New Rome

61. Autopsy Report

Jay found his boss, Prince Kai, sat at his desk, pouring over reports. He looked stressed. And excitement coursed through Jay. Kai had been tasked by the Imperator with investigating the Silent Prince. And Kai was a phenomenal hunting dog. Everyday they had new information coming through and Jay finally felt some hope, that they would catch Guy's killer.

"Master?" He interrupted Kai's thoughts by knocking on the desk.

"Yes?" Kai replied briskly without looking up.

"I bid you a warm congratulation, sir. You are a grandfather."

Kai looked up and blinked in surprise.

"Wylo gave birth already?" He frowned, thinking back – realising that he'd lost track of how far along the pregnancy was. "Is all well?"

Jay smiled brightly.

"The gods have been kind, sir. Mother and child are well. Wylo has added to your family a daughter. They have named her Drusi."

"Drusi?" Kai's gaze softened. "Drusi is a fine name." The name honoured Wylo's late father who had been named Drusus.

Kai rose from his chair. "We should send gifts to the young family." He announced. "I suppose it will be too soon to tell which side of the family the child's appearance favours?"

"Sir!" A man rushed into the room, sweating profusely. "Urgent news." He hastily handed a report to Kai, who took it – quickly reading the first lines.

The blood drained from Kai's face.

"Sir?" Jay asked, concerned. Kai addressed the messenger.

"I want to see the person investigating this case. Have them brought to me."

"Yes, sir." The messenger quickly left.

Kai sat down, his head in his hands. Curious, Jay edged forward to look at the report. It was the report of a murder. The victim was a middle-aged woman. Attached to the report were pictures. She'd been severely beaten before being shot in the head. Jay frowned.

"This murder doesn't follow the pattern of the Silent Prince." He pointed out. The serial killer usually cut out his victims' tongues.

"No." Kai agreed, his voice rough.

"Why then, was it brought to your office?" Jay pressed, frowning.

"I know the victim." Kai lifted his head and rubbed his tired eyes. He made himself keep reading the report. "She was my first wife."

"Ellie's mother?" Jay asked, shocked. He quickly bowed his head. "I'm sorry for your loss, sir." He stammered quickly. Jay's heart ached with sympathy, for Kai and for Ellie. 

Kai's expression darkened as he read on.

"None of her jewellery was taken, which makes it unlikely to have been a mugging." He mused out loud. He leant forward in his chair and Jay saw that his hands were shaking.

"Sir," the messenger returned. "The Investigating Officer is with me."

Kai gestured for him to send the man in. 

The officer was a gruff-looking man with a scared cheek.

"Tribune." He greeted, his voice like gravel. Jay took a step back, allowing the Officer to take the seat across from Kai.

"If you require any assistance with this case, myself and my staff will most certainly oblige." Kai spoke stiffly.

"Gratitude, sir. And my condolences. Do you have any questions for me?" The Officer asked, his tone professional. Kai nodded slowly.

"It says in this report that she was found with money stuffed into her mouth."

"Yes, sir."

"How much money?"

Jay stared at Kai, perplexed. What a strange question...

**

                       "I'm done with this, damn it!" Agrippa raged, shoving Tann out of his way. He'd slung a bag crammed with clothes on his back and was trying to get out of the complex.

"Where are you going?" Tann questioned, following after him.

"Away from here."

"Rest easy, friend. Relax." Tann placed his hands on Agrippa's shoulders – stopping him from going anywhere.

"Talk to me, Agrippa. Tann is your friend." Tann crooned, stooping to Agrippa's height. Agrippa's face scrunched, his brows pulling together in a frown.

"I have begun to doubt that."

"Agrippa?" Tann couched his voice to sound hurt. "Have I not been loyally at your side?"

"And you have watched me slump into the gutter. No, you haven't just watched. You've dragged me into this toxic life."

Agrippa knocked Tann's hands away from him.

"Agrippa, you are troubled. I see that. I understand that. We are Comrades of the Night." Tann spoke placatingly, using the term Agrippa had created for them. But Tann's smile faltered, seeing that his gambits were not working.

"You are a parasite – not a friend." Agrippa spat. "And I shall escape you!"

Agrippa slammed the door shut behind him.

Tann's lips were livid. He pulled out his self and called Ellie. He watched on the security monitors, as Agrippa lurched into the crowded carriage of a shuttle bus.

"What is it?" Ellie answered, sounding tired.

"A problem, boss. Agrippa is running away to the Rurals."

"The Rurals?" Ellie questioned, dumbfounded.

"The bastard wants a detox. And the absence of my company."

Ellie cursed in frustration.

"We need to accelerate our plans. Agrippa reforming would be a spectacular failing at this point."

"Yes, boss." Tann bowed his head as he spoke. "I won't fail you."

"I know. You're too smart to try that." Ellie hung up the call and Tann shivered. He knew what happened to the people that disappointed Ellie...

                     Ellie pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. Shadows darkened his eyes and he moved sluggishly, in desperate need of sleep. Back in the living room, he found Wylo – passed out on the sofa. He smiled tiredly, watching her as she snored. He pulled a blanket down to cover her and tucked her in. With soft footsteps, he edged through the next door and into the nursery.

The soft, snuffling sounds of a sleeping baby made his heart melt. Peering into the crib, he gazed down at his baby daughter. Adoration leeched into his tired eyes. She was his heir. And she was perfect.

"I'll give you everything, Drusi." He whispered as she slept. "One day, we'll rule this world together."