managed to get a hold of the wife?"
"Aye..poor woman was devastated hearing about her husband..honestly can't blame her.."
He replied as he lit up a cigar and took a puff from it "Mhm..I'll probably question her tomorrow, catch ya up in the morin' aye?" Cameron announced before she turned on her heels and walked away.
" 'Ight, cam, take care" Albert replied as Cameron got into the car and her driver drove off.
"Call father frederic reyes , I need him to come tomorrow for questioning ,heard he knew the victim and his wife" Albert ordered as one of the detectives nodded "On it, chief" the young detective replied before he went to report that.
"Chief Evans, should we inform Detective B. Blackwood about the change?" The rookie detective asked curiously, Albert glanced at the rookie detective and thought.
"Inform him, he'll be working with Chief v. Starling and if he has any issues he may come to me tomorrow in the morning, is that clear?" Albert replied sternly while holding his cigar before he walked away.
9th of November 1925, 10:56 a.m. Great Scotland Yard, Westminster St., United Kingdom.
"Albert Evans!" A loud yell could be heard from down the hallway before the muscular man bursted into the office with anger flashing in his eyes "Ah Rupert" Albert answered before putting down his pen calmly "You got the news of you working with Chief Cameron v. Starling,correct?" Albert asked calmly as Rupert walked in slamming his hands down on the desk "Heard?! Are you kidding me, you bloody bastard?!" Rupert barked angrily out of frustration "Are you really expecting me to work with that bloody man whom I never met or saw?!" Rupert went on yelling while he stood there glaring at Albert who was calm and collected.
"It's simply because I know you and Cameron would work well on this case" Albert stated before a knock was heard from the door "come in" Albert replied before the door was opened "Aye, Albert, you have a moment?" Cameron asked as she saw the angry Rupert standing there glaring at Albert "Did I come at the wrong time or…" She trailed off "Nae, you came right on time, come on in Cam." Albert replied before she nodded and walked in, Rupert saw her enter as he composed himself and calmed down.
"Rupert, Meet Chief Cameron v. Starling, the bloody 'man' you never met before" Albert stated as Cameron looked surprised before she turned to look at Rupert. "Cameron, Meet Detective Rupert B. Blackwood" Albert stated. Rupert was surprised and took a moment to process the new information before he gave Cameron a smooth seductive smile."Pleasure to meet you, Lady Cameron, it's really a pleasure to finally meet the beauty of Scotland" Rupert talked smoothly before he gently grabbed her hand and pressed a gentle kiss on her knuckles respectfully.
Cameron was surprised by Rupert's act "it's a pleasure to meet you too, Mr. B. Blackwood" Cameron replied before Rupert looked at her with an admiring gaze "Please, Call me Rupert" Rupert spoke smoothly while he was looking at Cameron with an admiring gaze.
Then suddenly, a sudden thud could be heard. "Augh!" Rupert grunted painfully, making him let go of Cameron's hand. He rubbed his head painfully before he turned to see Albert standing there "What was that for?!" Rupert hissed in pain while standing there "Stop being a fecking moron every time you see a woman" Albert scolded Rupert, Cameron was standing there watching the scene unfold in front of her.
Both men started arguing, Cameron crossed her arms and leaned against the bookcase watching quietly. "Are you two done with this childish argument for Enyo's sake?" Cameron hollered at the childish men in a stern tone.
They slowly looked at Cameron with worried yet scared expressions on their faces, they saw her frightening glare at them, they both whispered to each other "she's glaring at us…did she get irritated..?" Rupert whispered nervously to Albert who nodded agreeing "she's certainly irritated by the two of us.." Albert replied in a whisper before they quickly went back to their seats and spoke at the same time "Apologies for that" both men were embarrassed by what just happened.
"The day I start working in London, I work with a bunch of childish yet foolish men calling themselves detectives" Cameron sighed as she sat down and rubbed the bridge of her nose annoyed by the situation.
Albert cleared his throat "Deepest apologies, Cameron" he muttered embarrassingly, Cameron looked at Albert with an annoyed look "I'll tell her that" Cameron threatened as Albert's eyes widened "You wouldn't dare tell her!" Albert gasped before they heard a knock on the door and all of them looked to find a rookie detective opening the door, "Sir, The meeting's about to start" the rookie stated as Albert composed himself and looked at the rookie "very well, we'll be there really soon" Albert replied before the rookie left. "What meeting?" Both Cameron and Rupert asked curiously as they looked at Albert.
"It's about the case..I requested the appearance of Priest Frederic Reyes for a questioning by us three" Albert replied Rupert was confused on why but didn't question it any further but Cameron on the other hand looked uncomfortable. "What's wrong Cam?" Albert asked, sensing Cameron's uncomfortable and uneasy vibes. "Nothing just…Nevermind.." Cameron muttered quietly while she was sitting there, something wasn't right..She felt it but couldn't pinpoint it out but she shrugged that feeling, she got up. "Are you sure?" Albert asked her before she replied "Yeah I'm fine, let's just go see what that priest has for us".
Where the priest was waiting for them,They walked to the questioning room Cameron tucked on Albert's sleeve to grab his attention "I'll sit with you and Rupert..I'm curious about..something.." She whispered as Albert was about to reject her request before he sighed "Fine then..but once I clear my throat when you reach your line you stop, got it?" Albert warned as Cameron nodded okay.
Albert opened the door and walked in first behind him Rupert and Cameron. "Father Frederic Reyes" Albert started."Sorry for getting you on a short notice" He stated as the priest stood up and shook Albert's hand. "It's okay, chief, I understand your reasoning." The priest spoke calmly as noticed Albert had two other detectives with him. "Meet the chief of the first division police department of Scotland, chief detective Cameron v. Starling and one of my detectives from the department, detective Rupert B. Blackwood" Albert introduced them to the priest, Rupert went forward and shook hands as for Cameron she didn't shake hands and gave a small nod.
The tension in the air was tense as the sound of the clock that's on the wall ticking filled the room before Albert suddenly broke the silence and cleared his throat. "So..Father Frederic Reyes," Albert muttered,he tapped his fingers against the table before he spoke again."We heard you..had connection with the victim Mr. Murphy and his wife Mrs.Minamoto,is it true ?" Albert asked,the priest nodded. "Yes, yes it's true.." he trailed off for a moment before he spoke again "Mr. Murphy and Mrs. Minamoto came to the church at the end of the street of their house, I'm quite upset about what happened to Mr. Murphy.".
Cameron glanced at Albert then at the priest. "Were you close to Mr. Murphy and Mrs. Minamoto? And did you have any close relationship with Mr. Murphy or Mrs. Minamoto?" Cameron asked sternly while she was writing something in a note before sliding it to Albert.
The priest had an unreadable expression but Cameron managed to get something from his expression, he took a deep breath. "yes, I did…have a relationship with Mr. Murphy and.." The priest muttered trailing off while talking before continuing "uhm..especially Mrs. Minamoto.." The priest stated.
Cameron's eyes narrowed. "And what was the relationship?" Cameron asked sternly, the priest was looking at the coffee they brought him, he stared at it blankly before he looked at the three detectives.
"uhm..she…she was my wife… well now ex-wife.." The priest admitted coldly before he glanced at what Cameron was writing. "And how long have you and Mrs. Minamoto been divorced.?" Rupert asked calmly, the priest tensed and his forehead started forming sweat. "That's the thing…" the priest muttered in a voice almost above a whisper.
Albert was confused by what the priest's muttering. "What do you mean by that, Father Reyes?" Albert asked calmly, the priest replied. "Before… I became a priest,I used to date her for a while, it wasn't a real relationship but we said to people we are married." The priest trailed off "We both have the marriage and divorce certificates and documents.." The priest stated as three detectives looked at each other before looking back at the priest.
"a wizardry protection witness program you say?" Rupert asked with a curious tone. "From what we gathered from both Mrs. Minamoto and Father Reyes, they have been in that program after incidents happened on both ends" Cameron started while she stood there before Albert continued. "And it appears they simply played their roles until the program's protection was lifted, but either way we need to keep a close eye on them, especially the wife, she might be the next target".
"I know someone in the ministry, I could ask for documents for that list" Cameron pushed herself off the wall as she took several steps forward. "And I'll do some research on the victim." Rupert added before Albert nodded. "very well" he replied to them, Cameron looked up and checked the time. "and here I must take my leave" Cameron stated as she summoned her bag,hat and coat in hand.
"Leaving so soon, Mrs. v. Starling?" Rupert asked curiously. "Sadly, Mr. B. Blackwood, I have some stuff to attend to, oh and Albert." Cameron started getting his attention as he finished lighting up a cigar.
"Hm?"
"You lost the bet, you owe me a bottle of hooch"
Cameron teased with a smirk as Albert dropped his cigar when he got up quickly slamming his hands on his desk. "Cameron!" Albert shouted as she winked before she suddenly teleported from the room.
"That fecking cunt!" Albert shouted slamming his hands against his desk, Rupert was confused about 'the bet' Cameron talked about which made Albert mad. "Geez..calm down codger" Rupert muttered, he walked towards Albert and patted his back before Albert sat back down and picked his cigar up.
"I owe her a BLOODY hooch bottle over your BLOODY stupidity of misgendering her!" Albert barked, He re-lit his cigar and had it between his fingers before he rubbed his temples. "Oi! How should I know that?!" Rupert replied with a confused tone. "You tell me you fecking bastard!!" Albert barked at Rupert before another shouting fight started between the men.
1:29 p.m. , The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel St. London, United Kingdom.
"It wasn't a bullet you say..?" Cameron muttered as Dr. Cresswell nodded. "When I did the autopsy, there wasn't a bullet, instead the head entry was created by something…else which didn't cause an exit point.." Dr. Cresswell replied while they were taking a stroll down the hospital hall.
Cameron stopped mid-walk looking at Dr. Cresswell. "A projectile spell perhaps?" Cameron asked in a hushed tone, Dr. Cresswell looked at her before he nodded. "Possibly.." He answered quietly as she thought for a bit before Dr. Cresswell walked towards her.
Cameron was lost in thoughts while standing there. "I'll look into it and try to help in this case" Cresswell muttered , She looked up at him and smiled a bit "Thanks, John" Cameron smiled softly as he nodded. "Anything to help ,old friend," Cresswell replied.
1:45 p.m. , The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel St. London, United Kingdom.
"Gosh, I'm starving" Penelope sat down in the nurse's break room. "Pene, you are either hungry or tired" Janet looked at Penelope with a calm expression while eating.
Anne-Mari walked in holding some letters as she was reading them. "My my, don't you look at that, our sweet angel Anne-mari is in love" Janet teased her sister with a small smirk, Anne blushed embarrassingly before she replied. "Talk about yourself, you were all lovey dovey with that man earlier this morning" Janet's brows went up as she looked away. "I don't know what you are talking about, Anne-Mari" Janet played with her hair twirling it as Anne looked at her, her light blue eyes piercing her sister's before she sighed. "Besides this letter isn't from him, it's from cameron" Anne walked to grab something from her bag, Janet and Penelope looked at Anne. "Which cameron?" Janet asked curiously as Anne looked at her sister. "Cameron v. Starling, the one working with Albert" Anne replied to her sister before Penelope gasped in surprise. "You know Cameron v. Starling?!" Penelope stood up quickly from her seat and walked to Anne.
"Uh yes?" Anne replied while holding some letters in hand. "You're so lucky to know such a man, Anne-Mari! I'm so jealous!" Penelope mumbled while standing in front of Anne-Mari. "Wait? A man-?" Anne blinked momentarily trying to process what Penelope said. "Mhm! I heard so much about him! I'm so jealous you know such a nice man, I bet Cameron is handsome" Penelope was fantasizing about Cameron, Anne-Mari was about to speak but held back and stood quiet. "You do you, I'll go meet Albert for lunch" Anne gathered her stuff. "Look at you fancy" Janet teased as Anne-Mari smiled an annoyed smile "so funny, Janet" Anne-Mari nagged her sister before she walked out the door, she accidentally bumped into someone who caught her.
"Careful there, Mayfield." Cameron helped Anne-Mari stand well on her feet. "Don't want Albert to behead me-" "Cameron! I didn't know you were in London this week" Anne-Mari was surprised to see Cameron in London. Once Penelope heard the name Cameron she ran to the door and looked around. "Cameron?! Where?!" Penelope looked around before Cameron looked at her with a gaze full of confusion.
"Penelope, Meet Cameron v. Starling..uhm Cameron Meet my friend Penelope Shelley" Anne introduced the ladies to each other, Cameron smiled politely. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Shelley." Penelope was still surprised about the fact Cameron is actually a woman not a man, she had a faint red color on her cheek out of shyness before she replied. "T..The..pleasure is all mine, Miss v. Starling" Penelope stood there shyly next to Anne-Mari "well excuse me.." Penelope muttered before she went and sat back down.
"Sorry about her, I was about to tell her but she didn't let me finish-" Anne whispered as Cameron smiled nervously. "Mistakes happen, it's fine" Cameron replied, Both ladies walked a bit down the halls of the hospital. "Heard about the case today, any new updates?" Anne-mari asked as she paused mid-walk looking at Cameron. "There are some updates but I cannot let anything out until we have a clear path" Cameron turned around and looked at Anne-mari who was deep thinking. "I see, I had a feeling this morning about something weird but I'm sure everything will be alright?" Anne-mari muttered while looking at Cameron who smiled a bit and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Everything will be alright, Anne-Mari".
3:09 p.m. Great Scotland Yard, Westminster St., United Kingdom.
Rupert was checking some documents with Albert in the office. "Gosh..still nothin' about that damn program.." Rupert sighed as he placed the documents down and leaned back on his chair. "It appears the ministry hides it very well" Albert replied, taking a long drag from his cigar. Rupert stood up, stretching his back which made a light popping noise before he walked to the window and opened it to let some fresh air in.
"So you trust Cameron to get you the documents from someone in the ministry..?" Rupert asked with curiosity as he leaned against the glass behind Albert's chair.
"Mhm, why are you asking?"
"Just wondering.."
Albert nodded while reading meanwhile Rupert was standing by the window looking out at street as two individuals caught his attention, it was Cameron and another man who looked similar to her, they were talking as he handed her some documents before she nodded and walked away into the building as the unknown man walked for a bit before suddenly teleporting, Rupert's narrowed with suspicion before he thought for a moment as he shrugged off the problem and took a seat.
Albert took off his reading glasses to take a break as he noticed Rupert's expression. "What's wrong?" Albert asked with his cigar in hand, Rupert snapped back to reality as he looked at Albert. "It's…it's nothing just zoned out." Rupert replied calmly, Albert was about to ask something but decided not as he nodded and turned back to look at the papers on his desk.
Rupert was standing by the window, feeling a heavy feeling on his chest and his breathing got heavy too, he didn't understand what could that be shrugged it off as he told himself. "It's probably from the smoke".
A knock could be heard on the door before Cameron walked in holding the needed documents. "Ah Cameron, I trust you got the documents?" Albert asked calmly as Cameron walked in. "Yea, more than needed, Colton was nice enough to get you that." Cameron replied as she placed the documents in front of Albert, Rupert was confused and turned to look at her. "Colton?" He asked.
"That's my brother, Colton v. Starling, he got me those papers" Cameron replied, Rupert was surprised by the information to know that as he nodded repeatedly before he connected the dots on his mind about the man he saw earlier.
"Ah, okay okay–" Rupert replied as he scratched the back of his head embarrassingly, Cameron looked at him before she shrugged her shoulders before they all started checking the documents and files of people.
7:42 p.m. Great Scotland Yard, Westminster St., United Kingdom.
Everyone was clocking out of work as the time was starting to get late, Albert started pack as he noticed Rupert was lost in his thoughts, Albert walked towards him. "Hey Rup, free tonight?" Albert asked curiously, Rupert thought before answering him. "Uh...Yes,I'm free tonight..?" Rupert replied quietly before he looked up at him. "why is that?" Rupert leaned back on his chair. "I thought that we could go to the pub, I noticed that you have something on your mind" Albert muttered as he got his cigar box out and took one before he lit it up. "It's nothing really..it's just.." Rupert sighed , he ran his hand through his hair nervously.
Albert raised a brow in confusion before he asked. "What is it ?" "It's...It's about Miss v. Starling" Rupert muttered as he was sitting there in his chair, Albert was surprised and took a drag from his cigar. "Cameron ? What about her ??" Albert asked , his voice dripping with confusion and curiosity. "Can't tell ya here, the birds might lurker and tell her" Rupert muttered quietly in a voice above a whisper. "Then get your bum up and lets go to the pub, I still need to talk to you about stuff" Albert muttered while standing there looking at him, Rupert thought before he made up his mind and agreed
"Very well. Lets go then, but if you don't mind asking...what is that you need to talk to me about" Rupert muttered quietly , only for Albert to hear him. Albert scratched the back of his head nervously before he looked at his friend. "It's about the miss that I have been meeting" Albert muttered, Rupert raised his brows in great surprise since he never saw Albert so worried and nervous about a woman after his first two marriages.
"Why? What happened?"
"Nothing, It's just...Nerve racking, just worried about what could happen"
Rupert thought for a moment before he rose up from his seat. "Well, my good friend, maybe a glass of whiskey will be good over this discussion" Rupert joked lightly to lighten up the mood, Albert chuckled quietly as he patted his friend's back. "Good idea, mate" Both men laughed lightly over that joke before they gathered their stuff and left.
10:15 p.m. The Admiralty pub, Trafalgar square. London, United Kingdom.
The place was packed with people ,sounds of loud talking and cheers were all around them.
Albert to a sip from his whiskey before placing it down. "So that's why you are nervous? afraid that she might dislike you for being a werewolf?" Rupert said as he leaned back in the chair with his arms crossed over his chest.
"No,No. Not like that of course, I'm just worried she might get hurt from me" Albert muttered as he rubbed his temples. "ohh..I see , but I'm sure nothing bad will happen besides, any lucky lady would love to be with a handsome werewolf like you , Al." Rupert replied trying to lift his friend's confidence up.
Albert looked up from his drink and looked at his friend. "Thank you, Rupert..but enough about me..' Albert trailed off. "What's the issue that's on your mind about Cameron?" Albert asked curiously, Rupert almost choked on his drink as he swallowed his drink, the whiskey had a burning sensation in his throat as he swallowed. "Pardon?-" Rupert replied, Albert smirked as he had Rupert in the place he needed.
"Come on, Rup" Albert teased him as he leaned forward. "What?" Rupert murmured quietly as he pretended like nothing happened, "What's your issue with Cameron?" Albert asked curiously, Rupert nodded no. "It's nothing, really...it's just..I have a weird feeling that I saw her before today" Rupert admitted quietly as Albert raised his brow curiously as he leaned back in his chair, He fixed his position and sat with his legs crossed comfortably. "Is that so? Where do you think you met her before?" Albert asked curiously, Rupert leaned forward in his chair, his hands intertwined together while he was looking at his own hands.
Rupert hesitated before he took a deep breath. "I just feel like I met her back around the time we both met back in the day in Silvercrest" Rupert muttered nervously as Albert thought for a moment before he remembered what Rupert meant. "Ohhhh..I think I get what you mean now. Because yes Cameron was with us in Silvercrest and she was in the same house as I" Albert replied trying to jog Rupert's memory. "Wait really? But I don't remember any female Camerons in your house" Rupert leaned back in his chair curiously as he didn't recall any other Cameron.
"That's because her actual name isn't Cameron" Albert replied as he grabbed his glass and took a sip of his drink, Rupert's eyes widened surprised about what he heard. "Then what's her actual name?" Rupert asked curiously. "Lady v. Starling" Albert muttered as he placed his glass back down on the table. "Huh? Isn't that how we call her out of respect for her high ranking?" Rupert asked curiously as he was trying to process. "No,Rupert, Her name is Lady Cameron Serenity vale Starling." Albert muttered calmly as he was sitting there, Rupert was thinking.
"Then her name must be Serenity?Right?" Rupert murmured as he was quite confused , Albert sat there quietly slowly losing his patience. "Rupert, How dumb are you really?" Albert asked bluntly as Rupert took a sip from his drink. "What do you mean??" "Rupert, Her name is Lady" Albert sighed as he ran his hand through his hair as Rupert understood. "Oh! Her name is Lady"
"Yes! Finally you understood!"
"Which mean she is..oh no-"
Albert took a deep breath. "She's the girl you rejected for her white hair" Albert revealed as Rupert was too stunned to speak from the surprise as he slammed his forehead onto the hard wooden table. "Damn it! Is that why I felt that nudge that was telling me I knew her" Rupert asked quietly as he groaned loudly. "I think so that's why" Albert replied as he leaned back on his chair looking at his friend who was still in shock and denial. "But I also have an achy feeling in my chest. It feels weird. Haven't felt that for quite some time" Rupert muttered as he rubbed his chest a bit, Albert's expression was concerned and confused before Albert realized what was happening to Rupert and looked at him.
"Oh my, I think you caught the starling curse" Albert looked ,Rupert was confused about what his friend said. "The starling curse? What is that?" Rupert asked as he was looking at his friend with his hazel green eyes piercing through the friend's blue eyes. "Which means you fell in love with her." Albert teased as he leaned back in his chair, Rupert was surprised as he sat up and looked at his friend. "What do you mean by that,Albert?" Rupert asked as he was looking at his friend dead in the eye.
Albert grabbed his glass and took a nice sip before placing his glass down and replied.
"Love at first sight, You maybe didn't accept her love before but you might have actually loved her." Albert replied calmly as Rupert thought about it well. "True, I did have a very small thing for her but it was a serious thing back when I was dating May for a bit" "I'm surprised you dated your best friend" Albert remarked. "It wasn't a serious one, we were just pretending so whoever was bothering her would leave her alone" Rupert replied calmly as he took a sip from his drink.
"Then don't come to be overthinking and annoyingly nervous" Albert added calmly as he stared at his friend. "Oh don't worry, don't worry..I won't over think about it anyway" Rupert continued calmly.
End of Chapter One