Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 31-A

'Commissioner Linden! What brings you here again?' greeted Cyrus warmly with open arms.

Linden saw a fake smile plastered on Cyrus' face. But the triumphant look on his face looked real.

'We have a warrant to search your house and the grounds,' said Linden glaring at Cyrus' sickening face.

Linden had so wanted to punch it. He clenched his fists in his cloak pockets.

Cyrus took the warrant and handed it to his assistant standing next to him, 'Check if it is the real thing, Xavier.'

Xavier nodded and took the warrant. Xavier pointed his wand at it to check the seal, and then he gave his master a nod.

'Feel free to come in! Check every corner, I don't want you to accuse that I am deliberately hiding something or someone from you,' said Cyrus sarcastically.

Linden walked up to Cyrus, their faces almost touching each other.

'Where is Axel Light?' Linden asked between clenched teeth.

Cyrus was unfazed and continued to stare at Linden in his eyes, 'How would I know, Commissioner? Why do you think I would know? Isn't he safe in MaxPol hands?'

Linden glared at Cyrus, unflinching. He motioned to Pickard and Monsford to start searching the property. He remained rooted at the main entrance of Veldor Mansion with Cyrus Veldor right in front of him. He would not be letting Cyrus Veldor out of his sight while they search. No dirty tricks.

Linden could see his team of twenty MaxPol moving briskly around the mansion – up and down the steps, in and out of the main building. He saw some scattered at the grounds and the lake. Some going in and out of the smaller buildings – the garage, garden shed, servant's quarters. Probably a secret lair somewhere.

'Do you want to take a seat, Commissioner? You looked like you need a chair,' smirked Cyrus.

Linden was exhausted. Of course he would not be sitting down comfortably in Veldor Mansion and having tea with Cyrus Veldor. Cyrus himself did not look too good. Not physically unwell but he looked worried. Not worried about MaxPol in his house, but Linden felt another kind of worry. Cyrus did not even steal a glance at the MaxPol around him. He looked confident that MaxPol would not find anything against him. And yet, he looked disturbed.

After around half an hour of standing at the front doors, Pickard and Monsford came to inform Linden disappointedly that they did not find Axel nor any traces of him inside or outside the house.

'Can I go back into my house now?' asked Cyrus tersely, 'Funny that I have to ask permission for that.'

Linden still would not budge. He did not acknowledge Cyrus either. He refused to believe that Axel was not in Veldor Mansion. Rowen came to talk to Linden after a moment of no response from Linden.

'We need to search other places. Time is pressing,' stressed Rowen nervously.

Linden gave Cyrus a final glare before he turned to his subordinates, all waiting for his orders.

'Back to Headquarters,' muttered Linden grimly.

Linden's cloak swished as he turned away from Cyrus.

'Not even a word of appreciation,' tutted Cyrus, 'How impolite. Commissioner,' he spat.

Linden ignored his taunts, though from the corner of his eyes, he saw Pickard pointed a warning finger at Cyrus while Beatty had shown him a fist. He had more pressing issues at hand. Axel's life was at stake.

Where could he be?

*

Axel fell hard on the ground of the cave. He knew that he had managed to Translocate successfully once he heard rushing sound of the waterfall. It was deafening – but he was more than happy to hear it.