37. P O W E R : Tower, Part I

CHAPTER III - The Hunt.

"Kacey's gone?"

"Yes, sir."

Frederick grunted as he exited the hotel with Amadeus in tow. "A pity. It seems I will have to drive the Romeo, then," he muttered, handing Amadeus the hyenas' leashes. "And now I need a new assistant."

"Oh—about that." Amadeus took the leashes and hurried over to Frederick's side. "Obviously, you've heard about what happened to my cousin last night. Honestly, I'm still trying to process it myself; I didn't sleep very well, and I—"

"Get to the point, Amadeus," Frederick interrupted impatiently.

"...Right." Amadeus sighed. "Al had an assistant, you see—a secretary named Alma Daval. She's likely to be cleaning out her desk today, as she's currently out of a job. And the way things are right now, finding one will prove to be an insurmountable challenge—especially for a woman."

"Ah. So I should take advantage of the less fortunate—is that what you're saying?" Frederick asked with a thin smile.

"Well... I wouldn't put it so coarsely..." Amadeus mumbled.

Frederick laughed. "Wonderful! It seems you're growing a backbone after all." He slid into the driver's seat of the Romeo and made a beckoning gesture. "Come along, then; let's head to the radio station. It's time to make Ms. Daval an offer she can't refuse."

-

Alma was taking papers off her desk and stuffing them into a briefcase when she heard a knock at the doors of the radio station.

Red-eyed and sniffling, the secretary rubbed her nose and ambled over to the door, cracking it open and looking outside with one eye. "H-Hello?" she asked in a congested voice.

"Ms. Daval?" the short older man outside asked in an English accent.

Alma frowned, confused, and opened the door a bit further. "Y-Yes?"

"Greetings," the man said to her. "My name is Frederick Isidore V. I hear you were the secretary to the, erm... late Mr. Alastor, is that correct?"

Alma nodded, wiping her eyes. "Yes, I... I was," she confirmed.

"Mm." The man smiled. "Well, I've recently become aware of your current predicament, Ms. Daval. It'll be an awful go, looking for a new job in this economic climate."

Alma sighed. "Yes, I know. I was about to go home and gather up some things to sell—just to hold me over until I find a new job, or..." She trailed off and laughed sadly. "Or I'm out on the street."

"Oh, don't bother with that," Frederick told her with a dismissive gesture. "Allow me to make you a different offer." He extended a hand to her. "Become my assistant, and I shall pay you handsomely."

Alma blinked, staring at Frederick before looking down at his hand. "Your—your assistant? Mr. Isidore, I... I don't know what to say. I mean, you've only just met me!"

"True. But my ward has vouched for you," Frederick informed her, angling to his head to his right.

Alma tilted her head in confusion and pulled the door open a bit more.

Standing on Frederick's right was a caramel-skinned man who bore a startling resemblance to her deceased boss—a man she knew well.

"Amadeus?" Alma exclaimed, startled.

"Hello, Alma," Amadeus replied with a smile.

Alma turned from him to Frederick, her mouth open in shock.