The 100 Year Old Debt #Wattys2023

Chapter VIII: The Man with the Smile, Frederick Facsimile

3rd Moon

27th Phase

2018

3:55 pm

With the concerning news on my mind, I rushed with urgency towards my companion, deep in thought with all that's transpired today.

"Mr. Allegro!" I exclaimed.

" Hawkins, this better be good. I was in the middle of something-"

"Never you mind that for now, we have to go! Mr. Facsimile, he's not here and I believe he might be leaving the country!"

He became alarmed at this unexpected development.

"What time, then, did he leave?"

"It must have been a few minutes before 11:00am. Policies state that all tenants must leave by that time in order to start preparing for further guests staying in the rooms."

"I see. Did the front desk see where he went?"

"Regrettably no. She did, however, see someone with him when he left."

"Really now?"

"Yes. They were cloaked, though, so she could not see anything beyond his figure.

He rubbed his chin, pondering at this.

"Well! I think it's safe to say that something really is afoot! And that he is in need of questioning. Very well, it might be a long shot, but it might be our best bet."

My partner picked up his telephone, marking the numbers to send a video call towards Ms. Okeanos.

"Come on, pickup," he uttered.

"Hey Luci! Hm? Oh, and Jenny! Hi-hi! What are you guys up to-"

"Skip the pleasantries, Okeanos. We're in a bind at the moment, and we need some assistance."

"Of course, of course! It's always all job and no games with you, is it? Ha-ha! What can I do for you, then?"

"We need you to track our person of interest. We have reason to believe he might be skipping country. His name is Frederick Facsimile. I just sent you his phone number so I would appreciate it if you could track his phone."

"Huh?! You got his number?"

"You do know I'm not a hacker, right?"

"But you did learn something about it. I'm sure you still have that program on your computer you made with Quixote."

"Fair point! Just give me a minute."

"Ms. Okeanos, you too?!"

"How on Terra did you get his phone number?"

I took a note of the logbook earlier when the front desk was unoccupied. It was before I spoke with the large brutes. I wasn't planning to use it since I surmised we would find him at the pub. But it's not like we have much of a choice to use it now, is there?"

"But is that not illegal?" I asked, concerned.

"It's not illegal unless you get caught."

"You did not just say that, sir."

"Done! I sent you the cords to your phone, Luci!"

"As helpful as always, Okeanos, thank you."

Sighing, I resign knowing that it would prove fruitless trying to change their mind.

"I cannot say I approve of this but, there is not much we can do. So, thank you."

"Of course! Happy to help! Good luck!"

With a smile and a wave, Mr. Allegro hanged up the call.

"Heh, starting to regret working with us now, rook?"

"I fear that what we are doing is a bit too much and might get in trouble because of it."

"Nonsense! So long as we catch our witness, we'll be fine. That's the benefit of working as a private company with the authorization of the cabinet! Besides, this is relatively tamed in comparison to my other excursions."

//Tamed?!//

"Ha-ha, I'm joking. At least the last part."

//Our witness might leave country and he is making jokes?!//

"Anyway, it would seem that he's on Edinburgh Station. I deduce that with a few shortcuts and a few red lights, we might be able to shave thirty minutes and make it barely. Let's make haste. Raoul, full speed! The chase is on!"

"Ha-ha with such fire in your eyes, who am I to not say no!"

"Ah, Raoul slow down!"

We hurriedly made our way towards the traffic, bobbing and weaving the incoming vehicles, taking shortcuts from places I was not even aware that existed. Finally, with the chauffeur landing on the entrance of the station, we exited and ran as fast as we could so that we would reach him before the train departed. With not a second to spare, Mr. Allegro bought the tickets with speed and precision, barely making it in time to reach the train before the doors closed for us.

"Hah, we managed somehow," I said as I tried to catch my breath.

"Somehow is correct, I did not expect for this to turn into a marathon. It's a good thing your hunch was right, Hawkins, for I believe all would've been lost if we were just a second too late. Speak of the devil... and he shall arrive."

On the end of the cart, by the side of one of the booths, a man matched the description we had been given of Facsimile. He was a scrawny, round shouldered man who exhibited a singular olive vest with a black dress shirt, toppled with a cravat. He wore a monocle on his left eye, for he appeared to be partly blind. His hair was wavy, but it was kept in an organized manner.

"Well, thanks to the stars, we found him." I spoke.

"Agreed. Come, let us cross-examine him before he notices us."

Drinking coffee with a book to the side, he took notice of my companion and I.

"Would you mind if we sit here sir?" asked my companion amicably.

"But of course not. Please."

He gave a gesture of invitation, which in return we took.

"Well, you look positively drenched and beaten about. Late for the afternoon trip, eh? Ah, well, I can't blame you. It usually gets packed at this time of day." He remarked in amusement.

"Yeah, well, you know what they say, 'Never any space, never any time'. If it wasn't because our driver knew the fastest route to arrive at the station, my friend and I would've missed the train."

Facsimile chuckled at his remark.

"Well, you wouldn't be the first. That's how things usually go. Everything suddenly becomes harsher whenever you're in a hurry. That is why I rather plan things that leave it at the last second."

"I am inclined to agree. Hm? Caramel mocacchino I take it?"

"Why yes, it is. I take it you must be a fellow coffee aficionado?" he asked, impressed.

"Heh can't live without it. Especially when the beans are toasted just right."

Enjoying their interactions, he chuckles at my companion, to which the attendant came to us.

"Good afternoon! Would you care for something to drink?"

"You certainly are turning to be an interesting fellow. Could I get you something?"

"The same you're having. I'm feeling for some coffee as well. Hawkins?"

"O-oh, um, some water is fine."

"Of course. Would you care for something as well, sir?"

"Hm? No, no, I'm fine at the moment."

"Understood. I'll be right back."

Leaving to fetch the beverages, we continue where we left off.

"So where did you say you were from? He asked curiously.

"Victoria. Raised in the Queen's Kingdom."

"Interesting! Returning home, then I take it?"

"Of course. Love here and I got engaged, so we just want to bring the news to the family."

//E-E-Engaged?!//

Growing red faced, I look away in embarrassment.

"Heh, how charming? Well, you certainly caught a beautiful girl. Lucky you."

"Ha-ha, yes well, I'm just grateful she chose someone as me to be her husband. Definitely used a life's worth of luck."

"Ha-ha, that is how it usually goes!" said Mr. Facsimile in enjoyment.

//Ugh, I hate this so much, and I hate it that his acting is good.//

With the train attendant returning to us, she gave both my drink and his. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Mr. Allegro and I drank our refreshments as the train whisked us away through the outer fields of Edinburgh.

"Thank you for the refreshment. Nothing really beats good coffee after a day of work. Now, with all these questions, I suppose it's fair I get a chance to ask something?"

"By all means! You've certainly proved to be a charming pair, so I'm all ears."

"Excellent! Well then, tell me, what were you doing on the night of the murder?"

Shocked at the question, he spilled his drink on the table.

"What on earth do you mean?" he said warily.

"Let's not do this, please. I really don't enjoy cliches and I'm not a fan of the back-and-forth banter you typically see in dramas. Come on, what other reason would we be sprinting to reach the last train of the day? We would appreciate if you cooperated with us. After all, running away from the law is a considerable offense, especially since we know you're involved in this ordeal."

"Hah, so much for a friendly pair. You two must be officers, then?"

"No, we're not," my companion quickly rebuked. "I would be caught dead, becoming one of those lapdogs. No, we're private investigators. My name is Allegro and my companion here is Hawkins. We're investigating the killing of Victor Primo."

"Well," he snickered. "I believe that you are wasting your time, then. I have nothing to do with the killing. That much is true."

"Is that so? Then tell me exactly why are you on a train to Victoria then? Surely, if you are innocent, you would have given the officers your account before you left."

As I observed, our acquaintance had gotten quiet at the questions, still maintaining a smile to the side. Unfazed, he gave his response.

"As much as I would like to continue this little game with you, I have no reason to answer you. If you two are not police officers, and for that matter, working with them, I will remain silent. If that is all you came here to do, then please exit at the next stop. You're making unnecessary attention towards us."

My friend, as I had observed, was growing impatient. He sought to make this as smoothly as possible, but it was going against his favor.

"Why must people always make things complicated? Very well, if that is how you want things to play out, then so be it."

With a few buttons pressed, it looked like my companion had sent a message.

"If you plan to make this harder, then I have no choice but to involve the officers. I had every intention of speaking privately with you, but that bridge has been cut."

His smile twitching. It had proven that this unexpected development had gotten through him.

"What happened to not being involved with the police?" he said, outraged.

"We aren't, but we are working together, so there's that. I ask that you just sit down and wait until we arrive at the next station, unless you plan on jumping the train, that is. Oh and thanks for the coffee," he said with an arrogant smile.

His composure returning, he laughed off the sarcastic remark.

"Cheeky brat. You planned this from the start."

"Did I?"

"Don't mock me!"

In anger, the man threw a punch at my companion, to which he quickly grabbed by his forearm and threw him towards the floor, bouncing with the utmost pain from the impact. With the sound, everyone caught attention to the situation and starting murmuring about what had happened.

"That should prove an end to that. And our stop is here, wonderful! Hawkins, do me a favor and apprehend him. The officers should be waiting for our arrival at the station, so it would be best if we gave them Facsimile, without any problems."

With the sunset coloring the sky, we arrive at Dunchester Station. Clearing the way for our detained, we walked towards the meeting point and gave them Mr. Facsimile so that they would then take him to the detention center where he would be kept detained for when interrogations. With our duties done for today, we sit on to catch our breath.

"So, I take it we are done, yes?" I asked.

"For today we are. I just messaged Raoul to come pick us up here in Dunchester. Should take no more than twenty minutes to arrive."

"Wonderful. But still, dear, what an eventful day."

"I agree. I'm more impressed though that you managed to handle today it rather well for it being your first day working for us. Well done."

"O-oh thanks! This investigation came rather abrupt for me, but I am glad that I was able to help for today. I still have a long way to go, so I hope I can still keep learning from you."

Sharing my feelings with him, he was caught off guard, not expecting that from me. And despite trying to hide it, he shared a smile at those sincere words.

"Flattery will get you know where, Hawkins. But so long as you continue to apply yourself, you'll start growing in this field."

"R-right!"

"Hm, we should revise all that we have gathered to close for today. Hawkins, give me an account of everything that has transpired."

"Right away, sir."

Picking up my journal, I searched through my journal the notes I made in our investigation.

"Our victim is Victor Primo, the headmaster of the house of Primos. He was murdered last night with what seems to be a kitchen knife. With no alibi, Mr. Jeffrey Hoper is the prime suspect."

"Right, that's how the crime scene looked like. What else?"

"A huge discussion was heard over the residency. The discussion was so loud that members of the staff could hear muffles throughout the house, although no clear words. As noted by Mr. McKenzie, the walls are made of some noise cancelling materials, making it possible to not hear completely what happened in the room."

"Which means anyone could have entered without anybody knowing. And because the bush and camera show that someone else had entered we can confirm that besides Facsimile an uninvited guest was present as well," surmised my companion.

"Correct. That is what I make of it so far as well. There's also the fact that as a consequence of the confrontation, some exchanges had been made, evidenced by the sorry state of the room. We also learned that Mr. McKenzie was familiar with Mr. Facsimile. Although he shared some valuable information, it was evident that he was limited to what he could say, for we deduced that he is being blackmailed by Mr. Facsimile."

"To think he would blackmail someone to limit our findings. Dastard's more crooked than we thought."

"I agree. And it does not help when he is also framing an innocent man."

"Of course, there's also Mr. Hoper. While there is no alibi to disprove him as the prime suspect, his demeanor shows that he really is not involved in this. Which is more the reason to find the truth and clear his name. What other things did you write, Hawkins?"

"There is also the detail of the blood on the door frame, the small button and the clock at the pub. It was broken, but it was left marking at 10:45, presumably in the morning."

"Indeed. We should expect results for tomorrow by Gushi's team first thing in the morning. Send me all of your notes and evidence via pictures so I can check it out. Here's my number. Send it through iBuddy."

"Got it."

"Mm, anyway, I think that's all we could do for today. We have a lot of work cut out for us tomorrow, so it would be best to call it a day."

"If I may ask, what exactly are going to be doing tomorrow?"

"Firstly, I believe we should pay a visit to Facsimile at the Detention Center. He should prove to be useful for the investigation, although extracting that information will be another matter to deal with. I also want to give another look at the murder weapon. I have a feeling that, with what we found today, we might achieve the truth about what really happened that night."

"But for now,", he stretched himself briefly. "We should make way and eat something. Any cravings, Hawkins?"

"I appreciate the gesture, but I am not sure I should-"

A sounding growl was audible between us.

//!!!//

I was growing bashful, for with all the excitement we had gone through on our journey, I had not eaten anything this afternoon. He gave a bewildered stare for which I was too embarrassed to look at. Laughing, for he did not expect to receive a resounding reply at the thought of eating out, he smiled.

"Now Hawkins there's no need to be shy. You haven't exactly eaten anything since breakfast, so there really is no need to hold back. Besides, you've helped me a lot today, so it's the least I can do."

Despite first impressions, Mr. Allegro showed a very considerate side to his character. Perhaps he only grows cold when his attention is fully on work.

"Um, well... Are there any coffee shops nearby? I am not one to enjoy big meals, but I am happy as long as there is some coffee and sandwiches."

"Coffee?" he replied in shock. "Well, that makes this trip all the more worth it. I was also in the mood for some coffee. Let's head back to Edinburgh. There's a shop that an acquaintance of mine works at that serves excellent coffee. Other things such as baked goods, homemade sandwiches and even shiren cuisine are offered as well. Ah, our ride is here. Let's not waste time, Hawkins. You'll surely enjoy the drink when we get there."

After a night indulging ourselves with the brilliant taste of coffee, we went our separate ways and planned to reconvene tomorrow morning.