The Hunt for Jack the Ripper (The Phantomhive Diaries #1)

27. Sebastian Michaelis

This is terrible, Sebastian thought to himself as he paced down the corridor, maintaining his calm demeanor despite the situation at large. If Madam Red finds out I lost the young master, she'll question my skills as his caretaker and she will never trust me again.  And if I don't recover him alive before noon, we shall never have dinner. Sebastian tapped the bottom of his chin. What to do? What to do?

"Honestly, where on earth could he be?" He asked himself.

"Oi! Sebastian!"

Sebastian mentally sighed to himself and tried hard not to roll his eyes as he turned to face Baldroy who headed his way. And curious enough, with a letter in hand. My master is missing and here comes Bard to pester me.

"What is it now, Bard?" He asked bluntly.

"We got a letter," Baldroy said.

"If it's for the young master, I'll be sure he receives it later."

When Baldroy reached Sebastian, he let out a deep breath as if he had been running.

"It's not for the young master," Baldroy said.

Sebastian's eyes narrowed at Baldroy's words with suspicion. "Addressed to whom, if I may ask?"

"To the servants of Earl Phantomhive, it seems," Baldroy scratches his head. "Funny, it doesn't say the address of the sender."

Lord Azurro Vanel clearly wanted to get their attention. He wanted something from the estate. And yes, Sebastian knew Vanel was behind the kidnapping. He and the young master had suspected his treachery for a while. From the moment he stepped foot into the manor, Sebastian could smell the rat. It was obvious he wrote the letter. And one could imagine what he wanted from the Estate.

And his instincts were proven correct when something seemed to glimmer out of the corner of his eye. Outside of the window.

When Sebastian turned to look out, he saw a man sitting amongst the trees, aiming a rifle directly at Baldroy.

Blast.

Without a second thought, Sebastian pushed Baldroy back harshly.

In just a few precious moments, the window shattered just as the bullet went through the glass. Baldroy fell on his ass, with a dumbfounded expression on his face. Sebastian knew Baldroy would be annoyed late but if he hadn't pushed him, the bullet would have gone straight through his head. Instead, it stuck one of the delft vases that decorated the corridor, ultimately exploding into pieces of broken china onto the hardwood floor, along with the plants and water spilling out.

Baldroy looked at the gasping sharp hole poking through the window and then down at the shattered vase.

He then looked at Sebastian, eyes wide in bewilderment. "What the fuck!?"

Sebastian, however, remained cool and collected, as always. "Baldroy, give me the letter."

Baldroy quickly stood on his feet. "Did someone just try to shoot at us!?"

However, Sebastian ignored him and snatched the letter from his hands.

"Oi, Sebastian, I'm talking to you. Is someone attacking us?" 

"I'm afraid so," Sebastian said. 

"We should go after that bastard, then." 

Sebastian looked at him sharply. "Bard, remember that we have guests here. We do not need for them to worry by causing a scene. So, I suggest you stay right where you are until I finish reading the letter. Then, you'll follow my instructions exactly as I tell you. I'll take care of the rest."