Lethal Beauty

XXIV - Incognito

"Sweden?"

Carlisle Forster Hill, Head of the EHPU in Italy called in two of his best agents handling the case in Puglia---Delbert and Judy. They recently went back from Kent and were still trying to connect the death of Doctor Bernadette Harris to the suspect or perhaps, 'suspects' running amok in one of the safest cities in Italy, when they were told about the unusual case in Trollhättan.

"That's out of our jurisdiction," Delbert clarified this to their head, after figuring out the rest and understanding the intent behind the early meeting.

"You're treating EHPU like other government agencies. This is a special task force assigned to put the bloodsuckers behind bars."

Delbert paused and Judy took over. "Sir, there are EHPU agents assigned in Sweden that can work on the case---"

"Yes, and you're going to work with them." Carlisle, mid-forties, was a man born out of privilege and was also the former head of the FBI before being transferred to the special task force. He has a proclivity for not taking NO for an answer.

"How do we even know our cases are related?"

"How do we even know it's not?"

Delbert chuckled as he glanced at the frustrated Judy. "Face it," said Carlisle. "If we have a definite suspect, the FBI won't be needing us. But these are cases allegedly done by vampires. Anyway, next week we will have a gathering as part of the corporate anniversary to celebrate the establishment of the special task force. You will meet the other agents all around the world including those from Sweden."

"Roger that," Delbert answered in a salute.

"Be on your best behavior. I don't want anyone saying bad about the agents in Rome, please. Spare me the paperwork!"

⛧☾༺♰༻☽⛧

"I can't believe you didn't even oppose his decision."

Judiel was quick to point this out as Delbert slid inside the driver's seat. "What am I supposed to say?"

"Tell him we're still investigating the connection in the murder in Kent!"

"And show him what?" Delbert's brow raised and when she was momentarily stunned, he continued, "Show him the piece of paper the victim left with the symbol of the vampire academy. Carlisle won't accept that. In fact, he won't even count that as evidence."

"So, what now? We're just going to let it go?"

"I never said that. What I'm trying to say is...we can give Jim something to do."

⛧☾༺♰༻☽⛧

Iris, dressed in black stood in front of a funeral pyre watching the Elder Vanguards throw the dead bodies for cremation. Dike walked to stand by his side, gazing at the same scene, both of their minds elsewhere.

"This is more than we expected," Dike said. "Tomorrow, I'll send you and Lux to hunt a northern camp. The sooner we get rid of all the shtriga in Rome, the better---"

"Why are words so important to a human?" Iris interrupted his monologue with his own. "Aren't actions undoubtedly speaking more than words to convey the true feelings?"

Dike gave him a long, and profound stare, evidently stupefied at the younger's sudden outburst. The thing was, Iris never asked him for any advice. Not to mention that he had never seen the young Elder contemplate anything other than what other sadistic ways he could implement to torture his victims.

"Not exactly," Dike exhaled softly. "Are you familiar with the saying, the pen is mightier than the sword?"

"No."