Lethal Beauty

XX - Low Blow

Judiel was sitting inside the car with another detective Jim Neuron while her partner, Delbert stood near a distant hill, down on the ground was a grave site bearing the name "Ramona Northwood", his wife.

"You know when I was first introduced to him. I apologized for bothering his anniversary dinner with his wife," Judy scoffed at her foolishness. "No one told me his wife died many years ago."

Jim chuckled softly. "He's private. Only a few people know about him despite his many achievements. Guess old Delbert didn't want the spotlight on him."

"I agree. By the way, did we miss anything when we were gone?"

"Not much. Still following a lead regarding a shtriga's secret camp building up the north. Next week, we will have a meeting with the other agents in EHPU. I'm sure you and Delbert must've heard of it. Say, what happened in Kent?"

She tensed, averting her gaze from where Delbert was, now kneeling on his wife's grave. "The victim was quite an interesting individual. A degree in genetics and parapsychology."

"Oh, so, she knows about occults. She must be interested in the vampires."

She considered this and nodded. "She was working on a secret project sponsored by the government. Delbert believes that this project might've involved some vampires."

"By 'some vampires' you meant the House of Elders?" Jim deduced. "How about that information you got from that representative our government sent in Saint Constantine?"

"I'd rather not talk about it. Delbert told me to not tell anyone about it yet. Highly confidential. For now."

Jim nodded in understanding and pulled out a spiral memo filled with writings. It made Judy smile that she couldn't help commenting, "You've been doing some homework."

"Well, I'm new to the special task force. I don't want to slow down my senior detectives."

Delbert came in and slid into the driver's seat. He looked at his two companions and muttered, "Sorry about that. I hope you two aren't very bored."

"No," Judy, who was sitting beside him smiled. "It's fine, D."

⛧☾༺♰༻☽⛧

"I didn't do it on purpose, I really am supposed to text you!"

Janne Rosenthal had just entered her house and was now hanging her coat on a rack when her grandson Abel called.

"You know what I feel about you not texting back," Abel said. He was walking in the corridors with Sven following closely behind. "What's going on, why are your messages always delayed? It's not like you're in another country."

The older woman groaned. "Can you stop nagging for once? Shouldn't you be in class at this time?"

"I'm about to go to the class. Remember, always reply to my texts. I'll call you if you don't," the young man warned.

She only rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Brat."

As she put the phone down and entered the hallway, she paused. Taking a deep breath, she rushed to her room, and behind a bookshelf, she started breaking down a brick wall. It took a few moments and by the time she was done, perspiration was on her forehead.

Slowly, she pulled out a metallic shaving box. It was locked by a sophisticated key that could only be opened by a drop of her blood. As she pinched her thumb with a needle, she let her blood touch the small container in the lock and it came to life.

The thing was, Abel wasn't the only one keeping secrets. He didn't tell her about the university. He just said that he was granted a scholarship. But Janne knew about Judy Nyman and was aware that she works for the Elite Hunter Protection Unit. She knew that Abel lied to her and this was probably supported by Judy and her partner, whoever that was. Janne knew everything, and Janne knew that her grandson was the representative the government had sent to that university.