The Heart Collector (Under Editing)

Chapter Thirty-Three: Preference

Novus placed a steaming Styrofoam cup of chamomile tea in front of Agatha. She gave him a smile in thanks before shakily taking a sip. They were in Novus' office. Fare leaned against one of the walls with her arms crossed. She stared at their interaction. Tension came off her in waves. She knew that Agatha and Novus felt that, but they chose to keep quiet. Agatha knew that she was in hot-water for coming back to Meridia and hoped that her silence would help douse Fare's anger. Novus on the other hand, kept quiet out of a form of self preservation. He has seen and read about what she was capable of and did not want to personally experience it. A knock reverberated through the office and Sheila entered.

"Excuse me sir." She placed a file on his desk, "Hughes sent this over."

"Thank you, Sheila."

She walked out.

"Is that information on the bloodbath?" Fare asked.

"Bloodbath?" Agatha gasped.

"Aggie, I think that its best if you wait outside with Sheila."

There was resistance in her eyes, but she reluctantly got up.

Once Fare was certain that Agatha was out of earshot, she went to look over Novus' shoulder, "Is it about the bloodbath?"

Novus nodded, "Hughes was able to get a rough estimate for the body count. It says that there were about nine to ten bodies before the shaft went up in flames. Those numbers coincides with the staff members that were on duty."

"What about the guests?"

"They have been all accounted for. At the time there were only five people staying there."

"And they all happened to be out of the building when the staff was killed."

"Yes, but it sounds like that they led out."

"What do you mean?"

"Hughes included the interviews." Novus was skimming the pages, "Five squad leaders conducted them and they wrote the same account. They each received vouchers for a free dinner for an expensive steak dinner at a luxury restaurant off Parker Road."

"Just the staff? Why spare the guests?"

"That's a good question. The staff were a mixture of human and Fae so its consistent with the killer's choice in victims, but the guests were also a mix."

Fare held out her hand, "May I?"

Novus handed her the file. She propped herself on the edge of his desk. If they were correct in the assumption that the bodies in the shaft were the staff members, she noticed that they ranged from the ages of eighteen to twenty-five.

"Novus?"

"Hm?"

"The guests. Do you happen to know their ages?"

"I think thirties to sixties. Why? What are you thinking?"

"I'll tell you in a minute. Do you mind calling Hughes and putting him on speaker? I have a few questions to ask."

He gave her a confused look, but did as she asked.

"Hughes."

"Ryan, you're on speaker. Fare has a few questions for you."

"Okay?" Confusion was evident in his voice.

"The previous victims. Can you tell me their ages?"

"Um, sure. Hold on a second." There was rustling of paper, "Do you need names as well or just the ages?"

"Just the ages."

"They range from eighteen to sixty."

"Okay, now how about the ones that we know for certain are missing there hearts?"

"Fare, are you-." Novus whispered, but Fare cut him off when she held up a finger.

More paper rustled, "The ones that we confirmed with their hearts missing range from eighteen to twenty-five."

Fare's heart pounded and looked at Novus. He was wide-eyed. He caught on to what Fare was thinking.

"You're sure."

"Yes. Jasmine's and Doctor Locke's notes clearly state it."

"Has Jasmine been able to determine if Doctor Locke's heart was still there?"

"Hold on let me ask. She's here with me." There was a pause with indecipherable murmuring. "She said that it was still there."

"Okay, thank you."

"What's-?"

Fare ended the call.

"You think that he's only taking the hearts of those of a younger age."

She nodded, "He seems to favor those of the younger adults."

"Why just that age range? If he has a preference, then why leave Locke's heart?"

"He must have discovered something. Maybe he found this connection."

"I hate to bring this up, but what about Kila. She should've fallen into this age range."

"Actually, she wouldn't have. Yes, she was still young, but she was twenty-six. She fell just outside it."

"So, you think that her heart was still there."

She nodded, "I guess that's some sort relief."

There were a few moments of silence.

He lifted the photograph of Lady Faina's statue, "How do you think the statue fits into this?"

"I'm not sure. I can't shake this feeling I have though."

"Feeling?"

She nodded, "He first wanted me to stop investigating by giving several warnings. Now, he's deliberately giving information. What changed?"

"I was wondering that myself. I agree with Commodore Link that he's seeking you out directly, but the question is why?"

"I'm not sure, but this statue could be the key."

"What if it's a trap?"

She gave a smirk, "I guess it's a good thing that I'll have a big strong Truthfall to protect me."

"That's not funny. I'm serious."

"I know, but we don't have much of a choice. Our time is running out and your Commodore ordered us to investigate it."

Novus sighed in defeat. He pulled one his desk drawers opened and placed a white envelop in front of her. She opened it. There were two tickets for a six o'clock train for Larkston.

"Larkston." She stated.

Novus nodded, "It's the best place to start. The statue must be at or near the lake Michael was found in."

"I agree."

Fare was unaware, but Novus took notice. The tickets were shaking in her hand. She knew that it was the most logical place to find answers, but could she muster up enough courage to face a long kept skeleton in her closet?

She tightened her grip on the tickets, "Let's do it."