The Mask of New Paris ✓

XVI. Distribute Dock

Back at home, I slump on the couch, the events of the day finally wearing off. Realization slowly hits. Reed is kidnapped. His best friend, Griffin Carmody, saw it happen. Yet, the Guards did not believe the store manager of Jennings. Instead, they refused to take his disappearance serious as both Reed's wife and best friend claim he might be in great danger.

I bite my lip to prevent helpless tears to roll down my cheeks. Farah is busy in the kitchen, preparing a light meal. With a dedicated push, I lift myself of the couch and strut towards the office. Only having been there once before, the room keeps surprising me. It's more spacious than I remember.

My footsteps are softened by the thick carpet on the floor as I walk towards the desk and sit down in the comfortable leather chair. Without any resistance, I pivot it to face the big window. The sun has finally set and outside it's dark. Even the moonlight can't force itself through the thick vegetation of the bayou tonight. The light from inside catches the cold stare of a 'gator that sinks itself deeper into the water, its dark eyes burning with the reflection.

Holding my breath, I absentmindedly watch the animal swim away, its back and tail slightly sticking out above the surface. Somehow, the alligator has undoubtedly been connected to Reed. All the way from receiving his scar during that awful mission, to working undercover and seeking a lone life in the middle of the Great Green to ending up being kidnapped by a nemesis he was too worried about to share with me. It all started with an animal that is now already dead, unknowing of the damage his flick of claws has caused.

The office smells strongly like Reed and without even noticing I long for him. Never had I thought to develop such strong feelings for a man I barely know. Even now, many parts of him are hidden, tucked away safely for "my own sake".

Groaning, I stand up and walk decisively towards the bookcase filled with binders. The backs are blank, not giving away the content of any of the binders. I randomly pick one out and scan the yellowed papers inside. They are all dated from several years ago, around the time that Michael left for duty.

It contains files and maps, photographs even but nothing that seems to tell who took Reed and where they might have taken him. The next binder I open has the article about Edgar Banner's death in the front. My eyes skim over the content, aware that somehow this murder and Reed's kidnapping must be linked to each other.

Ernest Boudrot, mourning friend of councilman Banner has decided to speech at the funeral. The ceremony will be held in intimate circle at the New Paris church. The editorial staff of New Paris News offers their condolences to the family members of Sir Edgar Banner during these hard times.

A tiny detail from the entire article is encircled and the name alone makes me frown. 

Ernest Boudrot. 

The red marker even seeps through the thin newspaper paper. A question mark is scribbled next to it.

What is the link between Joane Boudrot's father and the kidnapping of Reed? Is there even an indication that perhaps the Boudrots know more about it? After all, Reed disappeared the night of their party.

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The next morning, the entire house is silent. In the kitchen downstairs, I hear the soft sound of Farah's cooking. When I open my eyes and cast my gaze to the side, the empty side of Reed welcomes me. A new gush of worry washes over me. He has been gone for an entire day with no one looking for him.

Rushed, I get out of bed, the possible scenarios replaying in my head as I get dressed. Until late in the evening, Ernest Boudrot's name kept haunting me, the only clue I could ever find in Reed's office. Whatever it was, whatever he meant, I couldn't trust a single Boudrot until I got Reed back, safe and sound.