The Plague Doctor [RATED R] ✓

(22) That Warm Embrace

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"THE PLAGUE DOCTOR...when you said they got rid of him, what did your father and Claudio's father actually do?" I ask him, and Teo immediately looked away.

     He couldn't answer such a simple question. I could tell that he knew something about what happened to the previous plague doctor. His father probably told stories about it like they were some kind of war story, but guessing by how Teo's reacting, and how mad Claudio is with the town, I could conclude that they did something terrible. They probably killed the plague doctor in front of the whole town to watch.

     "I don't think what they did was right, but the plague doctor was evil, and that's the only thing I want to believe," Teo answers with an uncertain expression. It almost sounded like he was saying that out loud so he convince himself. I wanted to share his remorse or to comfort him at least but I wasn't the type to do such a thing. I wasn't really empathetic so whatever he's feeling right now has nothing to do with me.

     "Well, I guess if it's such an uncomfortable topic then let's not talk about it anymore," I say instead since knowing about the plague doctor's past wasn't my initial plan. I'm here for something else, and that's to find out the reason why Claudio got so frustrated after losing that file at the hospital.

     "By the way, Teo, I heard at the post office that something happened at the hospital. Did something bad happen to master Claudio?" I ask, switching the topic like we weren't just talking about a possible murder a couple of seconds ago.

     "So you've heard?" Teo asks back, adjusting his necktie and leaning on the balustrade. "Nothing really bad happened to your master, but it seems like a file was stolen. We're still trying to look for it."

     "A file?"

     "I'm not allowed to say anything, but since you're Claudio's butler I guess it's fine. The files that got stolen were files from his previous patient. Heard he took care of him for a couple of months before he died," Teo explains, and my interest skyrocketed in an instant.

     "If I dare ask, do you know the name of this patient?" I ask, hoping Teo would tell me.

     "Let's see, if I remember correctly the initials were...L.H. I think the L stands for Lincoln, and the H—" Teo pauses, trying to remember what the H was but he couldn't quite remember it. After trying his best to recall the name, Teo gave up and shook his head. "I apologize, Bishop, I don't seem to remember. If I end up remembering it, I'll tell you."

    I was disappointed at the results, but I laughed it off and just pretended like it wasn't a big deal even though it really was. "It's fine, don't stress yourself too much. I was just asking because I got a little curious."

     "Is that so?" He says before smiling and nodding his head.

     The two of us became silent again. I couldn't think of anything to say anymore, but the silence was nice. The manor was always lively and busy, but being here with him was peaceful. Maybe it was because of the location that we were in, or maybe because Teo himself was a peaceful person, but I felt relaxed like I could let loose with no worries.

     He was calming compared to Claudio. With Claudio, I worry about every single move I make and every single word I say because I have to make sure I don't disappoint him. But with Mateo...

     "Bishop," Teo suddenly calls out, making me look back at him. "About the plague doctor...I think I might have left you the wrong impression. I know there's nothing I could do about it now, but if it was me, I would have definitely done something different."