𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚖𝚎

Chapter 45

Moira knocked on the door but nobody answered. She thought Carl had tricked her again but then all of a sudden the door opened. She was welcomed by an old woman with uniform.
"You must be Moira Adams. Carl Serafino awaits you, miss."
"Um- thank you."
Moira made her way to the coach and sat down. Then the maid said:
"May I suggest you a cup of tea? Carl is coming in a minute."
"No, thanks."
"Oh, Carl. She's here."
When Moira turned her head around she saw a man with sad faced mask and black robe. She almost choked when she remembered her nightmare from this morning. Carl sat down next to her and spoke with his low pitched voice of a thousand demons.
"It's an honor to meet you, detective." He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of her palm.
"I-I'm here to ask you questions Carl." She stuttered.
"Calm down. I don't bite. Don't be scared of my appearance."
"Why are you wearing this mask?"
"This mask is a symbol of my past."
"What was your past like?"
"Abandonment, rejection, hate and-"
"Revenge?"
"Yes. Mostly revenge. Yet, I don't think I have completed my mission yet."
"Who are you? Do I know you at all?"

"I can't answer this question. I don't even know who I actually am. I lost track of time and space. The pain in my soul made me feel so numb I forgot everything I used to be. But I don't think it matters anymore. It's in the past. All the shed blood of those whose souls sought redemption is enough for me."
"You're a weirdo."
"What about you, detective? Aren't you glad you got rid of Frank?"
"Why do you refer him as Frank? He-"
"You believe he's alive, right?"
"Since Tommy is alive, why not?"
"You have really sharp mind, milady. But be careful when you have a battle with your mind and heart. You can literally slice your own heart by mistake."
"My job has nothing in common with my feelings. They're only an obstacle for me."
"So, you say that you didn't love Frank at all?"
"Stop calling him Frank."
"I thought you loved calling him like that. For example, on your sister's wedding."
"Where do you know about the wedding?"
"There were plenty of people. Some of them killed by me. They still had their memories about Frank's burst when you provoked him."
"Where is Nikki?"
"It's like I would tell you."
"Oh, you will. Otherwise-" Carl pulled out a gun against Moira's head.
"Otherwise what? You'll arrest me? I don't think so."
"Will you let me go home?"
"Beatrice, prepare a room for my guest. She'll stay over for a while. And also, make her a cup of that special tea you always make." He ignored Moira completely.
"As you wish, sir."
Beatrice's special tea was nothing but a tea with smashed sleeping pills instead of sugar. Carl used this trick to deceive his captives. They either would wake up tied or would never wake up again. But this time was different and Nikki had to be careful what his next move would be.

Meanwhile, Vince got worried about Moira. Heidi suddenly snapped her fingers in front of his face.
"What's wrong, Vince?"
"Oh, nothing. I just-"
"I'm sure Moira is okay."
"What if she tries to kill herself again?"
"Since she got new clues about her sister's death? I don't think so."
"You know what? You're right. I even called her and she said she was at home."
"You see? There's no need to worry." Deep inside, he knew something was wrong.

Beatrice brought the tea to Moira. Then she went upstairs to prepare a room.
"Now, drink your tea. You don't want to disrespect Beatrice, right?" Carl said still holding his gun against Moira's head.
"A-alright. But put that gun down."
"If you promise not to run away from here."
"I-I promise." Moira mumbled. She was scared, really scared. This mysterious dark energy Carl brought to her soul was cutting her breath. She brought the cup to her lips taking a small sip. Then she felt the bittersweet taste on her tongue and took several sips more.
"You see, it's just a tea."
"Well, I kind of feel calmer and...*yawn* I think I have to go."
"You can't travel in that condition. As I talk now you start to feel tired than ever." Moira immediately felt asleep. Then Carl took his mask off. Nikki brought Moira up bridal style and led her to the room Beatrice had prepared. When he laid Moira down the bed he touched her sleeping face and kissed her forehead.
"Sweet dreams, Moira." He sighed. Then he took ropes and tied her hands to the bed.

"Where's the asshole?" Tommy had lost patience long ago.
"He's busy." John said automatically.
"He's always fucking busy. WHERE IS HE?"
"Wow, why that shouting, T-Bone? I'm here." Nikki suddenly appeared.
"This fucker said you had brought Moira here."
"Actually, Carl Serafino had."
"Where is she?"
"In her room. Sleeping. Tied up."
"Why are you such an asshole?"
"I don't know. Maybe I like the sense of power and control I have."
"YOU ARE NOTHING BUT AN EGOMANIAC."
"Shut your mouth, man. You're gonna wake up my guest."
"WHY YOU HAD TO KILL MY WIFE?"
"She was ruining everything."
"WHAT HAS SHE DONE TO YOU?"
"John, please shut his mouth, I'm tired." John got a tape and put it on Tommy's mouth.

Nikki went to his room and tried to fall asleep but his thoughts were concentrated on Moira. Then he sneaked to her new room and saw her sleeping. He tried not to touch her again but it was hard. Yet if he wakes her up, his plans will be ruined. So he went back to his room and started writing something. Yet a plenty of poems were already crammed in a briefcase under his bed. The love he had for Moira was killing him.