This novel has mentions of sexual assault, violence, homosexuality, and homophobia.
The crack in the curtains allowed the cold morning breeze to slowly enter the room. The only sound filling the bare room was the sound of an alarm clock.
Tick Tock
Tick Tock
The clock hit 6 and a shrieking ring made the man jump up half-asleep.
He rubbed the sleepiness from his eyes and turned off the alarm.
The man laid his head in the palms of his hands, dreading about getting up from his warm bed. Despite the warmth of his bed he still made an effort to get up.
He took his daily morning bath which lasted thirty minutes everyday. He cleaned up and put on his clean suit he had ordered from the tailor downtown, then brushed his hair.
The man grabbed his keys and exited towards the door, the first thing he noticed was the dark clouds, and back in he went to get an umbrella.
I hope today shall go well for my sake.
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
The man made his way to his workplace but on the way he stopped.
The bakery is open, and I didn't have time for breakfast… It'll only take around 5 minutes, I have enough time.
The man gently took his wallet out his pocket to check if he had money.
Oh, that is perfect! I have a couple of silver coins.
"Oh? Is that you, Blackwood ?"
'Blackwood'? Hold on…
The young man turned around, and to his shock, he saw one of his old friends from university, Albert Winterbourne.
His tall build could easily intimidate anyone, but Blackwood knew him well enough that he would never frighten anyone without a reason.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it, Blackwood?"
"Leave the formalities, old chap. Call me Sebastian like the good old days."
"Hah, as you wish then, Sebastian. Despite that, what are you doing here?"
"I was just about to get a croissant here since I haven't had any breakfast."
"Ah, really? Neither have I. Let us enter together."
"Hm, very well then, as you wish."
The two young men entered the bakery, the dark gloom from outside tore through the windows.
"I have a job nearby, Sebastian."
"Ah, is that so? I have aswell! May I ask where?"
Albert put a scone in a paper bag, and replied,
"I am a detective at Ravensgate Division."
"Are you pulling my leg?!"
"Hah, why would I? You think I would joke about that? It's been my dream since university."
"It's my first day at Ravensgate Division, after I've gotten restationed from Ironbridge."
"Well, the Goddess works in mysterious ways, there must be a reason for why she brought you here and let us meet on this fortunate day."
"Indeed, bless the Goddess."
"Moving on, are you going to buy anything now? You've been staring at the pastries for who knows how long."
"Ahh! Right! I was so absorbed into the conversation I nearly forgot what I came here to buy!"
"Well, that's Sebastian for you."
"Ha ha. Very funny."
Sebastian rolled his eyes and gently grabbed a crossaint from the bakery and put it in his paper bag. Then they went to the cashier and bought their food for 6 bronze coins.
"Here, I can pay, I have plenty of money Albert."
They exited the bakery and made their way to the sidepath.
"Thank you, Sebastian. Since we are going to the same place, would you like to go with me?"
"Of course I would, my friend."
"Ah, there's a taxi, hold on."
Albert called the taxi over, and meanwhile, Sebastian ate his croissant.
"Don't worry about the payment Sebastian, I'll pay."
"I can not let you do that! I shall gladly pay for the both of us!"
"..Sebastian."
Albert gave a cold menacing stare at Blackwood as if he had just committed a heinous crime.
"Oh my days.. When you stare at me like that, what other option do I have?"
"I knew you would eventaully give in, now come on."
Albert helped the other onto the carriage and gave the order to go to Ravensgate. On the way the two caught up a generous amount, and when they dismounted Albert paid the taxi driver and tipped three silver coins for the efficency.
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
"Well, this is where the detectives study and do their work, since you're under the first division like me, we get a seperate place."
"Albert, why is it that we get a different place?"
"We get a different room because of the cases the First Division handles. Under the first division there are three groups, each group gets a seperate room, and since we are in group one, we get the biggest as we recieve the more important cases."
"You know, I'm still in shock that we both happen to be in the same division and group.."
"Like I said, the Goddess works in many many different ways.."
"Indeed…May the Goddess continue to bless our world."
"Well, it's best we get to our room, I'm sure that Jane will be angry at us if we are not there at time."
"Wait, Jane? As in Jane Valcrest ?"
"Indeed, she is the first woman to be appointed commander."
"We get to work with her?!"
Sebastians eyes filled with wonder and excitement, there wasn't one person who hadn't heard of Jane Valcrest.
She was the first woman head of detectives, and there is no doubt that she deserved this position. She worked long and hard to rise to her position of today.
"Yes, yes, now come on!"
The two young men walked fast to the First Group's room.
"Ah! We've made it in time!"
"With only five minutes to spare, Albert Winterbourne. And Blackwood, I've heard you are new and live a bit far so I will let you off with a warning today."
"Now, moving on from both of your tardiness, we have four cases today so we shall split up into groups of four. I will take the hardest one, a case of where a family of four was found dead with no visible wound and a puddle of blood. The person I will be choosing as my partner is Margaret."
"It shall be my pleasure, Ma'am!"
"Thank you, now onto the groups. Albert and George, one of ye come up and take the folder."
"Next is Edward and Clara since you both are married and I don't want you both to be separated as you work as a whole."
"Last is William and our new boy, Sebastian."
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
The quiet room filled with murmurs. Sebastian wondered why, he looked gloomy but he couldn't be that bad, could he?
Sebastian got up from his chair and took the folder from the chief's desk, it was thinner than Sebastian's hands, but thinking about the thinness of the paper, there would be much more information.
He plopped the folder onto his partner's desk and stood and watched while he flicked through the pages.
"Are you just going to stand there? Ugh.. just.. grab a chair and sit on the opposite side of my desk."
Taken aback from the sudden command, Sebastian listened anyway and did what he told him.
"So…We've got a rapist on our hands this time, and a nobleman too.. Fuck."
Sebastian answered carefully after they analyzed the evidence.
"Well..how are we meant to arrest him? There's enough evidence but considering his nobility, that would just give us backlash."
"That's the problem, he is a Margrave. His authority rules over ours."
"You know what they'll say, they'll call it madness— a detective dragging a lord in irons."
"Better that than a coward."
Sebastian let out a gentle laugh, shaking his head as he said,
"You make it sound so simple.."
"It is indeed that simple."
"Simple for you perhaps,"
Sebastian moved his hand from his face and looked at William,
"But..I can't help but trust you."
William got up from his chair, his cold eyes flickered with warmth.
"Then trust me."
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
I told that new boy to meet me here at half past six, where in bloody hell is he?!
"Ack! I'm so sorry!"
"Quiet down, it's fine. Now come on."
"Why are we here..? Isn't this a pub?"
"Do you not drink?"
"I'm a lightweight.."
"Of course you are. Don't you dare drink anything anyone gives you, okay?"
"Okay..?"
The two young men entered the pub, the smell of alcohol and beer was enough to make Sebastian gag.
"Hey..Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it just smells really bad here."
"Just, be careful, and stay with me."
William grabbed Sebastians hand and led him to the bar where a beautiful lady along with a particularly buff man were serving beer and alcohol.
The lady shouted with enthusiasm,
"Ah! William, is that you? I didn't see ya!"
"Indeed, it is me, Lottie! And good day to you Jack!"
"G'day to ya too William! Is that yer mate?"
"You could say that."
The two detectives sat down at the empty seats at the counter.
"Ya know, you two kind of look like a couple."
"Well, we aren't dating, Lottie, he's my new partner in the First Division."
"Ah..Well, is there anything I can get ya?"
"No need, but we do need to talk to someone."
"Ah really? Who?"
"Kitty."
"Oh..I'm afraid she might not talk to you, poor thing, traumatised she is."
"I can't imagine how much she has gone through, but it's for her sake aswell. I will not stop until the truth is out."
"Very well.. You might not be able to talk to her, but he might."
Lottie glanced over to Sebastian who was observing his surroundings.
"Hey,"
"Huh? Oh. What's wrong?"
"She might not talk to me, but you have a chance."
"To the victim?"
"Yes. But, I'll try first, then I'll let you try."
"Mh..Okay."
William looked at Sebastians body and thought to himself,
If he were to get into serious trouble, he would come out with injuries..
William shaked the thought out of his head and made his way to the second floor to Kitty's room.
"Excuse me? Kitty? It's me, William."
"Hic .. William? I..I can't meet I'm so sorry…"
"It's fine Kitty, take care of yourself, I can send my colleauge instead? He's a good person, I swear of it."
"Nh…I'll have to see…"
"Okay, I'll send him here in a few, take care."
"I'm sorry, William.."
"Please don't worry about it Kitty, it wasn't your fault. I swear I'll arrest him."
"…"
William made his way back down to the bar where he saw Sebastian talking and laughing with Lottie and Jack.
"Blackwood. Go upstairs and try to talk with the victims."
"Ah! Okay, just give me a second."
Sebastian scuffled out of his chair and headed to the stairs where William was at.
"If she cries, tell me."
"I will."
Sebastian made his way to their room and knocked on the door.
"Excuse me.? I'm Sebastian Blackwood, William's partner."
A young girl around 8 opened the door and stared at him for a good while.
"It'll be alright, Mag, William is outside if he tries to do anything bad.."
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
Sebastian entered the room, it was a bit messy but he could care less, right now what mattered was taking down what happened.
"I shall ask a few questions, please don't be afraid to tell me if you don't feel comfortable with the question."
"…thank you."
Sebastian sat down on a chair which he placed at the end of the footboard.
In a low, soft, and gentle voice he asked,
"Would you like to start now or have a break then continue?"
"I just..want to get this over with, please."
The sentence came from Kitty, she looked no more than 19, it disgusted Sebastian.
People like that do not deserve a place in this world, taking someones dignity just for your own pleasure? Disgusting.
"Very well then, I shall start now,"
"Did he threaten you, Miss Kitty? Please do not be afraid — no harm will come to you for speaking the truth."
"..It was evening..And it was raining, I went to the market to buy some apples,"
Sebastian listened to the woman intently, making sure not to miss any important detail.
"He told me he would let me stay just until the storm cleared out .."
Tears welled in Kitty's eyes, Sebastian could see the pain she felt as clear as day.
"I know this is difficult, but the truth will help us see justice done."
Kitty's eyes darted up to Sebastian, she could see the worry and genuine care on his face.
Sebastian took out a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to Kitty. Her hand trembled as she took it, but it told Sebastian that she trusted him enough, and that was all he needed.
"I'll let you take a break, I shall come back in a few."
"Thank you, sir."
"Please, take care, he can't touch you anymore. I swear of it."
Sebastian got up and exited the room, he saw William standing outside the door.
"How was it?"
"I let her take a break, it was too hard for her to continue on."
William softly said,
"I'm glad you care for Kitty."
"Sorry?"
"It's nothing. We can come back to questioning them tomorrow, right now we need to get evidence and the noblemans alibi."
"Very well then."
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
The two detectives made their way to the nobles villa.
William read the plated stone outside the Villa,
'Margrave Villa'..So it was their son, Sir Edmud Margrave who did this.
"Are you okay, William?"
"Yes,yes I'm fine. Go knock on the door."
"Alright.Oh! I haven't gotten your full name yet!"
"You want to know my full name? "
"Yes, is that not obvious?"
"It's Ashbourne ."
"Ashbourne? That sounds awfully familiar.."
"I wouldn't be suprised, my father owns most of the land in Evershade."
"Oh my days..You are of nobility?!"
"Yes, and are you not going to knock?"
Sebastian snapped out of his trance and knocked on the door.
A young woman opened the door, her eyes were dark and she did not look up to see who it was.
William noticed a good few bruises on the maids arms and face.
He asked the woman,
"Are you alright, miss?"
"..Yes, I am quite alright, is there anything you need?"
Sebastian answered,
"We are here to see Sir Edmund Margrave."
"Alright, I shall let him know."
The maid closed the door, and they could hear footsteps fading away.
"Blackwood, did you notice the bruises on her arms and face?"
"I did, those bruises were fresh."
"She's terrified. That speaks volumes more than words alone."
"He's obviously not done with her."
The door suddenly opened again, and it was the same servant, she told the two,
"Sir Edmund isn't available currently, but tomorrow at half past three, he can arrange a meeting with you."
"That's perfectly fine, but before we go miss,"
William stepped closer to the lady, and pointed at her arm,
"Those marks — did somebody hit you?"
Her eyes filled with terror and shock,
"No, I just fell from the stairs early this morning!"
"You'll forgive the bluntness, but those did not come from a fall, otherwise you would've sustained them by your legs."
"I'm sorry, but I must go now!"
The maid slammed the door on the detective's face and quickly locked it.
"Come on, we should go to the inn, it's far too late right now."
William turned around after and Sebastian quickly followed.
"William, she flinched when you pointed it out.."
"I know. I could see the fear in her eyes. We'll just have to ask tomorrow."
Sebastian nodded, he felt sick to his stomach, he never was good at handling assault cases, they angered him, they made him feel small because he couldn't make the victims pain and trauma go away.
"The pub we went to is also an Inn, we should head there."
"It was quite busy though, William. Are you sure there is going to be room for us?"
"I'm sure there will be some room for us, Sebastian."
"Hm..If you say so."
· · ─ ·𖥸· ─ · ·
The two made their way to the pub where they originally had gone to first.
"Lottie,"
William leaned onto the counter with his arms crossed,
"Can we have two rooms for the night?"
"Of course, anything for my little detective! Just wait a second."
Lottie turned her back to William, and paused when she was about to pick up a key.
Sebastian noticed and asked her,
"Is something the matter Lottie?"
"I only have one available room.. The other one is going a maintenance check.."
Realisation hit Sebastian, but the only word he could get out his mouth was,
"Oh."
"I'm sure it's not a problem, there's a couch in every room and I think it's a room with two beds!"
"It's alright Lottie, me and Sebastian can stay in the same room."