Erudition of Doyle: Volume One

CHAPTER 14: CASE IV - MONEY OR LIFE?

Case 4: Money or Life?
(The Owner of The Diary
Chapter, Part Four)

ROSALINDA

“What now?” I asked Doyle, crossing my arms. The three of us huddled behind the school, avoiding the guard’s gaze.

“If Lilith and Mammon are working together and the story connects, where do we even start looking?”

Clark glanced at the book. “If half of it reflects real life, maybe the place described there is where they’re hiding.”

“The story’s location is a warehouse in the middle of nowhere,” Doyle sighed. “But not all Herald Mortiferum members would have matching warehouses. Using identical buildings would make it easier for the police to track them down. Beelzebub already owns the old warehouse where we found John Martinez. The others would need different places to hide their operations.” He looked serious, and this is the first time seeing him like this. “It makes sense they would pick varied spots to stay under the radar and keep their illegal actions hidden.”

Doyle had a point.

“If the story reflects Mammon’s real moves, the author might’ve changed the location to keep it fictional. But this book feels like an unsolved mystery. Someone needs to investigate and shut down this gambling and evil,” I said. I’m sure my father didn’t write this for nothing, he knows about Herald Mortiferum.

He rubbed his face irritably. "What now? What are we going to do? We can’t just sit here." His voice was sharp. "I have to find my cousin. Someone like him shouldn’t die with evil people around. He’s just a kid."

Doyle yawned, rubbing his eyes as he started to walk away. "Don’t worry. I doubt they’ll kill him. Your cousin’s more useful as bait to lure them out."

I frowned. "You’re okay with that?"

"Yes, but do I care about his life? No," he said flatly. I couldn’t help but flinch at his words and immediately looked at Clark. His eyes burned with fury, his skin almost glowing.Clark clenched his teeth and walked away. I let him be, sensing his dislike for Doyle’s answer. I approached Doyle and quickly pinched his ear, making him wince.

“Can you at least show some empathy?” said I, still frowning. I can't believe this is how i sensitive he is.

"Empathy?" Then, Doyle smirked. "He doesn’t need that. He needs the truth, what might happen to his cousin. They could use him as a test subject if they want. Lilith wouldn’t waste time on a worthless kid." He laid out his theory again, and honestly, it sounded all too likely.

I shoved him with my left hand, nearly toppling him. Thin as paper, he looked like he would be blown away by the slightest wind. “Just do something about this, for Clark.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” he grimaced. He really doesn’t care about anyone.

*****

Nakatitig lang ako sa pagkain ko, hindi kumikilos. Ilang subo pa lang, ramdam ko na agad ang busog.

“I’ve heard from Doyle kung ano ang ginawa niyo kahapon,” Raleigh suddenly murmured from behind me, his voice low enough not to draw attention. Hindi ko namalayan na nasa giliran ko lang pala siya, He slid onto the chair and sat right beside me. “You and Clark are investigating his missing cousin, right?”

"Yes, the one who kidnapped the kid is Lilith. It still hasn't been confirmed if she's part of Herald Mortiferum or another organization. However, even though we haven't confirmed it yet, I really think she's part of the organization.He gritted his teeth. "That organization again."